Unforgettable Bachelorette Party Ideas in Michigan

 
four bridesmaids standing near an ocean balcony with the bride making a peace sign

Four bridesmaids and a bride looking at the water

 

Michigan is a great state to turn up the party in! Unlike most northern states, Michigan offers various beach activities for the sand-loving bride-to-be. It’s also full of fun, offering scenic nightlife, relaxing spa activities, enjoyable wineries and tastings, and plenty of adventures.

From beaches to mountains, there’s something for nearly everyone here. But when planning one of the most memorable moments for a soon-to-be bride, you want to pick the perfect day or weekend activity.

Fortunately, there are so many categories and activity types to choose from. Below, we’ve outlined the most unique and joyful bachelorette party ideas in Michigan.

Michigan Bachelorette Party Ideas for an Outdoorsy Bride

  1. A Sightseeing Cruise on the Grand Traverse Bay - Traverse City

For those who enjoy adventure without too much danger, Discovery Cruises offers a 2-hour sightseeing tour of the Grand Traverse Bay aboard a ship with panoramic views. This is a perfect option for your bride-to-be and crew to relax, take in the sights, and get away from the land.

The ship even offers multiple snack bars with locally inspired and sourced treats.

2. WaterTrail Adventures’ Kayaking and Canoe Rentals - Fennville

WaterTrail Adventures offers kayak and canoe rentals in the Fennville area for the bride-to-be and crew that doesn’t mind getting a little wet and dirty. This area offers tours of the scenic and historic Lower Kalamazoo River Valley Water Trail as well as a tour of the swing bridge. There’s plenty of creatures to see along the swampy riverbank.

You and your wedding crew can book just a few hours or make an entire weekend out of this water fun. For larger bridal parties, consider booking ahead of time to secure enough canoes or kayaks for your whole group. Make sure to pack snacks and drinks for everyone!

3. Tour the Sleeping Bear Dunes - Traverse City

For the bride who loves outdoor nature adventures, look no further than a tour of Sleeping Bear Dunes! This 6-hour Traverse City tour entails a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike, enjoying views of Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and Sleeping Bear.

Take a short hike, enjoy lunch on the beach of Lake Michigan, then head to the scenic Pierce Stocking Drive. Stop at Glen Lake, Sleeping Bear, and the observation deck at Lake Michigan.

All snacks and drinks are provided, so you only need to bring your girls and your shades!


4. Go Horseback Riding at Stony Lake Stables - New Era

 
three people riding horses through a Michigan forest trail

A trail ride at Stony Lake Stables

 

For the bride who loves animals and outdoors, a Michigan favorite like horseback riding is the perfect getaway. Stony Lake Stables offers 1-hour and 1.5-hour rides through scenic forest trails. Owned and operated by the same family since 1949, these owners know how to provide excellent care to their animals and a great experience for their customers.

So, if your bride-to-be enjoys nature, pack up some comfy pants and get ready for a bachelorette day experience!

5. A Hot Air Balloon Ride with Balloon Quest Inc. - Fenton

 
four hot air balloons about to take off

Balloon Quest Inc.’s hot air balloons

 

For the bride who isn’t scared to get a little high in the sky, consider a hot air balloon ride with Balloon Quest Inc. They’ve been giving hot air balloon rides in Michigan for over 55 years,

These rides last roughly 1 hour, with 3 hours allotted to the entire adventure. Book a private small flight for two with your bride-to-be and her righthand woman, or book a shared larger balloon for the whole crew.

Hot air balloon rides are a signature experience in Michigan, so it’s only fitting to throw it onto the bachelorette party list for the weekend.


6. Visit the Cherry Point Farm and Market Lavender Labyrinth - Shelby

 
a large lavender labyrinth with fields and greenery

The lavender labyrinth at Cherry Point Farm and Market

 

For a more magical and serene outdoor experience for the bride and crew, take a peek at Cherry Point Farm and Market! You and the gals can tour this scenic atmosphere,

Along with scenic tours, there’s also farm fresh fruit, delicious desserts, and many other delightful treats.

 

Boozy Fun for a Michigan Bachelorette Party

  1. A 5-Hour Wine Tasting Tour - Omena

 
a winery on the shores of water with umbrellas and outdoor seating

One of the 25 wineries available to tour and taste on the Leelanau Peninsula wine tour.

 

For a perfect, relaxing bachelorette party weekend in Michigan, visit some of the dozens of wineries available on the Leelanau Peninsula! Filled with beautiful beaches, scenic landscapes, and fresh, delicious wine, your bridal crew is sure to enjoy the atmosphere (and drinks.)

The Magic Shuttle Bus offers a 5-hour wine tour chauffeur service to transport your group around Leelanau Peninsula's Wine Country. You will be transported to four separate wineries at 45 minutes a piece. Nearly all available wineries offer deals on wine tastings, such as 5 tastes for $7.

2. Go on a Detroit Bar Hunt - Detroit

a vibrantly colored bar with decorations that are eye catching

One of the bars along the Detroit Bar Hunt.

