The Best Destinations for a Lake Bachelorette Party

There are so many reasons a lakeside getaway is a wonderful bachelorette party idea. Escaping for a girls' weekend provides opportunities for glamping, boating, hanging poolside, and even decorating a lake house with bachelorette party favors. Bridal parties will enjoy bachelorette party games at night, while mornings will involve mimosas and brunches prepared by the maid of honor and bridesmaids.

If your group is outdoorsy, you can take part in plenty of activities in nature. In fact, lake destinations are idyllic year-round and can be personalized according to group preferences. In the fall and winter, you can cozy up by the fireplace or bonfire, and in the spring and summer, you can get out on the water. All year long, most lakes are located close to towns or cities for the best of both worlds: a rustic retreat or bustling adventure. In this guide, we feature six beloved lake destinations that have tons to offer for the perfect bachelorette weekend.

Lake George, New York

Located in the foothills of the Adirondacks, Lake George is the birthplace of the American vacation—and a scenic bachelorette party destination. Stay at the waterfront Scotty's Lakeside Resort, which includes boat rentals, a beach bar and cafe, a game room, water sport rentals (kayaks, paddle boats, stand up paddleboards, hydro bikes) and a pool. There's also the Sagamore Resort, located on a secluded 70-acre island with eight dining options (including a pool bar), a spa, a golf course, waterfront excursions and hiking trails.

If you prefer the lake house route, book a cozy rental home through Airbnb or VRBO. Summers are exceptional for group outings on the water. Book Tiki Tours, a 12-passenger BYOB tiki boat, or reserve a ride for up to 10 through Sunset Boat Charters. When you want to hear live music, visit Lake George Beach Club. Another hotspot is King Neptune's Bar & Grill, boasting three bars on three levels, a rooftop deck and a lakeside patio.

Lake Michigan, Michigan

Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes, has a water surface area of 22,300 square miles and borders Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Because it occupies so much space, you're likely wondering where to stay for your lake life bachelorette party. We recommend Bay Harbor, a picturesque neighborhood occupying five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor for a relaxing, luxurious waterfront retreat; the Inn has two golf clubs, a full-service spa and salon, dining options, biking, lawn games, a private yacht and winter amenities like snowshoeing and a VIP ski locker. The area also has stunning vacation rentals. In town, the Village at Bay Harbor offers more fun for your group—bars and restaurants, like Knot Just A Bar, Mammoth Distilling and Local, a pilates studio, shops and boutiques.

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, is an outdoor oasis. The lake region is split between North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe South (the latter offers more for a packed bachelorette party weekend, no matter the season). Tahoe South has many different accommodations—bed and breakfasts, cabins, hotels, vacation rentals and resorts. If the bride-to-be and the bridesmaids prefer a lively weekend, book a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Harveys Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Lake Tahoe or MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa Lake Tahoe. For a slower-paced getaway, book an idyllic lake house, like this Airbnb with delightful vistas.

If you're planning a summer bach, you'll likely want to get on the water. The Party Boat Lake Tahoe takes bachelorette and bachelor parties on private lake cruises to waterfront bars. There's also the Lake Tahoe Tiki Boat, which offers a water slide on one of its boats. If the bridal party prefers a classic red or white, Tahoe Tastings will take you around the lake while you sip eight Northern California wines. Groups will want to anchor and take Instagram-worthy photos on a giant flamingo float.

Lake Havasu, Arizona

Off the bat, Arizona's Lake Havasu has 400 miles of coastline, 300 days of sunshine and 60 miles of navigable waterways. Groups may choose to stay at Lake Havasu's only beachfront resort, the Nautical Beachfront Resort, which has three on-site restaurants, water sports (paddle boarding, boating, beaching, swimming, and fishing), a poolside bar, a lakeside bar and more.

A quick search on Airbnb around Lake Havasu City will show numerous options for large bachelorette parties. This booking, for example, can sleep up to 23 and has a heated pool and spa. Get out on the water with Cruisin Tikis Havasu. Another choice, Havasu Adventure Company, has pontoons, tritoons and double-decker boats with waterslides. Smaller groups can partake in a "sunset experience" by booking Sunset Charter & Tour Co. Come mealtime, dinner reservations are recommended at Angelina's Italian Kitchen, Barley Brothers Restaurant and Brewery, Casa Serrano Mexican Restaurant or Cha-Bones.

Finger Lakes, New York

Our fifth feature takes us back to New York—the Finger Lakes region, specifically. The Finger Lakes is comprised of 11 lakes between Syracuse, Rochester and Elmira-Corning. The region is well-known for wine, which is just one reason we love it for a bachelorette bash. Airbnb and VRBO have many lake houses available for large groups. (Check out this great Seneca Lake option directly on the water, with multiple decks and a hot tub.) The historic Belhurst Castle, located on Seneca Lake, is another accommodation option as this luxury property offers direct access to the winery.

Besties will want to dress up and head over to Ports Cafe for a relaxed and delicious dinner. On Cayuga Lake, wine tours are available through Water to Wine Tours. During the excursion, groups will want to visit three wineries over a five-to-six-hour window. The Finger Lakes also has a slew of breweries, cideries and distilleries, meaning you can satisfy all palates during your trip. If your crew wants to hang in a lively atmosphere, take an Uber to Downtown Ithaca (especially if Cornell University holds a special place in your heart). There, you'll find tons of restaurants, shops, boutiques and art galleries.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

The Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest's premier lake resort destination, with more than 1,150 miles of shoreline and 5 million annual visitors. For your bachelorette weekend, the best time to visit is the summer season, when water activities, bars and restaurants are in full swing. You'll want to check on protocols and safety measures across local properties and locations. For the party-loving group, Osage Beach at the Margaritaville Lake Resort is an option. Groups may want to also browse Airbnb or VRBO for the perfect lake house.

Bachelorette groups will want to book Playin Hooky At The Lake, a water taxi and charter service with a "Coconut Shuttle" to transport your group to a pool party at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill. The Howl at the Moon Bar Hop, which offers tours on Fridays and Saturdays, travels to popular nightlife spots. Other fun dining spots include Franky and Louie's, Shorty Pants Lounge and Marina and Dog Days Bar & Grill. When you're not eating, drinking and boating, you can take part in other Lake of the Ozarks activities, such as golfing, shopping, and rejuvenating in the spa.