I plan trips for friends all the time. I’ve done three bachelor weekends in the last two years, plus a couple “test runs” that felt like them. You know what? Some cities just hit harder. Some burn cash faster. Some give you quiet mornings and rowdy nights. If you’re still building a short list, The Knot’s roundup of best bachelor party destinations is a solid sanity-check before you lock flights. I’ll keep it simple, with real spots, real wins, and the messy parts too. If you want the blow-by-blow notes I jotted down after each airport sprint and hotel checkout, I pulled them into a longer full bachelor party guide for anyone who likes receipts.
Quick note: I’m Kayla. I’m not guessing. I went. I booked. I herded people. I dealt with the 3 a.m. pizza crisis. To keep every flight check-in, dinner reservation, and “where are we now?” map in one easy spot, I drop them into Add This Mark and share the link with the crew. And if your crew has a bride instead of a groom, my run-through of favorite bachelorette party destinations might spark ideas.
Las Vegas, NV — Big Lights, Big Bill, Big Fun
I’ve done Vegas twice for bachelor trips. Once in spring, once in fall. Spring was better. The heat in July slapped me in the face.
- We stayed at the MGM Grand one time. Big rooms, easy to roam. The pool scene is wild.
- Best pool day? Stadium Swim at Circa. We watched the games on that giant screen and split a cabana. Pricey, but no one complained once the nachos showed up.
- Best night? XS at Encore. We split bottle service. It was around two grand all in for eight people. Painful. Loud. Worth it once.
- Chill break: Fremont Street for cheaper drinks and weird street shows. I lost a shoe there once. Don’t ask.
If your crew’s idea of “going big” includes companionship beyond the club scene, you can discreetly browse local escorts—the listings are verified and upfront about rates, so planning stays stress-free and private.
What went wrong: A buddy forgot his ID. He sat outside Omnia like a sad statue. Double check IDs. Always.
When to go: March–May or September–October.
Money tip: Pre-book one big table night and one chill night. Your wallet will breathe.
Quick detour note: If your crew is piecing together a West-Coast road trip that swings through Northern California before Vegas, Chico’s lively college-town bar scene can be a fun warm-up night. For vetted info on that city’s adult-service landscape, check out Erotic Monkey Chico—the breakdown of reviews, pricing, and safety tips makes sure you skip surprises and keep the night on your terms.
Nashville, TN — Boots, Bands, and Late Night Hot Chicken
My brother’s crew picked Nashville, and I’m glad they did. It felt like a street party that never stops, but in a sweet way.
- We stayed near Broadway. Walkable. That saves time and arguments.
- Bars that hit: Tootsies, The Stage, and the rooftop at Jason Aldean’s. Live bands everywhere. We made up our own “tip jar rules.” It got silly.
- Late night food: Prince’s hot chicken. My nose ran. I cried. Then I smiled.
- Daytime: Pedal Tavern looks corny. It’s actually fun if your group sings badly and leans in.
What went wrong: Rain. It poured one night. We ducked into Printer’s Alley and found a jazz set. It turned into my favorite part.
When to go: Spring or fall. Summer is a sweat marathon.
Small tip: Pack boots if you want photos, but wear comfy shoes for the actual walking.
New Orleans, LA — Magic, Music, and Beignets for Hangovers
New Orleans feels like a movie. It smells like powdered sugar and brass. And sometimes like Bourbon Street. You’ll see.
- We stayed in the French Quarter. It was loud, but you wake up close to the action.
- Bourbon Street is chaos. We did one night there, then moved to Frenchmen Street for better music. That was the right call.
- Best bite: Beignets at Cafe du Monde after midnight. Powdered sugar on black clothes? Not smart, but who cares.
- Low-key gem: A swamp tour. Gators and dad jokes from the guide. Everyone calmed down for a minute.
What went wrong: Someone wore new shoes. Blisters. CVS run at 2 a.m.
When to go: February–May. Avoid peak hurricane season if you can.
Drink tip: Grab a huge water with every round. You’ll thank me later.
Scottsdale, AZ — Golf, Pools, and A Dry Heat That Lies
We did Scottsdale in March during spring training. Sun, baseball, and pool time. It felt like a calm Vegas with better golf.
- We stayed near Old Town. Walkable bars. Light desert breeze at night.
- Golf at TPC Champions course. We lost more balls than we care to count. Still laughed hard.
- Day party: Maya Dayclub. Loud, bright, fun. Sunscreen saved us.
- Food: Rehab Burger and The Mission. Big plates, no drama. We needed that.
- Wine day trip alternative: next time we might fly west and hit some of the Paso Robles wineries I loved for a classier buzz.
What went wrong: The “dry heat” thing fooled us. I forgot lip balm. My lips chapped like paper.
When to go: Spring. Summer will melt your soul.
Pack this: Sunscreen, hats, and one nice outfit for dinner. Keep it simple.
Miami, FL — Boats, Bass, and Breakfast at Noon
Miami is flashy. It’s more glam than grit. If your group wants a boat day and a club night, this is the spot.
- We stayed near South Beach once, and near Brickell another time. I liked Brickell more for sleep.
- Boat day from Haulover. We anchored near the sandbar. Music on. Everyone relaxed. Even the loud guy.
- Clubs: LIV and E11EVEN. One felt like a spaceship. The other never closes. Pace yourself.
- Day bites: La Sandwicherie saved me twice. Fresh, fast, and cheap-ish.
What went wrong: We split checks badly at a fancy spot. The math hurt. Assign one person to handle the bill and Venmo later.
When to go: Winter or spring. Summer storms roll in fast.
Dress code: Nicer shoes at night. No flip-flops at LIV.
Austin, TX — BBQ Smoke and Good Vibes
Austin felt friendly. A little weird, in a good way. Music in the air. Brisket on every corner.
- We stayed near Rainey Street. Bungalow bars. Easy flow. Good for groups.
- Sixth Street is rowdier. We did one lap. That was enough, but fun.
- Daytime: Barton Springs for a cold shock, then tacos. Veracruz All Natural hit the spot.
- Lake Travis party barge? Yes. We jumped in, we cooled off, and no one checked email for hours.
What went wrong: We waited 2.5 hours at Franklin Barbecue. Worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Maybe not. Pre-order if you can.
When to go: Spring or fall. Summer is sticky.
Shoes: Get comfy, you’ll walk a ton.
Montréal, Canada — Classy, Cozy, and A Little Wild
This one surprised me. It felt like Europe lite, without the long flight. Great for a crew that likes food and late nights.
- We stayed in Old Montréal. Cobblestone streets and warm lights at night.
- Bars: Crescent Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Easy mix of pubs and clubs.
- Food that lives in my head: Joe Beef steak and poutine at La Banquise. We still talk about that.
- Chill time: Bota Bota spa. Hot-cold circuits with city views. The group went quiet. Rare moment.
What went wrong: My high school French failed me. Still got by. People were kind.
When to go: Summer. Patios everywhere. Winter is for brave souls only.
Note: Bring passports. Triple check them.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico — Beach, Tacos, Repeat
For a beach-first crew, Cabo works. It’s simple. Sun by day, loud by night, and you can keep costs under control if you plan.
- We rented a villa in Pedregal. Pool, view, grill. That setup paid off.
- Day: Chileno Bay for clear water and calm swimming. Perfect for the “I’m not a strong swimmer” friend. I first fell for sun-soaked shorelines while writing up my islands I loved list, and Cabo scratches that same itch without