12 Best Bachelorette Party Destinations

You’re either deciding where to go for your own bachelorette party, or you’re the friend who is responsible for planning!

Woohoo! Bachelorette parties are my favorite part of wedding planning.

But just like planning a wedding, planning a bachelorette party can also be a lot of work.

Especially if you’re trying to plan an epic bachelorette party that the bride will remember forever.

In this blog post, we discuss the best bachelorette party destinations to consider.

We’ll also talk about how to decide which location is right for your group.

Deciding Which Bachelorette Party Destination is Best

When deciding where to go for a destination Bachelorette party, keep in mind the main activities the bride will want to go.

Does the bride want to relax and enjoy the spa?

Can you travel somewhere warmer for a tropical, beach getaway?

Is the bride an outdoor, fitness buff who wants to enjoy a good hike?

Or does the bride enjoy checking out different restaurants and bars?

The best destination for the bachelorette party depends on the bride.

You could plan an amazing trip to Vegas, but if the pride isn’t a big party girl, she probably isn’t going to like Vegas very much.

Which Bachelorette Party Destination Can Your Group Afford

Deciding what everyone can afford will also help determine the best bachelorette party destination for your group.

Typically, the bride doesn’t pay for any of the bachelorette party activities so keep this in mind when planning a destination bachelorette party.

Can everyone afford to fly somewhere?

Or would it make sense to drive somewhere closer?

Some cities and flights can be more expensive, so discuss ahead of time what the bridesmaids and other attendees can afford.

And reserve the date way in advance to give ladies more time to request off work and book travel arrangements.

12 Best Bachelorette Party Destinations

Every bride is different.

The best bachelorette party destination is the city THE BRIDE wants to visit.

If you’re not sure where to go, below are the best bachelorette party destinations to consider:

1) San Diego, CA

For the bride who’s a beach lover and loves the outdoors, you’ll find plenty to do in San Diego.

There’s tons of restaurants and nightlife if your group wants to see the town.

But there are lots of other activities that don’t involve drinking or going to bars.

I live in San Diego, and we did a staycation at a hotel downtown by the marina for my bachelorette party.

We booked a hotel that had suites, so we could have a kitchen and living room, and we loved having more space in the hotel room for games and cooking meals.

My favorite bachelorette activity to do in San Diego?

Rent a boat on the bay!

We rented a private catamaran boat from Malarky Charters.

Rent a private boat for the bachelorette party & celebrate the bride in style! This is the catamaran boat we rented in San Diego. IT WAS EPIC! Planning tip: Get matching tanks from Etsy & have the bride wear a bride tank.

You can also rent pontoon boats, or take a boat cruise on a larger boat with other people.

Best Bachelorette party ideas in San Diego:

• Rent a boat on the bay
• Hit the beach and soak up the sun
• Enjoy a pool day at the hotel
• Enjoy a nice Italian dinner in Little Italy
• Go bar hopping in Gaslamp
• Hike Torrey Pines

Planning tip: If you want to enjoy beach weather in San Diego, summer and fall are the best times of year to visit.

It may get warm enough to enjoy the pool or beach in the spring, but May and June are known for more cloudy/rainier months of the year for San Diego. Locals call it “May gray” and “June gloom” because it can get so overcast. Just a heads up if you were planning a bachelorette party during those months.

2) Austin, TX

I traveled to Austin for a bachelorette party and immediately fell in love with the city.

Austin has a city feel, but also has an outdoorsy vibe for those who love being active.

Austin has similar vibes to San Diego, except Austin doesn’t have the beach.

You can enjoy restaurants and bars in downtown Austin, and try many outdoor activities like kayaking and tubing.

Favorite bachelorette party ideas in Austin:

• Go tubing on the river (we booked with ATXCURSIONS)
• Enjoy some casual drinks & bars with cool ambiance on Rainey Street
• Go bar hopping on 6th Street for more rowdy nightlife
• Go swimming at the Barton Springs watering hole
• Go kayaking or paddleboarding

Cool off from the heat at the Barton Springs watering hole. It's like a natural swimming pool just outside downtown Austin. We went here on the last day of a bachelorette party after brunch before we flew home.

3) Nashville, TN

If the bride likes country, Nashville is the best bachelorette party destination to consider.

You can spend all weekend on Broadway street enjoying live music and bar hopping.

There are SO MANY bars to choose from, but some bars are rowdier than others.

Ask the bride if she prefers more casual, live music bars, or if she wants a dance floor with a DJ.

The morning after enjoying live music and dancing, make sure to get brunch & explore the shops in the Gulch neighborhood.

Milk & Honey and Biscuit Love are some of my favorite brunch spots.

I went to Nashville for a friend's bachelorette party & it was the perfect girls' getaway! We enjoyed walking around downtown after brunch to sightsee and shop.

4) Palm Springs, CA

If you’re looking for some place warm in the Spring or Winter, Palm Springs or Scottsdale would be the best cities for your destination bachelorette party.

Basically, when it's cold everywhere else in the USA, Palm Springs or Scottsdale are probably warmer.

If you enjoy hiking, you can visit Joshua Tree National Park which is a close drive from Palm Springs.

Palm Springs has several large resorts with pools to choose from.

Or if you prefer to rent your own Airbnb with a pool, you’ll have tons of options.

I’ve been to Palm Springs a few times, and my favorite resort is the JW Marriott Desert Springs.

The pools are HUGE so you’ll have plenty of space to relax and soak up the sun.

