Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
Lake Geneva has been a bustling resort town since the late 19th century, when it became known as "the Newport of the West." It is a popular destination among Chicago-area and Milwaukee residents, who flock to the area for golf and spas, boating, swimming, and a gentle escape from the rhythms of daily life.
Lake Geneva is unique for its many beautiful historic and contemporary mansions. The great Chicago fire of 1871 sent an influx of wealthy Chicago refugees into the area. Today, many of the homes that they built still exist and can be seen along the shoreline. One of the more notable estates is named "The Oaks" in honor of the centuries-old trees surrounding the mansion. Built in 1856 and regarded as one of Lake Geneva's finest landmarks, it was the site of an early courtship of Nancy Davis, who later became the wife of President Ronald Reagan. Today, the Golden Oaks Mansion is a beautiful bed & breakfast on Baker Street.
The lake is lined with beautiful beaches. Williams Bay Beach, located East of Edgewater Park, offers shaded grass areas, a bathhouse with showers, and lifeguards. The beach on Wrigley Drive is open Memorial Day thru Labor Day and offers a bathhouse with showers and lifeguards. Big Foot Beach State Park on South Lake Shore Drive is unguarded. Geneva's many beaches have different hours and all charge an entrance fee. At most beaches children under age 6 are admitted free. Food and floating devices are normally permitted, but many forbid bringing glass items to the beach for safety reasons.
Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers a wide variety of sight-seeing boat tours on the lake, from mid-April through early November. All tours are narrated and offer an up-close look at the beautiful and historic estates that line the shore. Tours include the famous U.S. Mailboat Tour, Geneva Bay Mansions Tour, Full Lake Mansions Tours, The Ice Cream Social Tour and evening Sundowner Cruises. Lake Geneva Cruise Line also offers several elegant daytime and sunset dining cruises. On the new Black Point Tour Guests will have the opportunity to tour an authentic 1880s lake estate. Reservations are suggested for all sight-seeing tours and are required for all dining tours.
Other outdoor activities at the lake include wave running, jet skiing, speed boating and tubing. There are beautiful walking trails and bike paths around the lake, and nature lovers will enjoy the Four Seasons Nature Preserve, a 300 acre environmental corridor open to the public. The trails are marked with plaques identifying various plant and animal species. If you are in the area during the summer, from mid-June to mid July you can pick your own strawberries and berries at View Valley Farm.
The Lake Geneva Museum features a diverse collection of artifacts and memorabilia that compose a history of the area, including antique nautical vessels and Potawatomi Indian artifacts, as well as information about the Chicago & North Western Railway, historic residences and Frank Lloyd Wright's "Geneva Hotel." The museum is open from March through December.
The Grand Geneva Resort is the most inclusive accommodation option in the area, with award-winning golf courses, an indoor pool, tennis courts, an arcade and its very own 50,000 square-foot water park. The resort's spa is set in a peaceful lakeside environment. The resort offers some of the best dining on the lake. The area also has numerous hotels and motels, bed & breakfasts, cabins and course campgrounds.
The many dining options on the lake include Smokey's BBQ House, a family-style restaurant featuring traditional BBQ fare, located at Timber Ridge Lodge at Grand Geneva. If you aren't from the area, you may want to sample Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza while you are in Lake Geneva. A special dining treat for kids is Fischer's on Buttons Bay, next to Big Foot Beach State Park and a two-minute drive from Downtown Lake Geneva. With a kids menu and creative cocktails, the Cajun-style restaurant offers fun for children and adults. For dessert, stop by the Lake Geneva Pie Company and sample one of the daily-made old-fashioned fruit pies. The store also serves lunch and makes excellent ice cream and smoothies. Many restaurants have great views of the lake.
At night, enjoy live entertainment at one of the area's restaurants and bars, or take in a movie at any one of Lake Geneva's six theaters. Lake Geneva also has its share of art galleries, and clothing, fashion, gift and specialty shops and boutique stores can all be found along Maine Street. Festivals that take place throughout the year are special highlights in the area, so check the festival calendar before you visit.
Lake Geneva is located in Southeastern Wisconsin, approximately ten miles north of the Illinois state line. It is easily accessible by Highway I-43 and Route 12. The lake is located approximately ninety minutes from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and forty-five minutes from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. A local airport accommodates small aircraft.