If your idea of a good time is live music, wine tasting, shopping, two-stepping, repeat—then deep in the heart of Texas is exactly where to throw your bachelorette party. The destination delivers larger-than-life experiences (because everything’s bigger in Texas, of course), so your group can go all out with a celebration.
With so many action-packed parts of the state, you may get your tassels in a twist trying to discern which is best for you. Consider us your matchmaker—below are four cities and itineraries picked specifically for your interests. All you have to do is grab your friends and put on your cowboy boots.
Austin
Known for its street art, university-town vibes, fun swimming holes, and classic barbecue, Austin is creative, quirky, and welcoming. Thanks to nearly 300 days of sunshine, you can slay this staple any time of year. But perhaps its biggest draw is the music—Austin is known as the live-music capital of the world, after all. And with more than 250 venues to feel the beat, the city lives up to its reputation.
The Itinerary
Get your groove on at a good ole fashioned honky-tonk, club, arena, or festival. Bring the party to Midnight Cowboy (if you can find it). The hidden speakeasy serves creative cocktails and Prohibition-style swag. In between all the nightlife, rejuvenating with some retail therapy is a must. Head to South Congress Avenue/Music Lane where chic clothing boutiques—like LoveShackFancy and Sunroom—converge with artisan shops such as Curia Arcanum’s House of Curiosities. If a little fresh air and hair of the dog are what’s needed, get out in nature by wending your way along the Hill Country wine trail, where 50 vineyards offer tasty sips and soul-soothing country scenery. Some time on the water will also do you well, so check out the Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake, where you can sit pretty as your posse paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes you like a queen.
Houston
In Houston, southern hospitality meets urban sophistication—with a smorgasbord of things to do in between. From hot spots, historic saloons, and hipster hangouts to a thriving performing arts and museum scene, America’s fourth-most populous city has so much to do for your last hurrah as a singleton. And it’s a cinch to get around town thanks to the METRORail, which stops at key areas all over the city.
The Itinerary
Really, can you even say you went to Texas without coming home clad in shiny new cowboy boots? Republic Boot Co. will have you kickin’ up your heels in no time. Once your group is fully outfitted, hit a honky-tonk like Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon to practice your two-step under the glow of a glimmering cowboy boot-shaped disco ball. While you’re in the Wild West spirit, buckle in and saddle up on the mechanical bull at Stampede Cocktail Club. Following a night of corn-fed Texas fun, take it down a notch poolside at Hotel ZaZa, a chic boutique hotel where you and your girls can rent a cabana and laze the day away. And to officially restore you back to life, let the pros at Fiori Spa work their magic hands from head to toe. Don’t skip a dip in the underground thermal saltwater pool.
Marfa
Located in West Texas, smack dab in the middle of the desert, this little town with a lot of soul attracts its share of cool kids and art aficionados. Opportunities for ~content~ abound—from funky art installations and film sets to the mysterious Marfa lights and roads to nowhere. It’s the perfect place to have a low(ish)-key sophisticated celebration with your besties.
The Itinerary
It’s all about the art scene in this creative hub. Galleries galore, eclectic installations, and museums like the Chinati Foundation feature the minimalist and modernist styles for which Marfa is famous. To get up close and personal with the true locals, grab your gang and spend a day at Marfa Maid Goat Cheese, where you can cuddle up to the animals and sample their bounty. Thanks to Prada Marfa, which looks like the iconic couture storefront but in fact is an art installation, you might think the area is full of haute brands, but in fact, it’s a haven for small artisan shops. Clad your crew at Communitie and stock up on locally made leather goods at Skóra Marfa. Take your girls for a taste at Marfa Spirit Co., where you can sip signature cocktails and enjoy the scenery (inside and out). When day turns to night, have the sleepover of a lifetime under the mysterious Marfa Lights in a glam tent at El Cosmico.
Fort Worth
The intersection of cowboys and culture, Fort Worth has the fringe benefits of city living and country vibes with a thriving rodeo scene and renowned museums. The city has a pulsating nightlife scene, while ranching reigns supreme. It’s the ultimate do-it-all region.
The Itinerary
Start your trip on the well-worn brick streets of the Stockyards historic hub, where cowboys, cattlemen, and outlaws once roamed. You can catch the twice-daily Fort Worth Herd cattle drive or get in on real rodeo action at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. While you’re on a country kick, win the West by suiting up in its best getups. Mule Alley, once horse and mule barns, now delivers all the shopping for a cowgirl swagger. Also worth a stroll is Sundance Square, a 37-square-block downtown destination, with its fair share of old-school Texas couture and contemporary brands. When you work up an appetite, go for some true Texas BBQ at the Woodshed Smokehouse. Cap off the night by seeing what’s brewing at a Western-style saloon. Billy Bob’s Texas, dubbed the world’s largest honky-tonk, is like three cow pastures’ worth of fun, complete with an indoor rodeo with live bull riding and a dance floor that rivals the length of a stadium. And because you can’t leave the Lone Star State without getting out on the range, hop on horseback, at one of the many area stables, and ride off into the sunset with your squad.