Planning sucks, and bachelorette parties are a ton of work. So we’re taking all the guesswork out of planning a bachelorette party by breaking down top bachelorette destinations. Our guides will tell you where to stay, eat, party, how to get around, and give you a sample itinerary that you can follow. You’re welcome.
Cool kids will know Savannah from the oh-so-famous Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil book and film. This southern port city is a little #dirtier than Charleston and a little fancier than New Orleans. It’s the perfect mix of genteel and honky-tonk. If you don’t know what those words mean, it’s probably for the best.
This magical spot in Georgia has hospitality, heat, hipsters, and h…amazing food. There are quite a few bachelorette parties passing through here, but it’s for a reason, obviously. Savannah is the spot to consider for your bride tribe trip.
How To Get There
Savannah is an easy drive from southern cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Charleston, so if you’re close to any of those areas, hop in the car, make a Spotify playlist, and set your Google Maps to Savannah (and pray it doesn’t get you lost).
The rest of us losers can grab a flight to Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, which has direct flights to Dallas, Houston, DC, NYC, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, Philly, and a handful of other cities.
Roundtrip nonstop flights from major airports in NYC and most of the east coast start at around $200, and flights from Chicago or elsewhere in the Midwest are priced about double. Dallas and deep South travelers are looking at around $350, and West coast people can snag a flight for about $500.
Once you get to the airport in Savannah, you can grab an Uber or Lyft to bring you to the center of Savannah, where I assume you’re ready to throw your sh*t down in your weekend abode. Speaking of…
Where To Stay
Savannah is kind of a sprawling southern city, as in there are a ton of different kinds of places to stay. There are quite a few bed and breakfast options, but since the houses are small and kind of fancy, they may not be the best option for a loud group of blackout bitches. If you’re more of the mind that a hotel is where it’s at, the Perry Lane Hotel is super trendy, boutique, and has an amazing rooftop bar so you can get an obnoxious Insta to kick off the weekend. Andaz Savannah is another great option in the historic district, and there’s also Moon River Brewing Company, which is allegedly haunted, if you’re into spooky sh*t.
Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront and The Cotton Sail Hotel Savannah are great options too, since they’re right on the river, which is where you can walk around, and great food is literally everywhere. Plus, Savannah, like New Orleans, does not have open container laws, so you can walk around with your drinks worry-free. It’s a stellar area to stumble on cobblestones like old-timey drunks. This is the epitome of culture, guys.
There are also, of course, lots of Airbnbs, so pick whichever better suits your party’s needs. Pro tip: stay in or around the River Street and historic area, as it makes for the easiest walking and the easiest drinking.
How To Get Around
It kind of goes without saying, but Uber is going to be your bestie if you aren’t walking in Savannah. If you stay mostly around the riverfront and historic areas, walking to restaurants and bars is totally doable without the help of a ride service. If you want to venture over to SCAD for #art or walk around Forsyth Park, though, you may want to split a car.
The ferry also runs pretty constantly across the river if you want to see what that’s all about, but if you need a legit beach day at Tybee Island, you’ll need to drive about 30 minutes. Honestly, you can probs do without it; there’s plenty to do in and around the city without having to go a half hour out of your way (though if you find yourself back in the Savannah area, you should def make the trip to Tybee Island).
Where To Eat
Well, it’s Savannah, so there better be fried chicken, mac and cheese, and a whole lotta sweet tea. You’ll also need biscuits and gravy to soak up all the alcohol.
Speaking of binge drinking, though, before you get to eating, you’ll need to make a very important stop at Wet Willie’s. This place boasts slushies that contain a lot A LOT of alcohol and, yes, it’s a chain, but this is a chain we can respect for its commitment to getting you f*cked up. When I went to Savannah for my own bachelorette party, I remember one and a half slushies, and then a whole lot of nothing. Apparently, I was so hopped up on booze and sugar that I went to the historic square, made friends with a horse, crashed a mead tasting, booted, rallied, then did a FaceTime striptease for my then fiancé (with two of his three sisters in the room). Pro tip: If you get to Wet Willie’s and order the infamous “Call A Cab”, don’t drink anything else for AT LEAST 20 minutes.
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#partyparty #birthdaycontinues Thank you Jamie #mysisterrocks #countrygirl ♡
After you destroy your body with booze, there are a few amazing restaurants perfect for a fancy night. Stop by Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar for champagne and fresh oysters before dinner, but get there on the early side unless you want to wait. Once you’re ready to really eat, there are tons of amazing food options around the city. The Grey has been lauded by numerous mags for its imaginative take on southern soul food. Helmed by Chef Mashama Bailey and housed in an old Greyhound bus station, it’s amazing. Pro tip: don’t miss anything starting with the words “fried” or “smothered”.
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The Olde Pink House is another southern food staple, and I had some of the best fried chicken of my life there. That’s saying something because at the time, I was recovering from vomiting for two hours and having to be hosed off by my bridesmaids #noregrets. Not in the mood for chicken? Get anything that has the locally-caught shrimp.
