The 17 Best Bachelor Party Destinations for 2023

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. There are always options for a more relaxed vibe too, from a nature-laden Costa Rica adventure to the California desert destination of Palm Springs. Here are some of the top bachelor party destinations to visit with your groomsmen in 2023.

The most renowned of bachelor party destinations, Las Vegas is the kind of city that’s tailor-made for this kind of celebration. It’s 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 all 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 of Vegas’ attractions. You can choose between high-end hotels such as the Bellagio, or save your cash with cheaper but still reputable options such as the MGM Grand.

There’s no shortage of choices for things to do in Las Vegas: Dining options range from buffets to Michelin-starred restaurants, and entertainment can take the form of anything from edgy magic shows by Criss Angel through to more “adult” options for the groom-to-be. If planning isn’t your forte, there are companies that offer bachelor party packages, which can include perks like limo rides, bottle service at clubs, hockey match tickets and more. You may also enjoy getting off the Strip for 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.

New York is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of destination for a bachelor party – whether you’re looking for culture or nightlife, something upscale or more laid-back, you should be able to find it in NYC. You might take a classic route, opting for a hearty meal at a famed steakhouse like Peter Luger in Brooklyn and a raucous booze cruise on the Hudson River. Or, if the timing is right, you can catch a Yankees or Mets game, visit a cigar lounge for some fine hand-rolled tobacco, or head on a craft beer crawl through Brooklyn. 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 myriad art and history museums. Whatever you choose, take note that this might not be the best budget-friendly destination: The average rate for New York City hotels stood close to $300 per night in 2022.

The beating heart of Miami Beach, South Beach is the type of 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 there are nightclubs that keep the revelry going through to the next day. 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 all the planning, a number of 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, where you can go for Cuban food and cigars in Little Havana, or head to Wynwood to check out street art and museums before grabbing a few craft beers.

Atlantic City is sometimes seen as a mini-Vegas – 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, with most of the action concentrated in the city’s boardwalk area. If you’re there in warmer months, the beach can be right at your doorstep – something that’s totally off the menu in the deserts of Las Vegas. The Atlantic City casinos are open 24 hours, and gamblers are offered free drinks, just like in Vegas. There’s certainly no shortage of nightlife here: The Borgata casino has hosted big-name shows from icons like Jerry Seinfeld, and the ample club scene spotlights music ranging from retro ’70s through to upbeat EDM.

If the groom-to-be isn’t inclined toward the brash debauchery of places like Vegas and Miami, consider San Diego. This California city boasts a hefty range of festivity options, thanks to its long, beach-lined coast, and lively neighborhoods like the historic Gaslamp Quarter, a 16-block downtown area packed with bars and restaurants. Consider a bar crawl through that part of the city – there’s a range of clubs 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). Ocean Beach is 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, there’s also the town of La Jolla, a bit further north, known for its stunning coastline, surf and museums. 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.

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) – or you can even rent a balcony to take in the scene from above. But there’s more to NOLA than its must-visit nightlife strip. The city is positively stuffed with history, not to mention great restaurants: Consider eateries like Toups’ Meatery and Cochon Butcher for some meaty Cajun meals. New Orleans is also a serious destination for live music, with jazz and honky-tonk bars making up a key part of the city’s nightlife. All up, if you want a bachelor party that mixes boozy nightlife with culture, New Orleans is a good bet.

If the party scene of South Beach and Miami is too heavy-duty for the groomsmen’s tastes, Fort Lauderdale – about 30 miles north of Miami – might be the right place for a bachelor party. In this beachfront city, you’ll likely want to take to the water, and all manner of aquatic activities are on offer here, from snorkeling and diving to Jet Ski rentals. Fort Lauderdale is also a hub for golf courses, another relaxed activity that’s ideal for partygoers in search of something more relaxed. There’s an ample selection of cool dining options and beachside resorts for accommodations in Fort Lauderdale, at varying price points. Despite the more tranquil, laid-back vibe, you can still party here: The nightlife options range from no-fuss dive bars up to bouncing clubs with bottle service.

