Get Miami vibes without hopping on a plane at American Beech in Greenport. Photo: American Beech
Some people find the four-day stint in Vegas, complete with bottle service and gambling away a month’s rent, to be a rite of passage when preparing to tie the knot. For others, staying relatively local and taking advantage of what the New York area has to offer can be an ideal way to spend a bachelor or bachelorette party. I’ve narrowed down four itineraries, many LGBTQ+ friendly, all within a three-hour drive or train ride from New York City. So whether you’ve been tasked with finding a “woodsy” restaurant that takes reservations for twelve people, or are in need of a list of coastal activities that don’t include breaking the bank in the Hamptons, you’ll find the perfect destination here for your posse.
Kontakosta has a bluff bar for sips overlooking the Long Island Sound. Photo: Kontakosta
Greenport, NY (North Fork): 3 Hours from NYC
What to do
On the farthest tip on the North Folk of Long Island lies Greenport, an idyllic old fishing village that’s filled with wineries and possibly most famous for its oysters. Chock full of fishing boats in the summer months, take an environmentally-friendly private tour of the harbor with your gang on the GLORY. If you can only squeeze in one winery, I recommend Kontokosta Winery as its sprawling hills are perfect for a picnic with wine tasting. Prefer beer over wine? Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. is a happening spot with live music almost every day. If you’re looking for a pampering activity, book your group for tea, manicures and a massage at the stately old Victorian home that now houses Special Effects Salon.
Where to eat
To start your weekend on the right note, head to Lucharitos for a colorful Mexican lunch of tacos and tequila. With Greenport being known for its mollusks, your dinner plans should probably include oysters. Try The Frisky Oyster, a cozy spot for dinner and a cocktail. I’m a big fan of Ellen’s on Front for seafood and standard American cuisine as well. They both take reservations, so you’ll be all set to keep things on time and moving with a large group.
Greenport Farmers Market, open every Saturday from May to October, is the perfect pitstop on your way to a winery, brewery, boat trip, or really anywhere you’re going to need snacks. Why not do as the locals do, and get fresh and locally sourced ingredients for your picnic?
Where to stay
Greenport’s charm extends to its lodging options as well. There are plenty of Airbnb homes that house any size party, like this one with a private pool and location close to the beach, or a larger one in the heart of downtown sleeping up to fourteen guests. Or you could go the boutique hotel route and book the tropical American Beech, which also has a restaurant, an outdoor bar and the Beech Lounge (which takes reservations for groups as small as 10).
The colorful garden at BackBar in Hudson is open year-round, with a fireplace inside to take the chill off in winter. Photo: BackBar
Hudson, NY: 2.5 Hours from NYC
What to do
As one of the most robust towns along the Hudson Valley in terms of accommodations, shopping, and restaurants, you’ll have your fair share of activities to choose from in Hudson. The town’s large queer community and number of queer-owned businesses makes it a perfect place for a LGBTQ+ bachelor or bachelorette party, too. No matter what your party wants to do, there’s something that caters to everyone’s taste in a weekend upstate. From taking a tour of the Kinderhook Farm to meet the animals, to a visit to the Suarez Family Brewery for beer in their taproom, to a hike up to the dramatic views at High Falls, there’s a lot to choose from. I recommend perusing this directory of all of the shops in Hudson prior to your visit, our own guide to Hudson, as well as checking out the Hudson Valley Bucket List Bachelorette Tour if you’re looking for a guided tour of vineyards, cideries, and other cultural offerings of the Hudson Valley.
Where to eat
Lil Deb’s Oasis, which calls itself an “ongoing restaurant/installation/performance project,” takes reservations for parties of six or more, and I highly recommend booking a lunch or dinner at this lively establishment to set the mood for the weekend. Nurse your hangover the next morning with a locally sourced brunch at Grazin Diner. Another evening favorite is BackBar, which serves Southeast Asian food and natural wines. It has a blissful backyard to enjoy cocktails in and takes reservations for parties of six or more. Looking to cozy up and stay in one night or in need of a packed lunch for a winery tour? I love Talbot and Arding as a catering option for high-end cheeses and other provisions.
