Fill your bachelor party with groom-approved activities. From weekend getaways to nighttime options, explore the best and most unique bachelor party ideas.
Last updated August 3, 2024
TLDR:
Ah, the bachelor party. The pre-wedding ritual of celebrating a groom before the wedding. Typically, while the bride-to-be spends her time at her bachelorette party, the groom-to-be would hold bachelor parties that involve a weekend away, a few nice meals, drinking, and other daytime activities that suit the groom’s style with his close friend(s) and groomsmen.
We’ve come to understand that a great bachelor party consists of wild weekends full of debauchery—and they certainly can be. However, don’t get caught up in the stereotype: A bachelor party can be anything you want it to be. This Reddit thread proves it.
Zola has compiled a comprehensive list of ideas for bachelor party games and activities. So, whether you’re into the great outdoors, a super sports fan, or want to settle into the traditional bachelor party planning mentality, we have ideas for you.
Once you’ve read through the best bachelor party ideas below, read through our step-by-step guide on planning a bachelor party to really get the wheels in motion.
If your bachelor party guests live in various states (or even countries), it might be best to plan a weekend away. Whether meeting in a centralized location, or somewhere new and exciting, there are many different types of multi-day travel ideas for you and your friends to celebrate your bachelor party.
If you’re someone who likes the idea of hanging out with your friends out in nature, try going this direction. Through platforms like Airbnb, you’ll be able to secure an amazing house or cabin that fits your entire group.
The recent craze of collecting National Park stamps has nature lovers traveling near and far to see the best Mother Earth has to offer. Whether you decide on the Florida Everglades or California’s Yosemite there are 61 different parks to choose from in the USA.
It’s quintessential bachelor party territory. So grab a few buddies and head over to Sin City. Just remember: What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
Cruise ships are a unique bachelor party option suitable for everyone in your bachelor party thanks to a bevy of entertaining options like bars, casinos, and pool decks.
Some of the best bachelor party camping ideas are hiking, fishing, or just hanging out with friends around a campfire.
This is one of the best bachelor party ideas for bourbon lovers, and the area surrounding Louisville is a must-go. Take a bus tour of popular bourbon distilleries—without having to worry about a designated driver.
If you and your crew are big on music and partying, hit a major music festival together to enjoy the live band and night raves.
If getting a new stamp on your passport sounds like an amazing idea, grab your crew and venture out. Check airlines for deals and jump on an opportunity.
Outdoor bachelor party ideas don’t always have to involve the elements. While road tripping with your buddies may take longer than a weekend, rent an RV and make your way down a scenic road intended to be covered in a couple of days. Try the California coast or the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Carolinas.
If dressing in seersucker and rocking a koozie are two of your favorite things, you might want to head off to the horse races. From the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness races in Maryland, there are many big events to choose from where you and your friends can sip on Mint Juleps and enjoy the weekend.
When it comes to the best winter bachelor party ideas, renting a ski cabin is among the top. Being in an A-frame in the middle of the mountains is a great way to add in a sporting adventure while kicking off your bachelor party celebration through bonding with your friends.
Setting out on a day hike is a great way to enjoy your surroundings and have plenty of time for meaningful moments with your friends. Sometimes cheap bachelor party ideas like this one are the best for a little bonding time.
Grab an inner tube and float along the river, if possible. Some locations even have bars and restaurants at various stops along your tube ride.
Instead of an individual or singular event, try signing up for an obstacle course that puts you together in teams. This is one of the most memorable sober bachelor party ideas that you’ll all enjoy.
If competition is your thing, split into teams for a few rounds of paintball outside.
Fire up the grill, get out the floaties (if you have access to a pool), and throw an awesome BBQ bachelor party. If you or your friends don’t have an outlet to host a BBQ party, try looking online to see if you can rent a house in your area for the day.
Looking for bachelor party food ideas for a groom who’s a foodie? Bring together the most delicious celebration by hitting up a food and wine festival. From Disney’s Epcot to the Catalina Wine Mixer, food and wine festivals are always a huge hit. Look up local food festivals nearby or in the surrounding cities.
Many cities around the country pride themselves on their expansion of craft breweries. While places like Denver and Asheville have become popular, look around for local breweries in your city and see what flights of beer or tours they’d be happy to offer you and your friends for a bachelor party. Jump in a party bus and let someone else take the wheel for the day while you sit back and enjoy with friends.
You can live in a city or neighborhood for years and not know about all the best eats. A food tour is a great way to appease the empty stomach and the tastebuds.
While you may need to head out of a city for this one, you may find that a beautiful vineyard is closer than you imagined. Find one within a few hours of you and enjoy a day full of wine tasting and cheese.
Watch cars crush other cars—a truly unique experience!
There are so many motorways consistently hosting NASCAR races. For your bachelor party, pick a track closest to you and see what driving fast really means.
Nothing says teamwork like sitting in a boat with your buddies as you’re scaling down the rapids.
Ride your way through some rough terrain on ATVs.
Okay, so this is one of the more unique bachelor party ideas on our list: Skeet shooting. Hunting's humane cousin, skeet shooting requires a level of precision and skill. Compete against your friends to see who has the highest levels of concentration and dexterity.
