Picking the state is the first real decision in planning a bachelor party, and it shapes everything after it: the budget, the travel, and whether the weekend is built around rapids, breweries, golf or a beach. This guide covers nine states in one place, so you can compare them and pick before you start booking.
Each state below says what it is best for, which places to base the group in, and what to plan around. Use the quick guide to shortlist, then read the states you like.
Quick Guide: Which State Fits Your Group
| State | Best for | Places to know |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Rafting, wineries, golf | James River, New River, Leesburg |
| West Virginia | Whitewater, breweries, spirits | Elkins, Cool Ridge |
| Vermont | Outdoor adventure, craft beer | Burlington |
| South Dakota | Saloons, Black Hills, hunting | Deadwood, Hill City, Rapid City |
| New Hampshire | Breweries, golf, lake days | Portsmouth, Manchester, Littleton |
| Montana | Fly-fishing, camping, ATVs | Glacier, Flathead Lake, Yellowstone |
| Idaho | Mountain biking, golf, paintball | Sun Valley, Boise, Coeur d'Alene |
| Iowa | Breweries, lakes, state parks | Lake Okoboji, Knoxville |
| Hawaii | Surfing, luaus, tiki bars | Waikiki, North Shore |
Bachelor Party Ideas By State
Virginia
Virginia suits a group that wants a mix: a day on the water, an afternoon at a winery, and a proper dinner after. The weekend works best when you pick one active day and one slow day.
- Rafting: guided whitewater trips run on the James River and the New River.
- Breweries and wineries: Virginia has plenty of both, so a tasting tour makes an easy half day.
- Active options: paintball parks, mountain biking in the Appalachians and canopy ziplines.
- Golf: a golf weekend is an easy fit for a group that wants a round and a long lunch.
- Luxury stays: Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg, The Omni Homestead Resort, Salamander Resort and Spa, and Tides Inn.
West Virginia
West Virginia is the pick for whitewater. Build the weekend around a rafting day, then spend the evening in a taproom.
- Whitewater rafting: the main event for most groups.
- Breweries: Weathered Ground Brewery in Cool Ridge serves farmhouse-style ales, and Big Timber Brewing in Elkins pairs its beer with wood-fired pizza.
- Spirits: add a distillery stop to the brewery route.
- Sports and shows: catch a game, match or concert if one lines up with your dates.
- Casino night: a casino is the late-night option for groups that want one.
Vermont
Vermont works for groups that want an outdoor day and a relaxed night. Burlington is the base if you want bars within walking distance.
- Adventure: skydiving, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and zipline canopy tours.
- Beer and spirits: brewery and distillery tours fill a rainy afternoon.
- Nightlife: bar-hopping in Burlington, plus live music and comedy shows.
- Downtime: a relaxing retreat gives the group a recovery day.
South Dakota
South Dakota has the most distinctive night out on this list. Deadwood gives you saloons and gambling, and the Black Hills give you the daytime.
- Deadwood: the gambling and saloon experience is the reason many groups choose the state.
- Black Hills: outdoor adventures by day.
- Breweries and wineries in Hill City: Miner Brewing Company, Sick-N-Twisted Brewery and Prairie Berry Winery. Belle Joli Winery and Vineyard is in Sturgis.
- Rapid City: the nightlife option if you want more than saloons.
- Hunting and fishing: expeditions suit a group that wants a quieter, outdoors-first weekend.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a beer-and-lakes weekend. The breweries are spread across the state, so decide on a route before you book rooms.
- Breweries: Stoneface Brewing Co in Newington, Great North Aleworks in Manchester, Schilling Beer Co in Littleton and Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth.
- Spirits: a local spirits tasting rounds out the beer route.
- Golf: a golf getaway for the group that wants a round.
- Lakes: boating and fishing excursions, with a campfire to finish the day.
- Casino night: casino and entertainment options for the last evening.
Montana
Montana is the best fit for a group that would rather be outside the whole weekend. It is a camping trip first and a party second.
- Fly-fishing: a guided day works for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
- Camping: Glacier National Park for hiking, Flathead Lake for swimming and kayaking, and Yellowstone for geysers and hot springs.
- ATV excursions and white water rafting: the high-energy days.
- Breweries: a craft beer stop after a day outdoors.
Idaho
Idaho gives you mountain biking and golf in good scenery, with a city night in Boise if you want one.
- Mountain biking: trails around Sun Valley and the Boise Foothills.
- Golf: Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course and BanBury Golf Club.
- Paintball: a team activity that suits a mixed-ability group.
- Breweries and wineries: tours for the evening.
- City nightlife and a retreat day: pick one to close the weekend.
Iowa
Iowa is a low-key weekend built on breweries and lake time.
- Breweries and distilleries: Peace Tree Brewing Company in Knoxville, Cedar Ridge Distillery and Toppling Goliath Brewery.
- Lakes and parks: Lake Okoboji, Maquoketa Caves State Park, Ledges State Park and Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake.
- Sports and entertainment: a game or show if the calendar fits.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the destination option. It costs more and takes more planning, so settle flights and dates early.
- Surfing lessons: a group lesson on the North Shore suits beginners.
- Hiking and ziplines: rainforest trails, waterfall rappelling and canopy tours.
- Tiki bars: La Mariana Sailing Club, Duke's Waikiki and Mai Tai Bar.
- Nightlife and live music: Addiction and Sky Waikiki for clubs, Blue Note Hawaii for live music.
- Luaus and sunset dinner cruises: the set-piece evenings.
- Recovery day: beachside yoga, spas or an easy nature walk.
How To Plan The Weekend
Pick one anchor activity. A rafting day, a golf round or a brewery route gives the weekend a spine. Fit everything else around it.
Book the group activity first. Guided trips, tee times and large-group tables fill up before rooms do, especially in peak season.
Plan the driving. Tasting routes and bar crawls need a designated driver, a hired driver or a base within walking distance.
Match the group. A trip where half the guests cannot afford the flights goes badly. Set the budget before you pick the state.
Bachelor Party Questions
How far ahead should we book a bachelor party?
Book the date, the lodging and any guided activity as soon as the guest list is settled. Popular weekends and group activities sell out first, and guests need time to arrange travel.
Who plans the bachelor party?
The best man usually leads, with help from the groomsmen. The groom should give a short list of what he wants and what he does not.
How do we choose a destination?
Start with the budget and the travel time for the guests who live furthest away. Then choose the state by the one activity the group would most enjoy, using the quick guide above.
Is there a guide for the bachelorette party?
Yes. See our bachelorette party ideas by state.