Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: What’s Worth Leaving Your Resort For
Lake Geneva is an easy place to book a weekend and then spend most of it at your resort. And hey, that might be exactly the trip you need. But if your knowledge of the area pretty much stops at “there’s a nice lake with some very expensive houses,” there are a few things I want to show you… Because there is SO much more to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
I live a few hours from Lake Geneva and have visited before, but my latest trip here introduced me to several things I hadn’t tried, and I am really excited to share them.
Whether you’re coming up from Chicago or planning a getaway from elsewhere in Wisconsin, in this video you’ll find some great things to do and cool places to eat, plus at the end I’ll share the differences between the hotels I visited here.
1. Riding along with the mail jumpers
The U.S. Mailboat Tour is a sightseeing cruise on Geneva Lake that takes you along on an actual mail delivery route to lakefront homes. You’re watching the mail jumpers hop onto the docks, deliver the mail, and run back aboard while the boat keeps moving. It was so much fun. You get to see the homes around the lake along the way and learn a bit about them, but the deliveries were the highlight for me.
My biggest tip is to sit upstairs on the right-hand side for the best view of the jumpers. There are cameras and TVs throughout the boat, too, so everyone can watch. Oh! Sometimes the dogs at the homes even come down to get the mail. You can see Millie running down the dock for hers in my YouTube video! So cute.
2. See the telescope at Yerkes Observatory
Yerkes Observatory is a historic astronomical observatory in Williams Bay, home to the world’s largest refracting telescope. You can take a daytime tour to see the telescope and learn about this beautiful building and its scientific history.
Seeing it in person was so stinking cool. Look at the size of it (below). And the entire floor beneath the telescope is a giant elevator. It raises and lowers so people can reach the eyepiece as the telescope changes position. Again, so cool to see in person
I visited during the day, but I want to come back and experience it at night. This will probably be the main reason for my next Lake Geneva trip. Yerkes offers separate nighttime programs, including opportunities to look through the Great Refractor when conditions allow. Those have limited availability, so double-check which experience you’re booking.
3. Walk part of the Geneva Lake Shore Path
The Geneva Lake Shore Path is a public walking route that follows the shoreline around the lake, passing in front of private homes and estates. You get a closer look at the grounds than you do from a boat, along with plenty of views of the water. Between this and a boat tour, you’ll have lots of opportunities to admire some really incredible houses.
The full route is roughly 21 miles. This is very much a FULL day walking experience if you try to do the whole thing. You can, however, walk a short section and turn back. Wear comfortable shoes because the surfaces vary, and stay on the designated path. The yards and docks alongside it are still private property.
4. Try a honey tasting
Queen Bee Artisan Market offers guided honey tastings where you sample different varieties, learn where they come from, and explore pairings with cheese. I loved this experience. I learned so much, and trying the honeys beside each other made the differences really noticeable. I found the whole thing fascinating. I also bought quite a bit of honey afterward.
This would be such a cool activity for a bachelorette weekend or a group of friends. I’d happily do it again. You do need to arrange the tasting ahead of time, and check the address when you book. Mine took place in a separate tasting studio, not inside the downtown shop.
5. See a magic show
You can see an incredible live magic and illusion show featuring illusionist Tristan Crist. The theater is fairly intimate, so you’re close to the action while watching these large illusions.
I thought it was very cool. I would just caution that I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily small kiddo-friendly; this is more geared towards the adults or older kids.
And next door is Area 262, an indoor entertainment spot with mini golf and games such as air hockey and billiards. That gives you something else to do before or after the performance, and both places are great options for when the weather isn’t cooperating.
6. Wander around downtown
There are plenty of shops to browse and places to get coffee in Downtown Lake Geneva. I had some time to explore during this visit, and it also lined up with the farmers market. Which had some incredible options… my dogs ended up getting some homemade treats and cute toys from this visit!
The shops and waterfront are close enough together that you don’t need to drive between them. The farmers market has its own seasonal schedule.
7. Find somewhere good to eat with a view
Pier 290 is a waterfront restaurant in Williams Bay, where I stopped for lunch and really enjoyed the food and the views. It’s in the same village as Yerkes Observatory. Back downtown, I had dinner at Oakfire; it’s a great pizza restaurant with gorgeous views toward the lake.
