Posted on January 08, 2024 by Shayna Condé
As a self-proclaimed good-vibe creator and an attendee of multiple bachelorette parties, I love when a bach trip reflects the bride’s favorite things. So, I’ve rounded up bachelorette destinations around New Jersey for brides with interests from wine to wellness. Whether it’s a day trip to the Shore or a weekend-long glamping celebration, I’ve got you covered!
Renault Winery Resort encompasses 1,400 acres and has three eateries, multiple tasting rooms, an 18-hole golf course and three gorgeous ballroom options for weddings. While Château Renault, the 55-room on-site hotel, has a modern aesthetic, the winery itself, built in 1864, has many historic characteristics. From secret tunnels that were used during Prohibition, to the grapes themselves (some varieties are almost as old as the winery), this destination is an adventure into the world of vino.
Day-trip bachelorettes can participate in classes and experiences. Consider booking their brunch and bubbly buffet, flights and bites special or an educational wine tasting. Their tasting rooms vary from a moody wine cellar room to a bright and airy space (make sure to ask about the blueberry champagne). At the on-site bakery, Café le Fleur, try wine-infused cupcakes. During the harvest season, opt for their pick-and-press event that includes pressing grapes using an old-fashioned press. Special events, like sunset goat yoga or yoga and mimosas, change often. If you don’t mind the cold, the annual Vinter Wonderland makes for a perfect winter getaway. The winter event boasts an ice rink, festive market with shops, cozy igloos, holiday cabanas and a Christmas tree made of wine barrels. Renault’s fire pits are available for reservation year-round.
For overnight bachelorette trips, Château Renault has an on-site pool, a beautiful staircase (perfect for group pictures) and four room styles. Overnight rates start at $129 for weekdays and $299 for weekends.
Located steps away from the Asbury Park beach and boardwalk, the Asbury—a funky, music-inspired hotel and event space with 110 rooms and suites—offers relaxation plus access to the town’s vibrant music history. Asbury Park is riddled with iconic landmarks like the Wonder Bar, Convention Hall and the Stone Pony. If you’re looking for a fun group outing, have your fortune told at the famous Madam Marie’s Temple of Knowledge, a shack on the boardwalk immortalized in song by Bruce Springsteen.
There’s also plenty to explore at the Asbury, including the Baronet (their rooftop movie spot), live performances and open mics in the lobby, the Counter (a café with homemade baked goods, coffee and teas), Soundbooth (the lobby bar with signature cocktails), and Salvation (the rooftop cantina with views of the Atlantic Ocean). If you do nothing else at the Asbury, go to Asbury Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and concert hall. Just behind the bowling lanes is the hotel’s best-kept secret called the Diner, which features nostalgic decor, an American menu and an assortment of boozy milkshakes. Ask about the Asbury’s special events, like full-moon parties, where attendees can enjoy night swimming in a heated pool, live music, local vendors, signature drinks and guided meditations.
Ready for a sleepover? The Asbury offers quad rooms (two sets of twin bunk beds) and octo rooms (four sets of twin bunk beds). Rates for quad rooms start at $198; octo rooms start at $378.
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Relax and recharge at SoJo Spa. With stunning views of the New York City skyline and six floors (plus a rooftop) of indoor and outdoor wellness activities, this is a great year-round bachelorette destination. While SoJo may be known for its Instagram-worthy rooftop infinity pool, there’s much more to experience. Offerings include saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, a foot-massage walkway, mineral baths, cabanas and a rooftop garden. These amenities are included in the price of admission into SoJo Spa. At an additional cost, there are specialty treatments, such as massages. A favorite is the volcanic sand bath where you are gently covered from shoulders to toes in wet sand. Their food hall offers some health-conscious meals and drinks so you’ll feel refreshed inside and out.
Want to adventure off the premises for dinner and extra-curriculars? Hudson Table in Jersey City, a space that hosts cooking classes, is about a 20-minute drive away. If you’d like to keep things local, try SEAK, a Thai- and Vietnamese-inspired restaurant across the street from SoJo, or Pier 115, a bar and restaurant serving American cuisine that’s a six-minute drive from the spa. Both eateries offer waterfront views of Manhattan.
Hotel SoJo is open only Friday and Saturday nights, so be sure to book in
advance. Every Hotel SoJo room includes two complimentary admission passes to the spa. SoJo Spa Club day pass rates start at $90; Overnight rates start at $610 for rooms with two double beds and fluctuate based on the time of year.
Some brides (queer or not) want a bachelorette party that celebrates the queer experience. At Ocean Casino Resort, you of course have the excitement of the slot machines and the general liveliness of Atlantic City, but throughout the year, this spot hosts queer-positive events like cabarets, a drag showcase and happy hour in the Nola’s Bar & Lounge. If you want to explore the drag scene around AC, stop by the Diva Royale show, which happens every weekend at the Tropicana, or Sunday drag brunch at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Bring your gals and pals (along with some dollar bills) for high-energy and hilarious fun.
Keep the party going by securing a VIP table at HQ2, Ocean Casino Resort’s nightclub and beachclub. The resort can help you curate an itinerary for your party, from setting up a group mani-pedi and hair appointment at the Bangz Salon & Blow Dry Lounge to booking reservations for any of their on-site restaurants. Speaking of eateries, when your crew gets hungry for fine dining, stop by Ocean Steak, a steakhouse with special selections like a 30-day snow-aged Japanese Wagyu, or try Amada, the resort’s tapas-style Spanish restaurant created by Iron chef Jose Garces. For brunch, head to Harper’s, their dedicated brunch restaurant with sweet and savory options. Ready for more fun? Bringing your group to indoor TopGolf within the resort is a must (plus, they have a happy hour special). Overnight rates start at $99 for weekdays and $259 for weekends.
For brides-to-be who prefer to kick back in the great outdoors, we’ve got the glamping site for you and your wilderness squad. Moon Valley Campground, located just off the Appalachian Trail, has several charming sites that can host up to six guests. Each has one bed, so additional guests will need to bring sleeping bags or inflatable mattresses. Additionally, a pop-up tent that can fit up to four people can be provided on request. There’s a well-maintained portable toilet and a rinse-off station on the property. Moon Valley is building an indoor shower and restroom that is expected to be completed by 2025. Each campsite has a designated grill, so bring food, utensils, a cooler and booze. This is a great destination to unplug and decompress.
Popular hiking trails, the Stairway to Heaven (2.6 miles long) and Pochuck Boardwalk (2 miles long), can be accessed from the campgrounds. Wawayanda State Park, with its public beach and kayak rentals, is a short drive away. Mountain Creek Resort, a waterpark in the summer and ski destination in the winter, is nearby. If you book your stay in the fall, there are plenty of apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the area, including Heaven Hill Farms. Want to emphasize the “glam” in your glamping bachelorette? Make a reservation at Restaurant Latour, the culinary beacon of Crystal Springs Resort. They have a dress code, so make sure to pack something nice to wear.
At night, soak in the stars while making s’mores at the fire pit. The campground is closed from November to March. Rates range from $150-$275 per night based on the day and campsite.
