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Potawatomi Indians, you get an intimate view of the area’s
famous mansions and estates. Despite the feeling that you’re
walking through someone’s well-manicured yard, don’t worry
– the entire shoreline is publicly accessible by law. The journey
around the lake is approximately 21 miles, and although it’s
possible to make the entire hike on a long summer day, most
people enjoy breaking it up into several shorter adventures.
On the water, a variety of boat tours are available through
Lake Geneva Cruise Line, all ofering in-depth historical narration
about the many estates and mansions that line the shores of
Geneva Lake. The company’s feet of historic, restored lake yachts
(many originally steam-powered) operates from mid-April to mid-
November from the Riviera Docks in downtown Lake Geneva.
Part of the Lake Geneva Cruise Line feet, the U.S. Mailboat
Walworth carries on a unique and entertaining tradition that began
back in 1870. This one-of-a-kind tour is the only marine mail delivery
of its type in the country. Loaded with 150 passengers, mail, a very
brave and agile “Mail Jumper” and a steady-handed Captain, the
crew delivers mail to about 60 homes around the lake. The tour
operates every day at 10am—including Sundays when they deliver
newspapers—from June 15 to September 15.
For kayakers and other boating enthusiasts, stop by Clear
Water Outdoor on Main Street in Lake Geneva and get set up in a
Hobie or Current Design kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddleboard.
On your own or with a group, it’s a great way to get some
exercise and enjoy the lake from an entirely diferent perspective
whether you’re a novice or an advanced performance racer. Need
something a bit larger? Conventional watercraft can be rented
from Elmer’s Lake Geneva Boat Line, a family owned business in
operation since 1929 that ofers speedboats, wave runners, or 30-
foot catamarans.
ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENGAGED
Using Chicago or Milwaukee as your transportation hub, Lake
Geneva ofers numerous facilities for meeting and events, unique
venues for receptions and gatherings, and plenty of activities to
keep participants enthusiastic and engaged. Accommodations ft
any budget – from upscale resorts such as the Grand Geneva Resort
and Spa to a spate of small B&Bs.
At the top end, the AAA 4-diamond Grand Geneva ofers
62,000 square feet of event space, 355 guest rooms, three world- include AeppelTreow Winery in Burlington, Apple Barn Winery in
class restaurants, two championship golf courses, pools, tennis
courts, and a spa, salon & ftness center. Another resort-style
property with plenty of meeting space and amenities, the Abbey
Resort is located at the western end of Geneva Lake in the town
of Fontana. This 334-room lakehouse-inspired property includes 13
suites, a spa, six cafes
and restaurants, indoor engaging venues
and outdoor pools and
a full marina, as well
as 40,000 square feet Baker House:
of fexible indoor and htp://www.bakerhouse1885.com/
outdoor function space.
The Riviera:
If you want to htp://www.lakegenevariviera.com/
go off-site, consider
a unique venue like Lake Geneva Canopy Tours:
Baker House, where htp://www.lakegenevacanopytours.com/
groups can enjoy a Aerial Adventures:
sunset cocktail party htp://www.aerialadventureslg.com/
on the expansive Yerkes Observatory:
front lawn facing htp://astro.uchicago.edu/yerkes/
Geneva Lake. Guests
can choose from
14 SHORT ESCAPES
the hotel’s extensive hat collection to lend the proper air of a 10-mile route through the beautiful Wisconsin countryside. The
Victorian elegance to the event. Inside, a number of parlors and Depot Museum in East Troy showcases the fascinating history of
a tavern room complete the experience. the region’s electric railways, and groups can arrange charters
Or consider The Riviera, the historic lakeside pavilion that and routes that include live entertainment, special food, displays,
hosted Big Band performances in the 1930s and 40s. It can handle ceremonies and presentations, or other features.
up to 400 for sit down dinners and is ideal for after-meeting Near the western end of the lake, the Yerkes Observatory
entertaining, with its expansive views of Geneva Lake and was established in 1897 and until the mid-1960s housed all of the
proximity to downtown. activities for the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the
University of Chicago. Today the 77-acre site provides laboratory
locating lake geneva… space and access to telescopes for research and instruction. It’s
also available to host special events, which can include tours and,
weather permitting, observing through telescopes. Organizations
can even make arrangements for outside catering.
• Lake Geneva Conventon & Visitors Bureau:
htp://www.lakegenevawi.com/ For bicyclers, Lake Geneva ofers a number of options
Lake Geneva Shorepath Walk: in and around town. The Blue Route runs from downtown to
• htp://www.lakegenevawi.com/c/Play/Geneva_Lake_ Lake Geneva Middle School along the old railroad corridor and
Shorepath_Walk.aspx connects with other routes along the way. The Green Route
travels from Country Road H to Veteran’s Park along Townline
• Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Road. This route provides parking and other recreational
htp://www.cruiselakegeneva.com/ opportunities. The Red Route goes from County Road H north
• Clear Water Outdoor: along the east side of Edwards Boulevard; the Brown Route
htp://www.clearwateroutdoor.com/cwo-kayak-canoe.aspx from Bonnie Brae Lane to Edwards Blvd. along Bloomfeld Road
• Elmer’s Lake Geneva Boat Line: and South Street; and the Yellow Route circles the Lake Geneva
htp://www.lakegenevaboatline.com/ Business Park pond and runs through Veteran’s Park.
And for something a bit more of-beat, Aerial Adventures
• Biking & Hiking: features ziplines, climbing towers, a “Vertical Playground”
htp://www.lakegenevawi.com/c/Play/ON_THE_LAND/ boasting 12 diferent climbs, and bicycle rental, while Lake Geneva
Hiking_--_Biking_.aspx Canopy Tours features eight ziplines, fve SkyBridges (one over
• East Troy Electric Railroad: 240 feet long), three spiral staircases and a one-of-a-kind Double
htp://www.eastroyrr.org/ Helix stairway ascending 40 feet up a beautiful Ash tree.
A WORLD AWAY
It’s amazing what a diference an hour makes. To escape the big-
VENTURING OUT city bustle of Chicago or Milwaukee and fnd yourself in a place so
Geneva Lake is surrounded by dozens of apple orchards, wineries utterly “away” from all that. Of course, that’s what frst attracted
and farmer’s markets that cater to a range of culinary and oenology the wealthy to Lake Geneva, and why so many have followed suit
interests. The Elegant Farmer in nearby Mukwonago operates a over the years.
gourmet market and bakery where they sell their infamous, award- But it still never fails to amaze…coming upon this beautiful
winning “Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag,” as well as a pick-your- lake and its collection of stately mansions, its waters plied by
own apple orchard, hay rides and other events. Local wineries antique yachts and gleaming wooden speedboats from another
era, ringed by an old Indian trail, suddenly appearing in the midst
Elkhorn and Staller Estate Vineyard & Winery in Delavan. of Wisconsin’s rolling hills and felds. It’s a singular place, one that
One of the best ways to get to the Elegant Farmer is via the warrants a visit the next time you’re exploring the upper Midwest.
East Troy Electric Railroad, which ofers historic rail cars traveling
SHORT ESCAPES 15