By Jessica Riggio | Photo by Holly Leitner
A riel Kopac had planned a beautiful winter wedding for February, but she wanted a summertime bachelorette getaway, complete with warm evenings, dreamy drinks and daytime boating shenanigans. She found everything she wanted and more in the Geneva Lake area during the first week of August, when flowers are in full bloom, the weather is warm and lazy lake days are prime. And Kopac is not alone: over the past decade, the Geneva Lake area has become increasingly popular as a destination for bachelor- and bachelorette-themed getaway weekends.
“What we’ve really seen — and this aligns with overall national trends — is that the trend has changed post-Covid, and everything is moving towards experiential travel,” explains Brandon McConnell, corporate executive of marketing for Lake Lawn Resort and the Delavan Lake Resort. “We’re seeing groups coming to the area that are, of course, planning that night out in downtown Lake Geneva, that’s always going to be a popular activity. But they’re discovering that the wider area has so much to offer.”
Dan Crooker, executive director of sales at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, agrees. “Lake Geneva is a prime location to enjoy celebrating with friends and family for a ‘pre-marriage’ party to enjoy the stunning natural beauty, fun activities and a lively atmosphere,” he says.
One reason the Geneva Lake area is popular with groups traveling together for pre-wedding celebrations is because of its many boutique hotels, vacation rentals and resorts, all of which provide a variety of lodging options and additional activities for guests. “Usually, when we’re booking bachelor or bachelorette groups, they’re looking for centralized lodging options,” McConnell explains. “How can the groups stay together as closely as possible?”
“Bachelor and bachelorette groups that make the trip to Lake Geneva aren’t just looking for a party atmosphere, they want a complete Lake Geneva experience,” says Stephanie Zrelak, director of catering and conference services at The Abbey Resort in Fontana. “Along with time spent downtown or at area attractions, these groups come back to the resort and participate in private events that spotlight life on the lake. They can plan anything from private picnics on our lawn overlooking the harbor to mixology classes where they are able to create their personalized wedding cocktails featuring local spirits.”
Kopac, who lives in Sussex, Wisconsin, brought friends and family together from across the U.S. to celebrate her upcoming wedding and chose Maxwell Mansion as the hub for the occasion, with some of the guests staying with Kopac at the historic boutique hotel and others getting rooms at nearby hotels. She said Maxwell Mansion was the perfect spot for everyone to gather on their way to the group’s activities. “We loved those rooms — they were big enough that people could come in and hang out while you’re getting ready,” Kopac says. “You’re in a transformed carriage house and it’s a very unique and beautiful experience.”
Other bachelor and bachelorette groups opt for one of the area’s full- service resorts, which offer a variety of lodging options including traditional hotel rooms, lofts, villas and even lakefront homes. Resorts also offer amenities like multiple pools, dining options, spa services and activities on site, as well as concierge-developed itineraries for off-site adventures.
“Brides will bring their bridal parties to Avani Spa for a day of pampering and fun,” says Wren Bobeck, group sales coordinator at The Abbey Resort’s Avani Spa. “We schedule individual spa or salon services for each member of the party, then the group can relax in the sauna or salt room or enjoy cocktails together by the pool.”
The variety of local businesses, restaurants and activities allows for each group to create its ideal itinerary. “Lots of parties don’t leave the resort with all there is to do, but some of the most popular activities in the area are watersports, boat cruises, shopping, ziplining and bar hopping,” says Crooker.
Kopac’s Summer Bachelorette Extravaganza kicked off on a Friday afternoon with a private yoga class at Lake Geneva’s The Space followed by a round of healthy drinks at the yoga studio’s bar. Then, the group moved on to dinner at Magpie’s Den & Pen before going out for drinks and dancing at a few spots in downtown Lake Geneva, including Hogs & Kisses. “We had so much fun dancing and we were surprised at how many other bachelorette parties were there,” Kopac says.
The next day, the group took a short drive to Delavan, where Kopac grew up, and rented a double-decker pontoon boat (with a captain!) from Lake Lawn Resort. They took the boat out on Delavan Lake and spent the day splashing around, drinking cocktails and eating sandwiches they brought for a DIY lunch.
“We are lucky to have over two miles of lakefront, so there are lots of options for groups,” McConnell explains of Lake Lawn’s property, and points out that sister property, Delavan Lake Resort, also offers lakefront activities. “Renting the double-decker pontoon with a captain is a really popular option, so that you don’t have to worry about drinking and boating. But non- motorized watersport rentals have seen the biggest jump — rental of kayaks, canoes, even our giant swan pedal boat… you get four or five people out there and it’s a great time.”
The rest of Kopac’s bachelorette party included drinks at the Maxwell Mansion speakeasy and then a stop at Champs Sports Bar & Grill. The next day, the group wrapped up the weekend with brunch at Egg Harbor Cafe. “It was great,” Kopac said. “Lake Geneva was a good location — it worked very well for getting friends together from all over the place.”
Finding the Right Theme
There are many ways to enjoy a bachelorette or a bachelor weekend in the Geneva Lake area. Here are three options for a pre-wedding getaway that all will enjoy.
SAMPLER STYLE: Craft Beer & Booze Bachelor/ette Weekend
The craft beer and spirits scene in Lake Geneva is hoppin’ and your group will love the micro-brews, wineries and distilleries in the area. Book a few rooms at Maxwell Mansion in downtown Lake Geneva and set the mood for your crew at the historic hotel’s Apothecary Bar. Other stops to hit in Lake Geneva include Topsy Turvy, a microbrewery located in an historic church, and the Geneva Tap House, where you can sample 50 self- serve beers, wines and ciders on tap. There’s also Mashtun Brewery and Geneva Lake Distillery + Winery. For options slightly outside of town,
arrange a ride for your group to Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company outside of Elkhorn, Staller Estate Winery and Vineyard near Delavan or Rush Creek Distilling in Harvard.
COUPLE’S CELEBRATION: Resort Weekend for the Couple & Friends
Bring all your friends to one of the area’s full-service resorts to have a combined bachelor/ bachelorette party that’ll have something for everyone to enjoy. Whichever resort you choose, you can enjoy luxe amenities including golf courses, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, bars, lounges and multiple restaurants. At Delavan’s Lake Lawn Resort, your group can enjoy a ride around the lake on the Lake Lawn Queen or rent boats at the marina for a lazy lake day. At The Abbey Resort in Fontana, check the schedule for live music and other resort activities like disc golf and lawn games. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva has a full fitness center with everything from yoga classes to pickleball courts, plus live DJ music at Evolve Nightclub for the night owls in the group.
ACTIVE FUN: A Bachelor/ette’s Hike Around the Lake
If you’re traveling with an active group of friends, hike the almost-22-mile Geneva Lake Shore Path, sampling food and drinks in different towns as you take in sweeping views of the lake. The path winds along the picturesque shoreline of Geneva Lake and past the properties of new and historic mansions along the way. One option is to start out at Oakfire in Lake Geneva for pizza and drinks before you hit the trail. For a hybrid hiking and boat ride experience, look into Geneva Lake Cruise Line’s one-way tours, which run between the Riviera Docks in Lake Geneva and the municipal pier in Williams Bay. Your group can hike one way and then hop a ride back, enjoying the guided tour as well as the on-board cash bar for the ride home.
