If you’re looking for an incredible place to celebrate your bachelorette party, you have to consider New York City. Aptly called the “city that never sleeps”, a New York City bachelorette party offers so many amazing activities for you and your closest friends to bond over.
5 Reasons We love an NYC Bachelorette Party
Here are five reasons why NYC is the perfect destination for a memorable bachelorette party.
- Iconic landmarks and attractions – NYC’s beautiful parks, stunning skyscrapers, and amazing nightlife are dream spots for a stunning bachelorette party experience.
- Vibrant food scene – Whether you’re looking for food truck fare, international flavors, exquisite fine dining, or food tours and tastings, the dining experience in NYC makes it a top foodie destination.
- Shopping – NYC caters to all types of shoppers. Stores and boutiques offer the best luxury items for guests with distinct tastes, while bargain hunters can find a good deal in vintage and thrift shops.
- Museums and art galleries – NYC has some of the biggest and most popular museums and art galleries in the country that will have your crew entertained all day!
- Excellent hotels and accommodation – There are plenty of accommodation options to fit any budget. You can tour NYC with ease knowing you have a comfortable space to go back to after a full day of fun and adventure.
Things to Do in NYC
There are many ways to see the iconic sights and hidden gems of New York. Tour the city by air, water, bus, bike, and on foot! We’ve put together a curated NYC guide to help you plan the perfect activities for your bachelorette party.
Cities explorer
For someone that loves to explore a new city, NYC has some of the most iconic sights. You’re sure to have an incredible time!
- Go all out and surprise the squad with a Manhattan Highlights Helicopter Tour. You’ll enjoy an aerial view of the city that most people only dream of! Tickets are priced at $229 per person.
- Spoil yourselves on a dinner cruise while floating around NYC. This particular cruise will allow you and your guests to marvel at the breathtaking NYC skyline while enjoying a three-course meal and live music on an all-glass boat.
- NYC traffic can be a pain, but leave the driving to the pros with an NYC bus tour! A hop-on, hop-off bus tour lets you stop at famous landmarks and explore the city at your own pace.
- Central Park is one of the most popular sights in NYC, and for good reason. Schedule a guided bike tour ($45 per person) to learn interesting facts about the beautiful park and historical sculptures, or rent a bike ($5 per one adult), so you can take your time exploring the park’s popular and hidden places.
- Get ready for some shopping! Head to popular shopping districts like 5th Avenue or SoHo to hit all the best stores.
Food lovers
NYC is teeming with a huge variety of gastronomic adventures for you and your girls. This guide is nowhere near long enough to list them all, but below are a few of our favorite options you can choose from.
- You can’t go to NYC without trying a slice of famous New York-style cheesecake. Taste different variations at these top three most popular NY cheesecake shops – Junior’s Cheesecake, Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, and Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery.
- Chinese and Southeast Asian delicacies at the NYC Chinatown deserve to be on your bachelorette party itinerary. Among our must-try list are the dan dan noodles at Cha Kee, Peking duck at Peking Duck House, shrimp shumai with glass noodles at Jing Fong, and coconut taro milk with boba at I’Milky.
- Sample the NYC food truck scene and visit favorites like DiSo’s Italian Sandwich Society, King Souvlaki, The Halal Guys, and Wafels & Dinges.
- If you’re visiting during the summer, stop by the Union Square Greenmarket for locally-sourced fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and local food. It is an open-air market in Union Square that is open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Check out some of the hottest spots at Chelsea Market. This popular spot is open every day and full of restaurants, bars, galleries, and retail shopping. It’s very popular, so be sure to go early and make reservations if there is a certain place you want to try.
Weekender
Planning a weekend NYC bachelorette party? Here’s our list of recommendations for the weekend!
- If you’ve never seen it, immerse yourselves in the exhilarating NYC rush by visiting Times Square. Join the crowd around street performers (look for the Naked Cowboy), check out the retail shops for trinkets, and snap photos of the iconic billboards.
- A great way to tour the Big Apple is through The Sex and the City Hotspots Tour. It will take you and your gals to 40 places so you can live your Sex and the City fantasy. Whether or not you’re a TV show/movie fan, this tour will let you discover a lot of NYC sights and secret spots.
- You have to catch a Broadway show when in NYC. There is sure to be something for everyone: musicals, dramas, and shows in big locations like Lincoln Center or more intimate Off-Broadway venues.
- Spend your weekend in the city’s museums. Our top three picks are the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) for its huge collection of historic paintings and pieces, the American Museum of History for its amazing space and dinosaur exhibits, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for its modern and contemporary art collection.
Outdoor adventures
Although New York is definitely a city, there are still many outdoor activities you can do. These include:
- Take a scenic walk around DUMBO, regarded as one of NYC’s best art districts. You’ll have beautiful skyline views of the city from Brooklyn Bridge Park, and can also see the vintage carousel in the park.
- Get the best view of NYC from the Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Look 100 stories down from the glass floor and lean out over the city on angled glass walls.
- Walk theHigh Line, a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail line that was turned into a public park. Explore the beautiful landscape and exceptional artwork as you weave through the city.
- Go kayaking for free! Sign up ahead of time at the Manhattan Community Boathouse or Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse for the best outdoor water adventure in NYC.
