Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Beaches, Historic Mansions & Local Hotspots

Once the summer home of Chicago businessman Conrad Seipp and his descendants, Black Point Estate & Gardens was built in 1887 on the banks of Geneva Lake. It was a place where the family used to escape from Chicago’s summer heat and the hustle and bustle of city life. In 2005, William O. Petersen, Seipp’s great-grandson, donated the beautiful 20-room Queen Anne-style “cottage,” surrounded by 8 acres of beautiful grounds with 620 feet of untouched Geneva Lake shoreline and antique furniture and décor, to the state of Wisconsin. After extensive restoration, Black Point Estate & Gardens was opened to the public in 2007 as an historical home museum. The property is managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society and is considered one of the best examples of Queen Ann architecture.

W4270 Southland Rd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-248-1888

An all-season waterpark resort, Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark in Lake Geneva boasts approximately fifty thousand square feet of both outdoor and indoor fun for the entire family. The resort’s Moose Mountain Falls is an outdoor/indoor waterpark featuring a Lazy River, activity pools, a heated pool, 35-foot water slides, and more. In addition to the waterpark, Timber Ridge Lodge also offers more than sixty interactive arcade games, a variety of unique activities for children at the Kids Activity Center, climbing opportunities, and even possibly a run with moose. Timber Ridge Lodge is an all-suite resort with spacious accommodations for families.

Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark , 7020 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, 262-249-3400

Safari Lake Geneva is a unique wildlife habitat located only about 5 miles from downtown Lake Geneva. Surrounded by 75 acres of untouched wildlife habitat, Safari Lake Geneva is home to more than 50 exotic wild animals from all over the world. The animals live free, in environments that approximate their natural habitat, and visitors can observe them from the company’s safari truck or wagon. Visitors can observe American bison, domestic yak, Ankole-Watusi cattle, camel, llama, greater rhea, alpaca, Brahman cattle, miniature horses, nilgai antelope, scimitar-horned oryx, blackbuck antelope, miniature zebu, and others. While driving through the wildlife habitat, visitors can also spot native wild animals that live in the surrounding forests, such as white-tailed deer, muskrats, and painted turtles. The tours last about 1 hour and visitors can feed the animals that approach their vehicles.

W1612 Litchfield Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-475-8089

Founded in 1983, the Geneva Lake Museum is located in the 1929 Wisconsin Power & Light building in historic downtown Lake Geneva. The large space gave local history buffs and the Museum Board the idea to create the Main Street Historic District. It spreads over a 2.5-acre area and includes most buildings in the 700 blocks of Main Street. Visitors can visit a lovingly restored log cabin housing Potawatomi tools and a collection of arrowheads, a blacksmith shop, ice-cutting tools, horseshoeing tools, a fire engine house with an 1890 hose wagon, a 1920s dental work station, an 1890s school room, and many other turn of the century structures. There are also some additional areas to display various artifacts as well as a store and a meeting room.

255 Mill St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-248-6060

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Located in Williams Bay, north of the Williams Bay Beach, the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy is a fascinating 231-acre park with an interesting and diverse mix of ecosystems. The wetlands are located at the park’s south end, just across from the beach and in the park’s northeastern section. Beside wetlands, Kishwauketoe also has oak woods, prairie, kettle, deciduous forest, a meadow, two creeks, and an arboretum. Visitors can explore the park along 4 miles of trails and raised boardwalks. All along the trails are lush plants such as wild geranium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, tall meadow rue, may apple, sedges, and various grasses. The park provides a home to many birds and wild animals such as deer, fox, coyote, raccoon, and opossum. There is a small pavilion offering both shelter and a venue for various activities.

251 Elkhorn Rd, Williams Bay, WI 53191, Phone: 262-903-3601

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Dancing Horses is a magnificent spectacle that features a range of horse breeds that dance and perform together with their trainers in a visually stunning show of equestrian artistry. The show is performed in a small and intimate yet state-of-the-art 300-seat theatre. The unique live show is a product of its founder’s dream and a love of horses. The current performance is called The Power of a Dream, and to the spectators it brings back memories of the childhood so many of us had. It is performed by a group of magnificent horses and their talented and creative professional trainers and partners.

5065 WI-50, Delavan, Wisconsin 53115, Phone: 262-728-8200

The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is a gem of southern Wisconsin as a snow and skiing resort boasting some of the state’s best ski hills. Set in the Lake Geneva countryside, The Mountaintop features twenty downhill ski runs. There is terrain at the resort for all abilities and ages, helping the ski resort be one of Wisoncson’s best. In addition to skiing, visitors can also find opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, and more. The Burton RIglet Park is designed specifically with kids in mind, offering different stations for learning with the help of certified instructors.

7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, 262-248-8811

Dan Patch Stables, which can be found near the entrance of The Grand Geneva Resort Spa, prides itself on providing fun for all ages throughout the entire year. Year-round trail rides at the stables are offered by reservation during regular hours. The gentle horses and trail guides allow visitors to see the beautiful countryside of Wisconsin in a different way than simply driving through it, traveling down and up hills and through woods. Dan Patch Stables also features a petting farm, where children can pet and feed a variety of animals, as well as pony rides for younger guests.

Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, 262-215-5303

The lake is a big part of the city of Lake Geneva, so there is no better way to explore it than on board of one of the Lake Geneva Cruise Line boats. They offer a wide range of sightseeing tours around the lake and along its coast. You can choose to get a close view of the lavish mansions and estates that are spread along the shores. If you are interested in local history, there is a tour that will tell you all about the famous names of people who settled in the lake area. You can also just enjoy a relaxing evening dinner cruise, the famous US Mailboat Tour, or the Ice Cream Social Tour – as you can imagine, it involves sampling some great ice creams. Whatever tour you choose, you will love the lush greenery that surrounds the lake. Tours operate from April to November.

812 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-248-6206

A charming little shop on Geneva Square, the Lake Geneva Pie Co has been treating locals and visitors to delicious pies since 2001, quickly gaining a reputation for the best pies in the area. This family-owned bakery specializes in fresh sweet and savory pies that are made from the best possible ingredients, and it has won many awards for its delicious treats. You can get a whole pie or just a slice, take it with you or sit at one of several tables in the charming, small shop decorated with local original art. They also serve coffee with their pies. At lunch time, you should try their pot pies and quiches. The Lake Geneva Pie Company is proud to donate more than 100 pies a year to different local organizations for fund raising.

150 E Geneva Square, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-248-5100