If you’re traveling up to a remote cottage or cabin for a weekend getaway, why not bring along a board game or two?
Personally, whether it’s a trip with my wife, or with our family and friends, we always bring a few board game options to play.
But, some board games are definitely way more fun to play than others, and are tailor-made for cottage and cabin stays.
So, here’s my list of the 15 best board games for cottage and cabin trips!
Article Contents:
- Ticket to Ride · 35 – 60 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- Carcassonne · 35 – 45 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- Survive: Escape from Atlantis · 45 – 60 minutes · 2 to 4 player
- Pandemic · 45 – 60 minutes · 2 to 4 player
- Splendor · 25 – 45 minutes · 2 to 4 player
- Monopoly Deal · 15 – 20 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- Forbidden Desert · 45 – 60 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- Citadels · 20 – 60 minutes · 2 to 8 player
- Cards Against Humanity · 15 – 20 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf · 5 – 10 minutes · 3 to 10 player
- Codenames · 20 – 30 minutes · 4 to 8 player
- Patchwork · 25 – 35 minutes · 2 player
- Risk · 90 – 120 minutes · 2 to 6 player
- Catan · 60 – 90 minutes · 2 to 5 player
- 7 Wonders Duel · 30 – 40 minutes · 2 player
Gameplay: 35 to 60 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 8+
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 10 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $55 to $65
One of the first board games that I pack for trips up to the cottage is Ticket to Ride. It’s a family favorite and a riot to play. In fact, my wife’s siblings are obsessed with it!
Quick Rules
The name of the game is to be awarded the most points by the end. Players can score points two ways: (1) By purchasing and placing rail cars between cities, and (2) by completing destination cards.
At the end of the game, any destination cards that are not completed result in negative points being awards.
Why it’s Great
Personally, I enjoy bringing Carcassonne to the cottage because all you need to play is a large flat surface.
There is virtually no learning curve to playing, the game dynamics are straightforward, and even scoring is simple.
Looking for the complete rules to play Ticket to Ride? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 35 to 45 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 7+
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 2 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $35 to $45
A competitive yet simple board game, Carcassonne pits players against one another to build and expand castles, farm fields, complete monasteries, and build roads, one tile at a time.
Usually only lasting 45 minutes or so, this board game is great for multi-generational families because it doesn’t require too much critical thinking.
Quick Rules
Setting up this board game consists of taking out the scoring board, choosing a colour of “followers” and mixing up the game tiles face-down in the box. That’s it!
Tiles are selected at random and players must connect them to other tiles already in play. But, tiles must fit together such that the “border” of the tiles work together. A new tile, when connected to an existing tile, must complete the map without producing a fallacy, such as a road ending abruptly, a field-edged tile connected to a city-edge tile, etc.
Why it’s Great
The randomness of the tiles, and the ability to wreak havoc on your opponent’s gameplay are quintessential to why Carcassonne is an ideal board game for family board game night.
It’s great for players looking for a relatively intense game that’s super fun.
Looking for the complete rules to play Carcassonne? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 45 to 60 minutes
Players: 2 to 4
Ages: 8+
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $40 – $50
Sometimes, a cottage trips needs some intrigue. Well, Survive: Escape from Atlantis is the perfect board game to add a little excitement.
Quick Rules
The name of the game is to get your players off of a volcanic island that’s poised to explode. But, toss in a few sharks, whales, and seas serpents, pepper in some occasional sabotage, and you’ve got a recipe for truly blockbuster board game for all!
Why it’s Great
Overall, the rules and game dynamics are simple which make it an excellent board game for multi-generational players.
The competing strategy of each player, and, at times, the pure cut-throat action makes Survive a thrilling board game everyone at the cottage will love!
Looking for the complete rules to play Survive: Escape from Atlantis? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 45 to 55 minutes
Players: 2 to 4
Ages: 7+
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $80 to $90
An uncontrolled outbreak of disease is sweeping across the globe. Your goal – Contain the spread of pathogens and find the cure before it’s too late!
