Updated July 20, 2020.
Wedding season is coming, and you know what that means… Bachelorette Party season is here! If your duty is to come up with the destination and make the plan, check out these destinations within the United States.
For the City Girl
If your Bride Boss Babe loves city lights and culture, pick one of these fantastic cities:
New York, New York
This is the city for city slickers. You’ll have to take in a show on or off-Broadway, of course, and take the Staten Island Ferry to get views of the Statue of Liberty, and spring for the ticket to go all the way up in the Empire State Building! New York is such a fun girls’ trip because it’s everything—city, glam, inspirational, historic, and high-class!
Nashville, Tennessee
Being a proud Tennessean, I cannot believe that Nashville became the “it” city after I moved away! But I’m completely delighted when I see how excited people are to visit “Nashvegas.” It’s grown so much, and there is something for everyone: amazing restaurants, nightlife, history, and more than just country music! Don’t forget to stop at the Goo Goo store for a Goo Goo!
More here: Nashville for Music Lovers
Washington, D.C.
I grew up on a farm, and there are a lot of good things about that, but it was all over when I visited D.C. after college—I became a transplanted city girl! Pick a show at one of the many theaters, do some museum hopping at the many museums all over town, and dine at some of the best restaurants in the country! Check out everything you need to plan the best D.C. trip on my Washington, D.C. Page!
My favorite girlfriend thing to do:
Afternoon Tea at the Historic Willard Intercontinental Hotel
For the Beachy Bride
And for the #IslandGirl wannabe.
Any Hawaiian Island
Okay, this might be a little far for a bachelorette party unless you live on the West Coast, but if islands are your bride’s happy place, this is the location she’ll love! If an island road trip sounds like the best girls’ trip, head for the Road to Hana on Maui. If your girl wants to learn to surf, you can all learn on Waikiki Beach with the Beach Boys on Oahu! Want to see lava bursting out and forming new ground? Head to the Big Island. Want to visit the most beautiful place on earth? Put Kauai on your list.
Check out What to Know Before You Visit the Hawaiian Islands and my Pacific Islands Page to help you decide!
Can’t Decide? How to Choose the Right Hawaiian Island to Visit
Outer Banks (OBX), North Carolina
If your bridal buddy has beachy dreams, there is no shortage of those at the Outer Banks! The beaches here are very flat, which is amazing for a morning run, seashell searching, or sunrise walks! The Outer Banks boasts incredible wild horses, iconic lighthouses, and the best: Duck Donuts!
One of my most viewd posts ever: 10 Things to Do in Corolla, OBX
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I went with a girlfriend as part of a Caribbean cruise, and she’s the one who told me about the stunning and pristine Trunk Bay. It’s absolutely incredible—we were the only ones there! The water is so clear, and St. John is just such a world of its own. Definitely a special and exclusive girlfriend getaway!
Keep reading: Reasons to Island Hop the Caribbean
For the Party Girl
It’s a bachelorette party after all!
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is the Big Easy for a reason—it’s easy to find a party! I stayed in the Garden District for some peace and quiet, but the real part was downtown. Start your days with beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde, listen to Jazz all day long, and round it all out with amazing jambalaya and muffaletta sandwiches. Make sure you take an epic tour with Katrina and her team at New Orleans Architecture Tours—they are the best!
Las Vegas, Nevada
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Maybe! But Vegas is way more than the Strip these days. You can take a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon, go to countless shows, and have some of the best food of your life.
For anyone who wants all the fun of Vegas without the risky business, check out How to Have Sinless Fun in Vegas!
Austin, Texas
Keep Austin Weird! Whether you’re looking for music, murals, quirky stores, or epic adventures like rock climbing and “flying” on the lake, Austin has the right party for you! Stroll SoCo to find the best restaurants and don’t forget your camera—Austin has some of the best murals out there! I went to Austin with a girlfriend for a girls-only weekend, and we stayed at the uber-fancy Driskill, which I can highly recommend!
Read on: 10 Things You Have to do in Austin
For the Glam Gal
Every girl likes to feel glamorous when she’s ready to get married! These destinations will help you all get into the glam state of mind.
