January 26 2019 | Planning Tips

 

Before Walking Down the Aisle, 
Go Walkin’ (or Paddling) to New Orleans.

There was a time in New Orleans when grooms were expected to have bawdy bachelor parties in the French Quarter and brides had girly teas. Then, woman started demanding equal time on Bourbon Street and hit the cobblestoned streets running in their feathered boas and “Beignets, Booze and Besties” t-shirts. 

While those kind of gatherings are still popular and can be a lot of fun, more and more couples these days are opting to share the fun with a co-ed bachelor party in NOLA. It­ especially makes sense when you’re here before your destination wedding and only have so much time together before the nuptials. Here are some options for your co-ed bachelor party or weekend in the Big Easy:

Get wild in the wild on a swamp party boat or kayaks

Some swamp tour companies allow liquor and will let you rent airboats or traditional swamp boats for a private tour. Another great option is an adventure with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours which is a little bit more physical and can be lots of laughs.

Party on a New Orleans Pedal Barge

This is the bomb,  y'all. These boats feature 12 pedal seats that surround a center high-top table with built-in coolers. You pedal and drink your way along the canal in New Orleans and, if you want more party and less pedaling, they'll turn on the backup motor. Up to 18 people can ride. So much fun! Learn more.

Take a Cajun dancing or cooking class together

Just because it’s a party, doesn’t mean you can’t learn something. Head to Mulate’s to eat boiled crawfish and learn how to do the Cajun two-step. Or schedule an entertaining class at the New Orleans School of Cooking and learn how to gumbo or another "new favorite" dish.

Experience a burlesque brunch

SoBou, a member of the Commander’s Family of Restaurants in the French Quarter, features a Burlesque Brunch – “Legs and Eggs!” – on Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Enjoy three Creole courses priced between $29 and $36 with Bottomless Bellinis for $25 per person. Bella Blue, a world-famous burlesque dancer, performs to live music while you dine.

Design your own pub crawl

Spend the night hopping from bar to bar or club to club – spots like Bourbon Heat and Crescent City Brewhouse are great fun in the French Quarter. Make sure you stop at Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop for the “purple drank,” and sip an absinthe frappe at Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House. Photo courtesy of Crescent City Brewhouse.

Go to a festival

Weddings are a great excuse to go to French Quarter FestJazz FestEssence FestVoodoo Fest, or another New Orleans event as a group. Your friends will cherish this time together before your wedding and will talk about it for years to come. View New Orleans Event Calendar.

Photo courtesy of New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours

 

Go to Six Must Dos for Dudes

See Shake a Boa and Head to NOLA: Bachelorette Party Ideas

Read Sayonara to Singlehood: Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties

View Best New Orleans Cocktails