New Year’s Eve rocks at resorts around the state
By: Brian E Clark
For Ryan and Diane Litwin, it wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve if they weren’t at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. The same is true for Linda Buholzer and her spouse. For Jim DeMeo and his family, it’s the Grand Geneva Resort that pulls them back to celebrate the new year each Dec. 31.
“This will be our ninth New Year’s at the Osthoff,” said Ryan Litwin, whose family lives in Mukwonago. “We like it so much that we started to ask our friends to join us, so that now it’s become a tradition for a group of us to ring in the new year.”
The Litwin family first traveled to Elkhart Lake and stayed at the Osthoff years ago to watch Road America auto races. They asked about winter activities, Litwin said, and were told that the winter holidays were an especially nice time to visit.
“We want to be at home for Christmas,” he said. “But we gave New Year’s a try and really liked it. The Osthoff was a great place to go for our family because there were things for kids to do, even when they were younger. Our children are 19 and 20 now, and they say they’re going to want to come here with their families when they are older.”
Litwin said he also likes the small-town feel of Elkhart Lake and its walkability.
“That’s important around New Year’s, when I don’t want to be out on the roads,” he said. “We always go bowling in town when we are here for a few days and go out to the local restaurants. But it’s the Osthoff that really brings us back. Kids can skate on the pond, toboggan on a nearby hill or go for a carriage ride at the Osthoff. And the whole resort is really decked out nicely.
“There is a huge Christmas tree that is probably 15- to 20-feet tall and beautifully decorated and lit. The place just has a warm and friendly feeling to it. We like Lola’s on the Lake in the hotel because they often have a jazz theme and bring out the hats and noisemakers to celebrate. It’s always a lot of fun. And the fireworks at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is pretty cool, too.”
This year, the Chicago band Quiet Storm will perform R&B, funk and rock at Lola’s until 1 a.m., with a champagne toast at midnight.
Linda Buholzer, who lives outside Monroe, said she and her husband are also Road America fans who have stayed at the Osthoff at other times throughout the year for a decade.
“This will be our third New Year’s, and a lot of our friends who we’ve met at Road America go there,” she said. “It’s a big, fun get-together. We especially like the Elk Room because it’s decorated so nicely. It’s cozy with its big fireplace. But the whole place is very festive. They do a fantastic job. Even without snow, it looks amazing.”
Jim DeMeo, who owns a plumbing company in suburban Chicago, said he and his wife have been celebrating New Year’s at the Grand Geneva near Lake Geneva since their girls (now 13 and 17) were little.
“It’s a great place for families to go, but adults go there to have a good time, too,” said DeMeo, whose family has been going to the resort since it was the Playboy Club. “It makes you feel comfortable, if that’s the right word. There are things for everyone to do. We usually stay for a couple of days. My in-laws come and other family members, too, so we just enjoy the time together.
“On New Year’s Eve, there are a lot of people walking around, many dressed up, enjoying the decorations. It’s beautiful. Adults can be in a bar or at different parties and kids can do their activities, too. Once we went skiing late at Mountain Top ski hill and when we got back to our rooms, you could see fireworks going off (at 10 p.m.) just beyond the mountain.”
Other resort options for celebrating New Year’s Eve include:
The American Club in Kohler is offering evening dining specials at all of its restaurants so guests can pick the party that suits their mood. The Immigrant Restaurant will feature a five- or seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing, while The Wisconsin Room will offer a special prix fixe menu with wine.
For those who like dancing, DJ Joe Ryan will host the evening’s music in the Woodlands Hall. Guests can enjoy desserts from The American Club pastry kitchen, an open bar, party favors, late night snacks and a champagne toast.
Elsewhere, there will be live music from the Dave Steffen Band at The Horse & Plow. The Winery Bar will have DJ Heavy. For details, see americanclubresort.com.
The Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan offers several New Year’s Eve packages for families and couples. The Grand Lobby will turn into a 1940s lounge, complete with live music. Overnight guests can enjoy a buffet dinner. For a quieter evening, the Latitude 43 Restaurant will have live music and a four- or five-course dinner. When midnight arrives, guests can play in the resort’s waterpark and watch a beach ball drop. See blueharborresort.com.
The Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells is offering a special New Year’s Eve buffet with house-made sweets created by the resort’s executive pastry chef. Kids can take part in a duck race and try to smash a piñata before balloons drop at midnight. There’s also cookie and gingerbread house decorating and story time by the fireplace for children. See kalahariresorts.com/wisconsin.