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is another southern spot (worth the lines) where you can dine more family style. And if you’re just f*cking over southern food by the end of the weekend, get some tacos at Bull Street Taco or pizza at Vinnie Van GoGo’s.
When brunch calls (which it inevitably will), my fav options included Clary’s Cafe, where you NEED to get the pecan sticky bun on the side of your Hoppel Poppel—a terrible name for a scramble of eggs, salami, potatoes, onions, and peppers, served with a bagel and cream cheese. Don’t make that face—it’s EXACTLY what you need before a day of drinking. Honorable brunch mentions also go to The Public Kitchen & Bar (get their breakfast sandwich and/or the shrimp and grits) and Back In The Day Bakery, which is a little far for brunch, but is a great option for car ride biscuits on your way out of town.
What To Do
During the day, walking and exploring the city are kind of the name of the game in Savannah. There are tons of public parks and green spaces, so the city is a great choice if your favorite thing to do is drinking and wandering aimlessly. Aside from that, there are a few cute spots to stop by. Walk to the house of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded The Girl Scouts and is responsible for their many delicious cookies. Pour one out for that homie. You can also walk through Forsyth Park, which hosts a gorgeous fountain and many, many Insta opportunities. Oh, and don’t forget that Savannah allows open containers throughout the city, so sitting in a park with bottles of wine is totally allowed. It’s just like Europe, guys!
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You can also stroll over to City Market, where you’ll find everything from food to souvenirs to booze. There are also quite a few bars in the area so you can stop and drink if you aren’t already. This is where the aforementioned Wet Willie’s sits… just saying. The market is spread out over four blocks and is close to River Street, so it’s also a good option if you’re looking for a way to kill time or bar hop before dinner.
Another stroll-friendly area is River Street, which has tons of shops, bars, and restaurants on one side and the Savannah River on the other. You can waste a ton of time here, so if drunk shopping is a sport to you, consider this your Olympic field.
If you’re interested in a beach stop, head to Tybee Island, as I mentioned, about 20-30 minutes away. There’s not a ton to do aside from the beach and a few little bars and shops, though, so pack a picnic (i.e. a lot of booze and snacks), then plan on how you’ll get back to Savannah.
Where To Drink
My first choice hands down, is the Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos. I don’t have a legitimate answer as to why, except that we went here during my bachelorette and had an absolutely amazing and hilarious time. Rocks on the Roof is another great option, especially if you want food while you drink. Their small plates are delightful. Both the piano bar and Rocks are on River Street, too, so you can just pop from one to the other.
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During the day, stop somewhere like Churchill’s or Six Pence Pub. Both are British-owned with tons of beer, fun decor, and an opportunity for you to try out your British accent. I’m sure everyone will love it and they’ve neeeever heard anyone on a bachelorette do that before.
If you’re looking for a club-type atmosphere, you need to (sigh) go to Saddle Bags. The food is fried and pretty terrible, but there’s a dance floor where you can embarrass yourself, cheap drinks, and a mechanical bull. Tree House Savannah is also really loud, has questionable decor, and live music.
Friday, Day 1
- Land at Savannah International Airport, question your decision to eat that Cinn-a-Bon this morning
- Arrive at the hotel/Airbnb and unpack before heading to River Street for drinks at Rocks on the Roof and Bernie’s Oyster House.
- Dinner at The Shrimp Factory where you can take a lot of really obnoxious photos, since you’re riverside, and order literally all of the appetizers.
- Walk to any of the bars lining River Street and drink your weight in shots (but don’t actually, cause you’ll die).
- Sleep in preparation for tomorrow and try not to puke up all the seafood you ate.
Saturday, Day 2
- Hey Y’ALL.
- Brunch at The Collins Quarter where you’ll pretend to share Drunken Berry Mimosas, avocado toast, and a lot of their Swine Time Bennes.
- Stumble to City Market, where you can shop around, act fancy, and hit up some adorable shopping. Bonus points if you stop at Wet Willie’s during this time.
- Time for lunch and afternoon drinks at The Lady & Sons, where you can put on your best Paula Deen impression and eat a f*ckton of butter.
- Head back to the hotel/Airbnb to get ready for a your fancy dinner at The Grey, where you’ll all wear black dresses and the bride wears a white dress and sash and everyone will think you’re extra.
- It’s booze-thirty! Take an Uber to River Street and make sure to hit Saddle Bags and Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos.
- Stumble back to the hotel/Airbnb and get ready for tomorrow’s hangover. This is 30.
Sunday, Day 3
- Brunch at Clary’s Cafe where you pray that the sticky pecan roll will soak up the evil in your body while you dry heave into a paper bag.
- Head back to the hotel/Airbnb to pack and trek to the airport while being very quiet and wearing very big sunglasses.
- Call out sick from work tomorrow. You’re gonna need a day (or three) to recover. And be sure y’all come back now, y’hear?
Images: Ashley Knedler / Unsplash; atnelly, bohemiansavannah, kc_i.heart.nc, thegreysavannah, theoldepinkhouse, lifesickles, hermannelizabeth / Instagram
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