North Carolina’s best bachelorette party destinations

From relaxing beach getaways to cozy mountain escapes, discover North Carolina’s best bachelorette party destinations. 

Wedding planning can be stressful, but a bachelorette party provides a much-needed break from your to-do list and a great excuse to gather your girlfriends for a fun-filled mini vacation. Whether you prefer a chilled retreat at a cabin in the mountains, a relaxing beach getaway, or a weekend of bar hopping and boozy brunches, there’s a place in North Carolina to host every type of bachelorette bash. 

Keep reading to discover the best bachelorette party destinations in North Carolina and learn more about what each location has to offer. 

1. Smoky Mountains 

If a weekend in the woods sounds like your ideal bachelorette party, head to the Smoky Mountains. During the warmer months, you can explore Lake Junaluska via canoe or kayak. If your party takes place during the winter, hit the slopes at the Cataloochee Ski Area. 

There are plenty of other less physically demanding activities to partake in too. Try a cookie decorating class at Sunshine & Sugar Bakeshop or a candle making class at Willow Hill Soap Company. Shop until you drop at the many boutiques, locally owned shops, and galleries that dot the region. Pamper yourself at Sundarah Wellness, a holistic spa and wellness center, or book a salt room session at Waynesville Salt Room. 

Fuel up at Lulu’s on Main, which serves upscale eats in a casual environment, dig into delicious Italian-Appalachian cuisine at Ilda, or treat yourself to some of the area’s best barbeque at Haywood Smokehouse. 

From unique lodging options like a yurt located on a peony farm to classic hotels and charming bed and breakfasts, there’s a wide variety of accommodation types to choose from in the Smoky Mountains. 

2. Asheville

Asheville, located about an hour and a half from the Smoky Mountains, is another wonderful destination for a bachelorette party. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has plenty to offer adventure seekers, but it also boasts a vibrant arts scene. From jewelry and furnishings galleries to fine art and ceramics studios, there’s something for every type of art lover in Asheville. You can even make your own art during a paint-and-sip session or a painting class. 

Speaking of sipping, Asheville is home to a bevy of breweries, including New Belgium, which offers free tours and has stunning river views; Hi-Wire, a relaxed space with board games, cornhole, and pinball; and Ben’s Tune Up, which doubles as a sake distillery. If you and your crew prefer wine over beer, stop by Biltmore, a sprawling estate dubbed America’s Largest Home, and visit its world-class winery. 

Dining options in Asheville are plentiful, too. Try tapas at Curate, Southern-style breakfast dishes at Biscuit Head, and modern soul food at Benne on Eagle. 

Stay at The Omni Grove Park Inn, a historic resort with a 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa that features several pools, saunas, steam rooms, and other amenities designed to help you relax. 

3. Charlotte

Oozing with cosmopolitan charm, Charlotte is the perfect playground for the ultimate girls’ night out. There’s an array of clubs, bars, and music venues to keep you entertained all weekend long. Enjoy drinks with a view at rooftop lounge Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo, head underground to The Cellars at Duckworth, a classic speakeasy with creative cocktails, or let loose at Vinyl, a casual neighborhood bar with resident DJs performing every night. 

Yunta, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant with entertainment provided by a DJ Thursday through Saturday, is a fun place to eat with lots of small plates perfect for sharing. For a lively brunch with music, check out El Puro, a Cuban restaurant with an extensive menu and plenty of boozy beverages. Resident Culture Brewing is a brewery by day and a club by night, and it also has a full-service coffee bar and mouth-watering barbecue classics available Tuesday through Sunday. 

Take your bar crawl on the road with Pedal Pub’s party bike tour of the city. If poolside drinks are more your style, reserve a day pass at Coin Bar, a chic rooftop hangout on top of the Omni Charlotte Hotel.  

There’s no shortage of lodging options in Charlotte, ranging from luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton and Grand Bohemian Hotel to this Airbnb that sleeps 13 and has a pool, fire pit, and other top-notch amenities. 

