The best bachelor party destinations for an epic trip with friends

Sin City. If you and your clan are looking to 'go big or go home' before tying the knot, Vegas offers everything from gambling to strip clubs to pool parties, plus less louche options like star chef fine-dining and top-tier golf links. After securing a hotel reservation on the Strip, grab your wallet and head to the town’s best clubs like Omnia or XS; pull on your trunks for wet, wild and booze-drenched pool parties like the Cosmopolitan’s Marquee; and yes, check out the poles at places such as the Spearmint Rhino, if you must. To refuel, stuff your face at over-the-top buffets like Caesars Palace’s Bacchanal Buffet, or pull on a fresh button-down and tuck into world-class fare at é by José Andrés, Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie, Min Kim’s Mizumi, or Partage by chef Yuri Szarzewski.

Best time to visit: Winter through spring; summer can be very hot

While NOLA might seem slightly unconventional—it’s not Vegas, after all—it wins out for its versatility. Whether you’re a live music lover, food obsessive, cocktail enthusiast or sports fan, the Big Easy checks all these boxes and then some. Chow down with the dudes on the city’s excellent classic spots, including Antoine’s and Commander’s Palace. Or head to one of the spots helmed by New Orleans’ impressive chefs, like Palm&Pine or Tujague’s. Afterward, crawl Frenchman Street for excellent live jazz and brass bands at bubbly clubs like The Spotted Cat, Three Muses, and Snug Harbor; and sip perfectly balanced sazeracs and French 75s at mixology temples such as Carousel Bar or at a speakeasy-like The Double Dealer under the Orpheum Theater. If you’ve scheduled your celebration for the fall, head to a Saints game and bask in the fan fanaticism. And if you want to go lowbrow, don’t forget to wander Bourbon Street with a frozen hurricane in hand.

Best time to visit: Year round

With beautiful beaches, a thumping nightlife and endless options for exploring the outdoors, Miami is an obvious choice for a bachelor party destination. All the debauchery can be found in South Beach, where, with research and advance booking, a boutique hotel can be scored at a major deal. During the day, sunbathe and snooze on the beach, book a scuba or snorkel trip, or splash in style on a private yacht charter with companies such as Tropicalboat or Prime Luxury. For dinner, explore Miami’s infamous clubstaurant scene at Casa Neos, hit one of the world’s best steakhouses at Klaw or bring your buds to the outdoor magic of Sunny’s courtyard. At night, bass-pounding clubs offer a variety of options for partying: check out bottle service at LIV, and keep the party going all night long at Club Space. For the hangover eats you’ll absolutely require the next day, there’s no better spot than Little Havana, where you can refuel with rib-sticking Latin American fare like tequeños and arepas, pan con minuta (a snapper sandwich served on Cuban bread bun), and lechón asado buns made with sour orange-achiote.

Best time to visit: Fall through spring is ideal; summers can be rainy

The Music City offers non-stop live music, honky-tonk bars, legendary fried chicken and a general vibe of rowdy fun. Start on Broadway, where bands belt out covers from morning until well past midnight at spots like Tootsie’s and Robert’s Western World. Fuel up with Tennessee hot chicken at Prince’s or Hattie B’s before rallying for a rooftop beer at Acme Feed & Seed. For a change of pace, schedule a whiskey tasting at nearby distilleries like Corsair or Jack Daniel’s (an easy day trip). And if you’ve got the energy to spare, squeeze in some axe throwing at BATL or channel your inner country star at one of Nashville’s infamous karaoke joints like WannaB’s.

