New York City Bachelorette: A Perfect Weekend in the Big Apple

When it came to my bachelorette party, I was so undecided. I always dreamed of a sunny Florida getaway with a boat day, but everything—weddings, work, and just general backlog from COVID—I knew everyone’s calendars were packed. I didn’t want to add another big trip to the mix, so I pivoted and planned something closer to home (for my friends).

New York City.

My sister lives in NYC, and I decided to make it a “low-key” (LOL) weekend with her and anyone who wanted to join. I sent out an open invite to all my friends invited to the wedding, fully expecting just a handful of takers. But when my sister told me thirteen people were coming, I was stunned. What started as a casual weekend turned into the most fun, unforgettable celebration. 2+ years later and I’m still beyond grateful that so many of my favorite people came together to make it happen.

To keep things stress-free, I planned a mix of group activities and free time so everyone could enjoy the weekend their way. Whether it was catching up with friends, exploring the city, or joining in on our planned events, it worked out perfectly.

Here’s a recap of our amazing NYC bachelorette weekend perfectly planned and executed by my sister:

Friday

• 12:50 p.m. – Touchdown at LGA!
  By some miracle, we made it despite a massive snowstorm in the midwest the night before. Crisis averted. 

• 4:00 p.m. – Check-in at The James in NoMad.
  This hotel was such a win! The rooms were spacious enough to comfortably sleep four girls each, and the location was centrally located to all of our activities. 

• 6:30 p.m. – Cocktails at the hotel lobby.
  The James has a cozy, chic lobby where we sipped on cocktails while we waited for everyone to finish getting ready.

• 8:30 p.m. – Dinner at The Standard Grill.
  We reserved a private room here, which was perfect for a group of our size. The preset menu was delicious, the vibes were incredible, and the whole night was such a special way to kick things off.

Saturday

• 10:00 a.m. – Custom scent-making at Olfactory.
  I wanted to include one unique, non-drinking activity, and this was IT. We rented out the shop, and everyone created their own personalized scent. Even better, one friend brought their dog for moral support. About half the group joined in while the others enjoyed a slow morning.

• 12:30 p.m. – Brunch at Pera Soho.
  After our perfume-making excursion, the whole group reunited for brunch. The food was delicious, and they were able to accommodate a big group around one table. 

• Afternoon – Free time to explore.
  This built-in downtime was such a win. Some people explored the city, others met up with friends, and a few opted for a nap before night two.

• 7:00 p.m. – Sushi, pizza, and a party in the suite.
  We rented a suite at The James, which comfortably fit everyone for a casual dinner in – having pizza and the whole crew together in one room was an underrated decision. 

• 11:00 p.m. – Night out at The Palace.
  For our big night out, we reserved a table at The Palace. It was everything you’d imagine from a bachelorette night: music, dancing, and nonstop laughs.

Sunday

With no set plans, Sunday was all about a slow morning as people left to catch their flights home. Check-out was at 11 a.m., and everyone headed home feeling happy, celebrated, and (let’s be real) exhausted because we aren’t 23 anymore. 

Final Thoughts

This NYC bachelorette weekend was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was short and sweet, with the perfect balance of planned activities and free time. If you’re debating whether to keep things simple or go all out, trust me—simple can still be just as unforgettable.

To my sister, my friends, and everyone who joined in, thank you for making this weekend so special. I couldn’t have asked for a better ‘LAST WEEKEND!’