4. Raleigh

As North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh offers endless sights and attractions that’ll make it easy to fill your bachelorette party itinerary. There are tons of museums and art galleries to explore, including Vita Vite, which is part wine bar, part gallery.

Similar to Charlotte’s Pedal Pub, Raleigh’s take on the party bike, Trolley Pub, is a fun way to see some of the city’s sights while enjoying some libations with your crew. 

Dance the night away at Zenith, a retro, pop-culture-themed bar that hosts high-energy dance parties and serves up large-format drinks and Jell-O shots. Fancy a boozy brunch after a late night? Sip $4 mimosas at Pourworks, pick from a lengthy list of brunch cocktails at The Oak, or order a mimosa bucket for the table at Raleigh Beer Garden.

If you want to pamper yourself before a night out, book a blowout at Blown Away (they also serve champagne!). 

After a busy day exploring and a long night on the dance floor, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest your head. Check out Heights House, an adults-only boutique hotel located in a restored mansion, Guest House Raleigh, an independent, eight-room inn (you can book the entire property), or The Casso, a trendy hotel in the Warehouse District. 

5. Wilmington

For a beachy bachelorette weekend full of sun, sand, and swimming, Wilmington is the answer. Take a river cruise for a unique view of Wilmington or stroll along the Wilmington Riverwalk, stopping to shop and eat at the many local businesses surrounding the area. Then, check out one of the three nearby island beach towns, which are all just a few minutes from downtown Wilmington.  

Wrightsville Beach is the area’s watersports hub. Try standup paddle boarding, kayaking, or surfing if you’re feeling adventurous. Kure Beach and Carolina Beach are equally beautiful options with miles of stunning shoreline to enjoy. 

Back in Wilmington, indulge in coastal flavors at Dram Yard or Marina Grill, experience authentic Thai and Vietnamese food at Indochine, or treat yourself to one of the Tar Heel State’s best brunches at Savorez.

For the ultimate day of pampering, head to Coastal Massage & Spa, a 3,000-square-foot seaside spa that offers massage, facials, body wraps, and more. You can even book the Bridal Suite to relax in before or after your services. You can bring drinks and snacks or have a local restaurant cater your event. 

Luxury lodging options like ARRIVE, Wingate by Wyndham, and Aloft are the perfect home base for your Wilmington adventures. 

6. Yadkin Valley

No pre-wedding thrown down is complete without wine, but if a cross-country trip to Napa is out of the question (or budget), head to Yadkin Valley instead. Here, you’ll find more than 40 wineries and vineyards. Stroll the property as you sip and soak in the spectacular scenery at JOLO Vineyards, an upscale boutique winery that boasts breathtaking views of Pilot Mountain. 

Hidden Vineyard is situated between Dobson and Pilot Mountain, and there’s a trail that’ll take you through the grapevines to a view of the peak of Pilot Mountain. The tasting room also features a porch with rocking chairs that overlook the vines for those who prefer a view without the walk. 

Elk Creek Vineyard is another stunning spot to sip wine with your besties. The winery overlooks the creek from which it got its name, and if you want to stay overnight, it offers four cozy creek-side cabins.

Beer lovers will enjoy spending time at Elkin RailYard, an outdoor beer garden with an open-air bar and plenty of patio space. There’s a rotating roster of food trucks, so you can indulge in local fare while you imbibe. 

Other activities worth considering include horseback riding, shopping for antiques and collectibles, and ziplining.  

When you’re done tasting and exploring, food will probably be top of mind. For an upscale dining experience, head to Southern on Main, or for a fun, themed meal, check out Pirate’s Landing Restaurant, which was built to resemble a massive pirate ship. Craving something a little different? Kazoku Sushi and Bar serves up fresh seafood and creative rolls.

While many of the wineries in Yadkin Valley offer lodging, there are plenty of other places to stay, too, from luxurious log cabins to boutique short-term rentals. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.