Guide to Nisswa · The Nordic
Thanksgiving at the Lake: How to Host a Big Group in Nisswa
There's something special about gathering everyone under one roof for Thanksgiving, especially when that roof is next to a lake. No one is driving home after pie, the cousins get to stay up late, and the morning after belongs to coffee and leftovers. When you stay with us for the holiday, we want it to feel like your family's place for the weekend.
Here's how we'd plan a big-group Thanksgiving in Nisswa, from picking the right home to who's cooking (or not).
Key takeaways
- Gull Lake sleeps 14 and Clark Lake sleeps 10, both great for a multi-generation holiday.
- Order groceries and the turkey early. Schaefer's Foods in Nisswa has a bakery, meat department and deli.
- Not cooking? Sunshine's has smoked turkey dinners for pickup Wed Nov 25, and Madden's hosts a Thanksgiving buffet Nov 26.
- The day after, Nisswa's City of Lights (Fri Nov 27) is a free, festive outing for everyone.
Choosing the right home for your group
Gull Lake: room for 14
Our Gull Lake home sits on main Gull Lake and sleeps 14 across four bedrooms (two king masters and two bunk rooms for the younger crowd) and two bathrooms. For Thanksgiving, the highlights are the stone-fireplace living room for after-dinner lounging, the sunroom, a year-round hot tub and an arcade with more than 5,000 games, which keeps the kids (and a few grown-ups) busy while the turkey roasts.
Clark Lake: room for 10
Our Clark Lake home sleeps 10 on 3.5 acres with a sandy beach and private dock. There's a king master, a triple bunk room the kids will claim immediately, a gas fireplace, a lakeside hot tub and a fire pit with a Solo Stove. The Paul Bunyan Trail is directly across the street, which makes for a perfect walk after dinner.
Bigger than 14?
If your family is too big for one home, reach out and we'll talk through options with you. You can see all of our homes here.
Planning the meal
Order the bird early
The turkey is the one thing you don't want to leave to chance on Wednesday afternoon. Schaefer's Foods (23962 Smiley Rd, Nisswa) has a full bakery, meat department and deli, so call ahead to reserve your turkey and any pies. Spirits of Nisswa is right next door at 23930 Smiley Rd for wine and cider.
Schaefer's takes meat pre-orders by phone; call the meat department at 218-963-2265 to reserve your turkey and check holiday hours.
Divide and conquer
With a crowd, assigning dishes is half the battle. A few things that help:
- Make a shared list before you leave home so you don't end up with four green bean casseroles.
- Bring your own roasting pan and baster if you have a favorite.
- Prep make-ahead sides at home (cranberry sauce, pie dough, casseroles) and bring them up in a cooler.
- Plan oven time. With one oven, the turkey gets priority, and sides can rotate in while it rests.
Or let someone else cook
No shame here. Some years, the best Thanksgiving is the one with no dishes. Your options:
- Sunshine's Summerhouse offers smoked Thanksgiving dinners (turkey, turkey breast or brisket) for pickup only, Wed Nov 25, 2–9 pm. Order ahead, then reheat on Thursday.
- Madden's hosts a Thanksgiving buffet Thu Nov 26, 11 am–3 pm in Wilson Bay. Call 218-829-2811 to reserve. (Madden's dining)
For groups this size, call early. Holiday seatings fill up.
Thanksgiving weekend, hour by hour
Here's one way a long weekend might go:
Wednesday: Arrive, unpack, and order pizza from Rafferty's (open until 9). Pick up any Sunshine's orders on the way in.
Thursday morning: Coffee and a walk on the Paul Bunyan Trail, or watch the parade by the fire. Then the turkey goes in.
Thursday afternoon: Football, a puzzle, the arcade at Gull Lake, or the hot tub while dinner cooks.
Thursday evening: Dinner, pie, and a fire if the weather cooperates.
Friday: Leftover sandwiches, then head downtown for Nisswa's City of Lights, a free evening celebration (schedule TBA). It's also a great day to start your holiday shopping; see our Holiday Shopping in Nisswa.
Saturday: Breakfast at Ganley's (opens at 7, cash or check preferred), and a stop at the Kringle Market in Brainerd for handmade gifts.
A few notes for hunters in the group
For the full winter season calendar, see Nisswa in Winter & the Holidays.
Thanksgiving weekend falls during Minnesota's deer season (Season A runs Nov 7–22 in 100-series areas, and the muzzleloader season opens Nov 28). If anyone in your group is hunting, make sure everyone walking outdoors wears blaze orange, dogs included. Our Pup-Friendly Vacations post has more on that.
FAQ
How many people can stay at The Nordic over Thanksgiving?
Our Gull Lake home sleeps 14 and Clark Lake sleeps 10. West Twin (sleeps 9) and Lake Hubert are great for smaller gatherings. Every home has a hot tub and a gas fireplace.
Can we bring our dog for Thanksgiving?
Yes! Dogs are welcome at all four of our homes. Please keep them leashed on the property and pick up after them.
Are restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day?
Some are. Madden's hosts a buffet, but reservations are a must. Many local spots close for the holiday, so call ahead.
What's there to do on Black Friday in Nisswa?
City of Lights downtown on Friday, Nov 27, plus plenty of local shops for gifts. See our Holiday Shopping in Nisswa guide.
Let us host your table
We'd be honored to have your family around the table at the lake this year. Pull up a chair, stay a while, and leave the drive home for Sunday.
Book direct
Our best rate, no booking fees, straight from us. Book direct at bookingthenordicmn.com. Check Thanksgiving dates.
