Lake Geneva Santa Cruise, 2M Holiday Lights & Speakeasy Getaway
Nov 27, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026
Essentials
- Destination: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (Geneva Lake Shore Path, Grand Geneva Resort, and Maxwell Mansion 1856).
- Optimal Travel Dates: 2026-11-27 to 2026-11-29 (opening weekend of the Lake Geneva Santa Cruise and Grand Geneva's 2M holiday light displays).
- Travel Party: 2 adults (4 dogs remain home in Cudahy with dedicated Rover care).
- Target Budget Range: $644 to $809 per person ($1,288 to $1,618 total party cost).
- Hotel Starting Point: Maxwell Mansion 1856 (421 Baker St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147).
- Hotel Pet Policy: $0 hotel pet fee (dogs stay home in Cudahy with dedicated Rover care).
- Home Pet Care (If Pets Stay Home): Rover.com Cudahy Pet Sitting Search estimates $130 to $170 per night ($260 to $340 total for 2 nights).
Day by Day
Day 1: Friday, Nov 27, 2026: Drive from Wausau, Mansion Check-In & Santa Cruise
- 11:00 AM to 02:30 PM Drive from Wausau to Lake Geneva (407 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403)
- 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM Maxwell Mansion Check-In (421 Baker St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Maxwell Mansion 1856
- 04:45 PM to 06:30 PM Santa Cruise & Shoreline Lights (812 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Riviera Docks
- 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM Wood-Fired Pizza on the Lake (831 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Oakfire Pizzeria
- 08:30 PM to 10:30 PM Underground Speakeasy Nightcap Maxwell Mansion 1856
Day 2: Saturday, Nov 28, 2026: Shore Path Walk, Grand Geneva 2M Lights & Fine Bistro
- 08:30 AM to 09:45 AM Farm-to-Table Breakfast (525 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Simple Cafe
- 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM Geneva Lake Shore Path & Boutiques (812 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Riviera Beach
- 01:00 PM to 02:45 PM Midday Rest at Mansion
- 03:00 PM to 05:15 PM Grand Geneva 2M Lights & Trolley Tour (7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Grand Geneva Resort
- 05:45 PM to 08:00 PM Romantic Dinner at Sopra Bistro (724 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Sopra Bistro
- 08:15 PM to 10:00 PM Apothecary Bar Lounge Maxwell Mansion 1856
Day 3: Sunday, Nov 29, 2026: State Park Trails, Church Brewery & Return Drive
- 09:00 AM to 10:30 AM Leisurely Morning & Checkout Maxwell Mansion 1856
- 10:45 AM to 12:30 PM Big Foot Beach State Park Walk (1550 S Lake Shore Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Big Foot Beach State Park
- 12:45 PM to 02:15 PM Craft Beer at Topsy Turvy Brewery (727 E Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) Topsy Turvy Brewery
- 02:15 PM to 03:30 PM Return Drive to Milwaukee Area (5300 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207) Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Costs
| Expense Category / Line Item | Provider / Venue | Exact Unit Price / Rate | Total Cost Range | Verified Booking / Info Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Mansion Lodging (2 Nights) | Maxwell Mansion 1856 | $245 / night | $490 to $490 | Maxwell Mansion Booking |
| Travel Fuel (Personal Vehicle) | Wisconsin Fuel Stations | $4 / gallon (approx 14 gal) | $55 to $55 | Wisconsin Gas Averages |
| State Park Admission | Big Foot Beach State Park DNR | $13 / day pass | $13 to $13 | DNR Park Permits |
| Dining & Artisan Meals | Simple Cafe, Oakfire Pizzeria, Sopra Bistro | $80 to $125 / person / day | $320 to $500 | Sopra Bistro |
| Speakeasy Cocktails & Brewery | Maxwell Mansion 1856 & Topsy Turvy Brewery | $40 to $60 / person | $80 to $120 | Topsy Turvy Brewery |
| Santa Cruise & Trolley Lights | Lake Geneva Cruise Line & Grand Geneva Resort | $35 to $50 / person | $70 to $100 | Lake Geneva Cruise Line |
| Home Pet Care (4 Dogs in Cudahy) | Rover.com Cudahy Pet Sitting Search | $130 to $170 / night | $260 to $340 | Rover Cudahy Pet Sitting |
| TOTAL (All-In Vacation Expenses for Party of 2) | Mansion + Fuel + Park + Dining + Cocktails + Cruise + Rover | $644 to $809 / person | $1,288 to $1,618 total | VISIT Lake Geneva |