Mixing together relaxed tropical vibes, historic ambiance and a party atmosphere, Key West is a particularly unique bachelor party destination. During the days, you can enjoy the warm Gulf waters with activities like paddleboarding, kayaking 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. And for places to stay in Key West, there’s a wide range of top options, from cool boutique hotels in heritage buildings fringed by tropical gardens to big establishments like Opal Key Resort & Marina or the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa. Note that getting to Key West can be a little tricky, as direct flights here are only available from a relatively small number of cities (all of which are in the eastern half of the country), but it can make for a scenic drive from Miami.

This go-to getaway for Angelenos is also a great bet for bachelor parties. A resort town at its heart, Palm Springs combines outdoor activities with poolside relaxation, top eateries and a robust nightlife scene – even if it’s not on the splashy scale of more mainstream places like Vegas. Linksmen will feel particularly at home here, with more than 100 golf courses in the area, but if golf isn’t your thing, check out the spectacular desert landscapes or try your hand at rock climbing in the nearby Joshua Tree National Park. By night, there are plenty of places to wet your whistle, from rooftop restaurants to poolside hangs – but don’t expect to find dance-until-dawn clubs in Palm Springs, since closing time is 4 a.m.

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 an adventure water park. 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, beachside bars and a few clubs to choose from. Further south is Charleston, a great option for foodies: Chow down on shrimp and grits 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 be out all night at the club. Instead, you can have a chilled-out weekend of golf, fishing and time at the beach.

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. 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. 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 Jaco is one of the best options for a classic boys trip, as it’s more of a party town with a selection of casinos and clubs. It’s also a big surf destination, 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 there, you’ll fly into San José, the country’s capital, which might be worth visiting on a longer trip (it’s not really the country’s major tourist drawcard); the airport sits about 50 miles by road from Jaco. If you’re not looking for a party-centric trip, there are countless other options, particularly if the groom is the outdoorsy type. 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 only about a 90-minute flight 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, or else there’s higher-end dining like Au Pied de Cochon, home of the foie gras poutine. By night, revelers can hit up Crescent Street or Saint-Laurent Boulevard for a bar or club crawl; there’s also no shortage of gentleman’s clubs in the city. Take note: Montreal may not be an ideal destination all year, because while the nightlife is still active in winter, temperatures can be bitterly cold, dropping as low as negative 20 degrees.

For a bachelor party loaded with beer and bands, head to the capital of Texas, dubbed the “live music capital of the world.” With copious craft breweries and 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 ranging from barbecue and Tex-Mex favorites to fancier farm-to-table fare to satisfy all your guests’ tastes. You can also make like the locals and head to Lake Travis just outside the city for some fun in the sun. All manner of boat rentals are available there, from Jet Skis to party barges, plus other activities such as zip lining.

If the groom and (ideally) 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 relatively large nightlife scene. Obviously, the main draw here during daylight hours is skiing and snowboarding: There’s 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, and its 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 dancefloors at places like live music venue Belly Up or the Escobar nightclub. Be warned, though, that Aspen has a reputation as the most expensive ski town in the country, so prepare to spend a pretty penny.

Music City is arguably seen 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. That said, there’s also myriad 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 saloons and honky-tonk bars dotted around the city. If you want to avoid planning, there are numerous companies that can take you on a guided drinking tour. Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to Tennessee without sampling some of the state’s best whiskey at distilleries like Corsair Artisan.

You could head to Florida for a tropical trip with the guys, but the islands of Hawaii are more than capable of showing your crew a good time. For bars and nightlife, Oahu’s Honolulu is probably the strongest choice; in particular, the neighborhood of Waikiki is famed for its clubs and bars, plus plenty of beaches for daytime lounging. If nature is more your speed, consider hitting another island, such as Maui for surfing or the Big Island for its jungles and state parks. Diving and camping are also outdoorsy options that are readily available – you wouldn’t want to come all this way just to stay indoors. For the groom who likes luxury travel, picturesque resorts and golf courses can be found throughout the state.