Forget the wild bachelorette party at the bar. (Been there, done that.) Gather your girls and try something new!
Afternoon tea makes for an elegant bachelorette party. Enjoy quiche, tea sandwiches, desserts and iced or hot tea at The Picket Fence in Haddonfield – the indoor garden will thrill any Jane Austen fan.
Wine & Painting Party
Have an art party at Grounds For Sculpture. Tour the park’s 42 acres of artwork and lush landscaping before settling in for a painting party led by an instructor – with plenty of wine, of course.
Fondue Party
Your bridesmaids will be singing your praises after enjoying The Melting Pot’s endless cheese fondue. Order a cocktail from the vast drinks menu and split a pot or two of cheese with the table. And keep an eye on The Melting Pot’s calendar – the restaurant frequently host Craft & Fondue Nights, where you can enjoy cheese and chocolate fondue while creating a craft or painting under the guidance of an instructor.
Home design enthusiasts rejoice – if refurbishing furniture sounds better than painting a canvas, look to Soldier58 in Bordentown. We named the cool store a Best of SJ because it offers workshops and private parties to guide you through making new (or redoing old) furniture. Bring some wine, and you’ve got a party!
Follow a Wine Trail
Sip your way across SJ with the help of South Jersey Wine Tours. Customize your bachelorette party package and decide if you’d like to visit wineries only or include breweries, too. Each will include a facility tour and a stop in the tasting room, and you can add lunch or dinner to make it an all-day event. Or check the calendar at sjwinetrails.com for upcoming statewide Wine Trail Weekends, and go where you please.
Cooking Class
Bon appetit! Foodies and kitchen newbies alike can take part in a cooking class at In the Kitchen in Haddonfield. Private parties can make their own dishes, learn tricks of the trade from professional chefs and take home recipes for all prepared dishes.
Have your bridal party put their thinking caps on and work together to solve a theatrical murder mystery. Cape May’s Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities hosts several Victorian-era murder mystery weekends throughout the year, including two Sherlock Holmes cases.
Dance in the Vineyards
It’s a trip to the vineyard – with a twist (literally). South Jersey is home to plenty of vineyards that offer dance and yoga classes in the vineyards, always followed by a wine tasting. Check the calendar at the Garden State Wine Growers Association for dates.
Go Camping
Outdoorsy types shouldn’t be stuck inside for a bachelorette party when there’s so much in SJ to explore. Go canoeing or kayaking down Batsto River, then set up camp in Wharton State Forest. Look to The Pinelands Alliance for maps and guidelines about where and how to camp, plus a list of historic sites to visit.
Dance class
Get the blood pumping and the bachelorette weekend started with a dance class at Artists in Motion in Cherry Hill, where you can register for individual classes without having to be a member. Grab the girls and try a Zumba, Barre or even a ballet class.