We’ve seen it replayed over and over in chick flicks: the bachelorette party in Las Vegas where everyone gets drunk and hilarity (and ridiculousness) ensue. Or the bachelorette party decorated floor to ceiling with penis-shaped candy and decor in a cabin where — surprise! — a stripper shows up.
But not all bachelorette parties need to be this… well… predictable.
Have you ever considered a girlfriend getaway overseas? If it’s a small enough group, ask everyone if they feel comfortable saving up a few hundred dollars to book a flight to a country none of you have visited before for a weekend or find a great weeklong Groupon deal for everyone to split. It’d be a trip no one in your bridal party would soon forget.
You could also make it a more local adventure: Go deep into nature, rent a cabin and do some hiking or head up north to hit the slopes, go skiing and take part in, most important, some après ski. The point is you can do really anything you want, and the options are seemingly endless.
Here are 10 bachelorette weekend trips we love that aren’t the least bit cheesy.
Kick It in Nashville
All you need is Lower Broad: the country music mecca of Nashville.
Located in downtown Nashville, you'll find an excess of live music, comfort food and booze, making for the perfect low-maintenance getaway. You can hop on a Pedal Tavern tour, pop into the world-famous honky-tonk bar Tootsies or take a tour of the Grand Ole Opry or the Country Music Hall of Fame — the options are endless in Music City.
Go to a Music Festival
If you and all your friends are music lovers and go to shows together all the time anyway, then why not head to a music festival in a city you’ve never been to before? Whether you want to camp and get the full experience or rent hotel rooms, spend the weekend with all your closest friends and immerse yourself in music. Stay an extra day before and after the festival so you can explore the city too.
For instance, if you’re heading to Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, then check out Memphis (three-ish hours away) or Nashville (about an hour away). There’s also SXSW in Austin, Texas or check out Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana — which also happens to be on this list.
Go Outdoors — in Canada
Sure, you can go camping at Yellowstone or the Redwood National Park… But it's more fun if you can cross a border — to Banff National Park — instead.
Here in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, hike up to the emerald water Lake Louise; gawk at the snow-capped mountains; go on a guided tour; do some outdoor yoga or go kayaking, skiing, hiking, white water rafting — any or all of it! There are plenty of options in terms of lodging here too — and the best part is most if not all have fantastic views of Lake Louise.
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is probably unlike any spa you've ever been to.
Located in Iceland, this geothermal spa is located in a lava field. To take full advantage, be sure to stay in the Silica Hotel, just a 10-minute walk away from the Lagoon, or stay in The Retreat, which opens in April 2018. Here, you'll find an underground spa, a mineral-rich lagoon and 62 guest suites encircled by the waters. It sounds, looks and probably feels truly magical.
Head to NOLA, Baby
What's more magical than an entire afternoon of hurricane cocktails and beignets (looking at you, Café Du Monde)?
If your version of a good time involves lots and lots of eating and drinking, then New Orleans is the place for you and your bridal party. Not only is this a fantastic place for live music (jazz and blues, FTW!), but it's also the place to bar hop, particularly in the French Quarter.
Have It in Havana, Ooh Na-Na
Havana is a place where new meets old, where modern meets vintage — and it ain't bad to look at, either.
Head straight to Old Havana and just start walking. This is the most walkable part of the city, where you'll not only find plenty of places to eat and drink but also plenty of stunning museums. There's the Museo de la Revolución, located in the former presidential palace; and then there's the Museo de las Bellas Artes, where you'll find plenty of Cuban art.
Hike Down the Grand Canyon — to This Waterfall
How stunning is this waterfall? The teal water and the red rocks: It's truly a sight to be seen.
After a 10-mile hike down into the Grand Canyon, you'll find the blue-green waterfalls of Havasupai Falls. Here, you can wade around, sunbathe, relax and either camp or stay in the lodging on-site. But be sure to plan far ahead: Reservations book up quickly. This year, a majority of the campground reservations were booked within two hours of them opening up online!
If you're lucky enough to book, it's a trip you won't forget.
Watch a Play, Then Hit the Big Apple
This gives everyone an excuse to get dressed up. Then afterward, go hit up a few bars and explore the city.
You have so many plays to choose from right now too — from classics like Phantom of the Opera and Chicago to more recent hits like Mean Girls, The Lion King and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Want to keep the entertainment going? Then head to an Upright Citizens Brigade show in either Hell's Kitchen or the East Village. These tickets sell out quickly too, so keep your eyes open.
Get Yourself a Private Yacht
This one's for the ladies making that serious money.
If you and your group have the funds to pull this off, rent a private yacht! Go big or go home before the big day, right? One option is booking a weeklong vacay through Caribbean Charter, where you can choose between sailing the Caribbean or Mediterranean, from the Virgin Islands to the Bahamas. The boats are fully staffed, and you can either sunbathe on the deck or explore the waters via snorkeling or water-skiing.
Go Down to Guatemala
In keeping with the "here's a more expensive option" theme, why not explore the ancient Mayan ruins?
Guatemala is likely on everyone's travel bucket list (it's definitely on mine!), so why don't you and your bridal party scratch it off with this epic trip together?
Home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites, there's so much to do here — from climbing Acatenango volcano and kayaking in a volcanic crater in Lake Atitlán to walking through Tikal National Park and taking a stroll through the vibrant, colorful street marketplace in Antigua.
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