Top 10 Bachelor Party Destinations
Skip the Usual, Overcrowded Scenes for These Bachelor-Friendly Locales
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What constitutes a great bachelor party destination? After the budget-friendly, beer-fueled college trips of yesteryear are behind you, the next best thing to look forward to is the elusive pre-marriage blowout. A grown-up bachelor party may be an upgrade from those college trips with your buds (you’ll probably prefer a hotel to a hostel this time around, right?), but the core of the trip remains the same: lots of booze and debauchery, perhaps some strippers, and a whole lot of bromance.
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Whether you’re planning a trip for your bud, or you’re choosing your own adventure, it’s important to get the destination right. Keep in mind that most destination bachelor parties take place in Las Vegas, Montreal, Atlantic City, or Nashville, which, admittedly, are all pretty top notch party destinations.
That said, if you want to march to the beat of your own drum, skip the crowds, and, well, not pay surge bachelor party season pricing, consider one of these underrated destinations to bring the guys instead – each of which brimming with everything you need for a memorable (or... not) bachelor weekend.
Reno, just a few hours from Las Vegas, is billed as the “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Known for its casino industry, Reno is a more affordable alternative to Las Vegas, and probably even cooler. The desert city is packed with world-class casinos and lively nightlife. Drop your bags at the massive 750 square-foot Player’s Spa Suite at Eldorado Resort Casino or opt for the AAA Four Diamond resort Atlantis Casino Resort Spa before heading out to experience the endless nightlife options (think burlesque and cabaret shows, live music, and more).
While you’re there, make sure to try Liberty Food & Wine Exchange, a local artisan eatery headed up by chef Mark Estee with killer organic farm dishes, or BBQ at Brother’s Barbeque. Finally, round out the trip by challenging the guys to cross off a Guinness Book of World Records moment by climbing the World’s Tallest Outdoor Rock Climbing Wall, at 164-feet high, at Whitney Peak Hotel.
Grab the guys and spend a weekend in Alberta’s most underrated mountain town. Canmore, which straddles neighboring Banff and Jasper National Parks, holds its own when it comes to where to party. Once you’re on the ground, check into The Malcolm Hotel. The four-star hotel is located in the heart of Canmore at Spring Creek and pays homage to the town’s unique Scottish history and legacy with the name taking inspiration from King Malcolm III – with views and dining that will turn you into Scottish royalty for the weekend.
Canmore is home to handfuls of incredible Canadian microdistillers and brewers, so make sure to plan a night of brewery hopping – especially to Raw Distillery and Half Hitch Brewing Company. Lucky for you, the town is extremely walkable, so no transportation will be required. Round out the trip with a visit to The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, where winter Olympic athletes still train today. Finally, surprise the guys with a tour of The Rockies – from above – with Alpine Helicopter tours. The breathtaking adventure will delight even the most hardened (or hungover) travelers.
Though not too far from Cancun, for your bachelor party, might we suggest something a tad classier? That step above – and still offering you plenty of party options – is Riviera Maya. With plenty of highly-rated restaurants and excursions, the active group of guys can get a lot of mileage out of their trip in this destination.
Though it might seem like a splurge at $450 a night for double occupancy, the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is actually a steal when you consider all that it offers for the all-inclusive rate. There’s an adults-only area so you won’t be bothered by noisy children and each room includes either a balcony, terrace, sky terrace and a hydro tub.
For a dose of culture, Pavo Real is a must-see, with custom cocktails and authentic ambiance of the island. But for your balling-out night to celebrate your nuptials, book a meal at Restaurante Cocina de Autor, which is ideal for groups and can cater to what your party needs, regardless if it’s fish, chicken or steak (or ahem, all three).
If you’re on the East Coast, flights to France can actually be quicker (and less expensive) than a trip to the West Coast or The Carribean. We recommend flying into Paris, checking into a comfortable, central hotel, like the Hotel Bel Ami in the Sixth Arrondissement, and then booking a City Wonders castles and wine tasting tour through the charming Loire Valley – totally different from the traditional booze-fueled bachelor party.
Treat the guys to an unforgettable day of sipping local wine in family-run castles and wineries, exploring wine caves in the Cave des Domes (a vaulted cellar full of wine barrels), all while discovering what 15th- and 16th-century life was like for the French.
