How to do a bachelor(ette) trip to Hamilton for under $800

Jun 26 2018, 9:45 am

For the soon-to-be-married set, epic destination bachelorette and bachelor parties are so hot right now. Bringing all of your closest friends together for an unforgettable trip before you tie the knot is the perfect 

While bigger cities remain popular bachelorette and bachelor party options, it’s pricey and tougher to rally the troops once you’re deep within its bustling core. That’s why having a bachelorette in a smaller, unexpected city is a fun – and usually more affordable – option.

We teamed up with Swoop to show you how to do a thrifty bachelor or bachelorette party in Hamilton, Ontario AKA The Waterfall Capital of the World – from late afternoon Friday, to Sunday morning.

The Flight

Whether they’re coming from Alberta or Halifax, a flight to Hamilton won’t break the bank for guests. For friends flying in from Abbotsford, round-trip flights to Hamilton cost $385.92 (total price*) for the weekend of July 13 to 15 2018 (for example). From Edmonton, a round-trip is around $493.09 (total price*); from Halifax, it’s around $380; and from Winnipeg, a round trip is just $249.47 (total price*) for the weekend.

*Prices shown are reflective of a round-trip itinerary, including all taxes and fees, when booked on June 26, for travel on July 13-15, 2018. Prices are examples only and subject to availability at time of booking.

Total cost: Average price of $377 per person

The Accommodation

Compared to urban centres like Toronto New York, and Miami, stays at relatively decent hotels in Hamilton costs a lot less. For example, at the centrally located Hamilton Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, rooms average $129 per night – about half of what you’d pay at a centrally-located Toronto hotel.

If your guests partner-up, $129 each is a decent price to pay for a place to call home for 48 hours. An added bonus on the budget front is the hotel’s free continental breakfast – perfect for Sunday morning. The hotel features a fitness centre, spa, and indoor pool.

Total cost: $150 per person

The Food

Thanks to an influx of young professionals who have been priced out of the Toronto market, Hamilton’s restaurant and bar scene has never been stronger. Luckily, there are some great spots for meals that won’t dent the wallet.

To kick off Friday evening, dinner at Brux House Craft Beer & Kitchen makes for a solid option for your guests to break the ice over cocktails and quality eats. Here, the filling main courses range from $17 to $29.

The next morning, fuel up with a quick breakfast at Jet Café (located right downtown) to kick of the weekend. At this comforting spot, you can enjoy a hearty meal for $10. You and your party can choose from all-day breakfast, omelettes, home-made soups, hot entrées, sandwiches, smoothies, and incredible coffee.

For a feast of pho for about $15 (including tax), head to beloved Vietnamese spot Pho Dui Bo for lunch, which has three locations in Hamilton. Here, you’ll find stir-fries worth writing home about and are perfect pick-me-ups for any lingering hangovers.

For a quality Mexican dinner in Hamilton that won’t break the bank, hit Mezcal. Here, you can mow down on an assortment of tacos – which include everything from crispy cauliflower to wild boar and pork jowl for $6.75 each. To complement the quality eats, if you stick to the basics, you can enjoy shots of tequila for $5 a pop, beer for $6.50, and a rotating selection of affordable wine.

Total Cost: $140 per person

The Experiences

On Saturday, shake off the evening’s festivities with a hike and visit to some of the beautiful waterfalls that surround the Hamilton area. There are over a hundred waterfalls of every type within minutes of the downtown core. If you’re seeking convenience (and a cheaper Uber ride), Albion Falls and its surrounding nature trails are just a 16-minute drive from the downtown core.

Post-hike, you can keep the activity with a walk along Hamilton’s waterfront. To reward yourself for the calories burned, a group stop at the Hamilton Waterfront Scoops Ice Cream Parlour is definitely a good call before things get any rowdier.

After dinner and a few drinks, everyone should be in the mood for an old-fashioned karaoke session. At King Karaoke, the dive bar-like feel and cheap drink prices will help the letting loose cause of your guests, as they belt out nostalgic favourites.

Total cost: About $50 per person, depending on the size of the party (for karaoke). Nature is free.

The Nightlife

Luckily, Hamilton has some spots where you can let loose the way you did back in university (ok, not quite), complete with university bar prices.

The Brain Bar offers a fun, wild, eclectic dive bar feel, complete with affordable drinks. Other options for places with affordable(ish) drinks include the craft beer-filled The Ship, Two Black Sheep (where craft beer options start at $6 and 4pm to 6pm guests can enjoy Buck-And-A-Bit A Shuck oysters), and, for a pub vibe, The Cat ‘N’ the Fiddle.  

Total cost: ~$80 for both nights per person, depending on the wildness of said night.

In total, for a weekend away in Hamilton – a city where you can shamelessly get silly without bumping in your boss – you can have a fun bachelor or bachelorette party for about  $767 per person. (We didn’t calculate booze or taxi costs; that’s more of a Choose Your Own Adventure type of situation. You do you.)

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