Where to stay
You’ll have your choice of a few boutique hotels in the heart of Hudson, or houses in the greater town radius. Wm. Farmer and Sons boasts different types of rooms throughout several buildings downtown and has become one of the staples of Hudson. And there are plenty of Airbnb options depending on the size of your party. A few of my favorites are a home that sleeps nine with a well-equipped kitchen, an elegant historic house that sleeps ten, or a mansion sleeping up to twelve!
Start the weekend with a tour and tasting at Philadelphia Distilling, a craft distillery of spirits like Bluecoat Gin and Tough Broad Whiskey. Photo: Philadelphia Distilling
Philadelphia, PA: 2 Hours from NYC
What to do
This itinerary is mostly centered around the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. With Forbes deeming it America’s hottest new neighborhood of 2018 and it being a mere two hour drive from Brooklyn along the Delaware River, I think it’s got more than enough to offer for a guy’s weekend (though you could certainly tailor it for your girl gang, or use our guide to South Philly instead). Start off at Philadelphia Distilling where you can book a tour and tasting in advance. Then head to Barcade for vintage video games and a beer. Or try your hand at SugarHouse Casino, Philly’s first casino, and located right along the Delaware River waterfront.
Where to eat
After dropping off your bags, kick off your first night in Philly at Frankford hall for food and beer in a communal beer garden setting, then continue on to one of the city’s most famous establishments, Hop Sing Laundromat. The following day, grab a pick-me-up at La Colombe, which originated in Philly. And by pick-me-up, it probably depends on what time you’re waking up after a long night out. They offer morning coffee and transition to afternoon beers. Why not just keep beer at every meal the running theme of the weekend? Book a table at Urban Village Brewing Co. or Yards Brewing Taproom for a night of pizza and bar food.
Where to stay
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons is a boutique hotel in the Fishtown neighborhood with four unique rooms, so depending on your party size, you could book the entire place. And of course, there are plenty of Airbnb options, like this penthouse that sleeps eight or this cheerful twelve-person home with a patio and roof deck.
You could probably spend your entire weekend in Asbury Park at the Asbury Hotel, with its pool, rooftop bar, concerts and films, just two blocks from the beach. Photo: Asbury Hotel
Asbury Park, NJ: 1.5 Hours from NYC
What to do
Sure, we all know Asbury Park’s glory days of Bruce Springsteen and the boardwalk. So to fully appreciate what this funky beach town has to offer, I recommend checking what musicians will be playing at The Stone Pony venue while you’re there, walking the boardwalk to get your fill of some of the most satisfying people-watching you’ll ever experience, and lay out at the beach. If you’re in need of a more structured activity, book in advance a trip around Asbury Park on the Pedacycle, a fifteen-seater party bike that will do the work for you in terms of stopping at all of the best local watering holes in town. Or schedule a group surf lesson with Lucky Dog Surfing. The queer scene in Asbury, which dates back to the 1930s, is still strong, with New Jersey’s Pride celebration taking place the first weekend of June and parties throughout the year at places like Georgie’s and the Asbury Hotel.
Where to eat
You could aimlessly wander the boardwalk for food, which is an activity in itself. Or you could take some recommendations. Porta serves gourmet Neapolitan pizza, Cardinal Provisions is the holy grail of Asbury Park brunch, (you can’t go wrong with anything there, but probably need to try their mile-high chicken and waffles), Asbury Oyster Bar is perfect for some lowkey fresh seafood with their doors swung open to the nightlife, and Robinson Ale House is for a slightly more upscale experience for brunch or dinner, with leatherback plush seating and a long list of beer, wine, and cocktail options.
Where to stay
The Asbury Hotel is the mothership of all the hotels in the area. You could probably just spend your whole weekend there swimming in the pool, eating at their multiple restaurants, and sipping cocktails and watching outdoor films on their rooftops. Or if you’re looking for something with direct access to the beach and in the center of the music scene, The Berkeley is going to be your destination. It comes with a pool as well, and is a short walk to The Stone Pony.
