Lake Geneva: A Timeless Resort with Year-Round Charm

This Lake Geneva Itinerary at a Glance

Lake Geneva is a year-round resort destination located in southeast Wisconsin, featuring captivating lakes, natural beauty, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Conveniently located between two Midwest metropolitan areas, getting to Lake Geneva is a 70-minute drive from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and just 45 minutes from Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport.

With its luxurious yet laid-back seaside feel, Lake Geneva has long been admired as the “Newport of the West” and the “Hamptons of Chicago”. Discovered by wealthy Chicagoans following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, it became a place of respite and relaxation. Today, Lake Geneva is a place where history and tradition culminate in genuine warmth and hospitality, welcoming visitors all year-round.

For more great travel stories, Read the Full Leisure Group Travel Magazine and Subscribe to the Newsletter for FREE

Enjoy These Attractions and More:

Lake Geneva Cruise Line Luncheon Cruise
Fireside Dinner Theatre
Geneva Lake Museum
Geneva Lake Shore Path

Lake Geneva Day-to-Day Itinerary

DAY 1 of Things To Do in Lake Geneva

Begin your trip with a Lake Geneva Cruise Line Luncheon Cruise. Relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of Geneva Lake as you cruise around the entire lake and are served a delicious sit-down meal aboard The Grand Belle. Enjoy a narrated historical tour as you circle the lake, and soak in million-dollar views of gilded mansions and sprawling estates built by famous families like the Wrigleys, Maytags, and Schwinns. The luncheon cruise is 2 ¼ hours, departing at 11:30 am and running May through October.

Step back in time at the 1888 Victorian summer retreat of Chicago beer baron, Conrad Seipp at the Black Point Estate & Gardens. Considered one of the finest examples of period architecture in the Midwest and one of the oldest homes in Lake Geneva, the estate spans eight acres and 620 feet of shoreline. The jewel of the experience is your 90-minute tour of the first two floors of the Queen Anne-style mansion, which includes 20 rooms, all filled with original, period furnishings.

Since 1964, The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest, featuring Broadway-quality musical productions with professional staff and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. The 1,000-seat restaurant and 665-seat theatre-in-the-round offer superb group dining options and boutique shops in a one-of-a-kind setting. Motorcoach groups of 18+ are treated to step-on greetings, group leader and driver perks, and more.

Stay in a group-friendly hotel of your choice and recharge for another fun day ahead.

DAY 2 of Lake Geneva Activities

Start with a visit to the Geneva Lake Museum. Catch a glimpse of what the City of Lake Geneva and Geneva Lake were like during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Peek into historical homes and stores, a blacksmith shop, a firehouse, and other places along our “Main Street,” and see everyday artifacts of a time gone by, including furniture, clothing, and machines, plus a stagecoach and nautical vessels. Also enjoy the new exhibit, “The Wizard of Lake Geneva”, highlighting Lake Geneva’s legacy as the birthplace of the world-famous fantasy game, Dungeons & Dragons.

Enjoy some lunch at Lake City Social, located in the heart of bustling Downtown Lake Geneva, overlooking Flat Iron Park and Geneva Lake. Featuring burgers, salads, ribs, pasta, seafood, and steaks, along with unique appetizers, the expansive dining room and private spaces are ideal for groups.

Next, stop at Yerkes Observatory. This 1897 observatory is known as the birthplace of modern astrophysics and has been home and school to notable astronomers, Nobel prize winners, and renowned scientists. During the hour-and-a-half tour, your guide will share the history and architecture of Yerkes, provide a close encounter with the world’s largest refracting telescope, and share details of the ongoing preservation of this iconic landmark. Currently, all tours are walking tours, both inside the Observatory and outdoors through the historic Olmsted-designed landscape.

End your day with some dinner at East Troy Electric Railroad. Enjoy a 14-mile ride on historic trolleys or interurban cars with a stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli. Round-trip departures are from the East Troy Depot & Museum and travel to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago. Experience the romance of dining aboard award-winning Art Deco railroad cars with three-and four-course dinner excursions. Meticulously restored coaches of the Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad serve as your dining room.

DAY 3 of Lake Geneva Attractions

Begin your day with a visit to the Lake Geneva School of Cooking. You’ll join award-winning Chef John Bogan for a hands-on cooking class, with participants sporting chef hats and aprons, and prepared recipes in hand. Each team prepares its course under the guidance of Chef John and the staff. Once the cooking is complete, each team will plate their course and join their fellow group members to enjoy their home-made lunch.

One of Lake Geneva’s most popular attractions is the Geneva Lake Shore Path, a public walking trail winding around the entire shoreline of Geneva Lake, offering an up-close view of breathtaking mansions, estates, and other historical points of interest. The shore path is about 21 miles in total, but with multiple access points around the lake, walkers can experience it in smaller stretches with convenient amenities, including parking and restrooms.

Fun for all ages and home to award-winning illusionist Tristan Crist, the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre is a must-see show that includes Vegas-style magic, comedy, and mind-blowing illusions. This show is named Lake Geneva’s #1 Thing to Do on TripAdvisor and is open year-round with new acts added each year. The 90-minute professionally produced show can be scheduled to fit your group’s ideal timeline, and the tour operator and bus driver receive complimentary show tickets.

Wind down with Dinner at The Getaway on Lake Como. This historic gem is located at The French Country Inn on beautiful Lake Como, just a few minutes from Downtown Lake Geneva. Enjoy fine dining, a cozy atmosphere, and scenic lake views. This property has a fascinating history as a former hideaway for notorious gangsters, including “Scarface” Capone, George “Bugs” Moran, Jack “Machine Gun” McGurn, and John Dillinger.