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Step into the Poe Mansion for a Gothic Raven Party: cocktails at 5:15 p.m., a three-course meal, and a three-hour interactive whodunit that encourages costumes and conversation. Reservations are required and the experience is accessible for guests 14 and up.
Step into the Poe Mansion for a Gothic Raven Party: cocktails at 5:15 p.m., a three-course meal, and a three-hour interactive whodunit that encourages costumes and conversation. Reservations are required and the experience is accessible for guests 14 and up.
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Operated by Willow Springs Garden · Wausau, Wisconsin
Poe Mansion at 6905 N 60th Ave in Wausau, Wisconsin stages an evening that feels lifted from a black-and-white Gothic novella. The Murder Mystery — the Gothic Raven Party — unfolds in a candlelit parlor inside the house where creaks, cobweb accents, and raven motifs set the scene. Guests arrive at 5:15 p.m. for cocktails; the main mystery begins at 6 p.m. and plays out over an approximately three-hour performance that includes a served three-course meal, character interactions, and puzzle-driven revelations. The event blends immersive theater and dinner service: actors seed clues between courses, secrets are revealed in whispers across the table, and attendees are invited to interrogate suspects and form alliances. The house itself is a central character - dark wood mouldings, a broad staircase landing, and shadowed alcoves create natural vantage points for overheard conversations and staged discoveries. Costumes are encouraged; a well-chosen Gothic outfit enhances the drama and helps you slip into role more easily. Practical details: the listed meeting point is 6905 N 60th Ave, Wausau, WI 54401, United States; check in at 5:15 p.m. Reservations are required, seating is limited, and the minimum age is 14. The venue is handicap accessible and supports dietary-sensitive meals with advance notice. Expect roughly three hours of engagement; the pace is social and conversational rather than physically demanding. Why book this evening? It’s rare to find a community-focused interactive performance that pairs theater with a full meal at an accessible price point - the listing notes $60 per person. For travelers passing through Wausau, this night offers a compelling alternative to bars or cinema: it’s social, playful, and anchored in local hospitality. The Raven Party also plays with literary echoes, a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, without requiring prior knowledge of any author. Insider practicalities: arrive early to enjoy the cocktail hour, bring a coat for cool Wisconsin evenings, and wear shoes suitable for short walks around the property. If you’re a photographer, plan for low light interiors and mood lighting; a fast prime lens or a camera with good high-ISO performance will serve you well. Events like this also strengthen the local night economy: performers, front-of-house staff, and caterers are often local, so your ticket supports small businesses. The interactive format rewards curiosity - take notes, listen for contradictions, and trade theories between courses. If you’re traveling solo, sit near the action and be ready to ask questions; if you’re a group, split up to gather more perspectives. Arrive hungry and curious and ready.
Arrive by 5:15 p.m. for the cocktail hour; the main mystery begins at 6:00 p.m.
Yes, the minimum age is 14.
Yes — the listing indicates the venue is handicap accessible.
Yes — dietary-sensitive meals are available with advance notice at the time of reservation.
Reservations are required; use the referral link provided to secure seats.
The listing notes a price of $60 per person; confirm current pricing at booking.
Willow Springs Garden in Wausau, Wisconsin, operates as an event venue and agritourism destination offering a range of seasonal experiences and family activities. The site hosts themed gatherings such as the Alice In Wonderland Tea Party in the Walnut Grove, where guests enjoy Wonderland-themed treats and costumed characters; reservations are required for that event. The property includes a vineyard and a historic Round Barn used during events like Dinner in the Vineyard 2025, which features a welcome cocktail, wagon ride, vineyard views, and a dinner paired with wine under lights. Visitors can join a vineyard tour led by a viticulturist during experiences like Ribs, Wine, & Barleyfest, which also includes beer tastings, a buffet with BBQ ribs and brisket, and live music. Willow Springs Garden programs a variety of family-oriented activities such as Children’s Stick Pony Rodeo Races on June 29 for ages 2–12, with stick ponies provided or allowed from home and ribbon awards announced by an MC. Other seasonal offerings include an Old Fashioned Charcoal Chicken Dinner at the Barn, an Elvis Christmas Concert at the museum with holiday displays and cookie baking, and competitive community events like Pizza and Puzzles with team puzzle challenges and a pizza buffet (registration before November 1). Events are ticketed and scheduled seasonally; visitors should check event listings and reservation requirements before attending.
Book with Willow Springs Garden