Quick Rules
Well, similar to the Spanish Flu, and more recently COVID-19, Pandemic is a hyper-realistic cooperative board game that pits human-kind against potentially world-ending diseases.
So, can you work together to research, eradicate, and ultimately cure infectious diseases [from the comfort of your cottage?] There’s only one way to find out…
Pandemic perfectly emulates the spread of infectious diseases. And, just like the COVID-19 response across the globe, people have worked together to save lives and to stop its spread.
Why it’s Great
Because the game dynamics are true-to-life, and collaboration is key, Pandemic is a fantastic cooperative board game for the cottage. You’ll be playing over and over, regardless if you’re in lockdown or not!
Looking for the complete rules to play Pandemic? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 25 to 45 minutes
Players: 2 to 4
Ages: 10+
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $35 to $40
Splendor is a game of patience, persistence, and perseverance…
Quick Rules
The goal of this deck-building board game is to collect gem tokens and gem cards to gain enough “prestige points” before your opponent. The first player to reach or exceed 15 prestige points wins!
To get prestige points, you need to purchase prestige gem cards. To purchase prestige gem cards, you need to have either enough tokens (chips) and/or other gem cards. And, to get gem cards, you need to purchase them with tokens. Finally, to get tokens, you can pick them up 3 (or two) at a time on your turn.
Phew! That’s the game in a nutshell.
Splendor can feel like you’re playing a chess match because you are constantly anticipating your opponents next move while planning your own. It hurts my brain just thinking about it.
Why it’s Great
Case in point, my wife is incredibly good at this board game. Over the past several years she’s won every game we’ve played. Every single game!
If you want, you can also pickup the expansions box which offer alternative ways of playing so it never gets repetitive… But don’t worry, it never does!
We’ve taken Splendor to the cottage, camping, and on vacations.
Looking for the complete rules to play Splendor? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 8+
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 1 minute
Expansions: No
Price: $10 – $15
One of the first board games that I pack for any trip, including trips up to the cottage, is Ticket to Ride. It’s a personal favorite and a riot to play. In fact, my wife’s siblings are obsessed with it.
Quick Rules
Unlike traditional Monopoly, Monopoly Deal takes only 15 to 20 minutes to play! And the rules are a whole lot simpler. The first player who is able to collect three complete sets of properties wins.
Why it’s Great
The board game consists of cards, that’s it. No dice, scoreboard, or timer. It’s completely uncomplicated and easy enough to explain to kids. And, since it’s just cards, you can play Monopoly Deal virtually anywhere – at the park, in a tent, even airport lobbies!
Packing and brining Monopoly Deal to the cottage or cabin is a no-brainer. The low setup time, simple rules, and high re-playability makes ideal for all levels of players, both young and old.
Looking for the complete rules to play Monopoly Deal? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 45 to 55 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 10+
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 10 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $30 – $40
Legend has it, an ancient airship is buried under the ruins of a city, just waiting to be discovered. Sounds interesting, right?
Well, as long as you can find all the airship pieces in time and don’t get buried under a mountain of sand or die of thirst, you’ll be fine… (I’m not joking)
Quick Rules
The goal is to recover all the airship pieces by flipping over tiles, deciphering the clues to their location, and bring them to the excavated launch pad tile to escape.
Throughout the game, the tiles shift around, sand is piled onto the tiles, and the sun drains your energy level.
This cooperative board game is intense and captivating from the very first move and great for long nights at the cottage.
Winning (and most likely losing) relies on working together, utilizing your combined special abilities, and making smart choices.
Why it’s Great
So, will you work together to survive the elements and find the hidden airship pieces? Or, will you shrivel up and die due to a lack of water and get buried under the sands of time? There’s only one way to find out!
To be honest, Forbidden Desert is not for the faint of heart. It’s definitely one of the tougher board games out there, but the feeling of accomplishment when you’ve won is incredible.
Looking for the complete rules to play Forbidden Desert? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 20 to 60 minutes
Players: 2 to 8
Ages: 10+
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $20 – $30
In Citadels the board game, players are constantly switching characters in an attempt to gain power and points, all the while undermining their component’s attempts at success.
