17 Top Bachelor Party Destinations for 2024

From big cities to gorgeous beaches, there’s no shortage of fantastic destinations in the U.S. and nearby countries for bachelor parties. If you want your pre-wedding celebration to be raucous and packed with plenty of nightlife, consider hot spots like New York or New Orleans. But options for a more relaxed vibe are aplenty too, from a nature-laden Costa Rica adventure to the Canadian foodie destination of Montreal. Here are some of the top bachelor party destinations to visit with your groomsmen in 2024.
 

New York is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of destination for a bachelor party, with everything on the menu: culture, nightlife, sports, luxury drinking and dining, and anything else you might want. You could take a classic route, opting for a hearty meal at a famed steakhouse like Peter Luger in Brooklyn (hot tip: reserve well in advance) and a raucous booze cruise on the Hudson River. Other great options for a groom in New York City include visiting a cigar lounge for some fine hand-rolled tobacco, heading on a craft beer crawl through Brooklyn, or catching a Yankees or Mets game (if you’re visiting April to September).

Alternatively, make the trip a bit more cultured by sampling the huge range of cuisines on offer in ultra-diverse Queens, then check out the city’s numerous art and history museums. Whatever you choose, know that this might not be the best budget-friendly destination: The average rate for New York City hotels can reach more than $500 per night, although you can save some money by visiting at off-peak times like in the winter.

Atlantic City is sometimes seen as a mini-Vegas, because it’s also a hub for casinos, though smaller and less flashy. But this destination has some serious positives of its own for bachelor parties: Atlantic City is more compact and easy to get around without a car or public transit, since most of the action concentrated in the city’s boardwalk area. If you’re there in warmer months, numerous beaches are right at your doorstep – something that’s totally off the table in the deserts of Las Vegas.

The Atlantic City casinos are open 24 hours, and gamblers are offered free drinks, just like in Vegas (although some casinos will only offer them if you’re actually gambling). The Borgata casino has hosted big-name shows with icons like Jerry Seinfeld, and the ample club scene spotlights music ranging from retro ’70s disco at Boogie Nights through to upbeat EDM at HQ2 Nightclub.

The beating heart of Miami Beach, South Beach is a bachelor party destination for those who want to mix some fun in the sun with lively nightlife. The festivities don’t only happen after dark: Pool parties are a regular occurrence in this part of town and across the water in Miami proper, and some nightclubs keep the revelry going through to the next day – such as Clubspace and E11even. With so much access to water, it’s also possible to hire a boat via sites like Boatsetter, which offers an Airbnb-style rental service.

If you want to skip the planning, various companies also offer bachelor party packages featuring a range of activities for South Beach and Miami. This location is definitely a more hedonistic destination for bachelor parties – but if you need a break from South Beach, you can hop over to Miami. Go for Cuban food and cigars around Calle Ocho in Little Havana, or head to Wynwood to check out street art and galleries before grabbing a few craft beers at Cerveceria La Tropical.

New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street is the epicenter of the city’s bachelor party activity, with copious bars and a variety of adult entertainment. Bar crawls are made easy by the fact that you can drink in public in the city’s French Quarter (which includes Bourbon Street) as long as you avoid glass containers – or you can even rent large balconies to take in the scene from above.

The city is also brimming with history, not to mention great restaurants. Consider eateries like Toups’ Meatery and Cochon Butcher for some meaty Cajun or barbecue meals. Or, stop by one of James Beard award-winning chef Nina Compton’s two restaurants – Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro – to see how she fuses Caribbean, Cajun and French influences with flair. New Orleans is a serious destination for live music as well, with jazz and honky-tonk bars making up a key part of the city’s nightlife. Preservation Hall is one iconic, can’t-miss venue for it. All up, if you want a bachelor party that mixes boozy nightlife with culture, New Orleans is a good bet.

Mixing together relaxed tropical vibes, historic ambiance and a party atmosphere, Key West is a unique bachelor party destination. During the day, you can enjoy the warm Gulf waters with activities like paddleboarding, kayaking through mangroves and snorkeling, or get a hit of culture with a visit to the historic former home of Ernest Hemingway to meet the six-toed cats. By night, tuck into freshly caught fish at Key West’s many seafood spots, before hitting the bars and dancefloors of Duval Street, the heart of the city’s nightlife.

There’s a trio of great bachelor party destinations spread along the South Carolina coastline. Up north is Myrtle Beach, which offers beaches and outdoor fun spanning golf to adrenaline-pumping water sports. While this city might have a family-friendly reputation, there’s still quite a nightlife scene here: It’s not Miami Beach, but options include brewpubs and distilleries, beachside bars and a few clubs to choose from. Further south is Charleston, a great option for foodies: Chow down on shrimp and grits, fried chicken or barbecue, and relax it all off at nearby Folly Beach.

Lastly is Hilton Head Island on the state’s south coast. Expect a much more low-key vibe than your traditional bachelor party town – this is not a place where you’ll party for 24 hours, but there is still a solid selection of bars and live music venues to check out. Otherwise, you can have a chilled-out weekend of golf, fishing and time at the beach.

