Lake Geneva is a small resort city on the breathtakingly gorgeous blue Geneva Lake in the southeastern part of Wisconsin. Along the Shore Path, you will find the magnificent Gilded Age Mansions, many of which were constructed by Chicago’s elite class. It is located between Chicago, Illinois, which is on the northwest side and is 80 miles away, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is on the southwest side and is 50 miles away.
The city has a population of around 8,105 people, according to the U.S Census. Given its small population and beautiful landscapes, Lake Geneva is the perfect place to visit with family and friends, especially if you’re into fishing and want to enjoy some marvelous beaches.
The city is known for its numerous beaches and its wide variety of fishes in the lake. The lake covers almost 5262 acres of land, is 7.6 miles long, and approximately 2.1 miles wide. It’s spring-fed and homes several delicious fishes like northern pike, walleye, lake trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and many others. It has options when it comes to beaches so you can relax and enjoy the day under the shiny sun at different beaches each day.
Lake Geneva Beach Guide
If you plan to visit Lake Geneva, you need to go to its sandy beaches and enjoy the day basking in the sun or kayaking in the ever blue water. Lake Geneva has a total of three different beaches which are open to the public. These beaches are highly secure — they have lifeguards, swimming piers, life jackets, restrooms, and other amenities.
Riviera Beach
This is one of the most famous beaches in the city. It’s located in the heart of Lake Geneva and has ever-blue pristine waters, the gleaming sun, sandy white beaches, and the scenic landscapes of the beach.
Riviera Beach is located on Wrigley Drive, at a slight distance from the Lake Geneva Library, Geneva Lake Shore Path, and downtown. So, not only will you be able to enjoy a good tan, but you can also go around and explore some of the main areas and cuisines of the city. The place is ideal for families, and it can be considered as one of the most kid-friendly places.
It does not allow alcoholic beverages, smoking, glass containers, knives, or any kind of lethal weapons on the premises. Unfortunately, you will not be able to bring your pets to the beach either. The beach charges you for entry, but children who are six years old or under can enter for free at no cost.
Fontana Beach
Fontana beach is only about a 20 minutes drive to the west of Lake Geneva. This particular beach is perfect for people who want to deal with fewer crowds and for those who enjoy water activities like kayaking.
The beach has a wide grassy area on the side and also has changing rooms on the premises. There is a parking lot right next to the beach however you will have to pay for parking your car there. An exciting thing about the beach is that it occasionally has movie nights. The officials set up an inflatable movie screen, and everyone gets cocooned up under the stars to watch popular movies.
Fontana is a small peaceful village which is located right next to the city. It is filled with small shops and cafes, which is quite convenient, especially if you want something peaceful after an exhausting day of physical activity.
The beach is located right next to the historical mansions mentioned up above. So while dozing off in the sun, kayaking, or swimming, you will be able to see glimpses of the famous and rich history of the area.
Big Foot Beach State Park
Big Foot Beach State Park is located on Lake Shore Drive, and it’s only 10 miles away from downtown. It’s a pet-friendly beach, making it perfect for pet owners. Apart from a beautiful beach, the park also lets you get a hands-on experience of the wilderness. The park is surrounded by thick forests and lots of wooded campsites. If you’re an avid camper or hiker, this place is perfect for you.
The best thing about the park is that it’s open all around the year. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, you can always come to the city and enjoy everything the park has to offer.
The beach allows boating, canoeing, and kayaking along the Ceylon Lagoon and Lake Geneva. There are two public boat launches towards the south of the park, in Linn Township and downtown Lake Geneva. If you want to relax in the lake, a good place to anchor is towards the park’s northern shoreline.
You can also fish there as well. If you’re on vacation and didn’t bring fishing equipment along, you’ll be able to rent it from the many local shops nearby.
Things To Do In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
If you think the only entertainment that the city provides is limited to the beaches, that’s far from the truth. The city is a marvel on its own, which is why it’s one of the most famous resorts and recreation destinations in the USA. The best part about it is that you can come whenever you want since there is always something going on. Similar to the other famous resort city in the state, Wisconsin Dells, you’ll find plenty of adult-friendly activities as well as family-friendly options.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, staycation with family or friends, or want a week-long fishing trip, it’s an excellent destination for all travel scenarios. With that in mind, here are some must-do activities you need to try when you visit Lake Geneva, especially if it’s your first time.
Walk The Geneva Lake Shore Path
Whether you’re looking to exercise or simply get to know the city, you need to walk the Geneva Lake Shore Path. A walk along the shore path will give you a quick review of the splendor of the place. You’ll not only be able to see the lake from here, but you can also get a close-up view of the luxurious estates that have green manicured gardens and elegant boat houses.
It’s a 21-mile path so make sure you wear your joggers, sweatpants and bring a water bottle during the walk! Don’t forget to bring caps and sunscreens, especially if you’re visiting in the summer when the sun is out the most.
Visit Yerkes Observatory
The Yerkes Observatory is located on Williams Bay. The University of Chicago’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is the core operator of the building. It’s also known as the birthplace of modern astrophysics and hence, is one of the most popular buildings visited by tourists.
It’s most known for its 40-inch diameter refracting telescope, which resides in the observatory’s main dome. There are two other small dome houses with 40-inch and 24-inch reflecting telescopes. You’ll also find several other smaller telescopes here.
The surrounding area has been converted into parkland, which is perfect for a walk or a picnic. As a fun historical fact, this observatory was Albert Einstein’s most favorite place to visit.
Go To A Local Event
Lake Geneva is always conducting some type of event. Restaurant week is an event that starts in the summer and goes on for about ten days. The event includes special menus from all the top-notch restaurants in the city. Concerts, carnivals, water ski shows, boat parades, craft fairs, and fireworks are also very common in the town throughout the year. It also hosts a few competitions like the Winterfest and U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition.
Go on a Boat Tour
Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers some of the best tour boat options available. There are sightseeing, historical, and even dining options. It provides many public tours, including Geneva bay, Full Lake, US Mailboat, Ice-cream Social, Black Point Estate tour, and many others! If you have a large group and want to go on a private cruise, you’ll be able to choose the boat, catering options, and vendors, including bands, DJs, event planners, florists, and photographers.
Go for a Hike At White River County Park
Located on Sheridan Springs Road, White River County Park is a 200 acres wide park adorned with scenic segments of the river and dense forest. The hiking trail goes on for approximately five miles and gives the hikers a beautiful view of nature. The park has plans to build shelters as well as a nature center to make this place even more entertaining and fun for all visitors.
Guest Author: Martin Soto runs TravelExplorator.com, where he provides travel tips and travel guides from his experiences traveling across the United States.
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