This fundamental principle of the game makes it a riot to play with friends and family while at the cottage.
Quick Rules
During the game, players take turns selecting 1 of 8 character cards in secret. Each character has their own unique ability, which becomes evident during the action phase of gameplay.
Some characters give you more points, others let you chose your next character first, and others all-together block rival characters from maneuvering during the action phase.
The goal is to systematically choose characters that help increase your income so that you can build district cards (which earn you points). Once any player builds their 8th district card, the game ends, and the player with the most points wins!
Why it’s Great
So, to add some friendly competition to your next cottage trip without much effort, why not bring Citadels? It’s small, simple, and loads of fun.
Looking for the complete rules to play Citadels? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 18+
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 1 minute
Expansions: No
Price: $15 – $20
Cards Against Humanity is a hilarious card-based party board game that is a blast to play, especially when a few “ice-cold beverages” are to be had.
Not only is it a fantastic ice-breaker, and perfect for larger groups – it’s so darn simple to play!
Quick Rules
Players attempt to complete fill-in-the-blank statements with words or phrases that are bold, brash, offensive, insensitive, or politically incorrect printed on playing cards.
Why it’s Great
Personally, my very first time playing cards against humanity was at a friend’s cottage after a week of volunteering at summer camp.
And, to be perfectly honest, letting loose with a few drinks and playing was such a great way to restore my energy (and sanity). Nobody wins or looses. Everyone just has fun and laughs.
Looking for the complete rules to play Cards Against Humanity? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 5 to 10 minutes
Players: 3 to 10
Ages: 8+
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $15 – $25
A modern who-dun-it, One Night Ultimate Werewolf is an awesome board game for larger groups of people.
Quick Rules
In this role-playing board game, each player randomly selects a character card and keeps it secret. There are two basic teams: the werewolves and the towns folk. The goal of towns people is to uncover the werewolves, whereas the werewolves’ goal is to remain undiscovered.
During the “night phase” all players close their eyes. One by one, each character is prompted to complete their special action. Some actions let players rearrange the character placements, whereas others let players peak at other players’ role cards.
During the “day phase” players deliberate and try to smoke out the werewolves using social deduction before time runs out!
Why it’s Great
Personally, I’ve played this board game with friends while at university get-togethers. It was interesting to see how everyone dealt with false accusations or how they interpreted all the information in so little time.
So, if you’re looking for an engaging and inclusive board game that’s a blast to play while at the cottage then check out One Night Ultimate Werewolf!
Looking for the complete rules to play One Night Ultimate Werewolf? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 20 to 30 minutes
Players: 4 to 8
Ages: 10+
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $25 – $35
In Codenames, teammates try to reveal friendly spies by properly guessing their codename with only one-word, one-number clues.
Quick Rules
For example, if the friendly spies are associated with the codenames universe, spider, iron, stone, and camera, what’s one word that can connect them all?
Well, if you said “Marvel – 5”, you would be an expert spy master and would definitely be interested in play (and winning) Codenames.
Why it’s Great
The complete rules for Codenames are quick and easy to explain. It can be a lot of fun, especially among close family and friends, or couples sharing a double date board game night!
And, it’s not ultra-competitive which makes it great to play while at the cottage.
Looking for the complete rules to play Codenames? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 25 to 35 minutes
Players: 2
Ages: 8+
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $30 – $35
If you enjoy playing games like Tetris, you’ll love Patchwork. It’s a two-player board game that requires each player to complete the highest-scoring “quilt” on their personal 9×9 game board by purchasing and placing “patches” (essentially jigsaw pieces) onto your quilt.
Quick Rules
Each player starts with 5 “buttons” (equivalent to 5 points). A starter marker signifies the beginning of the patches, arranged in a circle around the time tracking board.
On a turn, a player can pass or purchase one of the three patches available clockwise from the starter marker. You pay the cost in buttons shown on the patch, move the starter marker to the position of the patch, add the patch to your game board and advance your player token on the time tracking board the number of spaces indicated on the patch.
