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. Read on for our bachelorette guide to Asheville.
If you haven’t heard, Asheville, NC, is the spot for all your beer, food, and outdoorsy needs. Having lived here for a solid five years, I can honestly say that Asheville is a place that offers something for everyone. It’s got history for mom and dad, it’s got an amazing food scene for your Instagram thirst trap friends, it’s got amazing beer and breweries for people who give a sh*t about that, and it has stunning scenery and mountain views f*cking everywhere.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is about to become your new contender for bachelorette parties. Although those words may potentially ruin the city for those of us that live here, I’m fine sharing this slice of Appalachian heaven with some bride tribes and giving you our official bachelorette guide to Asheville.
How To Get There
Getting to Asheville is pretty easy whether you’re driving or flying—it just takes a little know-how. From Charlotte or Atlanta, Asheville is only two to three hours away if you drive like a sane person. Raleigh and Nashville are looking at about four-hour trips, and Richmond will take you about six hours. If that all is making your head spin, yes, you can also fly. The Asheville Regional Airport offers a few direct flights from Newark, LaGuardia, DC, and Philly for about $200-$300 roundtrip. There are several direct flights out of Chicago for around $400 roundtrip; non-stops from Dallas and Houston for around $300; and tons of flights from all over Florida for about $200.
Pro tip: If you’re having trouble finding a reasonable flight directly into Asheville, you can fly into the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, which is only about 45 minutes away from Asheville. You can also fly into Charlotte and make a friend pick you up, or you can take the shuttle.
Once you get to the airport in Asheville, you can grab an Uber or Lyft to bring you to your hotel or Airbnb. If you’re flying into Greenville, the airport shuttle will take you directly into Asheville for a decent price.
Where To Stay
Airbnb is going to be your best bet in Asheville since there are tons of bigger homes located around downtown (look for things in the Montford area) that can easily house four or more. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can hunt for better options—there’s cabin-type sh*t and mountain views a little outside town in Black Mountain, which is east of Asheville and about 20 minutes from downtown; or in Arden, which is south of Asheville, closer to the airport, and also about 20 minutes from downtown.
If you’re determined to stay in downtown, though, there are TONS of brand new hotels. The AC Hotel by Marriott is smack in the middle of the action and has a stellar rooftop bar and restaurant. Hotel Indigo is on the edge of downtown and makes for an easy walk into the action, and Aloft is located near the southern side of the city where a lot of the breweries are.
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How To Get Around
Asheville has a few different areas, all of which are walkable in and of themselves. To get between said areas, though, you will need an Uber, Lyft, or (the least fun option) a DD. Downtown is completely walkable, and if you were feeling up to it, you could trek over to the River Arts District, as it’s only about a mile away, but I’d recommend a car. West Asheville, where you’ll be heavily judged just for being part of a bachelorette party, is less of a destination, so I wouldn’t recommend bar hopping or shopping much over there; just book a restaurant and GTFO. Biltmore Village is walkable and has some super cute shops, but if you’re going to the Biltmore House, you will need a car to drive around the estate.
Where To Eat
There’s no shortage of places to eat your weight in, well, anything. Between James Beard-nominated restaurants and breweries with really good food, I’d highly suggest starving yourself the whole week before you get to Asheville so you can stuff yourself once you get there. (Don’t actually do that.)
For a fancy or nice dinner, book a month out for Cúrate , Rhubarb, or Benne on Eagle. All three have been nominated for countless awards, received accolades from fancy culinary folks, and/or have been recognized by the foodie establishment for being f*cking delicious. Cúrate specializes in Spanish tapas, a great option for a bachelorette party looking to share literally everything and take a lot of really annoying pics. Get the sangria—you won’t be disappointed.
Rhubarb is your classic farm-to-table eatery, but they take it up a notch. Sit out on the patio where you can be serenaded by wandering musicians and buskers, which Asheville has a lot of.
Benne on Eagle is where African meets Appalachian and has some seriously decadent and delicious not-your-average Southern dishes. And while I say these three are for “fancy” dinner, honestly, you could wear old, stained denim shorts and a baseball hat to any restaurant in Asheville and no one would think twice. Thanks, hipsters!
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For a more casual atmosphere, you’re going to want to hit up Chai Pani. Indian street food may not sound like a great idea when you’re binge drinking, but, I promise you, this sh*t is amazing. Get the kale pakoras and okra fries for a life changing experience.
Another adorable spot is Noble’s The Greenhouse, where the bright pink interior is begging to be in all your Insta stories.
If you need to up your sugar intake, stop by the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. It’s right in the middle of downtown and is sort of a dessert mecca. There will be a line on Friday and Saturday nights, but once you get inside you can indulge in their cookies, cakes, mousses, or liquid truffles—all made with their own bean-to-bar chocolate. Bonus points if you get a wine float, where, like, you put ice cream in your rosé.
Brunch is a way of life in Asheville, so be sure you’re carving out time in your day for that sh*t. Tupelo Honey is, honestly, sort of a tourist trap, BUT for good reason. Get the Shoo Mercy pancakes and be ready to never eat again.
Sunny Point Cafe always has a two hour wait, but the West Asheville spot is incredible for when you’re hungover (which you will be).
