While I am a few years past this phase of my life, I can honestly say that the wedding phase (when everyone in your friends circle is getting married) was one of my absolute favorite phases. Although the wedding phase is full of stress, it can also be quite fun with lots of parties, girl time, and (hopefully) travel. If you are planning a destination bachelorette party, here are a few destinations you should unquestionably have on your list of ideas.
1) Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC is perhaps one of the most feminine cities in the United States. With its dainty style, super luxurious hotels, boutique shops, and innumerable rooftop bars, Charleston should be one of the first destinations that comes to mind during your planning. We know that you and everyone in your party will enjoy Charleston just as much as we do! Historic Downtown Charleston is super walkable, so be sure to book your hotel/vacation rental in this area so you are close to all the entertainment and shopping and there will be no real need for a designated driver.
What to do:
Have a Spa Day (all the hotels listed have spa’s in-house. But if you are planning on staying somewhere else, we suggest the Spa at The Charleston Place)
Take a Harbor Cruise or take a Dinner Cruise
Go Sailing
Take a Ghost Tour/Pub Crawl
Where to Eat (be sure to make reservations)
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Bed ‘n Breakfast
2) Austin, TX
Not only is this funky city the live music capital of the world, it is one of the best cities for an eclectic group of women. It quite literally has something for everyone in your group. For the foodies in your group, Texas has some fantastic cuisine. But Austin has some of the best cuisine in the state. For anyone who likes wellness, there are quite a few wellness and yoga retreats in the city. For those who enjoy nightlife, there is an abundant supply of this in Austin (both on an off the Historic 6th Street). There are also some great relaxing things you can do outdoors.
What to do:
Bar Hoping on the Historic 6th Street
Go for a Swim (Barton Springs Pool/Jacob’s Well)
Where to Eat (be sure to make reservations)
(Entertainment District) Historic 6th Street
The County Line (on the Hill, on the Lake)
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Olamaie (Fine Dining)
Hotels:
Wellness Getaways:
Vacation Rentals:
3) Key West, FL
Sometimes all you want to do with your girls is just relax on the beach with crystal clear, turquoise blue water that is just steps from a cute little town Floridian town. Aside from beach activities and other water sports, Key West is also well known for its nightlife and entertainment (most of this is located on Duval Street). If you and your girls are looking for some place more tropical to spend your bachelorette party, definitely consider Key West.
What to Do:
Visit the Corral Reef in Dry Tortugas National Park
Watch the sunset from Mallory Square (with a couple drinks in hand)
Where to Eat (Make Reservations)
Where to Stay:
Luxury: Sunset Key Cottages, H2O Suites
High End: Ocean Key Resort & Spa, The Capitana
Standard: The Conch House, The Perry Hotel
4) Nantucket, MA
When it comes to weddings and bachelorettes, sometimes all you want is to just experience a quick taste of how the other half lives. If you are wanting a much more luxurious girls getaway for your wedding, look no further than Nantucket. Nantucket has been the coastal go-to getaway for New England’s upper middle class and elites for many years. You and your crew will appreciate the beautiful weather (year round), dainty boutiques, art galleries, Instagram worthy locations, picturesque sunsets, and the beach. It is worth noting, while Nantucket boasts beautiful year around weather, many of the local restaurants and attractions temporarily close down for the winter.
What to Do:
Go Shopping (Murray’s Toggery Shop, Peter Beaton Hat Studio, The Craftmasters of Nantucket, Salt Boutique)
Rent a Jeep Wrangler (then drive it onto the beach)
Great Point Coskata – Coatue Wildlife Refuge
Go karaoke at The Gaslight
Live Music at The Chicken Box
Where to Eat (Make Reservations):
Hotels:
The Nantucket Hotel + Resort (use code: GIRL for the Girlfriends’ Getaway Package)
Vacation Rentals
Bed ‘n Breakfast
5) Mackinac Island, MI
A bachelorette party in Michigan sounds a little strange. However, there is an island on Lake Huron that is absolutely worth considering. If you are looking to have a truly unique bachelorette experience, this slice of Midwestern Americana charm is the perfect place for you and your girls. Mackinac Island has the only bike only highway and some of the best waterfront dining in the United States. (Like Nantucket) certain eateries and bars will close during the colder months of the year, plan your trip accordingly.
What to Do:
Wings of Mackinac (Butterfly Conservatory)
Shopping (Little Luxuries, Maeve Croghan Art Gallery, Ryba’s Fudge Shop)
Take a Dip in Esther Williams Swimming Pool
Cupola Bar (Formal Evening Entertainment)
Audubon Bar (Formal Evening Entertainment)
Bobby’s Bar (Casual Evening Entertainment)
Where to Eat (Make Reservations):
Carriage House (Fine Dining)
(High Tea) Fort Mackinac Tea Room
(Formal Fine Dining) The Main Dining Room at the Grand Hotel
(Formal Fine Dining) Woods Restaurant
(Formal Afternoon Tea) The Parlor
Where to Stay:
6) Nashville, TN
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Nestled away in the beautiful hills of Tennessee, sits the Music City. Although, Nashville is not a typical city that one would think of for a bachelorette, we think deserves a second look. There are many things to do in Nashville (honky tonks, party busses, outdoor adventures, distilleries/wineries, and more). As an added bonus, Nashville is a more reasonable price than other possible bachelorette destinations.
What to Do:
Where to Eat (Make Reservations):
Hotels:
Unique: Graduate Nashville
Resort: Gaylord Opryland
Vacation Rentals:
7) New Orleans, LA
Last (but most certainly) not least, is New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Easy is a great city for any bride (and friends) looking for a good time prior to her wedding. There are so many things about NOLA that make it perfect for: Mardi Gras, Voodoo, the French Quarter, incredible cuisine, jazz, and unique culture.
What to Do:
Visit Ashley Longshore Art Gallery
Go Dancing (Spotted Cat Music Club, Republic NOLA)
Joy Art Music New Orleans (JAMNOLA)
Have a fancy Dinner Party with a Private Chef
After dinner, get a private Tarot Card Reading
Where to Eat (Make Reservations):
Hotels:
Luxury: The Windsor Court, Masion de la Luz
High-End: Bourbon Orleans
Standard: Hyatt Centric French Courter
Vacation Like a Local 