The tradition of the bachelor party may date as far back as the 1800s.  The stereotype of a bachelor party is a last night of debauchery for the groom and his friends before the wedding but in more recent times soon to be grooms are looking to less traditional activities to mark their final days as bachelors.  While there are still would be grooms, who opt to spend the last hours before their wedding partying with alcohol and female exotic dancers, many men are choosing a less traditional route such as camping trips, sporting events, daredevil activities and even co-ed bachelor parties that include the soon to be bride and her friends.  These types of activities are much less likely to get the groom in trouble with his bride not to mention that they won’t leave the groom feeling too sick to even remember his wedding day.

Camping is one alternative to the traditional bachelor party.  You may choose to either rough it by backpacking to a location with only the gear on your back to help you survive the elements for a few days or you could choose to drive to a spa facility that offers well appointed cabins and five star gourmet meals.  Whichever option you choose, you are bound to have a great deal of time relaxing and enjoying the company of the rest of the participants in your bachelor party.  A camping trip offers the groom a quiet atmosphere to reflect with his friends on the journey he is about to take.  

Sporting events are another great alternative to the usual bachelor party ideas.  You may find that married life does not offer you as much free time to spend with your friends as you used to have so take this chance to enjoy a little bit of fun with your friends.  Whether you choose to partake in a sport of your choice or purchase tickets to see your favorite professional athletes it is sure to be a great opportunity to bond with your male friends in the last few days before your wedding.  It is wise to try choosing a sport that all of your guests will be able to participate in especially if you plan to include very young or very old guests.  In this situation playing a game of football may not be the best idea but taking everyone to play a round of golf might be an activity that all of the guest can enjoy.  

Still another activity that translates well into a bachelor party idea is getting a group of friends together to try an adrenaline pumping, activity geared for thrill seekers such as sky diving or white water rafting.  The exhilaration gained from these activities coupled with the fear factor makes them a perfect activity for bonding with your friends.  These daredevil activities will cause you and your friends to bond during the excitement leading up to the event as well as the thrill of accomplishing a new activity.  While these types of activities are great for male bonding, it is important to remember that they are risky activities and there is the danger that you might be hurt during these activities.  If this is your bachelor party idea of choice you might want to consider holding your bachelor party well in advance of your wedding to avoid last minute injuries that delay the wedding.  

Co-ed bachelor parties that coincide with the bachelorette party are becoming increasingly popular as well.  One common practice involving these adjunct parties is to have the bachelors and bachelorettes meet at separate restaurants for dinner and then join each other at a nightclub to cap off the night with some dancing and a few drinks.  These types of parties can be a great deal of fun because they allow both the bride and the groom some time apart to spend time with their friends and then they reunite the couple at the end of the night in a chance for them to spend time with all of their friends without the pomp and circumstance that is likely to accompany their wedding reception.  

The debauchery of stereotypical bachelor parties is not the only way to enjoy a fun-filled bachelor party that gives you the opportunity to bond with your friends.  Camping trips, sporting activities, extreme adventures and even co-ed bachelor parties are redefining the traditional bachelor party.  These bachelor party ideas not only serve to keep the groom out of trouble but also offer the opportunity to enjoy a new adventure.