- Visit The Cloisters Museum & Garden, a museum in Washington Heights that is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum is located in Fort Tryon Park and specializes in medieval art and architecture.
Where to Eat in NYC
NYC is not only the “melting pot” of different people and cultures, but the city also brings together the best food from all over the world. If you are having your bachelorette party in NYC, try a few of our favorite spots!
Restaurant suggestions
- For a refined night out, book a table at Kochi with its nine-course menu of skewered dishes and drinks.
- Plan a night at Tao Downtown, a club-restaurant made famous by Sex and the City that attracts both celebrities and out-of-town guests.
- Snag a reservation at Charlie Bird, an Italian-inspired restaurant with a great wine list and hip-hop accents.
- Looking for a late-night slice? Artichoke Pizza is the place to go! Get ready for massive slices (that can be pricey), and long lines, but the pizza is worth the wait!
- Sadelle’s in SoHo is a perfect spot for brunch. Housemade bagels and smoked fish make this a must-visit when in the city.
Bar suggestions
- Attaboy is an innovative cocktail bar on the Lower East Side in a trendy industrial-style space.
- Saint Tuesday is the place to go for craft cocktails and nightly live music in an underground speakeasy in TriBeCa.
- Katana Kitten is a bi-level bar in Greenwich Village serving izakaya fare and whimsical cocktails.
- Death & Co is a renowned cocktail bar in the East Village. Expect bartenders in bow ties and suspenders in this moody cocktail lounge.
- Le Bain is the rooftop bar at The Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. You’ll have gorgeous views and can enjoy the rooftop pool (word of caution: it’s small), and a crêperie.
- If Le Bain isn’t your style, check out The Biergarten at The Standard on the ground floor. The indoor-outdoor style Biergarten is a true German beer hall with games and giant soft pretzels.
Where to Stay in NYC
Finding a hotel in NYC can be a confusing process, given there’s a lot to choose from and so many different neighborhoods. Below are some of our favorite neighborhoods and recommendations for every budget.
Upper West Side
The Upper West side is home to Lincoln Center, which hosts world-renowned performances from the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. Expect to find stately homes, large brownstones, and iconic views of Central Park.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- La Quinta Inn & Suites is a comfortable hotel near Central Park and a short walk from Columbus Circle on West 71st Street. Rooms start at around $100 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- The Wallace offers elegance and decadence, with spacious rooms and a vintage European feel. Rooms start at around $230.
$$$: Splurge Options
- The Mandarin Oriental New York is a luxury hotel in the heart of Columbus Circle. From the MO Lounge, you’ll be able to sip cocktails while looking at one of the most iconic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Rooms start at around $850 per night.
Greenwich Village
Also called West Village, Greenwich is a lively neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan. The tree-lined streets are full of popular bars, cafés, and restaurants as well as New York University buildings. The heart of the neighborhood is Washington Square Park.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- The Jane Hotel is a landmark building with river views. The rooms are inspired by luxury ship and train cabins. The Jane uses thoughtful design to pack maximum convenience into minimal space. Rooms start at around $100 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Washington Square Hotel is a historic, right-on-the-park hotel, full of unique Art Deco architecture and original artwork. Rooms start at around $150 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- The Marlton Hotel is a boutique hotel in the heart of Greenwich Village housed in a restored historic building. Rooms start at around $259 per night.
Williamsburg
If you’re looking to stay outside of Manhattan and have your sights on Brooklyn, take a look at the hip neighborhood of Williamsburg. The area is a bit more affordable than Manhattan options and is filled with stylish boutiques, trendy cafés, and bustling restaurants.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Pod Brooklyn Hotel offers chic, simple, and functional rooms with windows overlooking green courtyards. Rooms start at around $80 per night.
$$: Mid-tier
- The Hoxton Williamsburg is a beautifully situated modern hotel with Manhattan skyline views. Inside you get to enjoy the brass and velvet classic design. Rates start at $165 per night.
$$$: Splurge
- The Williamsburg Hotel is a boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline. This pet-friendly hotel has five room types (many with private balconies) with floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms start at around $250 per night.
How to get around in NYC
NYC has wonderful public transportation options. The city is very walkable, and when needed, you can hop on the subway (one ride is $2.75) or a bus and get nearly anywhere in the city. Download the New York Subway Map app before you go, so you’ll always know where you’re heading.
Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are also readily available, and taxis are also available nearly everywhere in the city. Be warned: prices will surge during heavy traffic times, or when there is bad weather. Scooters and bikes are also available throughout the city for quick trips.
We would recommend not renting a car. It won’t be needed once you’re in the city and you’ll pay heft tolls to drive it as well as to park it in the city. Plus, driving in NYC can be a major headache.
Get Ready for Your Truly NYC Bachelorette Party
New York is filled with an unlimited amount of attractions and countless activities. From iconic landmarks to beautiful skyscrapers and an amazing food scene, NYC is no doubt one of the best bachelorette party destinations.
Looking for a theme to match your NYC destination bachelorette? Check out our guides to hosting the ultimate Sex and the City-themed bachelorette, or creating a throwback party with a 90s-theme! You can also check out other destination guides as well, including the Miami bachelorette parties and Palm Springs bachelorette party guide
We’d love to see pictures from your trip – don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @BDR if you found this NYC bachelorette party guide helpful!