September and October are some of the most beautiful times of the year nationwide. Leaves start to change, temperatures cool off, and autumn activities abound. After peak summer travel months, the fall can also be a more affordable time for destination bachelorette parties! Particularly if you and girls don’t all live in the same place or get to see each other very often, this is the perfect excuse to escape and celebrate together.
Vermont
Is there honestly anything more spectacular than fall in New England? For the crew that is looking for a more relaxing and low-key celebration, Vermont has everything you could need for an idyllic escape. Either rent a farmhouse or stay at a quaint inn and spend the weekend exploring the “Green Mountain State” while it bursts in shades of oranges, yellow and red. Take scenic road trips to tour the breathtaking fall foliage, visit farms to pick apples, drink hot cider and eat doughnuts, and then wind down by relaxing at an area spa. Check out the picture-perfect towns of Woodstock or Stowe, visit craft breweries in Burlington or hike or bike around Lake Champlain.
San Francisco and Napa
Want wine + culture? First, start in San Francisco during their “Indian Summer” when the city emerges from a summer-filled fog and comes alive during September and October. Do a walking tour of the Mission and Marina districts, see the Golden Gate Bridge and the painted ladies, and then sip rosé outdoors at some of the best restaurants in the country (make dinner reservations as far in advance as possible). At night, check out the bars and clubs in Soma or the Castro to dance the night away!
After your fill of the city by the bay, Sonoma and Napa Valley are just a quick hour-long drive away. Check in at the scenic Carneros Inn where you’ll get free bikes from the hotel which is the best way to explore wine country. Make sure you book your winery reservations a couple months in advance, as it’s harvest season and one of the most spectacular times to visit the area! Pace yourselves during the day because the valley has some of the best restaurants in the country for a yummy post-wine dinner!
New Mexico
If you want your bachelorette party to be centered around arts, culture and spectacular desert scenery, then look no further than New Mexico. Head to Santa Fe and spend your time relaxing at spas and resorts, touring art galleries, hiking rock formations and shopping at artisan flea markets. Be sure to save room in your suitcases for all the turquoise jewelry, folk art, and Native American home accent pieces! If you can, plan your trip to be there in early October, where you will witness the International Balloon Fiesta in nearby Albuquerque. A festival full of music and art, the main attraction is the dreamy sight of over 500 hot air balloons brightening up the soft desert sky.
Charleston
Visit Charleston for the best the south has to offer: amazing food, nearby beaches, a historic downtown, and tons of southern charm. In the fall the weather will still be warm but not oppressively hot, and you can rent a house either downtown, on Folly Beach or Sullivan’s island or stay in an adorable boutique hotel like Zero George. Charleston is a big foodie town, so make sure to plan ahead for group brunches and dinners to indulge in the southern fare. During the day, take a walking tour of the Holy City and see the adorable houses on Rainbow Row or at Battery Park, or hit the beach and then get ready for a fun night out. Charleston has a lively nightlife scene with tons of bars and clubs perfect for you and your girlfriends to have fun until the wee hours of the night!
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Julia Hurwitz is a freelance writer and Marketing Manager based in New York City. Her interests include travel, global craft, healthy baking, entertaining and exploring the outdoors.