Weekend away
If you’re looking for a weekend of lavishness and leisure, look no further than The Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Its “Ladies, Luxury and Libations” package includes two nights at the elegant hotel with access to the WELL Spa, an in-room movie complete with popcorn and soft drinks, four taxicab vouchers (consider, for example, a shopping outing in the Third Ward), and afternoon tea at Blu, the trendy martini bar atop the hotel with remarkable views of the city. But expect the most exciting sight to be in your suite—you and your party girls can choose between an in-room deluxe martini bar or a private wine tasting with the resident sommelier. Packages start at $599 for double occupancy.
Day spa
At the Day Spa in De Pere, nothing is left to chance in the quest for total relaxation. Begin or end your soirée in a secluded cottage just steps from the main sanctuary. This private haven can serve as a retreat while you await the spa’s exceptional services, which can be customized to your needs or left to the professionals to create a relaxation and beautification plan that works for everyone. Get the royal treatment with the “Girl’s Day Out” package, where you’ll enjoy a cocoon water experience, a Swedish massage and an express facial. The bride-to-be can relax with the “Bridal Stress Relief” package, which includes an anti-stress treatment, French spa manicure and spa pedicure. “Attention to all of the special details is what we’re all about,” says event coordinator Jennifer Schmitz, who will help you select a catered menu and create packages that help you get gorgeous, inside and out.
River cruise
If a scenic ride down the river sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your fast-approaching nuptials, take your party on the water with the Foxy Lady in Green Bay. Join the cocktail cruise Friday or Saturday night, and for $21 per person, you’ll spend two hours sipping cocktails and taking in the sights from a luxurious yacht on the Fox River. Make it a private event by reserving one of the ship’s two salons for $650 or the entire boat for $1,150. Menu options are also available for a sit-down dinner.
Brewery tour
Be true to your roots and share the well-known Wisconsin love of quality beer. Take your crew to the Lakefront Brewery in downtown Milwaukee and enjoy an hour-long tour of the scenic distillery while sampling a collection of Wisconsin’s tastiest brews. For $6 a person you and your gal pals can learn the ins and outs of fermenting beer, taste at least four different Lakefront creations and bring home a new pint glass for your collection. Parties of more than 15 people can request a private tour, but don’t be surprised if the guide gets personal and pokes fun at the bride-to-be. “This is not a tour where we act like a corporate entity,” says Chris Ranson, director of tour operations. “It’s fun. It’s personal. It’s relaxed.” If you’re lucky you may even be named the Bung Queen—an honorary position traditionally given the distinctive task of pounding a wooden bung into an old-fashioned keg. If you’re looking for more fun on the water, sign up for the River Walk Brewery Boat Tour, where you can taste brews from three Wisconsin favorites: the Ale House, Lakefront Brewery and Rock Bottom. Three cheers for that!
Spa getaway
Cascading waterfalls, flowing baths and pulsating water massages—sound enticing? It doesn’t get more relaxing than a weekend of total opulence at the Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club. With Destination Kohler’s “Girlfriends Getaway” package, your party can enjoy access to the spa and a two-night stay at the Carriage House, located directly above the spa, for $299 in winter, $489 in summer. Take advantage of the two $50 gift cards you’ll receive for select Kohler shops and reap the therapeutic benefits of water with discounted services at the spa. “Each of the spas is based on hydrotherapy,” says Jean Kolb, director of wellness. “We’ve created unique and leading-edge water experiences for our guests.” Get pampered with a massage, facial or a manicure and pedicure, and just sit back, relax and let water work its magic.
Pole dancing lessons
Forget expensive lingerie—there’s a new way to prepare for your wedding night. Surprise your new hubby with a few steamy steps you’ll pick up on the dance floor from the movers and shakers at Miss Pole, located in Brookfield, Kenosha and Madison. Treat your girlfriends and yourself to an hour-and-a-half party, with lessons on pole dancing, lap dancing and a strip tease (oh my!). Prices start at $245 for up to seven people, and the New Berlin location can accommodate socializing before or after. Lead instructor Emma Johnson swears that by the end of the session, you’ll not only feel the burn in your bum and tum, you’ll be ready to put your own twist on the trend and perform routines using the pole and even a chair. How you choose to show off your new moves and sleek dancer’s body is up to you.
Door County
If you think the finest grapes this side of the Atlantic are only in Napa Valley, think again. Take your party to Door County and the Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery in Sturgeon Bay. At the state’s largest vineyard you’re certain to find a bottle that will make the trek worth your while. With the option of private tours or free guided tours and a free tasting of four different selections—the Untouchable Red deserves an enthusiastic nod—you’ll be thirsting for more. While you’re there, turn your trip into a gentle workout with a bike ride through Peninsula State Park, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor or the Door County Confectionery—the perfect way to top off a weekend of indulgence.
Yoga classes
If your idea of saying goodbye to the single life doesn’t involve saying hello to a hangover, Bliss Flow Yoga, on the outskirts of Madison, has got your guru. Enjoy a private, hour-long Vinyasa yoga class with your buddies, and reward yourself afterward with a catered meal including your choice of tasty delights such as mini quiche and poached shrimp. “We can do absolutely anything that the bride is looking for,” says owner Angela Gargano. “So often bachelorette parties are about drinking. This is an alternative for those who are looking for something healthy and fun.” Consider adding additional options like a chair massage, spa treatments, manicures and pedicures, and even a chocolate tasting. Prices vary based on selections.
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