For a boozy twist on a classic scavenger hunt, look no further than the Detroit Bar Crawl! Your bridal crew can enjoy a fun hunt while discovering new places and sipping on some spirits.

To participate in the crawl, download the “Let’s Roam” scavenger hunt app and start your bar hunt! Complete crazy photo and video challenges at the best bars around town and see who will be crowned the Bar Hunt Champion!

Alcohol and a crowned champion? Let’s go.

3. Girls Night Out at the FireKeepers Casino and Hotel - Battle Creek

 
inside the firekeepers casino's lobby

FireKeepers Hotel and Casino lobby

 

Offering 107,000 square feet of gaming space, five restaurants, and a luxury hotel, you and your gals can create an unforgettable night. FireKeepers Casino and Hotel hosts nearly 2,700 slot machines, a poker room, 78 gaming tables, and more.

Enjoy a night of sipping drinks, winning cash, and having fun with your besties. If you get too tipsy, they offer pretty affordable room rates you can split amongst your group.

So get dressed up, get ready to throw it down, and celebrate a night of fun.

 

For the “Prefers the Indoors” Bride

  1. Head to the Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids

 
an indoor stage with lights and hundreds of fans watching performers

A show at the Van Andel Arena

 

If your bride-to-be is looking for a memorable night, take her to the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids! This arena offers over 12,000 seats, luxury suites, alcohol, snacks, and delicious meals from their various vendors.

Catch the latest sporting event, go see a popular musician, or get ready to go down with some monster truck shows. This arena offers shows almost anyone would love.

So book an experience for your best girl, grab some drinks, and enjoy a show to remember with your bridal crew.

2. Spend an Evening at the Fisher Theatre - Detroit

For the bride with a taste for the arts, consider a colorful and magical night at the theater! Fisher Theatre offers some of the best Broadway productions and performances available.

This theater offers shows like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Frozen, along with many other big names and inspiring performances.

Grab dinner, drinks, and a show with your best bridal girls.

3. Hit the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark - Boyne Falls

 
a tall building with greenery and a clock

The exterior of one of the Avalanche Bay properties.

 

For the water-loving bride, try the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark! Catch some waves on the surfing simulator, adventure down various waterslides, or swim a few laps in one of the four pools available here.

This is perfect for an indoor water experience during the freezing temperatures of Winter or just to stay out of the sun in the Summer. Grab some much-needed spirits and enjoy the water.

If you’re feeling particularly outdoorsy that day, they also offer skiing and golfing on the same property.

 

Tips for Throwing a Michigan Bachelorette Party

Planning a bachelorette party involves tons of details. Where will you go? Who’s paying for what? Where will you stay? It can be an overwhelming experience, even if your bride doesn’t want a huge weekend excursion. If you’re planning a bachelorette party on a budget, there’s also plenty of options available to surprise and shower your bride-to-be.

Planning details ahead of time creates less stress and provides the opportunity to book events or experiences ahead of time, choose outfits for the party, and make sure the whole bridal party can be included. If you want to successfully throw a Michigan bachelorette party, consider these things:

  • Create a Budget - The bride’s happiness is most important, but there are monetary limitations to any party or event. First, decide who will be paying for your plans. Will you split the costs amongst your bridal party? Will the maid of honor pay for everything? Is the bride expected to pay for anything? Once you’ve decided on this, set a budget for the excursion. Include anything that could change the price, such as hotel rooms, food, shows, drinks, and more. Make sure to leave some room for emergencies or unexpected expenses. It can add up quickly, especially for a larger group, so it’s best to set expectations and limits ahead of time.

  • Choose a Specific Area - You may travel to a certain area for a specific experience or event. But eventually, this event will end, and your bridal party will be searching for other things to do nearby. Choose a location that has your main experience, but also has other things to do nearby, such as nightlife, good restaurants, or shopping. The last thing you want to do is drive to your main event then have to track back across the state to another city to continue the fun. This can ruin the mood and become exhausting quickly. Plus, if you plan on drinking, it’s best to stay nearby, where you can walk to a hotel to sleep it off.

  • Respect the Bride’s Wishes - Most brides will specify what they do and do not enjoy. Respect what the bride wants to do with her bachelorette party and plan around it. Does your bride not drink? Don’t plan a boozy excursion she won’t want to participate in. Does she hate the outdoors? Choose something indoors or a mix of indoors and outdoors where she can escape if she wishes. Remember, it’s her day. Every member of the bridal party may wish to do something different, but they are there to support the bride.

  • Choose Matching Outfits for Instagram-Worthy Photos - We’ve all seen the bridesmaids or bridal crew wearing the same t-shirt and the bride with her infamous white “bride” shirt on. Although a lot of groups participate in this trend, it’s cute, supportive, and creates memorable photos everyone can look back on and enjoy. Plus, when you’re out, it makes it easier to find every member if someone trails off or gets lost.


 

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