How many times have you been to Montreal? And how many of those times have been for a bachelor party? Montreal is a great city – but there are handfuls of other (less crowded) destinations in Quebec to explore. We recommend flying into Montreal, staying the night somewhere comfortable and central, like the new Four Seasons Montreal, before heading up north to Mont Tremblant.
Check into the Fairmont Tremblant, which is right in the center of the fun, and start exploring. Tremblant is well-loved for its outdoor activities, including skiing in the winter and water activities like kayaking and waterskiing come summer. We also recommend the Dune Buggy guided excursion, which takes guests across the off-road mountains and pine forest trails that offer unparalleled panoramic views of the region.
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Bachelors flock to Kentucky and Tennessee like moths to a flame – and for good reason. The food is fire, the music scene is on point, and the nightlife is pretty unparalleled. This time, head to Bowling Green rather than the typical Nashville or Louisville. We recommend flying into Nashville, spending the night somewhere central like the Thompson Nashville hotel or the Kimpton Aertson Hotel, and then commute to Bowling Green for the weekend (just about an hour’s drive). Here you’ll find everything you could possibly need for an unforgettable bachelor weekend.
Don’t miss racing real corvettes at the National Corvette Museum, zip-lining at Lost River Cave, and, of course, indulging unapologetically in delicious, home-style Southern cooking.
Skip the overcrowded beaches in Mexico and The Carribean and head to Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica. Book a stay at Playa Cativo, a secluded eco-lodge right in the heart of the Costa Rica rainforest, and let the weekend unfold as it pleases. You and the guys can opt to spend the entire time at the resort, soaking in the local flora and fauna and living out your “Pura Vida” before the wedding, or you can head out on a guided hike of Piedras Blancas National Park, where you’ll spot monkeys, tropical birds, and more.
Also, be sure to make time to go kayaking through the mangrove forest, one of the world’s most endangered (and striking) ecosystems.
For great music, lots of party options, idealistic weather and tons of golfing – if that’s your jam – this lesser-known bachelor destination is quickly picking up speed. You can expect to spend a little less than you would in some of the larger destination cities, but still have a great time with you and your buddies.
In the center of Scottsdale Entertainment District is the W Scottsdale. From here, you’re able to walk to some of the cities top bars and clubs, and the hotel will help you put together the rooms however you’d like. With an awesome pool – that has a daily and nightly party – you might not even have to leave to get your party on.
In between your boozing and golfing, make time to stop by a great steakhouse to celebrate your wedding-to-be, such as Flemings Steakhouse that’s in The Hilton, or Donovans. For different flavors, try Tarbells or Mancusco’s – all of which take big party reservations and will ensure your bellies leave happy.
You’ve probably been all over the coast of Mexico for various bachelor parties, weddings, and college trips, but overlooking Mexico City would be doing yourself a serious disservice. Check into an Airbnb in La Condesa or Roma Norte (you can find some crazy deals for large groups), and live large for the weekend.
Head to La Clandestina for some of the best local mezcal in the area before making your way to a rowdy Lucha Libre WWE-style wrestling show at Arena Mexico in Colonia Doctores, where you’ll also find cheap beer and eye-catching costumes. While you’re in town, don’t miss the astonishing views and two-dollar beers at the 41st floor Torre Latinoamericana bar.
Because of its proximity to cruise ship starting points, flights to Fort Lauderdale are usually on the cheap side. We recommend taking advantage of the price difference and spending a wild weekend in the Florida sun. Drop your bags at The Dalmar, downtown Fort Lauderdale’s first luxury lifestyle property, or the W Fort Lauderdale if you want ocean access, and then put your game-face on.
Start the weekend at Apothecary 330, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar offering hundreds of fine spirits hidden within Historic Himmarshee Street (downtown Fort Lauderdale’s center of nightlife). During the day, challenge the guys to some ax throwing at Chops + Hops Axe Throwing Lodge, or try your hand at underwater jet-skiing – Snorkeling meets jet skiing to create the Seabob snorkel adventure. Fort Lauderdale is the only place in the U.S. to offer Seabob rental experiences and guarantees laughs.
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