- If your player token is behind or on top of your opponent’s token you take another turn
- If you pass on your turn, move your player token to one space in front of your opponents, and take one button for every space you moved
During the game, if you pass a button icon on the time tracking board, you collect button income equivalent to the number of buttons from the patches on your personal board.
Once you reach the center of the time tracking board, count the number of buttons you have and subtract two buttons for every space on your quilt that is empty.
The player with the most points (which can be a negative number) wins!
Why it’s Great
Although Patchwork is strictly a two-player board game, its actually an endless quest to beat your own personal best score. It’s challenging and competitive enough that you want to play a couple games back-to-back which makes it a great option for a cottage getaway.
Check out this obscure board game that’ll have you battling for buttons!
Looking for the complete rules to play Patchwork? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 90 to 120 minutes
Players: 2 to 6
Ages: 8+
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 10 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $35 – $45
Sometimes a classic battle-royale style board game like Risk is what’s needed for a family cottage trip. And, it will take keen diplomacy, conflict resolution, and a little bit of hutzpah to win!
Quick Rules
Players take turns conquering regions occupied by opponents. To win a region, an attacking player must roll a higher number than a defending player.
Occupying a complete set of regions grants players extra soldiers on every subsequent turn.
Once a player eliminates the competition, or completes their mission card, they win!
Why it’s Great
Risk was definitely one of my favourite board games as a teenager. I can’t tell you how many nights my friends and I stayed up way too late battling over Britain and clashing over Kamchatka. We campaigned for the Congo and skirmished for Scandinavia.
So, if you’re looking for an incredibly fun yet competitive board game for the cottage, look no further!
Looking for the complete rules to play Risk? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 60 to 90 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Ages: 10+
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 10 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $40 – $60
No doubt one of the most popular board games of all time, Catan (aka. Settlers of Catan) is an absolute banger of a board game to play while at the cottage with friends.
Although it takes a bit of time to setup and explain, the game dynamics are very easy to learn.
Quick Rules
To play Catan, an “island” is created with resource tiles. Each tile is allocated a number. During each round, a die is rolled. Players connected to the resource tiles marked with the same number as the rolled die gain resource cards of that tile.
Starting with a single settlement, each player must grow and expand their civilization using resources collected over time. With every turn, players collect more and more resources cards which they can trade with other players or use to develop roads, settlements (1 victory point each) and eventually upgrade to cities (2 victory points each).
But maneuvering around the island and expanding your civilization isn’t simple. It takes strategic diplomacy, thoughtful development, and a little bit of luck. The first player to reach 10 victory points wins.
Why it’s Great
Catan is considered by many as one of the quintessential board games for college and university. But, not only is it great to play in dorm rooms, it’s also fantastic for the cottage and cabin!
Looking for the complete rules to play Catan? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 30 to 40 minutes
Players: 2
Ages: 10+
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $40 – $45
7 Wonders Duel is the ultimate head-to-head board game of conquest. The goal is to collect resources, and advance your military or unlock scientific achievements to establish a civilization complete with ancient wonders.
7 Wonders Duel feels like a real-time strategy game, but with no internet connection required!
Quick Rules
There are three ages (or rounds) of cards that are set up. Players take turns selecting available cards to be either added to their stack, discarded for coins, or used towards constructing a wonder.
Building a wonder results in some sort of bonus. Resource cards such as water, wood, brick, stone and paper are required to build wonders. Coins can also be used to purchase resources in-lieu of resource cards.
Military conquest, scientific achievement and victory points cards are also available to be selected. Players can win by military conquest (selecting military cards and advancing towards your opponent’s capital), scientific supremacy (collecting 7 different scientific development cards) or, if neither occurs, by total victory points at the end of the game.
Why it’s Great
7 Wonders Duel can feel like a grudge match which makes this two-player board game a solid choice for cottage trips with your spouse, siblings, or best friend.
Looking for the complete rules to play 7 Wonders Duel? Check them out here.
Which board games do you take up to the cottage or cabin? Let me know your favourites in the comments below!
This article contains affiliate links, which help support this blog at no cost to you!
Related Posts