Best time to visit: Year round; but winter can be cold

This Southern charmer is the perfect pick for a bachelor party weekend; the city boasts beautiful cobblestoned streets, handsome antebellum architecture and a facility for the good life that’s tough to find in any other city. Eating should be the focal point of any trip here. Charleston excels in comforting yet creative Southern fare at FIG, Husk, The Ordinary (don’t trust the name), and Nigel's Good Food. This is also a drinking town, with the most emphasis and expertise placed on the brown stuff—namely, fine bourbon—that you and your crew can sip straight or in cocktails at spots such as The Kingstide, Laurel and Bar Vauté. If you can fit in any activities between all that eating and drinking, play a few rounds of golf at the Ocean Course on Kiwah Island, bliss out on Folly Beach, or hike Bull Island.

Best time to visit: Year round

Known for its robust live music scene, its rib-sticking BBQ restaurants and its easygoing attitude, Austin is a natural choice for any group of fun-loving dudes. Start your day with the breakfast of champions: a migas taco at Veracruz All Natural, a machacado at Mi Madre’s or a brisket taco at Valentina’s (or all three). Once fortified, move on to all-day drinking: Drink.Well’s happy hour begins at 3pm; Salty Sow’s starts at 4pm; Jeffrey’s starts at 4:30 daily (or all night on Mondays); and Odd Duck’s happy hour is from 5-6pm daily. When you’re hungry again, seek out rigorously authentic BBQ at Franklin Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats or Terry Black’s. Late in the evening, scope live blues at Antone’s, rock music at the Continental Club or alternative sounds at Parish. And if, after all that, you want to hit up Palazio Gentleman’s Club, we promise we won't tell.

Best time to visit: Year round

Straddling the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is our definitive pick for a wintertime bachelor party. The area offers world-class skiing at Squaw Valley, Heavenly Ski and Diamond Peak resorts. Beyond the slopes, there are tons of outdoorsy adventures to be had: go skydiving with Skydive Lake Tahoe, kayak with Tahoe Adventure Company, and rent ATVs with Full Access Tahoe. If the gambling itch strikes, hop the border to Nevada to feed the slots at Harrah’s and Harvey's casinos.

Best time to visit: Year round, but it depends on what you're looking to do

Savannah is like Charleston’s edgier younger brother, offering Southern charm with a side of sin. The city’s open-container laws mean you can “take a traveler” and wander cobblestoned streets, cocktail in hand while soaking up historical sights and moss-draped squares. Savannah has plenty of fancy sit-down cocktail spots like Artillery Bar, but don’t miss the dives, such as the history-steeped Pinkie Masters and Abe’s on Lincoln, where doodles of the president hang from every single surface. Take a haunted pub crawl for spooky fun or book a brewery tour at Service Brewing Co. For daytime activities, play a round of golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor or explore nearby Tybee Island for some beach time and beers in the sun.

Best time to visit: Year round

Just as Chicago is a draw for blues lovers up north, Memphis is the place to be for Southern aficionados. The moody, electric-driven genre took shape in the early 20th century, and it’s still on full and authentic display at intimate clubs, including Rum Boogie Cafe, Wild Bill’s, and Blues City. Carnivores will want to chow down on the city's famous style of BBQ: Think dry-rubbed, pit-cooked pork ribs and luscious shoulder that’s served with little fanfare but a ton of flavor at joints like Cozy Corner, Corky’s and Central BBQ. Those looking for adult entertainment can head to clubs like The Pony or Purple Diamond.

Any food-loving group of dudes would be thrilled to head to the City of Angels for a bachelor party—the better to hop between Koreatown’s excellent bibimbap, Boyle Heights’ authentic taco trucks, and Hollywood’s pricey but delicious grain bowls. Apart from the food, the drinking is top-notch, too, with adventurous and innovative mixologists shaking delicate cocktails at The Dresden and tropical tiki classics at Tonga Hut. During the day, bum out on insanely beautiful beaches like El Matador and Zuma, or catch a wave at internationally coveted surf spots Surfrider and El Porto. When it comes to nightlife, the sky’s the limit: hit wild dance clubs like Avalon, catch an intimate concert at El Rey, or head to Hollywood for various seedy-to-classy strip clubs. 

