The little Wisconsin town of Lake Geneva is not surprisingly all about the lake it’s situated on. It’s an easy drive from both Chicago and Milwaukee (less than 2 hours depending on your location), so a weekend trip is perfect for you if you live or are visiting those areas. In fact, many of the Chicagoans moved here after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. This is why the town was frequently called the Newport of the West (now referred to the Hamptons of the Midwest) and why you can see so many large and beautiful estates belonging to the likes of the Wrigley family and such around the lake.
One of the first things you should do here is take a boat tour to experience the old Chicago grandeur. You can do this on the Geneva Lake Cruise Line (cruises run June through September). This is the oldest continous running mail-boat in the US. They are actually delivering mail around the lake while you are taking in a tour of the surroundings. You can witness some beautiful natural preserves, enjoy the calm of the lake, and be mesmerized by the mansions lining along the water. Many of the Chicago notables had a home or visited here, including the Wrigley family and Al Capone, and in more recent years other celebrities have moved in – Axl Rose being one example.
The lake also offers plenty of water and outdoor entertainment. You can enjoy boating, water skiing, parasailing, skiing, horseback riding, or just take a swim in the lake and get a tan on the shore. Lake Geneva Beach is a long stretch of sand next to the Riviera Pier, but you can also visit Williams Bay beach, Fontana beach and Big Foot beach state park. Admission for kids under 6 is usually free. My suggestion is to enjoy the water at Lake Geneva beach and visit restaurants at other beaches, so you can see them all. Lake Geneva beach is the closest to the majority of (affordable) hotels.
The lake and town were originally called after Geneva in upstate New York, since there was a resemblance. So the town was called Lake Geneva and the lake – Geneva Lake. A lot of the old historic architecture is still there. You can see everything from Gothic Revival to Queen Ann to French chateaus to Tudor to colonial to Craftsman homes. You can witness a lot of this architectural variety walking around town or riding around the Lake path to see the mansions you’ve seen from the lake. One of my favorite parts of town is the historic downtown. It has a great authentic vibe with plenty of antique shops, little diners and Wisconsin specialties (fudge, cheese and others). If you visit in September, you can also partake in the annual Wine Festival.
Another great way to view the town is on a popular carriage ride. You can get one near the beach. It’s a nice leisurely ride around town that takes you back through history. This summer you can notice an unusual display around town, similar to what Chicago did a few years ago with the Cows on Parade. It’s a display of Prancing Carousels – life size sculptures of fiberglass carousel horses all around downtown, waterfront and at stores and restaurants. It’s exciting to see that, since we look forward to the next display here in Chicago every summer. Perhaps, this will be a new tradition in Lake Geneva too.
There is plenty of entertainment in town, both for kids and adults. Kids will love the East Troy Electric Railroad, which offers a 10-mile trip to the train depot museum. The railroad runs all summer and you can also find a farmer’s market for a nice brunch. Another highlight in the area future astronomers would love is the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay. It’s open for free tours every Saturday. This was once the home of the world’s largest telescope but is now the host of the largest refracting telescope. At night, you can watch a play or try any of the surrounding art galleries (open late), or see a movie. There are frequent festivals and parades throughout the year for daytime fun.
If you are wondering where to stay, there are plenty of accommodations in the town of Lake Geneva, but also in the neighboring Fontana and Williams Bay. This area is particularly known for its bed-and-breakfasts. One of the most famous ones is “The Oaks” (Golden Oaks mansion) on Baker Street thanks to the leafy surroundings. This was the site where Nancy Davis met future President Ronald Reagan and also a beautiful place to stay. Many hotels have a pool for kids, since this is a very kid-friendly area. Lake Geneva is very popular for weddings and romantic getaways too. A perfect place for honeymooners would be the Grand Geneva Resort, offering gorgeous golf courses, pools, tennis courts, a spa, top-notch restaurants and a 50,000 square-foot water park. This resort was originally opened by Hugh Hefner as the Playboy Club. There are other hotels and lodges in this area, which is a little bit off the lake in the countryside.
The best time to visit, as are most places in the Midwest, is June through October. Fall is particularly beautiful with the foliage changing color, but is also the most crowded time here. Whenever you visit Lake Geneva, you will surely enjoy it.