Taco Billy, which specializes in breakfast tacos, is also an amazing breakfast eatery—plus it’s across the street from Hole Doughnuts, where you kind of need to go for freshly fried and slightly misshapen treats smothered in cinnamon sugar.
What To Do
As soon as you settle on Asheville for your bachelorette destination, go ahead and book your tickets for the Biltmore Estate. The Vanderbilts’ giant Versailles-in-America home is open year-round and you can tour, do wine tastings, take amazing Instas, and pet some cute f*cking animals. Yes, you read that right. There are goats and chickens and sheep and a few giant Clydesdale horses and they all just want LOVE and are conveniently located down the path from the winery. It’s like a white girl triathlon.
After you drink and cry over cuddly wuddly animal friends, I’d suggest a visit to the largest brewery in Asheville: Sierra Nevada. Even if you aren’t a huge beer fan, this Denver-based beer’s operation offers tours, seriously amazing food, a giant outdoor area with fire pits, a stage, games, gardens, and lots of places to just sit, drink, and relax. It’s located in South Asheville, and it’s definitely a must-add destination to the to-do list.
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Something wild is joining the party next month. Are you curious? #MardiGras
If you’re fancy, book some spa treatments (and say goodbye to your paycheck) at the The Grove Park Inn. The entire spa is cave-like, pools open up to mountain views, mimosas are free, and, if you’re a hotel guest, you can stay all day. Just be sure to double-check daily availability, as hotel guests are always given first dibs. If you can’t or won’t afford a $200 pedi, stop by the inn at sunset for drinks on the sunset terrace instead. Then take pics and annoy everyone.
Lastly, if it’s warm and you like the outdoors, Asheville has tons of hiking trails and water adventures on the French Broad River, which runs right through town. There are several tubing companies, so you can pack a floating cooler with booze and meander down the waterway.
Where To Drink
Unlike Nashville, Miami, or NYC, Asheville isn’t a party-till-sunrise location, which works in our favor for those of us that like to be in bed before 2am. There are not a lot of places open past, like, midnight, so think more daytime drinking and late-night tapas and less rage-all-night clubs. So if going to bed before the sun comes up is your jam, you’ll f*cking love it here.
The good news? Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S. Yeah, think about that for a minute. There are a few bigger breweries that require more than a quick stop, plus tons of smaller breweries where you can jump in, grab a beer, and be on your way. We already talked about Sierra Nevada, which is located sort of out of town (actually super close to the Asheville Airport—about 20 minutes from downtown). New Belgium Brewing also has a huge spot in Asheville. It sits right between downtown and West Asheville, making it an easy day stop. There’s always a food truck, lots of beer flight options, and dogs to pet (v important).
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If you’re downtown, which you will be, there are a few must-stop breweries. Burial Beer Co. is run by really mean hipsters who make really great dark beers—so if you’re into coffee stouts, porters, and playing “whose beard is best”, this is the place to go. Wicked Weed is one of the OG breweries in town and is a stop that offers beer for everyone’s needs. They also operate the Funkatorium, which makes tons of sour beers. That sounds gross, but they’re really good and get you pretty f*cked up. Yay! One World Brewing is also in downtown, located in a not-sketchy alleyway. The bar is in a basement with lots of games, so you can collectively embarrass yourselves.
If you get tired of beer, there’s a wine bar in the River Arts District—just outside downtown—called Bottle Riot. You can also stop by the plēb urban winery which opened fairly recently in downtown.
Friday, Day 1
- Land at the Asheville Airport and take in the mountain views. Ah, nature. Grab an Uber and head to your Airbnb.
- Arrive at the hotel/Airbnb and unpack before heading out for drinks and an app (see: margaritas) at En La Calle
- Dinner at Cúrate, where you share all the tapas and drink far too much sangria. Try to speak Spanish with a Catalonian accent and definitely offend the chef.
- Time to make downtown your bitch! Stop by Burial , Wicked Weed, and One World Brewing before stumbling to French Broad Chocolate for late night chocolate cake, mousse, and wine.
- Uber back to the Airbnb. “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my liver to keep.”
Saturday, Day 2
- Bonjour, Asheville.
- Brunch at Tupelo Honey. Eat your weight in pancakes, biscuits, and drown it all with their house-made Bloody Mary.
- Grab an Uber and try to make your 1pm house entry time at the Biltmore. Hit the estate winery on your way out for a free tasting, then pet all the animals you can find.
- Head back to the hotel/Airbnb to get ready for pre-dinner wine at Bottle Riot before walking next door for dinner at Bull & Beggar in the River Arts District.
- Walk or Uber over the bridge to New Belgium for after-dinner beer.
- If you need more, Uber to The Double Crown in West Asheville—a locals bar with beer in cans and mixed drinks that are 95% alcohol. This is where you die of alcohol poisoning in a fun way.
- Somehow get back to your bed, control the spins, pass out.
Sunday, Day 3
- A very quiet brunch at Taco Billy, with doughnuts afterward at Hole. You try desperately not to throw up on the bride-to-be while cursing this f*cking mountain town.
- Head back to the hotel/Airbnb to pack and trek to the airport. Swear off beer forever.
- Dry heave into a paper bag on the plane and try not to make eye contact with anyone.
Images: @lovenoricreations / Unsplash; achotelasheville, curatetapasbar, chaipani, frenchbroadchocolate, biltmoreestate, omnigrovepark, newbelgium_avl; Instagram
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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