It will be hard to choose which season to visit historic Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, but make sure it’s on your travel bucket list. With vibrant leaves and some of the best fall golf weather in the nation, an Autumn trip is hard to refuse. In the winter, visitors can enjoy fresh blankets of fresh powder on nearby ski slopes, followed by relaxing at world-class indoor resort spas and waterparks for families.
Springtime provides rare opportunities to see wildlife as you traverse nearby hiking trails. Stop by the Geneva Outdoor Market, rent bicycles and cruise along the 26-mile public Lakeshore Path to find your perfect picnic destination – or window shop for your future lakeside estate. Summer, the most memorable season for water sport enthusiasts, is all about getting out on the water whether it’s by sailboat, a lake cruise on the Lake Geneva Cruise Line or even a kayak rental.
Lake Geneva’s personality changes drastically each season. But, one trend remains consistent: this gem of a lake destination has been a playground for Chicago’s elite since the mid-nineteenth century. In 1871, the Lake Geneva Express route was established from the Chicago suburb Elgin to the Lake Geneva Depot Station. More followed over the next century, transporting wealthy Chicago natives to their lake homes, according to city archives.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the small lake town attracted national celebrities and recording artists with the opening of the late Hugh Hefner’s Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel and the Shade Tree Recording Studio, which brought the allure of Los Angeles to the area and became one of the Midwest’s first luxury resorts.
Lake Geneva’s Resort Destinations
Hefner’s glamorous resort transitioned ownership and was eventually purchased by Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation and remodeled into the current-day family-friendly establishment Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. With 356 guest accommodations including the luxury villas, two championship golf courses, three restaurants, a ski hill and the indoor WELL Spa and Salon, the Grand Geneva is a year-round destination to suit any traveler – and our top golf resort recommendation in the area.
“Located just one hour outside of Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is one of the Midwest’s most desirable destinations for leisure and business travelers,” said Stephen Magnuson, managing director of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, noting the variety of seasonal amenities mentioned above.
Avid golfers should hit the links at both of Grand Geneva’s courses as they couldn’t be more different. The par-72 Brute Course, as its name suggests, is one of the most challenging layouts in the Midwest with 7,000 yards of greens enhanced with 68 bunkers and huge rolling greens designed by Robert Bruce Harris. The Scottish-inspired Highlands course, designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus and later transformed by Bob Cupp, provides a scenic experience through lush foliage and trickling creeks of the Southwestern Wisconsin terrain and forces golfers to make smart decisions and play strategic golf. Check in with the resort as golf season ends before the holidays and picks up in early Spring.
After working up an appetite from the travel day or lake adventures, guests can dive into the cuisine scene at Grand Geneva, highlighted by the fine dining at Geneva Chop House with butcher’s prime cuts and shareable plates paired with quality wine from top regions around the world. Or, savor contemporary Italian cuisine at Ristorante Brissago in an intimate dining area with panoramic views of the Brute golf course. Bring the kids to the casual Grand Café offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We visited during peak summer season while the sprawling pool area was in full swing, but Grand Geneva has just as much demand during its winter months thanks to the rich tradition it has built around the holidays. It begins with the Illumination Ceremony on Nov. 21 where the resort flips the switch to turn on the holidays and continues with a gingerbread house contest, breakfast with Santa, skiing and more winter sports fun throughout the season.
It is worth noting that while Grand Geneva is spectacular and has its own smaller-scale lakes and creeks on its golf courses, it is about three miles from Lake Geneva itself and the downtown area. For travelers seeking a lakefront stay who are willing to sacrifice onsite golf, The Abbey Resort is a solid option on the opposite side of the lake.
What this resort lacks in fairways, it makes up for in marina accessibility. The Abbey partners with Gordy’s Marine to oversee stand-up paddleboard and boat rentals, and also help coordinate launching privately owned boats from the marina. Other ways guests can take advantage of the waterfront views on the resort include taking a dip in The Abbey’s indoor and outdoor pools, winter ice skating on the lawn, seasonal art immersion at The Abbey’s Waterfront Art Gallery featuring work by Carol Ann Warren or a monthly “Make and Take” art event on the lawn where participants are guided by a local artist to create their own visual art souvenirs.
As for accommodations, The Abbey describes its 334 guest rooms, suites and villas as nautically inspired with lake cottage furnishings and ambiance. The resort’s dining experience is led by its signature restaurant, 240° West, with farm-to-fork ingredients from the Midwest and a rustic atmosphere influenced by wine country. The Abbey also has plenty of holiday programming, beginning with a famed Thanksgiving dinner buffet, Santa’s Landing by the lake, Brunch with Santa and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Celebration. Avani, the resort’s spa, will complete a major facelift in 2022.
“The Abbey Resort offers unique and memorable lakeside experiences for its guests every time they visit,” said Michael Lucero, general manager at The Abbey. “Not only are our amenities top-notch, but our staff continues to excel at guest service and we’re proud to be known as the ‘Friendliest Resort in Lake Geneva.’”
Exploring the Downtown District
Dining, imbibing and shopping in the downtown district of Lake Geneva is a must. Locals raved about Oakfire Pizza, an acclaimed pizzeria and bar with two stories of open-air, lakeside seating serving up Neapolitan pies made from scratch via Italian-imported wood-fired ovens, local beer and a generous wine list. The brand new Topsy Turvy Brewing Company has become another popular hot spot among the locals. For a more formal dining experience, head to Grandview Restaurant southeast of downtown to enjoy fresh surf’n’turf dishes with sprawling nature views of Big Foot Beach State Park and the lake.
High-end independent retail shops, bistros and wine bars line the streets bustling with visitors. Similar to other flourishing small towns in the Midwest, Lake Geneva’s nineteenth-century architecture is prominent throughout the village. Yet, here it is artfully blended with modern parks, contemporary new builds and public art that give the town an aesthetically pleasing character with a colorful past.
As you weave down the roads to the lakeshore’s cobblestone path, the sight of Lake Geneva’s unexpected vastness may take your breath away. Dip your feet in the cool water and watch the sailboats glide across the water from Elm Park or Riviera Beach. For many, time spent at the lake conjures cheerful childhood memories with family and close friends. Lake Geneva eagerly evokes this feeling in its guests, whether it’s their first or fiftieth time experiencing “lake life.”
By Katie Soltas