When it comes to city trips with friends, the evenings are where things really come to life. They’re the times when you can really let your hair down and see a different side to the city you’ve been exploring all day. And regardless of whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a special event, or you just want a fun weekend away with friends, we’re going to give you some great evening ideas that won’t take over your stay but still stop you from having to spend the nighttime stuck in your hotel.
Book an Evening Walking Tour
The best stories are told after dark, and each city has those aspects that are kept from daytime visitors. The aim here is to join a group of like-minded individuals and learn some fun history facts, some pop culture references, i.e., the Harry Potter walking tour in cities in the UK, or to do a bar crawl. The aim of the tour isn’t the issue here; you can choose one that captures your interest. But doing a walking tour with a tour guide means you get to follow the narrative, experience aspects of the city you might otherwise not uncover, and you get to meet new people.
Book Dinner and a Show
If you don’t want to make plans yourself, then you can book preset dining options and a show with travel companies. Theatre districts often have packages like these ready to book prior to arrival, especially if you want to head to a restaurant close to the theatre, and it might be busy. And if you’re booking ahead, you can plan the rest of the trip around the evening, not the other way around, so you get maximum enjoyment. Whether you’re heading to Broadway or the West End, check out packages for dining and show tickets and put plans in place.
Choose a Themed Bar for the Night
Sometimes the appeal of bar hopping isn’t there, but choosing one bar to spend the entire evening in is a more valued choice. This way, you’re removing any friction from finding somewhere to sit, relax, and enjoy an hour without worrying about getting into somewhere else. You find different dynamics in different establishments in different cities. Whether you’re heading to a karaoke bar, a country music honky-tonk in Nashville, or you want something like a downtown cocktail bar as they have in San Diego, there are multiple choices in popular cities, and you simply book if required, turn up, and make your destination for the evening to really absorb the atmosphere.
Book a VIP Experience
Ideal for those celebrating something big, a VIP experience pre-booked not only guarantees you entry but gets you into more exclusive areas that general entry doesn’t allow for. You can book booths, add-on champagne packages, and more. In places like Miami or Ibiza, these are pretty commonplace, and booking prior to arrival means you can make accommodations for the night, enjoy it fully without having to rearrange plans or switch things around if the night takes on a different direction than you imagined.
For groups who don’t like drifting from venue to venue, it’s a great option, plus it makes the whole trip that little bit more special for the occasion.
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