The Best Bach Destinations for Every Type of Bride

So, you’re engaged. Congratulations! You’ve picked the venue, locked in the date, and probably have multiple Pinterest boards that have somehow become the reason you’re pushing 8 hours of screentime. 

Along with the wedding bells comes one of the most fun parts of getting married: the bachelorette!

Before you default to the first destination that takes over your Instagram feed, take a second to think about what you actually want from the weekend. Your bachelorette doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s– all that matters is that it's exactly what makes sense for you!

Maybe you want three days of sunshine, swimsuits, and sangrias. Maybe you’d rather trade the nightclub for a mountain view and a horseback ride. Maybe your dream weekend is essentially an excuse to eat your way through a new city. Maybe you want to have a reason to serve looks and take a million pictures with your digital camera. Or maybe you want nothing more than a beautiful house, your closest friends, and absolutely nowhere to be.

Miami, Nashville, and Las Vegas will always be classic bachelorette destinations. But if you’re looking for something a little different, start with the feeling you want your weekend to have.

Here are six U.S. destinations to consider, depending on your vibe:

If You Want Tropical: Key West, Florida

There’s something about a tropical vacation that just feels right for a bachelorette. Bikinis, martinis, the whole nine yards. If you're wanting warm weather, ocean views, fruity cocktails, and days spent lounging or living it up with your girls, Key West is a total tropical escape without requiring a passport. 

Spend the morning by the pool, grab lunch somewhere with a view, and then head out on the water for the afternoon. Book a boat or snorkeling excursion, spend the day swimming and catching some rays, and end the afternoon with drinks as the sun starts to set. Then head back to get ready before going out for dinner and drinks.

And the best part? You can make the weekend as energetic,  or as laid back, as you want. One day’s itinerary might involve snorkeling, a sunset cruise, and a night out; the next can be nothing more ambitious than lying by the pool, ordering frozen cocktails, and going for a long lunch. If your group wants to explore, there’s plenty to do around the island. If you’d rather stay in your swimsuits all day, you can do that too.

If You Want Nature: Bozeman, Montana

So... maybe you're less of a beach person and more of a mountain gal.

If your ideal bachelorette involves mountain views, fresh air, outdoor adventures, and a cozy night in with your girls, Bozeman is a great option. You get the best of both worlds: a cute downtown with restaurants, breweries, and shops, plus beautiful Montana scenery just outside the city!

Spend the morning exploring downtown Bozeman, grab lunch, and then head out for an afternoon of hiking or horseback riding. Depending on your itinerary, you could even make a day trip to Yellowstone National Park.

Of course, you don’t have to spend the entire weekend in hiking boots– just because you’re in nature doesn’t mean you have to rough it! One of the best things about Bozeman is that you can balance granola with glam. Bozeman has several day spas and plenty of cute spots for dinner and drinks.

If You Want Good Food: New Orleans, Louisiana

If you’re the person who opens Beli or Yelp before you even book the hotel, New Orleans deserves a spot on your list. Sometimes food is half the reason we travel; we get it.

New Orleans is a great option if you want a vibrant atmosphere mixed with rich history and a love for music. It’s also extremely walkable depending on where you stay, with much of the action concentrated in and around the French Quarter, which is only 0.66 square miles. You can easily walk to many restaurants, bars, historic sites, and attractions, making it easy to explore without spending your weekend in a car.

Start the day with a cafe au lait and beignets, spend the afternoon exploring the French Quarter, and then get ready for dinner and a night out (we recommend Frenchman Street over Bourbon Street). And when we say the food is good, we mean good. It’s one of the best spots for foodies in the U.S., so make sure you book your reservations in advance!

If You Want Something Pinterest-y: Savannah, Georgia

If your bachelorette Pinterest board is full of cute, coordinated outfits, walking along charming streets, brunch, cocktails, and lots of pictures with your girls, Savannah might be the one for you.

Savannah is one of those cities where you don't necessarily need a packed itinerary to have a great time. Spend the day walking around the historic squares, checking out shops, stopping for a cocktail (they have a pretty lenient open container policy), and taking 700 pictures while you do it.

The city’s mix of 18th- and 19th-century architecture and moss-covered oak trees make it hard to take a bad photo. Savannah is also a great choice if you want to go out and have fun without making partying the entire focus of your weekend. Sometimes you just want to get dressed up to explore a cute city and hang out with your girls.

If You Want to Party: Scottsdale, Arizona

But... maybe you do want to party. If your ideal bachelorette involves all the typical bachelorette stops: pool days, cute outfits, great restaurants, and nights out, Scottsdale is a great option.

Spend the day lounging by the pool, grab drinks, get ready together, and head out for dinner before hitting the town. Scottsdale has plenty of restaurants, bars, and lounges to choose from, so you can make your weekend as chill or as crazy as you want!

You don't have to choose between a relaxing girls’ trip and a full-on party weekend. You can spend time by the pool, hit up a spa, get dressed up, go out, all in a day. Scottsdale is a one-stop shop when it comes to a bachelorette weekend.

If You Want to Relax: Bar Harbor, Maine

If wedding planning has gotten the best of you and the idea of a packed itinerary exhausts you, Bar Harbor might be the right fit.

Bar Harbor is the kind of place where you can actually slow down and disconnect. You can spend the day relaxing by the water or taking a drive through Acadia National Park. Downtown Bar Harbor is super walkable with many shops and restaurants. But honestly, you don't have to do much at all. There are plenty of vacation rentals and hotels in the area that are perfect for a cozy stay in.

Sometimes the best part of a girls’ trip is having nowhere to be and time to just hang out.

Need Help Planning Your Bachelorette?

Even if you’ve figured out the vibe you’re going for, there's still the matter of actually planning the trip. If you're not sure where to start, Shade & Travel can help! Whether you need help choosing a destination, figuring out the best accommodations, building an itinerary, or sorting through all the travel details, our travel consulting services can help take some of the stress out of planning your ideal bachelorette vacation.

You've got the wedding to plan. We can help you plan the getaway!