Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

There’s a reason why Lake Geneva has been Chicago’s number one vacation destination for generations. As one of America’s best lake towns, it boasts an array of activities from booze cruises and hot air balloon rides to a stomach-satisfying food and drink scene. Luckily, there are many ways to escape the crowded downtown from walking the entire length of the lake shore along the town’s uniquely open-to-the-public Lake Shore Path to hiding out in under-the-radar Lake Como, home of the epic Mars Resort and its newly expanded patio. The lesser-visited lakeside towns of Williams Bay, Fontana, and nearby Lake Delavan are also more than worthy of exploration.

Lake Geneva is well-known for its numerous luxurious resorts, stunning beaches, and natural beauty. What is this? Its storied past means that many old buildings and historic homes still exist there, where they have become some of the many Lake Geneva attractions. Lake Geneva reminds this Michigander of Traverse City minus the cherries, but it is much more affordable. This lake has been a popular tourist destination for well over two hundred years. The tourism infrastructure around the lake is excellent with a wide variety of hotels and restaurants, many activities, numerous cultural events and festivals, and many opportunities for sightseeing and entertainment. Thanks to its fabled history, Lake Geneva remains a desirable summer destination for both the affluent and the ordinary, who flock to the lake to gawk at the waterfront estates from the public Shore Path and watch newspapers being delivered to the sprawling mansions by boat.

Miles from Chicago: 80 miles northwest
Suggested round-trip time: 1.5-hour drive
Location: Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5