Crowned the Number 2 best lake in the United States by USA Today for 2024, Lake Geneva offers visitors pristine waters and scenic shorelines in an often overlooked region in Southeastern Wisconsin.
With its combination of arts, outdoor recreation, and elevated dining with more than sixty distinctive eateries, Lake Geneva is often referred to as the “Hamptons of Chicago” or the “Newport of the Midwest.”
“Offering year-round appeal, it is no wonder readers voted Geneva Lake one of the best lakes in the United States,” said Maggie Tyner, USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards editor. “The summer season sees the lake abuzz with swimmers and sun seekers, while winter welcomes iceboating and ice fishing.”
Located just 40 miles from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva became famous as a Gilded Age lakeside retreat for wealthy Chicago families. Its central location makes it accessible for many people in Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, and Minnesota to visit by car or by flying into the Milwaukee or Chicago airports.
As one of three main communities on Geneva Lake, this is a destination that exudes small town charm, yet is home to luxury, full-service resorts and upscale dining.
The Wrigleys, Drakes, Schwinns, and Chapins are among the many families who own lavish summer mansions on the lake — and the 21-mile Shore Path that runs alongside the lake allows you to walk through the lake front yards, getting to see these historic homes up close.
“The Geneva Lake shore path is our crown jewel, and something few places in the world have. Where else can you walk 21-miles through the yards of magnificent estates to experience living history?” says Stephanie Klett, President and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva.
“There’s a spring-fed lake to one side of you, and incredible mansions on the other. It’s a place to dream big.”
Outdoor Adventure Is Trending
Outdoor recreation participation grew 4.1% last year to 175.8 million participants. A summer 2024 Viator survey placed outdoor excursions such as kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and lake cruises as some of the most sought-after travel experiences.
This summer, Gov. Tony Evers officially recognized outdoor recreation opportunities as contributors to Wisconsin’s record-breaking tourism numbers.
Spanning 5,000 acres of crystal blue waters, Lake Geneva is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. However, with the region’s shifting weather conditions, recreation outfitters must be flexible. One such outfitter, Clear Water Outdoor, offers stand-up paddle boarding and kayak rentals in the summer and cross-country skis and snowshoes in the winter.
“We are fortunate in Wisconsin because there are so many lakes, trails, and State Parks,” says Sean P. Payne, owner of Clear Water Outdoor. “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.”
For Gen Z and millennials, hiking ranks as their top outdoor activity, as 81% of young consumers say they prefer trips that get them closer to nature. In addition to the 21-mile Short Path, the nearby Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy has more than four miles of trails along 231 acres.
Closer to town, Big Foot Beach State Park has five miles of hiking trails, a family campground, a picnic area, a swimming beach, and a playground. Winter visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski on park trails.
The View From the Lake
Geneva Lake is one of only a handful of places in the United States where mail carriers still deliver postage by boat. Book an iconic 2.5-hour Mail Boat tour from June 15 through Sept. 15 to experience this unique postal delivery.
Watch mail jumpers hop on and off the piers, hand-delivering to families waiting nearby. Between stops, you’ll get insight into the historic homes lining Lake Geneva.
This year, the Santa Cruise runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 29. The aptly-named event begins with a walk through the Christmas Tree Festival, where kids send their wish list directly to Santa. Afterward, head off on a Christmas cruise aboard a vessel decked out in holiday lights. Lastly, see Santa himself at his lakeside hideaway, where he’ll read your child’s name off his “nice list!”
Luxury Resort
Named one of Travel and Leisure‘s best Midwest resorts for a fall getaway, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has 348 guest rooms on 1,300 rolling acres just outside downtown.
Originally opened in 1968 as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club, Grand Geneva is a luxury escape for anyone visiting the area. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture hotel features two championship golf courses and a ski lounge designed to resemble two interlocking snowflakes.
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva, designed for year-round enjoyment, offers outdoor pools alongside 21 downhill ski runs.
“Our mission at The Mountain Top is to provide an unforgettable winter experience for all skill levels, from first-timers to seasoned skiers,” shares Skip Harless, managing director of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. “We are committed to making skiing and snow sports accessible, fun, and less intimidating with our available classes, events, and special savings.”
If you’re not into skiing, guests can take a quick trolley ride down to Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, which boasts a 50,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor water park.
Anytime Is a Good Time To Visit Lake Geneva
Though the traditional summer season — from Memorial Day through Labor Day — is the most popular time to visit Lake Geneva, there’s a reason to head here year-round.
The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer milder weather and more affordable lodging. Experts anticipate Lake Geneva’s colorful fall foliage will peak the third week in October, just in time for Oktoberfest.
On Oct. 12 and 13, Downtown Lake Geneva transforms into a classic downtown street fair, with a beer garden, food, German music, a dachshund race, and kids’ activities.
The snowy winter season offers downhill skiing, ice fishing, and iceboat racing, in which participants race modified sailboats on ice. Because of the elusive factors needed to create perfect racing conditions, few places outside of Lake Geneva offer this unique experience.
If the boats are out, grab a basket of fried cheese curds at Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn and watch races from nearby Fontana Beach.
The 30th Annual Winterfest, held Jan. 29, 2025, through Feb. 2, 2025, features a national snow-sculpting competition. Fifteen competing teams fly in from across the country to carve larger-than-life snow sculptures, which visitors can see on display through the weekend — or until they melt.
In a region best known for its expansive Great Lakes, Lake Geneva certainly makes a splash of its own.
