Strippers, tons of alcohol, forgotten nights, and so on. In New Orleans, that could be a typical night for some, but for many bachelors planning to walk down the aisle, it's nearly a necessity. If you've been in town for any length of time, you know that the ritual of paying for a $9 beer while a scantily clad lady pretends to be interested in you is part of the rite of passage for soon-to-be married men and sometimes even women.
All this is relevant, because as an engaged
man, it was my responsibility to come up
with at least a general idea of what I wanted
to do for my bachelor party. I'm 36, soon
to be 37, and as a person born and raised
mostly here in NOLA, I've long grown tired of
the atmosphere of Bourbon Street and the
hassle of dealing with the overpriced alcohol
and the sordid characters in the Quarter.
Having said all that, I thought long and
hard about a different option for my best
friends and me to celebrate. After some
conversations, I decided on something a bit
more time-consuming, but also more relaxing
and chill-that is, to get an Airbnb someplace
outside of the busyness of New Orleans
and spend a few days cooking, drinking,
and enjoying the quiet in a remote part of
one of our neighboring states. Truthfully, it
wasn't that difficult to find an amazing house
that could hold us for three full days, but it
takes planning to make sure everything is
accounted for and organized. Lots of people
have opinions on the house-rental market
locally (with just cause), but in an isolated
part of the region, with not much housing
distress, Airbnb was a logical place to start.
After a few days of looking, we were all set.
This got me thinking about other "outsidethe- box" options for parties that don't end in some form of falling down drunk while surrounded by exotic dancers or forgetting half of the so-called awesome night you're supposed to be having. Below, you'll find a few ideas for bachelor/bachelorette fun that's not spent in a dark, overpriced bar or club. Going On A Cruise: This is an expensive option for sure, but it's sure to be a great time if the means are available. Imagine you and some friends on a beautiful ship, coasting along the ocean on your way to some tropical paradise. One of the best aspects of this option is the price you pay for food and alcohol. Luxury cruise liners now have options where you can pay for all the food and alcohol you want before you even get onboard, which means you can plan more readily to do outside excursions and not be worried about breaking the bank when it comes time to pay your bar tab.
Going On A Cruise:
This is an expensive option for sure, but it's sure to be a great time if the means are available. Imagine you and some friends on a beautiful ship, coasting along the ocean on your way to some tropical paradise. One of the best aspects of this option is the price you pay for food and alcohol. Luxury cruise liners now have options where you can pay for all the food and alcohol you want before you even get onboard, which means you can plan more readily to do outside excursions and not be worried about breaking the bank when it comes time to pay your bar tab.
A Day Out:
If drinking and debauchery aren't your cup
of tea, New Orleans and the surrounding
areas have plenty of fun activities that
circumvent being wasted. There are the triedand-
trusted swamp tours, but there are also
many other options. If you like to bike, we
have tons of biking paths around town, as
well as trails on the Northshore that lead you
right to breweries and delicious restaurants.
Beyond that even, we have paintball facilities,
knife-throwing, or simulated golf that can be
very fun with some good friends. If none of
that appeals to you, perhaps going to the
edge of the state and the Gulf of Mexico for
some big fishing is right up your alley.
Traveling To A Remote Place:
As I mentioned in the beginning of this
article, going out of town for a few days and
renting a house is always a great idea for
a big group who is more inclined to have
an easy-going, relaxing few days. My group
of eight was able to pretty easily found a
gorgeous home just an hour away. With this
option, we were able to all pay a share of the
rental and decide on food and activities to
keep us occupied over the course of the trip.
Our house included a big secluded yard, a
Jacuzzi, a fire pit, and many other amenities
that made the trip even better. If rest and
relaxation are goals that you want to insert
into laughs and fun with your closest friends,
this option might be just for you.
A Music Festival:
If you've read some of my previous
articles, you might know that I'm a big
music fan, and festivals are one of my
favorite things to do. The cool thing
about having this be part of a bachelor/
bachelorette party is the chance to see
great bands surrounded by great friends,
but finding a lineup that is exciting and
doable for a big group can be tricky.
Logistics can also be difficult, but if you're
with a crew that is easy-going and generally
down for a good time, this option can be
amazing.
Even if these options don't appeal to you, the list doesn't end there-or rather, it shouldn't. Celebrating a wedding is one of the best experiences you can have, whether it's your own ceremony or you're sharing in the joy of close friends and family. If you're part of a group like mine, then you know that you can have fun doing almost anything when the company is great. This means that whatever you choose to do, however you want that time to be spent, it can be a joyous experience for you and your best friends. Just don't get drunk enough to forget all the laughs you'll likely have when you're partying, in whatever way you party. After all, it's a celebration of love, meant to bring huge smiles and a feeling of togetherness.