Best time to visit: Year round

For an adrenaline-fueled bachelor party weekend, where else to go but the city that never sleeps? Start the morning off with a cup of craft coffee at geeked-out shops like Ninth Street Espresso, Devoción, or Felix Roasting Co.; spend the day strolling Manhattan’s elevated park The High Line and ducking into Chelsea galleries and Fifth Avenue museums; and cross the Brooklyn Bridge for sunset views of the city streets and the East River. There are absolutely no limits when it comes to grub: munch on classic New York slices, slurp noodles in Chinatown or go highbrow at fine dining temples like Sushi Noz, Aquavit, Gabriel Kreuther, and ILILI. At night, catch a big-budget concert or Nets game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, bar-hop through the East Village or slump into a booth at one of the city’s many 24-hour diners.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall

San Diego has mastered the art of laid-backness, making it the perfect destination for a group of bros. Boasting 70 miles of the beautiful southern Cali coastline, water activities are the name of the game in San Diego: learn to surf, book a whale-and-dolphin-watching tour, or go sailing on a catamaran. During the evening, the Gaslamp Quarter offers 16 blocks of excellent cafes, restaurants and rooftop bars. In the latter category, check out Lumi by Akira Black, The Nolen and at the Kimpton Palomar (which also boasts a pool!). There are also a number of risque burlesque shows like the sexy Ooh La La Revue.

Best time to visit: Year round

Yet another can’t-go-wrong choice for outdoor lovers, Jackson Hole is a nature enthusiast’s playground, offering some of the country’s best skiing and snowboarding during the winter and scenic hiking, biking, and horseback riding the rest of the year. Popular ski resorts include Teton Lodge and the Four Seasons, but in the warmer months, opt for local ranches like Mill Iron and Turpin Meadow, which offer guided horseback riding excursions through the area’s scenic terrain. Then check out breathtaking hiking trails like Paintbrush Divide, Phelps Lake and Teton Crest. Now that you've worked out an appetite tuck into some wild game at restaurants like GameFish and Gun Barrel.

Best time to visit: Summer and winter

The City by the Bay offers many bachelor party activities, from excellent eating and drinking to plenty of scenic outdoor adventures. During the day, make use of the city’s beautiful waterfront by getting out onto the bay: you can drop a line with San Francisco Fishing Charter, look for whales with San Francisco Whale Tours, or hop aboard your own booze cruise with a chartered yacht from Captain San Francisco. At night, take advantage of the city's famous culinary landscape with beer-and-barley-tempura black cod from Lazy Bear, fresh pasta at The Tailor’s Son, or a roast duck at Mister Jiu’s. Top it off with a fine cocktail at The Interval at Long Now, The Snug, or Kona's Street Market. For a panorama of the city, Charmaine's rooftop bar and lounge has cocktails as good as the view. Feel like dancing? Raven Bar channels all the good vibes with nostalgic tunes from the 1990s to today.

Best time to visit: Spring and summer

The Mile High City has a multitude of activities to keep a group of guys busy, from unparalleled hiking and outdoor adventuring to delicious food and a vibrant craft beer scene. First, the outdoors: Check out Alpine Mills Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, calypso orchids and other wildflowers at Ouzel Falls, or the 20ft sandstone bridge Royal Arch, all located just a short drive from the city. Cyclists might want to hook up with Mile High Bike Tours for excellent guided jaunts around the city, and water lovers can check out rafting and ziplining trips offered by AVA. Meanwhile, Denver’s restaurants serve everything from authentic Mexican fare to local farm-to-table grub.; Dudes might want to check out the premium steaks seared at Guard and Grace. When it’s time to drink, check out the tasting rooms at local breweries like Wynkoop and Renegade, or head to tricked-out games bars like The 1UP, equipped with billiards, ping pong tables and Skee-Ball.

