Destination bachelorette parties have become all the rage in recent years. And while I love a good destination trip, sometimes that type of celebration just doesn’t work for you and your bridal party. So, for those of you looking to still have a fun and memorable weekend surrounded by your besties without having to take a week off from work, manage multiple different travel plans and deal with the inevitable flight delays, let’s talk about all the ways you can celebrate close to home with a Connecticut bachelorette party!
For the party bride
For those of you looking to drink and dance the night away, obviously Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are at the top of the list. But I imagine you will want more to do than just the casino, so here’s my weekend plan for the party brides!
Where to stay: Mystic, Connecticut.
Mystic is a short Uber ride away from the casinos and provides you with a plethora of day-time activities.
For a larger group, I would recommend an Airbnb.
For a smaller group, the Whaler’s Inn located in the heart of Mystic is a super cute spot!
Friday –
Arrive mid-afternoon and settle into your accommodations.
Venture into downtown Mystic to check out the cute shops.
Make sure to stop into Red36 for happy hour (4pm-6pm) and grab a drink on their waterfront deck!
Plan in advance for dinner reservations. A couple of our favorite spots include:
If you’re heading to Mystic over the summer months, try and snag a reservation for a farm dinner at Stone Acres Farm. You won’t be disappointed with the food and the experience.
Given that we are 20 minutes away from both casinos, if you’re spending two nights here, check out one each night. Both casinos offer plenty of nightlife as well as entertainment, shopping and spas. Since we’re catering this itinerary to our night owls, we’re assuming you want a party. We recommend heading over to Shrine at Foxwoods for the first night.
Saturday –
After a late night, we expect you to want to sleep in! When you’re ready to emerge, start your day with breakfast from Sift Bakery. We recommend ordering online so it’s ready for pick-up when you arrive.
After a leisurely morning, get ready for a day of wine tasting. Have your maid of honor schedule a limo from Lindsey Limousine to pick you up in style.
Our two favorite Mystic wineries are Jonathan Edwards and Saltwater Farm Vineyard.
If you’re not into the winery thing and are visiting during the warmer months, schedule a 90-minute boat cruise with Mystic Tiki Boat!
Make sure to give yourselves plenty of time for everyone to get ready (maybe take a power nap) before venturing back out for night two!
Tonight you’re heading to Mohegan Sun! We recommend making dinner reservations well in advance and heading over to Tao located inside the casino. If you can’t get a table at Tao, we also love Hash House a Go Go or Sol Toro.
After your meal, stroll through the casino to see which bar is popular that night. Mohegan Sun has a country bar with live music on weekends as well as traditional nightclubs. You’re sure to find something here for the party girls!
For the outdoorsy types
This area is especially perfect for fall bachelorette parties!
Friday –
Arrive mid-afternoon and settle in.
Kent, Connecticut has a cute downtown area that would occupy you for the afternoon.
For those of you wanting to get outside immediately, we recommend heading over to Kent Falls state park. While the trail system here isn’t overly extensive, the falls are beautiful and worth a look!
Head back to your hotel to get ready for happy hour and an early dinner.
Located a mere 7 minutes from your hotel is Spring Hill Vineyards. Pick-up a cheese and charcuterie platter on your way over and enjoy a bottle of wine in the vineyards!
Travel another three minutes down the road for your dinner spot – The Owl Food & Wine Bar.
Saturday –
After a good night’s rest, wake up and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast is served in the adorable Garden Room from 7:30am-10:30am. Make sure to fuel up to energize yourself for the day ahead!
From here, drive 35 minutes further west for a day of hiking in Macedonia Brook State Park. You can enjoy a few miles of the Appalachian Trail in this park. We recommend Bull’s Bridge Road to Macedonia Rd. in South Kent for a 7.3 mile hike and 1900 ft of elevation. As always, pack water, proper footwear and let someone know your hiking plans!
If you still have energy after your hike and are traveling in the warmer months, a canoe or kayak rental is available at nearby Lake Waramaug.
Reward yourself after a day of activity at Kent Falls Brewing Co. The brewery does not serve food so feel free to bring in your own.
For the city girls
The Blake is a centrally located, modern and impeccably designed hotel in the heart of New Haven. This is a perfect home-base for your weekend in the city!
Friday –
Check in to your hotel and get to know the area. As with any city, be aware of your surroundings and make sure to travel in groups at night.
The Blake is located a few blocks over from world-renowned, Yale University. Most of the campus is open to the public so we highly recommend walking around to admire the architecture. Plus, for those of you who are Gilmore Girls fans, you can channel your inner Rory Gilmore.
Pizza is an absolute must while in town. Modern Apizza was voted the top pizza place in the entire country in 2023 by Pizza Today. Grab a slice or enjoy a whole pie here for dinner.
