5 Great Party Destinations

By Charis Atlas Heelan

Reward yourself with a stress-free vacation in one of these five best cities for partying and celebrating. Whether you're planning a girlfriend getaway or a weekend of male bonding, you can't go wrong with a trip to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami Beach, New York City, or Montego Bay, Jamaica. In each of these cities, flirting is basically mandatory.

Photo Caption: Partying at the Paris Theater on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Photo by alexdecarvahlo/Flickr.com

Cliché? Yes. Boring? Never. Las Vegas is a town designed for indulgence and naughtiness. With no clocks to tie you down, you and your gang can gamble, drink, and party from dusk till dawn -- and then start all over again.

Classic Party Ideas: Once you've had your fill of the ritzy hotels and casinos along the Strip, venture downtown for some old-school Vegas and Rat Pack nostalgia. Throw the dice at Binion's Horseshoe Casino (www.binions.com) and down a few dozen 99-cent shrimp cocktails at The Golden Gate (www.goldengatecasino.com). For something hand-rolled (cigar that is), take a puff at Don Yeyo's Cigar Factory (www.donyeyo.com) and club-hop along Fremont Street East.

Photo Caption: Inside Jet Nightclub at the Mirage Resort in Vegas.

For some visitors to New Orleans, Mardi Gras lasts all year long. Bourbon Street will certainly keep you and your posse entertained with music, late-night drinking, and Louisiana-style partying. (Even when it isn't Mardi Gras, people are only too happy to do outrageous stuff for those colorful beads.) Though most of the action is concentrated on Bourbon Street, you can easily take the party with you in one of the ubiquitous "go cups."

Classic Party Ideas: Down a Hurricane or two at Pat O'Brien's (www.patobriens.com); embarrass yourself singing karaoke at The Cat's Meow (www.catskaraoke.com); and sample a few more drinks at Razzoo Bar & Patio (www.razzoo.com).

Photo Caption: The crowd dances to Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street in New Orleans.

The original city for "vice," Miami's South Beach has all the ingredients for a fun-filled getaway -- sunshine, beaches, hot girls and boys, fast cars, celebrity sightings, sports, and top-notch restaurants and bars. Don't expect to get much sleep here.

Classic Party Ideas: Start your evening among the beautiful people at Nikki Beach Club (www.nikkibeach.com). Make sure you save time and money for a few drinks at the Delano Hotel (www.delano-hotel.com), where you can enjoy cocktails by the pool or inside at the Rose Bar. Rent a classic convertible and cruise Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue before heading to one of the many nightclubs in the area.

Photo Caption: Partying in South Beach, Miami. Photo by alexdecarvahlo/Flickr.com

The city that never sleeps can keep your group entertained 24/7. You also don't have to worry about driving as those taxis and subways will get you around all night.

Classic Party Ideas: Plenty of New York City's best rooftop bars and terraces are open all year long. For more casual gatherings, get down and dirty at McSorley's Old Ale House (www.mcsorleysnewyork.com), a bar known as much for its beer as the sawdust on the floor. Whether you're a group of guys or girls, it's worth seeing new Knicks star Carmelo Anthony shoot hoops at Madison Square Garden. Come spring, take in a Yankees or Mets game. No matter when you visit New York, you'll have your pick of activities, bars, and restaurants in popular neighborhoods like the Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, or the emerging Flatiron District.

Photo Caption: At the Standard Hotel on Washington Street in the Meatpacking District, New York. Photo by Max Braun/Flickr.com

Mix perpetual sunshine and gorgeous beaches with cheap rum, and you'll end up with a chilled-out party in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Less than four hours from New York City, Montego Bay's daytime activities and nightlife scene prove that the Caribbean isn't just for honeymooners.

Classic Party Ideas: Go to Rose Hall Resort (www.rosehallresort.com) for all the testosterone you can muster while waterskiing, parasailing, kayaking, diving, and more. Hit the Aquasol Theme Park at Walter Fletcher beach for go-karting; Tryall Golf Resort (www.tryallclub.com) has 18 holes with oceanfront views. At night, hit the hip strip of Gloucester Avenue and the Coral Cliff Gaming Lounge (www.coralcliffjamaica.com), which serves free drinks while you gamble.

Photo Caption: Waiting for a drink in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Photo by Christine Andrews/Frommers.com Community