Planning tip: Avoid traveling to Palm Springs, CA in the summer when it gets way too hot.

5) Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is located right outside of Phoenix, AZ and is another great city to visit if you want to head somewhere warm.

I’d recommend visiting Scottsdale anytime of the year except for summer, where temperatures can get scorching hot.

Nothing ruins the vibe of a bachelorette party like too much sweat or unbearable heat.

If you’re debating between Palm Springs and Scottsdale, I would say Scottsdale has more activities to do and restaurants.

If you’re looking for more shopping, restaurants, nightlife and things to do outside, I would recommend Scottsdale over Palm Springs.

Palm Springs does have downtown areas with restaurants, shops, and nightlife, but Scottsdale has better options in my personal opinion.

But if you’re okay with relaxing at the hotel or Airbnb for most of the bachelorette weekend, Palm Springs may be a better fit for you.

Favorite bachelorette party ideas in Scottsdale:

• Stay at the Westin Kierland Resort which has an adults-only pool and is in walking distance to several restaurants and shops
• Treat the bride to a lavish dinner at Maple & Ash
• For a quick cactus hike in the desert, check out the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
• Enjoy brunch at The Farm at South Mountain for an outdoor, farm-to-table vibe
• Enjoy bar hopping in Old Town Scottsdale

6) Gatlinburg, TN

If the bride loves the mountains, rent a cabin for a girls’ getaway in Gatlinburg, TN.

Soak in the hot tub and enjoy the mountain views as you celebrate the bride-to-be in style.

Gatlinburg has wineries, and you can also hike the Great Smoky Mountains (they even have a few waterfalls!)

For epic views and drinks, take the gondola up the mountain to Anakeesta for a day overlooking the mountains the bride will never forget.

If you're looking for the perfect Airbnb to host your bachelorette party in Gatlinburg, my husband and I would love to host you at our cabin.

Our cabin sleeps up to 12, so it's perfect for larger bachelorette groups who want breathtaking mountain views & a hot tub.

Check out our Gatlinburg cabin here on Airbnb.

Can you imagine sitting here & taking in these views for the bachelorette party? Book our cabin with these views on Airbnb

7) Traverse City, MI

If the bride likes spending time outdoors, lake life, and wineries, Traverse City is the perfect spot for a bachelorette party destination.

I grew up in Michigan and have visited Traverse City several times.

It’s a beautiful city on Lake Michigan and has so many things to do.

There’s a cute downtown with shops and restaurants and you can enjoy so many water activities on Grand Traverse Bay.

But the biggest attraction for bachelorette parties are the wineries!

You can do a wine tour or visit different wineries as you take in the breathtaking views of the bay.

Favorite bachelorette party ideas in Traverse City:

• Visit wineries on Old Mission Peninsula
• If the bride likes beer, enjoy the outdoor beer garden at Hop Lot
• Rent a boat & sail Grand Traverse Bay
• Enjoy a nice dinner downtown
• Hike & enjoy the views at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

8) Orlando, FL or Anaheim, CA

If the bride is a Disney lover, why not celebrate at the place that taught her to believe in her own happily ever after?

Rent an Airbnb and enjoy some of the bride’s favorite rides at Disney.

You don't have to celebrate the bride at bars for her bachelorette party.

Instead, celebrate with a Disney trip with the girls she will remember forever :)

9) Chicago, IL

If the bride enjoys the city life, Chicago has a variety of things to do for a bachelorette party.

Enjoy rooftop drinks in the summer time, shop on Michigan Ave, and sail on the lake on a boat cruise.

I lived in Chicago for years and there are so many things to do for a girls getaway weekend.

Favorite bachelorette party ideas in Chicago:

• Go bar hopping in River North
• Enjoy drinks on a rooftop overlooking the bean at Cindy's Rooftop
• Take a river boat cruise
• Stroll along the riverwalk and enjoy drinks at City Winery
• Enjoy a nice dinner in Gold Coast at Maple & Ash
• Take a group pole dancing class or sexy workout class
• Grab brunch at one of Chicago's finest brunch spots

10) Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas has been a popular spot for bachelorette and bachelor parties for one main reason.

Partying.

If the bride wants to party at the pool and fancy clubs all weekend, Vegas is the place to be.

Since it’s such a popular spot for bachelorette parties, your group may be able to find some good hotel deals and get into some clubs for free.

11) Miami, FL

If the bride loves the beach and partying, Miami is a great bachelorette party destination to consider.

Stay at one of the resorts on Collins Ave which have amazing pools and the ocean nearby.

Enjoy bar hopping in South Beach or hitting up one of the many clubs Miami has to offer.

12) Charleston, SC

If you’re looking for southern charm on the water, Charleston is your place.

Enjoy the beach or rent a boat with the girls.

Hit up King Street for some shopping or a night on the town.

Summary of Best Bachelorette Party Destinations

Looking to do a girl’s getaway weekend for a Bachelorette party?

Here are my top 12 bachelorette party destinations:

1. San Diego, CA
2. Austin, TX
3. Palm Springs, CA
4. Scottsdale, AZ
5. Nashville, TN
6. Gatlinburg, TN
7. Chicago, IL
8. Traverse City, MI
9. Orlando, FL or Anaheim, CA
10. Las Vegas, NV
11. Miami, FL
12. Charleston, SC

If you're engaged or planning a bachelorette party, check out 13 bachelorette party ideas for a fun and holy bachelorette party and explore my favorite bachelorette gifts for the bride.

With Love,

Erin Elise Kiu