For a bachelor party loaded with beer and bands, head to the capital of Texas, dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World.” With dozens of craft breweries as well as areas like Sixth and Rainey streets that are loaded with bars, Austin ensures partygoers in search of a wild time are well looked after.

But this destination can also appeal to those who don’t want to party so hard: It’s an exceptional food city, with culinary options to satisfy all your guests’ tastes. Sample some Tex-Mex or barbecue (like the famed Franklin Barbecue), or opt for fancier farm-to-table fare at top restaurants such as Dai Due. You can also make like the locals and head to Lake Travis just outside the city for some fun in the sun. You’ll find all kinds of boat rentals available there, from Jet Skis to party barges, plus other activities such as zip lining.

Music City may have a reputation as more of a bachelorette party destination, but it’s also a great choice for a guys trip. As a hub for the country music industry, Nashville will suit a music-loving groom to a tee – but there are attractions and activities beyond catching a show someplace like the famed Grand Ole Opry. The food scene is top-quality, and you can’t go wrong with hot chicken or barbecue, two of the city’s staples.

The nightlife in Nashville is also appealing: The city is ideal for bar crawls, with honky-tonk bars offering live music on Broadway and around the city. You can plan your own route, but there are also numerous companies that can arrange a guided drinking tour for you – on foot or on a party bike. Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to Tennessee without sampling some of the state’s best whiskey at distilleries like Corsair Artisan.

Arguably the most renowned bachelor party destination in the U.S., Las Vegas is tailor-made for this kind of celebration. The city is stacked with all the ingredients for a successful party, however you choose to spend it. Top-notch hotels, nightclubs, gambling, great restaurants and spectacular shows are available in spades in Sin City – and you can find it all without even leaving the famed Strip, the approximately 4-mile stretch of casinos and hotels that host many top Vegas attractions. Splurge on a high-end hotel such as the Bellagio, or save your cash with more affordable but still reputable options like The Mirage.

Dining options in Vegas range from buffets to Michelin-calibre restaurants, and entertainment can take the form of anything from edgy magic shows by Criss Angel or major musical acts like U2 and The Killers through to more “adult” options for the groom-to-be. If planning isn’t your forte, you can find bachelor party packages with perks like limo rides, bottle service at clubs, hockey match tickets and more. It’s also worth taking a day off from partying to try out adrenaline-fueled activities such as water sports on nearby Lake Mead or even a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. Unsurprisingly, with so much to offer, Las Vegas is also a hot spot for bachelorette parties.

If the groom-to-be isn’t inclined toward the brash debauchery of places like Vegas and Miami Beach, consider San Diego. This California city boasts a hefty range of festivity options, thanks to the long, beach-lined coast and lively neighborhoods – including the historic Gaslamp Quarter, a 16-block downtown area packed with bars and restaurants. Consider a bar crawl through that part of the city: Companies like San Diego Pub Crawler can take the lead, if you want to offload the planning. A range of clubs await you in the area, if the mood strikes.

During daylight hours, take to the sea. The funky town of Ocean Beach is home to numerous surf schools (after all, this part of SoCal is a serious surfing hotspot). It’s also a great place to hang out and take in the bohemian vibe, perhaps while stopping by one of the various breweries or taco stands. Alternatively, the town of La Jolla, a bit further north, is known for its stunning coastline populated with sea lions, surf and robust art scene. As a bonus, San Diego is a good year-round choice for a bachelor party thanks to its mild climate that rarely gets particularly hot or cold.

If the groom and his friends are skiing enthusiasts, why not hit the slopes for the big pre-wedding party? Aspen is home to one of Colorado’s premier ski resorts and well suited to a bachelor party thanks to its disproportionately large nightlife scene for its size. Obviously, the main draw here during daylight hours is skiing and snowboarding: There are four mountains with nearly 40 lifts between them, so you won’t be starved for choice. You’ll also find a selection of ski schools if you’ve got any beginners in your group.

Hotels and vacation properties abound in the town. Consider a stay at Limelight Hotel Aspen if you want a place that balances an energetic après-ski vibe while also offering comfort and relaxing amenities like hot tubs and a heated pool. As for food, Aspen’s restaurants run the gamut from classic taverns with burgers and wings to ultra-upscale sushi. The après-ski scene is also bustling, with bars aplenty and dance floors at places like live music venue Belly Up or the Escobar nightclub. Be warned, though, that Aspen has a reputation as one of the most expensive ski towns in the country, so prepare to spend a pretty penny.

Portland’s quirky reputation might make it seem an unconventional choice, but if the bachelor is the kind of guy with an appreciation for top-notch drinks and food, Portland is an excellent option. Distillery Row – home to a bunch of independent craft distilleries – is a great place to start. You can book a tour with an outfit like Around Portland Tours, or just pick a few distilleries and guide yourself. Portland is also stacked with craft breweries, so touring those is an option too – and it wouldn’t be Portland if you didn’t move between the brewpubs on a party bike.

