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Say yes to these top destinations for a bachelor or bachelorette party

Calling all betrothed! Here are some of the best places to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with your band of best friends. | By Shayla Martin | August 9, 2023

There’s no tried-and-true formula when it comes to the perfect bachelor or bachelorette party. While wild nights are generally part of the equation, the last few days of singledom can also be celebrated with gourmet cuisine, wellness and bonding activities in these five perfect destinations.

Tulum, Mexico

The lush, tropical setting of Tulum combined with pristine white-sand beaches create a gorgeous backdrop for an adventure-themed bach getaway. Spend your days in the sun with your besties swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear cenotes (natural sinkholes) or book a zipline tour through the Mayan jungle at Selva Maya Eco Adventure Park for an adrenaline-filled afternoon. Stay at Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort where there’s something for everyone and your group needs are anticipated. Eight pools, 13 restaurants and bars and access to revitalizing treatments at Conrad Spa Tulum (located at the resort’s sister property) await along with unlimited cocktails and live music every night. The resort can also organize tailored day trips for your group to the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins or Gran Cenote, one of Mexico’s largest natural sinkholes.

Los Angeles

Embrace Hollywood glamour and take a cue from your favorite movies and TV shows by planning a pre-wedding getaway that hits all the iconic spots in Los Angeles. Start with a morning hike to the Hollywood sign or Runyon Canyon, then spend the afternoon shopping on Rodeo Drive. A two-hour ride on the Starline Celebrity Homes Tour is tons of fun and filled with incredible anecdotes of both past and present Hollywood stars dating back to the 1930s. Los Angeles is the queen of places to see and be seen, so plan dinners at celeb-filled hot spots like Catch LA and Craig’s in West Hollywood. Keep the party going by taking your crew to hear an epic DJ set at 71 Studio Bar, located within the former Grandmasters Recorders recording studio. The trendy lounge and live music venue hosts performers and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.

Miami

If you weren’t on a boat in Miami, were you even there? Before leaving home, tell your friends to pack for #yachtlife since a trip to Miami isn’t complete without time on the water. Companies like Miami Yachting Company make it easy to choose a vessel based on your party size and often include cocktails, catering and fun group add-ons like Jet Skis, inflatable floats and Flyboards. If you’d rather opt for an evening excursion, check out El Agua Miami party boat for a sunset sail with an open bar and live DJ. For a more laid-back South Florida vibe, spend the day playing nine holes with your pals at Miami Shores Country Club or visit the vibrant murals (and tasty restaurants) at Wynwood Walls.

Las Vegas

The quintessential bachelor and bachelorette party destination, Las Vegas has everything you need for an epic weekend. Pool parties, concerts, gambling … you’re guaranteed to find it all in Sin City, but we’ve got a few unconventional suggestions too. Las Vegas is surrounded by incredible natural surroundings. Take in the landscape from above on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Las Vegas Strip. For another adrenaline high, race exotic cars with your besties at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After all that activity, it’s best to set aside a day or two to rest and relax. Take your friends to Awana Spa at Resorts World Las Vegas for a holistic and detoxifying massage to cap off the getaway.

New Orleans

Incredible food, strong drinks and a constant stream of music in the streets, New Orleans truly has it all for a bachelor or bachelorette party. Certain iconic activities are a must, like beignets from Café Du Monde and frozen hurricane cocktails on Bourbon Street, but there’s so much more to this storied city than food and drink. Venture out and take your friends on a swamp tour to learn about the region’s ecosystem and feed an alligator with Cajun Encounters Tour Company. Or practice your mixology skills at a cocktail class at Happy Raptor Distilling, a woman-owned distillery. You can’t leave New Orleans without enjoying live jazz, of course, and there’s no better place than historic Preservation Hall. Looking for music with a side of local cuisine? Check out the decadent jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace.

No matter where you choose to celebrate your upcoming nuptials, the diverse offerings in these destinations are sure to make for a fun-filled and memorable bachelor or bachelorette party. So, grab your nearest and dearest and start planning the trip of your dreams.

Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.

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