24 Fun and Frugal Bachelorette Party Destinations

Flickr user Kosala Bandara

The bachelorette party is one of the many fun traditions that the bride-to-be generally partakes in — it's essential to get together with some of your girlfriends and spend some quality time before the big day. Lonely Planet travel experts Heather Dickson and Emily Matchar weighed in on the must-visit vacation spots that will give you a bang for your bachelorette bucks.

01
Washington DC
Flickr user Nicolas Raymond

Washington DC

"All the best things to do in DC during the day, except shop, are basically free — including botanical gardens, art galleries, and museums," said Dickson. "At night, hit happy hour at bars like Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan."

02
New York
Flickr user Anthony Quintano

New York

"Your wallet might not be able to meet all the expectations of your Empire State of mind, but budget NYC can still be beautiful. Apartment rentals (try Manhattan Lodgings) can work out cheaper than hotels for larger groups, and a bachelorette picnic in Central Park, followed by Earl Grey marTEAnis at the Pegu Club, can make for a dream day," said Dickson.

03
Miami
Flickr user Daniel Reichert

Miami

"If you want to see and be seen on your bachelorette party, then head to South Beach, Miami. Lincoln Road, Miami Beach Boardwalk, and Ocean Drive are made for people-watching, and the hotels that make up the backbone of the art deco district include a number of midrange boutique options," said Dickson.

04
Montreal
Flickr user Artur Staszewski

Montreal

"When your maid of honor fails to book that surprise trip to Paris, take advantage of the better exchange rate and head for Montreal," said Dickson. "The flight is cheaper and shorter, but the shopping and eating options are superb. Montreal nightlife is the stuff of legends: a vibrant, exciting, and ever-evolving scene on the cutting edge of international trends."

05
Las Vegas
Flickr user David Stanley

Las Vegas

"Legendary party destination on a budget? With more than 150,000 hotel rooms to fill, there's always a deal in Vegas, and shoppers can take advantage of the Shop Vegas Passport (courtesy of the Las Vegas tourism website), which offers discounts on shopping, dining, and events," said Dickson.

06
Austin, TX
Flickr user Anthony Quintano

Austin, TX

"Austin is a hot city for budget bachelorettes. If you're staying at least a week, some extended-stay options offer a large suite starting at $25 per night," said Dickson. "Barbecue venues like Iron Works BBQ have all-you-can-eat salad bars, and cover charge for live-music acts starts at about $3."

07
San Francisco
Flickr user Tom Hilton

San Francisco

"Whether it's views of the Golden Gate Bridge or walks in North Beach, many of the best city sights are the city itself," said Dickson. "At night, head to AsiaSF, which has simple to deluxe packages from $25 per person. SFO is also the hub for low-fare airline Virgin America."

08
Chicago
Flickr user Nimesh Madhavan

Chicago

"Millennium Park is Chicago's beating heart and a free place to spend an afternoon before a night of deep-dish pizza and cutting-edge comedy, which doesn't have to break the bank," said Dickson. Airbnb rents out apartments and has a good selection of options for those traveling in a group.

09
Denver
Flickr user Larry Johnson

Denver

"Bachelorettes who like brunch will enjoy mornings in the Mile High City, making a good stomach liner for beer-fueled evenings in the historic LoDo district," said Dickson. "As the hub for Frontier Airlines and fourth largest hub for United Airlines, ticket deals are generally easy to find."

10
National Parks
Flickr user bg3photo

National Parks

"From Great Smoky to Yellowstone, national parks can provide good-value escapes," said Dickson. "Rent a mountain cabin, switch the spa for a hot spring, and feel a sense of freedom before the big day!"

11
Wilmington, NC
Flickr user Jason

Wilmington, NC

"This riverfront city, just a stone's throw from the Atlantic, has the antebellum charm of a Charleston or a Savannah — think cobblestones, Spanish moss, columned mansions — at half the price," said Matchar. "Snag an affordable seaside room in nearby Wrightsville Beach, and head down to Front Street for brews and dancing."

12
Freeport, Bahamas
Flickr user Erik Larson

Freeport, Bahamas

"Nassau gets all the glory, but Freeport, the Bahamian second city, has equally stunning beaches for even more stunning prices," said Matchar. "After a day of (free!) sand and sun, head to the open-air Port Lucaya Marketplace to hear live music at Count Basie Square. Local tip: try the city's Wednesday night 'fish fry' for the best and cheapest eats, drinks, and dancing."