On the food side of things, choices abound, from a pizza scene that could rival New York to spicy Southeast Asian cuisine to French-inspired fare such as at Le Pigeon. An excursion into nature is a possibility as well, with the Oregon coast and Columbia River Gorge close by. If it’s of interest for your bachelor party, Portland does have a surprisingly wide range of more adult entertainment too.

With resorts and golf courses galore, Scottsdale is ripe for the kind of bachelor weekend that mixes activities with a good amount of chilling by a pool. Some resorts offer more of a party scene than others – the W Scottsdale is one notable candidate, with its regular pool parties. If you want to save the hassle of booking rooms for everyone, it’s easy to find larger houses that’ll accommodate a group, too. Stick nearer to Old Town (sometimes called downtown) if you want to be close to restaurants and nightlife.

There’s absolutely no shortage of golf courses around, but if you don’t want to commit to 18 holes, consider visiting Topgolf, a high-tech driving range where you can hang out with beers and compete over who has the best drive. Outdoor activities are on the table too: One popular option is to head out into the desert for some off-roading in an ATV. Beware if you’re planning the party for the summer months, though, as Scottsdale gets searingly hot.

Grab your passports and fly down to this popular resort town on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. As Cabo San Lucas is a popular vacation destination, all-inclusive resorts are relatively common here, allowing the groom and his crew to eat, drink and be merry for a fixed daily rate – though for a bachelor party you’ll probably want to opt for one of the adults-only resorts, like the upscale Marquis Los Cabos.

Of course, you can skip the all-inclusive buffet and explore the excellent Mexican cuisine on offer in the city, as well as the various beach bars and nightclubs, particularly around Plaza Bonita. With the beautiful natural surroundings, you’ll likely want to get out and about. The waters around Cabo are renowned for deep-sea fishing; other go-to activities include sailing, golfing, swimming with sharks or just hanging out at the beach.

If you want to skip more obvious spots for bachelor parties outside the U.S. like Cabo, consider hopping a little further south to the jungles and beaches of Costa Rica. The Pacific Coast town of Jacó is one of the best options for a classic boys trip, as it’s more of a party town with options spanning casual beach bars to casinos and clubs. It’s also a big surf destination (particularly at Playa Hermosa, just south of Jacó), so you can try to catch some waves or get in touch with nature by scoping out a volcano or riding ATVs through the rainforest.

To get to Costa Rica, you’ll fly into San José, the country’s capital, which might be worth visiting on a longer trip for a little food and culture (though it’s not really the country’s major tourist drawcard); the airport sits about 50 miles by road from Jacó. If you’re not looking for a party-centric trip, there are countless other options, particularly if the groom is the outdoorsy type, from the jungles around Monteverde to windsurfing and hot springs in Arenal. Ecotourism is huge in Costa Rica, so everything from beach days to zip lining and white water rafting is on the table.

Although it’s less than two hours by plane from cities like New York, this Canadian city feels a world removed from the U.S. (it’s in a different country, after all), thanks to its French colonial history. Montreal is a popular bachelor party destination – and a relatively budget-friendly one due to its exchange rate. More importantly, it’s stacked with excellent restaurants and bars. Meaty cuisine is well represented here: Smoked meat is an iconic Montreal dish, available from delis like Schwartz’s Deli, or else there’s higher-end dining like Au Pied de Cochon, home of foie gras poutine.

By night, revelers can hit up Crescent Street or Saint-Laurent Boulevard for a bar or club crawl. With the city known for its debaucherous history (particularly during the Prohibition period occurring south of the border), there’s also no shortage of gentlemen’s clubs in the city. Those looking for a drink without a heavy-duty party vibe might consider areas like Saint-Henri and Little Italy, where trendy, lower-key spots are always opening their doors. Take note: Montreal may not be a comfortable destination all year, because while the nightlife is still active in winter, temperatures can be bitterly cold, dropping as low as negative 20 degrees.

If you’re on the market for an international bachelor party without falling back on obvious (or arguably overdone) options like Cancún, consider Cartagena, a beautiful old city on the Caribbean coast known for its beaches. While South America may seem far, it’s only a three-hour flight from Miami, with direct flights from some other East Coast cities as well. You can expect fantastic weather year-round; the rainy season peaks around October and makes traveling there more affordable but isn’t regarded as particularly bad.

Cartagena is a great option for the kind of guy who wants a big mix of activities: You can head out snorkeling or fishing, hit up a beach club on Tierra Bomba, or dip into mud baths at nearby volcano El Totumo. To sleep, choose between areas like Bocagrande, with its high-rise modern hotels and casinos, or the old city center for a more cultured, historic vibe. Head to Getsemaní if you want more of a local experience with a mix of nightlife.

Timothy Forster has traveled across six continents and lived on three, so he has experience exploring cities and spaces around the world. Forster used his extensive traveling background along with research expertise to curate this article.