You wake up bleary eyed with a tiger in your bathroom, a strange baby strapped to your chest, and the heavyweight champ angrily banging on your hotel door. While that may sound like a good time for some, if you're a health conscious bachelor you'll want to skip recreating a scene from The Hangover. Instead, encourage your best man to choose one of these destinations for an action-packed bachelor party that you'll actually remember. The thrills will be just as exciting, and your recovery time will be a whole lot shorter.
If the thought of throwing yourself out of an airplane and hurtling 125 miles per hour toward the earth excites you, then you won't find a better place to do it. Brimming with symbolism since you're jumping into something new, you'll experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Colorado River from 15,000 feet above. Getting there is an easy drive from Utah, California, Phoenix and Las Vegas, and there are numerous camping, lodging, and dining options around Grand Canyon National Park. Be forewarned that skydiving operators will not host anyone who is visibly intoxicated, so this is activity is the perfect fit for the healthy bachelor party.
Golf in ScotlandTake your wolf pack to Scotland, the land where it all began. Start on the east coast of Scotland at St. Andrews for a memorable round - while the conditions aren't perfect, this "home of golf" gave birth to the modern sport way back in the 15 th century. Then head south to Turnberry's Alisa course on the Ayrshire coast, where you can see the ruins of Robert the Bruce's castle from the ninth hole - a great opportunity for you and your buddies to trade lines from Braveheart. Many courses are private or semi-private, so coordinating through a tour operator can help you secure access and the best tee times.
The Alps stretch nearly 1,000 miles across five countries, but Chamonix, France has something for everyone in your group. Known as the birthplace of extreme skiing, you'll find lots of big downhills, adrenaline-provoking vertical drops, and challenging rock climbing and cragging opportunities. Spend your downtime in the quaint-but-bustling mountain town of Chamonix, where you can refuel on luxurious French cuisine, the latest microbrews, or your favorite sushi roll.
October through February are the best surfing months in Puerto Rico, also known as the "Hawaii of the East." If you're looking for big waves, check out La Ocho, which is just outside of Old San Juan near Escambrón Beach. If your bachelor party includes some beginner surfers, try Pine Grove in Isla Verde for smaller waves with predictable sets. When you've had enough of the surf, rent a jet ski with a tour guide to explore the pristine tropical waters and can't-miss landmarks like the El Morro Fortress.
The upper section of the Gauley River in West Virginia becomes "The Beast of the East" every fall when water is released from the Summersville Dam. The result is an adventurous stretch of Class III through Class V rapids that are considered some of the best worldwide. Shoot the rapids with your crew, then enjoy miles of hiking trails along the river. Accommodations in the area range from camp sites and cabins to 5-star resorts, so you'll find options that fit your style.
Images courtesy of:
- Skydiving Grand Canyon, image courtesy of Paragon Skydive
- Golfing in Scotland, image courtesy of Turnberry.com
- Skiing in the Alps, image courtesy of The Telegraph
- Surfing in Puerto Rico, courtesy of Surfer Today Magazine
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- Rafting Gauley River, image courtesy of National Park Service