13
Morelia, Mexico
Flickr user Christopher William Adach

Morelia, Mexico

"Known as 'La Ciudad Rosa' — the Pink City — for the rosy hue of its stone buildings, Morelia is one of the oldest and loveliest settlements in the Americas," said Matchar. "Boutique hotels that would cost a bundle in the US are easily affordable in Morelia, and the best activities — wandering the rose gardens, touring the soaring central cathedral — are free."

14
Bangkok, Thailand
Flickr user Juan Antonio F. Segal

Bangkok, Thailand

"As the song goes, one night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster. And what a delicious — and affordable! — oyster it is," said Matchar. "Think excellent shopping, slamming nightlife, and some of the best and cheapest massages and spa treatments in all of Asia."

15
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Flickr user Gustavo Gomes

Buenos Aires, Argentina

"Argentina's sexy capital, Buenos Aires, has all the atmosphere of old Europe at a fraction of the price," said Matchar. "Also: gelato to die for, all the Malbec you can drink, and tango lessons to surprise the husband-to-be! Rent a furnished apartment in the hip, young Las Cañitas district, a hotspot for BA nightlife."

16
Ireland
Flickr user Giuseppe Milo

Ireland

"After a night of partying in Dublin's raucous Temple Bar area, hire a dirt-cheap rental car and head west to recover your senses in the Irish countryside," said Matchar on Ireland. "The medieval town of Kilkenny, just an hour and a half southwest of Dublin, is a postcard-pretty place for a spot of shopping and a late afternoon tea."

17
Portland, ME
Flickr user ep0012

Portland, ME

"Outdoorsy bachelorettes can paddle their kayaks in Casco Bay before coming ashore for a hearty dinner at one of the locavore bistros in hip Munjoy Hill and pints of local ale at the downtown pubs," said Matchar on Portland. "The historic West End neighborhood boasts scads of B&Bs — look for off-season deals."

18
London
Flickr user Rick Ligthelm

London

"Though London may be one of the world's pricier cities, play your cards right and you'll manage to score a deal or two," said Matchar. "Look for apartment rentals, entertain yourself with affordable activities (we recommend poking around Harrods's decadent food hall), and seek out happy hour offers for drinks."

19
Quebec City, Canada
Flickr user Tony Webster

Quebec City, Canada

"So you can't swing the plane ticket to Paris? Satisfy your Francophile urges in Quebec City, Montreal's lesser-visited but equally elegant northern neighbor," said Matchar. "You won't lack for Old World charm, adorable bistros, and worthy-of-the-Champs-Élysées lingerie boutiques for prewedding shopping sprees. Book a hotel outside the walls of Old City for the best deals."

20
Prague, Czech Republic
Flickr user Thomas Depenbusch

Prague, Czech Republic

"The fairy-tale city of soaring cathedrals and ancient stone bridges has also gained a reputation as a budget-party destination," said Matchar on Prague. "Strap on your stilettos — mind the cobblestones — and head out for a night of cheap pivo (beer) and slamming dance music in the city center's enormous nightclubs."

21
Morocco
Flickr user photophilde

Morocco

"Spend your days sipping sugary mint tea, gorging on flaky pastries, and getting olive oil scrubdowns at the local hammam (bathhouse) in Morocco, just a hop, skip, and a jump from continental Europe," said Matchar. "If you're truly adventurous, head into the Atlas Mountains for camel rides and nights under the stars."

22
Nashville
Flickr user Alaina McDavid

Nashville

"Put on your dancing boots and head to Nashville's Lower Broadway, home to legendary (and free!) honky-tonks like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and Robert's Western World, where the live music starts at noon and goes nearly all night," said Matchar. "In the daytime, visit the 12th South neighborhood for funky, affordable local boutiques, cafes, and bars."

23
Paris
Flickr user Falcon® Photography

Paris

"Save the pricy side of Paris for the honeymoon, and spend your bachelorette weekend going wild in the fun, up-and-coming neighborhoods of Belleville and Oberkampf," said Matchar.

24
Italy
Flickr user Kosala Bandara

Italy

"Skip the major tourist centers of Florence and Venice in favor of a DIY weekend of wine-sipping at your own Tuscan villa," said Matchar on Italy. "If you've got a group, renting an entire house is often surprisingly affordable, especially in the off-season. Plus, then you get your own kitchen for making decadent dinners from the local bounty."