Whether you try painting, cooking, or axe throwing, find a local artisan who can teach your crew something new.
Go-karts are fun no matter what age you are. Put the pedal down and whoop it up. This idea is a good one for alcohol-free friends.
Looking for more adventurous bachelor party ideas? Go sky diving or bungee jumping. Embrace your fear of heights and try jumping out of an airplane before you say ‘I do’.
Whether on inside boulders or out in nature, there are plenty of mountains to be climbed by you and your guys.
If you love rollercoasters, find the closest one and see how many times you and your friends can ride the most thrilling one.
Look up local tours or experiences via booking platforms. It may surprise you what you learn that your home city or the city you’re staying in has to offer.
There’s a fish in your area to catch. A fishing trip is a great way to bond and pass the time with your friends for a memorable bachelor party.
While this activity pertains to those closest to the ocean, surfing is a great athletic activity that will count as your workout for the weekend.
Speaking of competition, bring the edge up a notch by having your party compete in competitive games. This can be anything from beer Olympics to friendly pick-up basketball.
Don’t assume that low key bachelor party ideas are any less fun than those that require more time or money. Divide your party into teams and compete in a local scavenger hunt game—or design your own.
If the groom-to-be is big into his sports, consider some bachelor party golf ideas. It's a great way to enjoy hours of bonding while spending time outside with your friends. Bonus points if you and your friends have similar skill sets and can compete out on the course.
Whether you’re searching for a sky of stars atop a mountain or in a field of fireflies, nature can add a surreal lens to your bachelor activities.
If your favorite band or musician is coming to a venue close to you, invite your friends along for a themed bachelor party. Hire a driver for the night to get you there and back home safely.
Elevate the usual bachelor experience with a special evening at a luxe restaurant.
If you’re looking for funny bachelor party ideas, this has the potential to be up there with the best.
From Monopoly to Code Names, if you love board games or video games, invite your friends over for a game night.
Have your Best Man (or most responsible person in the group) plan a themed bar crawl for your bachelor night.
Rent a room, order some drinks, and sing your heart out to your favorite hits.
Host your bachelor party at an escape the room venue, where the mental skills of everyone attending will work together to help you all escape.
For fun bachelor party ideas that offer something a little different, try an interactive dinner. If you’ve never tried a murder mystery dinner or gone to Medieval Times, we highly recommend this entertaining meal style.
There’s almost always a pro-sports game happening close by—even better if you go see the groom’s favorite team.
Barcades—bar and arcade combination locations are popping up in most major cities. Sip on drinks and play your favorite old-school video games or test those rusty laser tag skills.
Between drinking pitchers of beer and hitting strikes or spares, you and your friends are bound to have an amazing time at your bachelor party.
Finish each day with some nighttime fun that will keep the party going—if you have the energy. Just like that, you have a full bachelor party itinerary—no matter what kind of weekend you’re hoping to have with your crew.
BTW: we use the term “bachelor party” throughout this article. But if you’re planning a bach bash, a bachelorx party, a wedding send-off, a joint bach party, or something else, we hope you have just as much fun trying out the ideas above.
No matter which picks you choose from our list, you're sure to have a good time. Fill your bachelor party itinerary with these fun group activities that all your best men will enjoy. Are you headed to a bachlor party and need a gift for your groom? Check out our gift guide for grooms.
Whether you’re searching for a sky of stars atop a mountain or in a field of fireflies, nature can add a surreal lens to your bachelor activities.
If your favorite band or musician is coming to a venue close to you, invite your friends along for a themed bachelor party. Hire a driver for the night to get you there and back home safely.
Elevate the usual bachelor experience with a special evening at a luxe restaurant.
Have your Best Man (or most responsible person in the group) plan a themed bar crawl for your bachelor night.
If you’re looking for funny bachelor party ideas, this has the potential to be up there with the best.
From Monopoly to Code Names, if you love board games or video games, invite your friends over for a game night.
Rent a room, order some drinks, and sing your heart out to your favorite hits.
Host your bachelor party at an escape the room venue, where the mental skills of everyone attending will work together to help you all escape.
For fun bachelor party ideas that offer something a little different, try an interactive dinner. If you’ve never tried a murder mystery dinner or gone to Medieval Times, we highly recommend this entertaining meal style.
There’s almost always a pro-sports game happening close by—even better if you go see the groom’s favorite team.
Barcades—bar and arcade combination locations are popping up in most major cities. Sip on drinks and play your favorite old-school video games or test those rusty laser tag skills.
Between drinking pitchers of beer and hitting strikes or spares, you and your friends are bound to have an amazing time at your bachelor party.
Finish each day with some nighttime fun that will keep the party going—if you have the energy.
Just like that, you have a full bachelor party itinerary—no matter what kind of weekend you’re hoping to have with your crew.
BTW: we use the term “bachelor party” throughout this article. But if you’re planning a bach bash, a bachelorx party, a wedding send-off, a joint bach party, or something else, we hope you have just as much fun trying out the ideas above.
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