13 Ways to Throw an Unforgettable Bachelorette Trip to NYC

These days, it feels like wedding season is always in full swing. But before you or your bestie utters those forever vows, it’s time to plan a weekend that will go down in group-chat infamy. And while party planning comes with its fair share of stress, having it in New York City means there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate an impending permanent plus-one status—from bar and club hopping all night long to wellness refreshes and soothing outdoor spas.

Singing karaoke at a Korean fried chicken spot, glamping on an island, and getting your aura read are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are the best ways to throw an unforgettable bachelorette party in NYC.

Governors Island
The full-on glamping experience at Collective Retreats on Governors Island is the perfect way to celebrate the great outdoors in NYC (without resorting to actually camping). The mini getaway kicks off with a complimentary water taxi from Lower Manhattan. Once arrived, settle into your upscale tent then round up the crew for bike riding, s’mores around the fire, yoga, meditation, lawn games, stargazing, sunset cocktails, and more.

Hell’s Kitchen
The club scene in NYC is elite. There’s disco balls, sultry lights, and music loud enough to drown out any pre-wedding jitters. To make the most of your bachelorette night, hit two of the city’s hottest new clubs, which coincidentally share a Hell’s Kitchen building: Silencio New York and The Stranger. Better yet, the clubs possess completely different energies. Silencio’s original Paris locale was designed by filmmaker David Lynch and attracts a high-profile clientele and big name performances. The red-themed, futuristic NYC outpost is similarly sceney and features crimson curtains, LED strip lights, and a handful of private spaces off of the main dancefloor. The Stranger, on the other hand, immerses guests in a trippy and certainly unhinged experience filled with DJ sets, off-the-rails performance art, and dancing. It’s weird, it’s carefree, it’s essentially the opposite of an uptight nightclub.

Williamsburg
Hurling your body off a 23-foot-tall platform is a sure way to spice up a party. For a thrill-seeking adventure, try out a group session at the Trapeze School New York where instructors will fling participants into the sky from exhilarating heights. For those in the party not as keen to join in on this particular adrenaline rush, there’s also a range of land-level activities like trampolines, balance beams, and grounded acrobatics.

Gramercy Park
If a less chaotic environment for enjoying tunes is calling your name, head over to this recently debuted jazz bar that feels like it was plucked right out of a movie scene. Upon entering Midnight Blue, your party will be ushered into a whisky library dubbed Bar Neat, which functions as a front waiting room—but the back room is where the action is. Here, there’s a spotlit stage, bartenders in Canadian tuxedos, and an intimate smattering of tables. Depending on how big of jazz fans you are, stick around for one or all three jazz sets—starting at 7, 8:45, and 10:15 pm every night—then keep the good times going with expertly mixed highballs and sours.

SoHo
Before you head out for a night of drinks and debauchery, book a pampering session for the crew at Chillhouse. Known for their intricate nail art and expert technicians, this is a one stop shop for mani-pedis, massages, and wellness boosted lattes. Think of your mani as another accessory to elevate your fit of the night. Sink into a massage chair while sipping Chill Me Out (lavender, vanilla, ashwagandha) and gossip about who’s attending the big day.

Greenpoint
​​​​The bride might be a lover, not a fighter, but everybody’s got a reason to nail a punching bag. From miscommunications with catering to last minute RSVPs messing up the seating chart, throw those uppercuts and right hooks at the Box St Fitness boxing studio. The classes are 45 minutes of high-energy cardio and conditioning that’ll have you feeling recharged and unencumbered from those nagging pre-wedding jitters.

Chinatown
Head to Chinatown’s Magic Jewelry for ’Gram-worthy headshots obscured by a hazy rainbow glow. The staff reads your aura, pours you some oolong tea, and offers up an array of healing crystals. Whether you’re a true believer in the power of crystals or not, it’s comforting to feel some semblance of control within this often chaotic universe. Also, shelling out a little money for some good marriage juju definitely couldn’t hurt.

Pier 62
Booking a sunset cruise on a 1920s yacht for the night offers a boozy alternative to the bachelorette tradition of hitting slews of bars and clubs. For about $60 per person (depending on which experience you choose), the Classic Harbor Line offers sweeping views from NYC’s waterways while gazing out at the glimmering cityscape, soaking up the dimming rays, and sipping on complimentary flutes of champagne. Alternatively, for even more privacy, there’s also an option to rent out the whole boat for your party if it’s a group of 17 or more.

NoMad
Bachelorette trips don’t have to be all about partying. Instead, it can be a time to challenge yourself (in a healthy way) physically and mentally. If that’s up the bride’s alley, hit up Othership. Tucked behind a subdued exterior on a busy Flatiron block, Othership is 7,000 square feet of wellness space featuring eight of the coldest commercial ice baths in North America, a three-tiered sauna (that can reach temperatures up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit), an amphitheater-style tea room, upscale locker rooms, and sleek showering area (for pre- and post-ice baths). What sets Othership apart from other self-care sanctuaries—in addition to design features like a James Turrell-esque lighting installation and the four-person ice bath tubs—is its guided wellness experiences that combine elements of breathwork, aromatherapy, mindfulness, live music and singing, and group reflections.

SoHo
We know that when it comes to the look and design of a wedding, every painstaking detail matters, and next on the docket is choosing the perfect shade of lipstick to complement your wedding look. Head to Lip Lab in SoHo and collaborate with a team of color experts to create an entirely unique shade in four easy steps. Pick your product (lipstick, gloss, or balm), mix your hues, add a flavor (mint, vanilla, pomegranate, chocolate espresso), and engrave the tube with a flirty name. By the end, you’ll all feel pampered and can keep the makeup as a bachelorette souvenir.

Gowanus
The Korean fried chicken at this Gowanus karaoke restaurant, called Insa, is sweet, sticky, and spicy—plus, you can scream-sing “From This Moment On” and “Dancing Queen” in the privacy of your very own room. Rooms start at $80 an hour for parties of 12 and you can reserve space for up to 22 of your closest friends for $180 an hour. Order a few punch bowls and load up on carbs—you’re gonna need ‘em to get through the night.

Various locations
While bachelorette parties are all about living it up with your crew, it’s also a great opportunity to support a good cause as a team effort. Take the time to give back to houseless women and children in NYC by volunteering at the non-profit Women in Need organization. Started in 1983, Win now accommodates more than 800 families with transitional housing, while additionally providing child care and resources for women in financial literacy and employment readiness. Volunteers can assist residents with resumes and job applications, or run after-school activities like story time, arts and crafts, and musical theater performances.

NoMad
Since opening in 2002, The Museum of Sex has commanded a lauded reputation for its progressive and eye opening exhibitions on human sexuality. So, what better way is there to have some cheeky fun, while still respectfully learning about this thing humans are just oh-so obsessed with. The rotating exhibits here have included erotic photography, intimate short films, massive blow-up anatomy, and more. Better yet, you can grab a drink at the on-site Carnal Carnival Bar and take home some sultry toys from the gift shop.

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