(BPT) - The countdown to the big day is on, but before the wedding vows are exchanged, one last party must take place. Here are a few destinations to help the bride- and groom-to-be say "so long" to their bachelorette and bachelorhood days.
New York City
When planning a bachelorette or bachelor party, don't settle for just any big city when you can go to the big city: New York, N.Y. With so many things to do, it takes very little planning to have a blast in the Big Apple. Away.com, a travel inspiration and advice website, notes that guys can start by fueling up at one of the Grade-A steakhouses before taking on the VIP section of a club (reservations usually required). Or they can buy tickets to see one of the city's many sports teams for some real male-bonding time. Ladies can head down 5th Avenue with their department store itineraries and confirm why women make the majority of household purchasing decisions.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a hip and active town just under three hours north of Seattle. If the Olympic committee thought it was a cool enough place for the 2010 Winter Olympics, then it is probably awesome enough for a bachelor or bachelorette party. The summers are warm and perfect for outdoor activities, such as kayaking, hiking, or mountain biking. The winters are, of course, great for a ski adventure, and downtown Vancouver has a plenty of world-class restaurants and a nightlife that will satisfy.
Tucson, Arizona
Girls (and sometimes guys) love to be pampered. Gentlemen (and sometimes ladies) love to play golf. And in Tucson, Ariz., you'll find both. A spa and wellness weekend at a spa resort, such as Canyon Ranch, will leave the bridal party feeling relaxed and renewed by the end of their stay. For a weekend of competition and fun, gather up the guys, the clubs and maybe a flask or two, then tee off at one of the area's desert or links-style courses designed by Jack Nicklaus or Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the best options for a bachelor or bachelorette party because a trip here is easy to plan. Just reserve rooms in the French Quarter, show up, and step outside - the Big Easy will take care of the rest. Look at the calendar and up the ante by planning to go during Mardi Gras, Jazzfest, or even Halloween ... but don't worry, the good times roll all year round.
Another option: go on a cruise If conveniences such as unlimited food and beverages are high on your list of must-haves, you might just find yourselves standing on the deck of a cruise ship waving the coastline goodbye. Cruises are an easy and relatively cheap way to escape with the guys or gals. You can book with a cruise line or even charter your own yacht in the Caribbean. Entertainment, food and sometimes drinks are all included, and your party can choose to do as much or as little as they like.
