Planning a Private New Year’s or Friendsgiving Getaway

Key takeaways

• No one has to host. At Edenwood, the cooking, dishes and late-night cleanup no longer fall on whoever owns the biggest house, because the whole group shares a full lodge kitchen.
• The weekend doesn’t end after dessert. Friendsgiving can grow from a three-hour dinner into a weekend of slow mornings, fire pits and catching up, with everyone sleeping under one roof.
• A quiet countdown on 400 private acres. Ring in the new year without packed bars, cover charges or reservations. Midnight looks however your group wants it to.
• Elk and fallow deer at the dinner-party view. Edenwood is a private wildlife preserve, so your group may spot elk, fallow deer and whitetaile, something no rented house in town can offer.
• Everyone gets their kind of weekend. With e-bikes, skiing, snowshoeing, UTV rentals, hiking and guided hunts on site, the group can split up during the day and regroup for dinner.
• Bedroom math that works. The Main Lodge gives every bedroom its own bathroom, which removes the biggest headache of group trips.

 

When was the last time your whole group actually got to spend a weekend together? And we don’t mean just meeting up for dinner one night and going home after. We’re talking about a few days spending quality time with one another when you have nowhere else to be. If you’re having to pause and actually think about it, then the answer is that it’s probably been too long!

That’s exactly why Friendsgiving and New Year’s are great excuses to plan a trip to Edenwood Ranch. Not that you need an excuse, but if it gets your group chat going, then we are all for it. Instead of forcing everyone into someone’s house or booking a bunch of separate hotel rooms, you can stay together, cook together, explore the ranch, and actually have time to catch up.

And for the record, Edenwood isn’t your typical cabin rental- our ranch itself is part of the getaway! So all that to say, if you’ve been searching for a private group getaway in Wisconsin, this might be your sign to start a new holiday tradition!

 

Turn Friendsgiving Into a Full Weekend

We love a good Friendsgiving dinner, but honestly, all that cooking for only a few hours together seems like a lot of work. Why not make a weekend out of it? Several of our lodging options include full kitchens, which means everyone can bring a dish, take over the kitchen, and make dinner together. Then, instead of everyone packing up their stuff and going home after finishing dessert, you can keep the night going. A Friendsgiving weekend at Edenwood could include:

• Cooking a big meal together
• Exploring the ranch before dinner
• Watching for deer, elk, and other wildlife- bring your camera!
• Playing cards or board games
• Sitting around the fire with drinks and dessert
• Sleeping in and enjoying a slow morning the next day

The All-American Lodge is especially great for groups. It includes four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, living and dining space, shuffleboard, and an indoor woodstove. Basically, you can have the whole Friendsgiving experience without one person having to host everyone at their house.

 

New Year’s Without the Crowds

Surely this heading alone caught your attention. New Year’s with no crowds? Yeah, that’s a no-brainer. New Year’s Eve can be fun, but sometimes the packed bars, expensive reservations, and crowded events are…a lot. If that isn’t really your group’s thing, then we have just the place for you.

At Edenwood, New Year’s Eve can be whatever you want it to be. You can make a big dinner, bring your favorite drinks, play games, sit around the fire, stay up until midnight, or fall asleep on the couch at 10:30. Then wake up on January 1st, make some coffee, throw on your comfiest clothes, and enjoy a slow morning at the ranch.  Honestly, that doesn’t sound like a bad way to start a new year.

 

This Isn’t Your Typical Cabin Rental

Sure, there are plenty of places where you can rent a cabin for the weekend. But Edenwood Ranch is a little different, if you can’t already tell by what we’ve said so far.  When you stay here, the property itself is part of the trip.

Edenwood sits on 400 private acres, giving your group room to explore, relax, and spend time together (or all do your own thing) without feeling like you’re staying in a tiny resort or surrounded by other vacation rentals. When you stay with us, you’ll never have to worry about sharing space with a crowd or dealing with obnoxious vacationers!

 

More Than Just a Place to Stay

One of our favorite things about Edenwood is that you don’t have to spend your getaway loading everyone into cars and driving from one attraction to the next. There’s plenty to do right here! Depending on the season and what your group is in the mood for, we’ve got:

• Fat Tire E-Bikes
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Guided hunting excursions
• Bird watching
• Hiking
• UTV rentals
• And more!

You can view all of the activities available at Edenwood here. It’s great to have so many options when you’re traveling with a group because not everyone has to do the same thing all day.

 

Cabin Options That Actually Work for Groups

Anyone who has been in charge of a group trip knows this part can be the hardest piece to plan. Someone wants their own room, no one wants to sleep on a couch, no one wants to share a bathroom, etc. Edenwood gives groups with this dilemma options. Depending on which lodging option you choose, you can have:

• Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms
• Full kitchens
• Large living and dining spaces
• Indoor woodstoves
• Plenty of space for meals, games, and hanging out
• Several cabins located right on the property
• Pets

The Main Lodge includes four private bedrooms with private bathrooms, along with a kitchen, bar area, dining area, and plenty of gathering space. The Hillside Cabin offers approximately 3,700 square feet of space with a full kitchen, dining room, living room, and woodstove. So when you’re searching for a cabin rental for groups in Wisconsin, think about more than where everyone will sleep!

 

Making New Traditions

Every group has those traditions that somehow start one year and then just stick. Maybe Friendsgiving at Edenwood becomes yours, or maybe your group decides that every New Year’s, instead of dealing with crowds and reservations, you’re packing up and heading to the ranch. Either way, the whole point is getting more time together.

At Edenwood Ranch & Preserve, your cabin isn’t just a place to sleep- it’s where you cook breakfast, sit around talking way too late, play games, relax, and make the memories you’ll probably still be laughing about next year. If you’re ready for a private group getaway in Wisconsin, bring your favorite people and come spend a few days with us. Start planning your Friendsgiving or New Year’s getaway at Edenwood Ranch today.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Edenwood lodging is best for a Friendsgiving dinner?
A: The All-American Lodge is built for it, with a full kitchen, living and dining space, an indoor woodstove for after-dinner hangouts and shuffleboard for some friendly competition. The Hillside Cabin is a strong alternative, offering about 3,700 square feet with a full kitchen, dining room and woodstove.

Q: We have couples in our group who want their own bathroom. What should we book?
A: The Main Lodge. Each of its four bedrooms has a private bathroom, so no one has to wait in a hallway line on New Year’s morning.

Q: Can our group cook its own holiday meal?
A: Yes. Several lodges include full kitchens, so everyone can bring a dish or take over a course, potluck style.

Q: Is Edenwood a good alternative to a crowded New Year’s Eve out?
A: That’s the idea. There are no crowds or reservations to manage and no late-night drive home. Stay up for midnight around the fire, or call it early and enjoy a slow January 1st on the ranch.

Q: What can our group do during the day?
A: Depending on the season and conditions, options include fat tire e-bikes, UTV rentals, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, bird watching, group games and guided hunts. Since everything is on the property, nobody has to coordinate carpools.

Q: Will we see wildlife?
A: There’s a good chance! Edenwood is a private preserve home to elk, fallow deer and whitetail deer, so bring a camera on your walk.

Q: Can we bring our dog?
A: Pets are welcome in some lodging options for an added fee, so confirm when booking which cabin fits your four-legged guest.

Q: Can Friendsgiving or New Year’s at Edenwood become an annual tradition?
A: Plenty of groups do just that. Booking the same weekend each year makes it easier to lock in your preferred lodge before holiday dates fill up.