I also had a hearty lunch Lake City Social, a casual restaurant next to The Cove serving burgers and other comfort food. And I had a really good dinner at 1878 on the Lake, Lake Lawn Resort’s signature restaurant overlooking Delavan Lake. That one is a separate drive from downtown Lake Geneva. I’ll also put links below so you can see the menus and exact locations.
8. Visit Apple Barn Orchard and Winery
Apple Barn Orchard and Winery is a family-run farm in Elkhorn just outside Lake Geneva with seasonal fruit picking, fruit wines, and a store selling things like cider and baked goods and tons of fun gifts.
They have a wine bar in the store, so you can sample wines before you buy them. I also sampled their new apple soda here, and it is honest to god the best soda I have ever tasted in my life. It’s worth visiting just to try this and grab a few cases before you head home!
9. Look for River Valley Ranch products
River Valley Ranch is a family-owned mushroom farm near Burlington that also makes products such as sauces, dips, and pickled vegetables.
I also loved learning about the business, and seeing how the mushrooms are grown right there was so interesting. I could have spent a lot more time learning about this, and the food I bought to bring home was really yummy. Their pickled beans are the best my husband says he’s ever had.
The public can’t tour the mushroom farm, so I want to be clear that you can’t book that visit. I wanted to share the footage because I found it fascinating, and you can still look for their products and visit their store.
10. Play golf at Wee Nip
Wee Nip is an 11-hole short golf course at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, with holes averaging around 90 yards. It’s a smaller time commitment than a full-length course, which is helpful if you want to work some golf into a weekend but save time for other activities.
Grand Geneva estimates about 90 minutes for a round, and Wee Nip is a walking course. The resort also has two full-length courses, the Brute and the Highlands. I’ll link the course information below for anyone who wants to compare them or book a tee time.
11. Consider a zipline adventure
Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures offers ziplining, high ropes, climbing, and other fun activities. I didn’t try it during this visit, but I wanted to mention it as another option if you’re looking for something a little more active. The climbing wall was the highlight for everyone I spoke to who had visited here.
12. Figure out where to stay in Lake Geneva
These aren’t all the places to stay around Lake Geneva, but they’re the ones I’m familiar with. I’ve stayed at Maxwell Mansion more than once, and on this latest trip I also toured The Cove, Grand Geneva, and Lake Lawn. They’re quite different, both in atmosphere and location.
Maxwell Mansion
Maxwell Mansion is a boutique hotel with rooms in the historic mansion and separate buildings on the property. The mansion itself is what I love about staying here. There’s so much character, plus the Apothecary Bar and a downstairs speakeasy. They have absolutely incredible cocktails and mocktails.
Pay attention to the building when you book, though. Some rooms are in the Carriage House or Stables. I’ve stayed in the Carriage House, and I missed the historic atmosphere of the mansion. The Carriage House is a converted 1980s motel, and doesn’t have the same historic vibe. My personal preference would be to book inside the mansion itself on a future visit.
The Cove
The Cove has condo-style suites within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. That location is a big advantage. The suites I toured were nice, too, with living space and kitchen or kitchenette facilities.
The units are privately owned, while the property manages the bookings. That means the furniture and décor can vary, so your room may look a little different from the example photos online. Just something to be aware of.
Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
Grand Geneva is a large resort outside downtown, with golf courses, pools, a spa, and a lot of activities. It’s absolutely stunning. Of the resorts I visited, this one had the most going on, and parts of the property are very kid-friendly.
This is also where you’ll find Wee Nip, the short golf course I mentioned earlier. You’ll need to drive into downtown Lake Geneva, but there’s plenty to do right at the resort.
Lake Lawn Resort
Lake Lawn is on Delavan Lake, and it was the quietest resort I visited. It had such a peaceful, almost zen feeling. The rooms I toured were spacious and really nice, and I had a really good dinner at its restaurant, 1878 on the Lake. And they have a great-looking spa too.
Keep the location in mind because Delavan Lake and Geneva Lake are different lakes. You won’t be walking into downtown Lake Geneva from here. I really liked the calm atmosphere, though, and I’d be interested in returning for a stay.
16. Leave yourself time to relax
After all of those suggestions, my biggest piece of advice is still to relax. Enjoy your resort. Get a massage, book a tee time, or sleep in. There are plenty of things to do in the area, but I wouldn’t try to fit this entire list into a weekend.
The mailboat was so much fun, I loved the honey tasting, and I already want to return to Yerkes at night. Those are some of my personal highlights.
One of my cousins lives in WI. I wonder if she has ever been.