Top Destinations
Plan an unforgettable bachelorette party getaway.
It's not every day that you have carte blanche to celebrate the final days of your single life with your best girls by your side. So whether you're a first-time bride-to-be or getting ready to embark on your second (or third or fourth) foray into the realm of married people, never underestimate the ritualistic importance of the bachelorette bash.
While they vary in decadence and debauchery, bachelorette rites play out in countries around the world. A "hens' night" in England or Australia usually involves copious drinking, an obligatory pub crawl and inane party games, much like the American version. In Morocco, women gather at the bride-to-be's home to sip sugary mint tea, eat sweets and stencil their hands and feet with intricate henna designs. And in France, the name for a bachelorette party -- enterrement de vie de jeune fille -- translates to "funeral of the life of the young girl." But rest assured that wherever and however you plan to celebrate, there's nothing morose about ushering out one phase of life and welcoming another when a fabulous fete with your favorite friends is on the agenda.
With so many destinations to paint red, the only difficulty comes in decid ing where to head. Here are a few ideas for where to gather the girls.
- New York City, NY
- The
quintessential American bachelorette party destination,
the Big Apple offers every obligatory diversion for
guaranteeing a good time with your best ladies --
world-class shopping, spas, nightlife, restaurants (and, yes, male revues,
too). For a bachelorette party you will really remember Diva Royale Drag Queen Show really knows how to treat you like a queen. Be prepared for plenty of laughs, riveting Adele and Nick Minaj performances and, of course copious amounts of glitter. Ok, so you want to do at least one cheesy bachelorette activity that involves semi-naked men by way of speedos. For that, there's Hunk-O-Mania, New York City's permier male review. You can even arrange for the bride to be called up on stage. You will see more than you bargained for.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- On
any given Spring and Summer weekend night, you'll see gaggles of newly
bronzed ladies sauntering down the boardwalk and
Atlantic Ave. to celebrate those precious
pre-lifetime-commitment moments in one of America's most
legendary locales for letting loose. Bachelorette
gatherings in Atlantic City offer all the essential shopping (hit
the Atlantic City Designer Outlets for big brands as
well as funky vintage finds), partying and nightlife
elements -- with the added appeal of beach time mixed
in. Many hotels offer packages for bachelorette groups.
Caesars -- a super hip and
surprisingly affordable chic hotel on the boardwlak
-- touts a "Style the Last Mile" bachelorette package,
whereby special room rates include manis, pedis and
group massages for your entourage, VIP club passes and
nightly martini rounds during the hotel's happy hour. Be
sure to book your flights back home as late as possible
on Sunday so you can have a last hurrah at the
oceanfront club
Bikini Beach Bar, where SoBe's no-rest-for-the-wicked set
dance with their toes in the sand from midday till long
past midnight.
- Chicago, IL
-
If your ideal bachelorette party is more about
classy dining and nightlife than hog-wild hurrahs,
pass on Atlanta and opt to round up the ladies for a
low-key weekend of Midwest comforts in Chicago
instead. The city's natural beauty and built-in
grace make it one of America's top-ranked wedding
destinations. But there's a lot for a crew of close
friends to like about quality time together here,
too. Consider renting an apartment or house for the weekend, with
forays into the primary
shopping strip; Magnificent Mile, which runs along
north Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak
Street. Here you'll find department stores such as
Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom shopping and
dining. In the evening, you must dine at "Park
Grill" then head over to the number one
bachelorette party destination in Chicago "Hunk-O-Mania"
for a night of clean debauchery fun.
- Las Vegas, NV
-
A party scene that goes off every night of the week,
great outlet shopping, world-class spas and the
diversion of Disney, Universal and SeaWorld (check
out the latter's newly opened water park,
Aquatica) lend Orlando big bachelorette party
appeal. Get away from the family crowds by basing
yourself in downtown Orlando at the swank
Grand Bohemian Hotel, a stone's throw from
scores of tourist-free bars like
Sky 60 (for a cool rooftop scene) or
The Beacon, where South Beach meets Central
Florida. If you prefer to have your fun out at the
parks, party like a rock star by booking into
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort,
where free boat shuttles are your designated driver
to CityWalk's always-on clubbing, live-music and
dining scene.
Portofino Bay Hotel, also at Universal, has one
of Orlando's premier pools. And if a spa outing is
among your plans, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub inside
Gaylord Palms Hotel offers one of the most
decadent venues in the country.
- MIAMI, FL
On any given weekend night, you'll see gaggles of newly
bronzed ladies sauntering down Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive to
celebrate those precious pre-lifetime-commitment moments in one
of America's most legendary locales for letting loose; Miami
Beach is also home of the Ultimate Bachelorette party
destination in the country:
Hunk-O-Mania Bachelorette gatherings in South Beach offer
all the essential shopping (hit Lincoln Road for big brands as
well as funky vintage finds), partying and nightlife elements --
with the added appeal of beach time mixed in. Many hotels offer
packages for bachelorette groups. The Catalina Hotel & Beach
Club -- a super hip and surprisingly affordable art deco hotel
on Collins Avenue -- touts a "Style the Last Mile" bachelorette
package, whereby special room rates include manis, pedis and
group massages for your entourage, VIP club passes and nightly
martini rounds during the hotel's happy hour. Be sure to book
your flights back home as late as possible on Sunday so you can
have a last hurrah at the oceanfront club Nikki Beach, where
SoBe's no-rest-for-the-wicked set dance with their toes in the
sand from midday till long past midnight.
|
|
Nightlife
|