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

For music-loving bachelors, Chicago is a no-brainer destination: this is where the electric blues evolved in the mid-20th century, and the city still offers a veritable banquet of live music options. Clubs such as Rosa’s Lounge, Kingston Mines, and bluesman Buddy Guy’s famed joint Legends host excellent nightly acts. You and your crew will obviously want to chow down on the Windy City’s famed deep-dish pizza: check out hoppin’ spots like Pequod’s, Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s. In nice weather, it’s fun to take advantage of Chicago’s extensive waterfront. Go the ridiculous route with one of the city’s many booze cruises, like Island Party Boat’s tiki-drink-stocked, waterslide-equipped yachts and pontoons. Sports fans, depending on the season, can enjoy a Bears or Cubs game.

Best time to visit: Summer

This gem of the Pacific Northwest attracts all kinds of adventurous types and its dedication to the good life makes the city a solid choice for bachelor parties. Whether your group is looking to kick back and relax or take on the great outdoors, Portland’s got it all. A good place to start is Distillery Row in Southeast Portland, where you can taste room-hop between nine craft distilleries offering impeccable whiskies, brandies, and gins. When the munchies kick in (which they undoubtedly will when you factor in Oregon’s legal recreational marijuana status), world-class restaurants and wildly popular food trucks beckon with a diverse array of cuisines that make use of local ingredients. Burn off all those calories with any of a number of stunning hikes near the metro area, including Rooster Rock State Park in Corbett and Puff Falls in Carson. PDX can also offer a racy night out that’s not in poor taste with some very unique strip clubs (think: fire, rollers, skates, and tattoos).

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

The dry desert heat of Arizona provides the perfect backdrop for a sizzling bachelor party. Boasting clear, beautiful weather almost every day of the year, the city’s main attraction is its network of world-class golf courses, so be sure to pack your sand wedge. Favorite links include Papago, Raven, and the Phoenix Country Club, the latter of which remains open and lit by floodlights until 10pm. After 18 holes, indulge in some iconic dishes like a Sonoran hot dog from El Caprichoso Hot Dogs; green chile stew at Fry Bread House; broiled steak at Durant's; rosa pizza at Pizzeria Bianco; brown butter tuna at Valentine; or fatty brisket at Little Miss BBQ. In the evening, head downtown for jazz at the elegant The Nash; balanced cocktails at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour and bottle service at Bar Smith.

Best time to visit: Year round

It's no Vegas, but the Tri-State Area’s favorite gambling destination is a convenient getaway for those living in the Northeast—and this slightly seedy casino city still has its charms. If you’re visiting in the summer, a stroll along the boardwalk with stops for cotton candy, soft serve, and saltwater taffy is a must, while beaches, including Cape May and Sea Isle, are surprisingly pretty. As in Vegas, gambling is really the point of coming to Atlantic City, so hit the blackjack table at the Tropicana or go for a round of roulette at the Golden Nugget. Feeling a little rowdy? Slip into your trunks and get wet at The Pool After Dark, Harrah’s all-night indoor pool party, check out "gentlemen’s clubs" Bare Exposure and Babes, or keep it (a little bit) classier at the Borgata’s stylish 40s-style Thursday night burlesque show.

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

While it may appear to be a left-field choice, Milwaukee proves to be an excellent bachelor party destination for three reasons: it’s affordable, it's a great meeting point for friends scattered across the country, and it houses a vibrant craft beer scene. Once your group has gathered, head out for a day of drinking via a brewery crawl: Urban Harvest, MobCraft and Indeed are all located within walking distance of each other. Other non-drinking activities include renting a yacht to cruise along Lake Michigan, riding the sky cable cars at Henry Maier Festival Park, and catching a Brewers game at Miller Park. Any hog aficionados in the group will want to check out the impressive Harley-Davidson Museum and don’t forget to take a group shot with the "Bronze Fonz," a life-size statue of the Happy Days character located along downtown’s Riverwalk.

Best time to visit: Summer