Los Angeles, California
This is the ultimate glam girl destination! I mean, it’s Hollywood! Take a stroll down the walk of fame and find your favorite stars, head up to Griffith’s Observatory to take in the sweeping views (including the Hollywood sign), and spring for some shopping on Rodeo Drive for the ultimate glam getaway.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the glam city of the South. Everyone dresses classy (think seersucker and pearls for day and a little black dress and diamonds at night) and calls you “Sugar.” Stay in a Southern manor house, get some Insta-shots along the colorful cobble stone streets, and don’t forget the sweet tea and grits. Where else can you eat biscuits and gravy wearing your mama’s pearls?
Partying with a budget? Check out FREE Things to Do in Charleston!
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is possibly the classiest place I’ve ever been. I was so nervous about what to wear because I didn’t think I’d look nice enough! But it is one of my favorite trips to date. Take a sailing tour, ride bikes all over the island, and check out all the incredible hotels and restaurants they have to offer on this beautiful New England island!
Need idea? Here’s How to Spend 48 Hours on Nantucket!
For the History Loving Bride
Am I the only bride in history who loves history? If it’s wrong, I don’t wanna be right!
Savannah, Georgia
This is the quintessential Southern city, and it’s literally dripping with history—just take a look at that Spanish moss! It’s perhaps the most haunted city in America, so perhaps a ghost tour is in order. Visit some plantations, tour some historic homes, and fall in love with that kindness and Southern hospitality, girls!
Need some ideas? 10 Things to Do in Savannah
St. Augustine, Florida
This is where I had my bachelorette getaway! My friend Andrea and I took a weekend to enjoy the beauty of Florida and the oldest European settlement in America! St. Augustine is home to quirky museums, a classic lighthouse, the largest collection of Tiffany stained glass outside of Tiffany’s (at Flagler College–take the tour!), and of course, incredible historic sites.
Check out what we did for my bachelorette weekend in St. Augustine!
10 Things to Do in St. Augustine
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston has so much history to offer, and it’s incredibly accessible! You won’t even need to rent a car because it’s all so walkable. Even if not everyone in the party is keen on history, Boston is an easy place to find something about history that’s interesting for everyone! Spend a day exploring the Freedom Trail, eat an authentic Boston Cream Pie, and if you’re baseball fans, plan the trip when the Red Sox are in town!
Love to run? You’ve got to try out a Running Tour of Boston!
For the Bride Who Needs to Chill
Wedding planning is stressful—I should know, every detail of my wedding had to change during the process except my beloved groom! I definitely wish someone had taken me somewhere to chill out and told me it was all going to be okay!
Waco, Texas
I can tell you honestly that my girlfriend getaway to Waco with my mom and her college friend Debbie for my mom’s 60th birthday was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken! They are famous for Fixer Upper and the Magnolia Silos, so if the bride-to-be is a fan of Chip and Jo (and who doesn’t want a marriage like theirs?), this is just the trip. The whole experience was positive, from the cupcakes at the Silos Bakery (everyone in the bakery sang “Happy Birthday” to my mom!) to staying in a “Fixer Upper” and picking up some special souvenirs at the Magnolia shop.
More here: The Ultimate Fixer Upper Getaway
Disneyland, California, or Disney World, Florida
Sometimes a girl just wants to feel like a princess! Go back to that childlike innocence where everything was fun and make it a Disney trip! Get some fun ears, try all the best food, and ride all the roller coasters. No one can be stressed out with her gal pals at Disney, right? Whether you choose Disneyland or Disney World, you’ll be feeling as special as Cinderalla and as refreshed a Sleeping Beauty in no time!
Keep reading: What to Know Before You Visit Disneyland
Local Day Spa
Your bachelorette party doesn’t have to be far from home! If your bride is already super stressed, then maybe a destination party is not the best choice. Plan for the ultimate in relaxation instead. Find a great day spa in or near your bride’s city and spring for the delux package: massage, facial, body scrub, and mani-pedis all around! This may be the only chance she has to relax until after the big day, so help her feel more centered and less like her life is spinning out of control!
Now that you know where to go, be sure to read How to Plan Travel with a Group and my Travel Planning Page so you’re all still friends at the end of your trip!
For more about these cities and more American bachelorette destinations on my United States Page!
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Love all of these ideas! I think New Orleans or anywhere on a beach would be my top choices! ☀️ 🥂
I am a beach girl all the way! 🌺