By Abby Jensen
There’s a reason that before you meet your beau down the aisle, you
spend the wedding morning with your girlfriends. They’re your day ones,
your first loves, and let’s be honest, this day probably wouldn’t have
happened without them. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate this lifechanging event with your “I do” crew before your, well… I dos!
With so many bachelorette hotspots, finding the perfect place for you and
your crew can feel overwhelming. But thanks to this simple list of MUST
HAVES, picking your final fiesta destination just got easy.
The most important aspects of a flawless party weekend are finding a fun
place where you can get your celebration on, connecting with your gal pals,
taking pics at an insta-worthy location, food (because food makes every
happy), and convenience to take the stress out of planning.
So look no further because here’s a list of destinations that meet all the
essential bachelorette weekend needs! Starting with…
CHICAGO – CITY CLUBBING
Okay, so Chicago might not sound like your typical Bachelorette spot, and
don’t worry, I’m not suggesting it for wintertime. But when the suns out, the
fun’s out. And, because you’re a super social girl with friends all over the
country, Chicago is a super convenient place for your crew to come
together. Its central location and giant airports make it an easy trip for your
friends from Seattle, NYC, and Austin. This way, you can connect with all
your girlfriends, not leaving anyone out.
And what better place to celebrate than on Lake Michigan?! Thanks to
easy Yacht rentals and the insta-worthy skyline along the lake shore
backdrop, you’ll feel like an MFing, classy queen! You and your Bach squad
will live like celebs, dartying your asses off and popping bottles of
champagne.
The fun doesn’t stop there because Chicago is the moment when it comes
to mixing nightlife, great food, and aesthetics. Look posh AF hitting up
Chicago’s rooftop bars like Cindy’s rooftop and Offshore Chicago. The
views will not disappoint. Also, staying in River North is ideal because you
won’t have to worry about transpo. All the bars and swanky eateries are
within walking distance. Just imagine the money your bridesmaids will save
on Ubers and can instead spend on buying you one too many shots.
SAVANNAH – SOUTHERN SOIREE
The south definitely knows how to party. But, when people think
bachelorette in the south, they usually think of super overly saturated spots.
That’s why Savannah is the perfect new southern hotspot. Think what
Nashville was ten years ago and Charleston was three years ago. Instead
of competing with hundreds of other brides to stand out — you’ll be ahead
of the curve having your soiree in Savannah.
What makes Savannah perfect is its city life beach combo. For a chill day
connecting with your girlies at a picturesque place, head to Tybee Island.
This hidden gem is a thirty-minute drive from the city and a great place to
spend the day soaking up the sun, floating on a dolphin cruise, and
enjoying delicious seafood at AJ’s dockside. You might even recognize
the white beaches from Miley Cyrus’ “The Last Song.” Tybee is where she
freed sea turtles and fell in love with Liam Hemsworth. Not a bad spot.
After a relaxing day at the beach, celebrate the last fling before the ring at
Savannah’s historic district for a wild night out! Barhopping on Riverstreet is
unbeatable. And as you hop from bar to speakeasy to nightclub, you can
bring your drink from the place before with you. So no need to worry about
standing in line to get your next drink; instead, worry about getting down
and dirty on the dance floor.
And because the historic district is home to many luxury victorian style
Airbnbs, getting home at the end of the night is easy. The bars are just one
stumble away from your bed!
JOSHUA TREE – DESERT DARTY
If you were a fan of Vanessa Hudgens’ boho Coachella chic in 2012, then
Joshua Tree is the place for you. Thirty minutes from Palm Springs, this desert oasis is for brides who want a relaxing weekend, lounging and
connecting with the bride bunch before becoming a Mrs.
From breathtaking stars to miles of desert, every moment of your vacation
is Insta-worthy. And for added picturesque moments, try a hike in Joshua
Tree Park up Ryan Mountain. You and your adventurous girl squad will
have plenty of time to catch up on this hour-long trek. Reaching the top is
100 percent worth it as you’re met with 360 panoramic views of the magical
sandy landscape.
Every hike deserves a reward, and there’s no reward than a Joshua Tree
pool party. Head back to your Airbnb, turn up the music, and celebrate
your nuptials desert cowgirl style. With no one around for miles, a backyard
pool is a perfect place to get boozy with your girls without having to worry
about complaining neighbors. Desert homes were literally made for getting
rowdy.
And to make matters easy, there are plenty of grocery stores in town so
stocking up for the weekend is simple. Also, if you prefer going out to eat
instead of staying in, check out local favorite La Copine, a roadside bistro
great for boozy brunch and dinner. Also known to be one of Jake
Gyllenhaal’s go-to spots. (Just don’t leave your fiancé for him). Finish your
perfect desert day back at the Airbnb, sipping cocktails, cozying up around
the backyard bonfire, and watching shooting stars. Yas, Bach!
SCOTTSDALE – DESERT RAVE
If your want the chic desert vibes Joshua Tree has to offer but also want to
party your ass off with fantastic nightlife. (Who can blame you?) Then
Scottsdale is the best destination for your Bach bash.
From cooling down by your Airbnb’s pool to clubbing at the Maya day and
nightclub pool, there is no shortage of trendy (Instagrammable) party
spots in Scottsdale. And because Maya’s pool party features a-list guests,
live music, and a massive rager, you’ll feel like you’re celebrating in a
classier Vegas.
After sunning and funning at the pool, end the night in Old Town, your onestop shop for all things food, booze, and dancing. There are dozens of
clubs within walking distance, so there is no stopping where the night can take you. And if you want to go full VIP mode, skipping the lines and being
waited on hand and foot (Queen status), bottle service is a great way to go
for one last rodeo.
The following day if you and your bride squad are not all aboard the
struggle bus (who could blame you if you were), spend time with your
girlies talking about last night’s pour decisions while hiking up Camelback
Mountain. The hike is not the easiest trek in the world, so make sure to
bring lots of water and rest along the way. This also means if anyone was
puking on the bathroom floor the night before, they might want to sit this
one out. Thankfully, once you get to the top, the city meets desert view are
to die for (if you’re not already dying from the heat).
DESTIN – BEACHY BACH
It’s time to shellabrate, and Destin is a great place for you and your
beaches to spend the last splash. (I’m sorry, so many puns!) But really,
Destin has it all; from striking sandy white beaches to drunken boat rides,
it’s perfect for any bride looking to celebrate extravagantly.
Welcome your bridesmaids with dinner along Destin’s Boardwalk. Seafood
restaurants like Harry T’s and East pass Seafood and Oyster House are
unbeatable and have a view of a harbor, so time it with the sunset for the
perfect pic. Plenty of bars line the harbor, so testing the waters is easy
when finding the perfect spot to get rowdy.
The ocean breeze and emerald waters make a Saturday boozy boat ride
the ideal place to celebrate with your crew. Make your way to party central
Crab Island while hanging out with your girls, enjoying Pina Coladas and
daiquiris, and working on your wedding tan.
Recover on Sunday with Yoga on the beach led by Bride Tribe. They offer
great classes for a weekend, Namaste and Slay. Taking a moment to relax
is a great way to wind down from the weekend before heading home for the
big day.
Whether you’re vibing with a beachy bach, a desert disco, or a southern
soiree, you can’t go wrong with any of these bachelorette hotspots. So
have your dream party with your girls before your dream party with your
honey! Cheers, b*tch!