Conclude your night with a cocktail back at your hotel at High George Rooftop Bar. Our choice is the espresso martini.
Saturday –
Begin the day with a boozy brunch at Elm City Social.
Or if you’re looking for a bottomless brunch, Olive and Oil has you covered with $25 bottomless traditional mimosas!
If you want to keep the imbibing going, book a tour on Elm City party bus. Hop on board this guided two-hour pedal tavern and see the sights (as well as a few stops at local bars)! And it’s BYOB so bring your drink of choice.
For a classy dinner, we suggest Union League Café or Olea. If you are ice cream lovers like us, make sure to check out Milkcraft for a tasty after dinner treat!
For the foodies
The Delamar is located in bustling Blue Back Square in West Hartford. This modern, upscale, and luxurious hotel is within walking distance of some of Connecticut’s best restaurants.
Friday –
We recommend starting off the girls’ weekend with spa services at the Delamar followed by a cooking class for dinner. Prior to the weekend commencing, make reservations in advance for a group cooking class at Cookshop Plus. These classes are also BYOB so it’s a great way to kick off your foodie weekend. If you’d rather have your meal prepared for you, we recommend sharing loads of tapas at Barcelona.
Just across the street, you can end your night with espresso martinis at Max’s Oyster Bar.
Saturday –
Brunch at Place 2 Be is a must! This Insta-worthy restaurant serves up fun cocktails and yummy brunch entrees (and is conveniently located across from The Delamar).
After a cocktail or two, it’s time to leave West Hartford for a few hours. A short 25-minute Uber ride away is Crystal Ridge Winery in South Glastonbury. We love this winery for bachelorette parties due to their no people (that means kids too) under 21 permitted. While we love family outings, there’s times you don’t want other people’s kids running around.
We’ll give you a few options for dinner depending on your mood!
Option 1: CoraCora
While not immediately in the walkable part of West Hartford center, CoraCora was a James Beard award semifinalist and a finalist for outstanding restaurant and chef! Their menu features authentic Peruvian cuisine sure to delight!
Option 2: The Charles
This would require an Uber but is well worth it! The Charles is located in nearby Wethersfield and has won many “Best of Hartford” accolades including best ambiance, best cocktails, best appetizers and best overall restaurant. Their menu features many farm-to-table options and something for everyone!
Option 3: Artisan
Walk downstairs from your room at the Delamar and enjoy their on-site restaurant, Artisan. If weather permits, we suggest dining al fresco in their quaint garden! Locally sourced ingredients (including herbs directly from their garden) means a rotating, seasonal menu. Check their website for updates!
Option 4: A’vert Brasserie
Just one of several restaurants owned by the DORO group (and honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them!). We chose this one because a night out indulging in French cuisine paired with French wine feels very bachelorette party vibes to us. This one is walkable from The Delamar and is surrounded by several other great spots for a pre or post dinner cocktail!
For the ocean lovers
Saybrook Point is a beautiful hotel in the quaint, shoreline town of Old Saybrook. You can’t miss this iconic yellow building as you’re pulling up for a relaxing weekend by the water! Depending on how many ladies you’re traveling with, you can book a couple of standard guest rooms, a villa or one of their detached guest houses which sleep up to 16 people!
Friday –
We recommend spending the entire day in Old Saybrook.
After checking in to your accommodations, get out your bathing suits to enjoy either their indoor or outdoor pool. Both are heated and are open year round!
From there, head back to shower and get ready for dinner and drinks. We recommend starting off with a cocktail at the Marina Bar before heading to Fresh Salt for dinner. Fresh Salt does accept reservations and we strongly recommend making one in advance!
The other bar on the property, Choo Choo Lounge features live music on the weekends and a cozy ambiance for an after dinner drink.
Saturday –
The weekend brunch at Fresh Salt is not to be missed so start your day here!
Then pack your beach bags and head 20 minutes west to Hammonasset Beach. We think this is one of Connecticut’s best beaches and is worth the drive. You’ll want to leave early to ensure you get a parking spot! If you don’t want to go this far, right in Old Saybrook is Harvey’s Beach. This is less than a 10 minute drive from your hotel.
On your way back from the beach, stop in to Water’s Edge in Westbrook and grab a cocktail at Sunset Bar & Grill featuring live music seven days a week and one of the best ocean views of any Connecticut bar!
Before dinner, we suggest making time for a 30 minute walk to Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse! Just southeast of this lighthouse, you’ll find Lynde Point lighthouse. Both are photo-worthy spots and should make it on your list of things to do!
We suggest concluding your day with dinner in town at Aspen.
See how many different options there are close to home?! Connecticut really does have something for everyone and you can certainly create fun memories with your girlfriends without a destination trip! Leave us a comment or save this post if you’re planning to follow any of our itineraries!
- Alyssa & the AJSE Team