Best Things To Do In Lake Geneva

If you want to get some exercise, stop into this outdoor outfitter in the heart of downtown. In addition to carrying any last-minute recreational gear you might have forgotten, Clear Water will also rent you kayaks and paddleboards from their dock along Wrigley Drive.

A big part of the lake experience is whiling away an afternoon on a big boat with loads of beers and plenty of friends. Assuming you don’t own your own boat — or have a friend with one — Marina Bay Boat Rentals can make your lazy-day dreams come true. Their selection of vessels run around 20 to 25 feet long, just enough room for you and your crew to spread out and enjoy the sunshine. They don’t come cheap, though: a half day will run you $500 or more.

Getting “out” on the lake can also mean cycling around it. If you’d like to bike a lap of the lake, this downtown coffee shop has everything you need, from pedal-assist e-bikes to mountain bikes for rent. A trip around Geneva Lake is a little over 25 miles if you take the suggested route, though the shop can point out plenty of other rides around the area, ranging from easy trips into small towns to all-day excursions through the unforgiving hills.

One of the coolest things about Lake Geneva is its walking path around the lake. By law, all waterfront property must leave a small easement for the path, so you may find yourself literally strolling through the backyards of Gilded Age mansions as you make your way around, maybe even crashing the occasional backyard barbecue. It’s a great way to get a feel for the area and see some spectacular homes that are otherwise hidden from public view. Just be careful: stepping too far off the path is trespassing, and homeowners aren’t afraid to tell you.

Part biker bar, part weekend drinking patio, the Mars Resort is Lake Geneva’s quintessential supper club, where your prime rib dinner comes with front-row seats to the lake. The circular bar in the dining room is a great place to pregame with the requisite brandy Old Fashioned, then you can take a table inside next to a panoramic window or head outside to enjoy the sunshine. On weekends during peak season, the outdoor bar gets absolutely packed with boaters, giving Mars its own party scene.

For a sense of the history behind Wisconsin supper clubs, head about 15 minutes outside Lake Geneva to the Duck Inn. During Prohibition, the space acted as a speakeasy, then transitioned into one of the state’s original supper clubs after liquor became legal. It was restored to its historic glory in the mid-1990s, and is the area’s best representation of traditional supper club culture.

This unassuming dive bar a block off the main drag serves Lake Geneva’s most creative, approachable selection of food. The burgers are all made with local beef and cheese, with interesting options like the Kurt Apostrophe, which comes with guacamole, sautéed portobello, garlic aioli and habanero and garlic dill cheddars. You can also sample dishes like wonton mozzarella sticks, bison burgers and smoked wings with house-made sauces. All of it pairs perfectly with Flat Iron’s extensive selection of local beers.

For good old-fashioned dinner and drinks on the water, nowhere in Lake Geneva tops Popeye’s. Not to be confused with the fried chicken chain, this Wisconsin institution is a massive homage to maritime culture where maps, signs and seafaring photographs fill the 660-seat dining room. It’s best known for its outdoor rotisserie, the only one in the region that cooks ribs, lamb, brats and full chickens. You’ll find plenty of traditional bar fare too, but the main attraction will always be Popeye’s views, which is why tables are hard to come by during peak season.

Part of the Midwestern Lake Town allure is relaxing in a cottage with a glass of fine wine, right? Of course it is, which is why this gourmet wine bar set in a two-story summer home is such a popular destination. The wines are complemented by lighter fare than you’d expect in Wisconsin, with offerings like ahi steak, rice bowls and a board of smoked salmon. If you’re looking for a top-tier dinner that won’t leave you feeling Midwestern full, plan a meal at Barrique.

Sometimes you just want to end the day with a pizza and a beer. And for those occasions, there’s the Next Door Pub, whose thin-crust pies are a staple among Lake Geneva’s younger visitors. The menu is very much a DIY experience, with build-your-own pastas and pizzas that make this an easy pick for a big family. Next Door’s iconic pie is literally called Garbage, but don’t let the name deter you. This mix of sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions is the top seller for a reason.

If you’re fueling up for a big day on the lake, or just soaking up the beers from the night before, your best bet for breakfast is Great Eggs. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy said breakfast from the tranquil garden where the morning air is never too hot. The menu is, well, eggs, which you can order as a wrap filled with a choice of a dozen ingredients including black bean salsa, smoked bacon and goat cheese.

A stunning downtown church has been converted into Lake Geneva’s biggest brewery, where you can sit under stained glass and enjoy a Hugh Hefeweizen or Twisted Nun Pale Ale. In addition to pouring some pretty respectable beers, Topsy Turvy is heaven for photo ops, with taps placed strategically in front of stained glass and a sunny outdoor patio right under the steeple. There’s also a substantial food menu here, though if you want pizza Lake Geneva has better options.

The coolest bar in Lake Geneva, and maybe even all of Wisconsin, is the speakeasy in the basement of the Maxwell Mansion. It’s not remotely hidden anymore, and you can enter by walking up to a doorman outside. Descend the stairs into the belly of the historic home, then follow a nondescript hallway to a sliding door that opens right into the 1930s. Craft cocktails fill the tables, the lights are dim, and real bootleggers’ mugshots line the windowless stone walls. This place was a bona fide speakeasy in the Prohibition era, and its authentic experience makes it one of the best in America.

Say you’re sitting at Topsy Turvy and think, “I wonder what other beer Southeast Wisconsin has to offer?” Look across the street to find your answer at this beer bar with 50 taps. The pour-your-own format allows you to sample literally all the beers without getting too bloated: brews from all over the Midwest and America can be tasted one ounce at a time.

Another fantastic spot for waterfront drinks is the Boat House, whose epic outdoor patio sits a mile or so down Lake Shore Drive from downtown. Though it’s not exactly a hidden gem, it’s far enough from downtown that the masses don’t attack it quite like they do Popeye’s. If you want a cold beer with a direct view of the lake and sunshine on your face, your odds of snagging a seat here are considerably better.

This sprawling, 1,300-acre property a few miles from downtown is the classic lake getaway. A golf course beckons visitors in the summer and ski-and-stay packages keep it full during the winter. The Grand Geneva also has hiking trails, mountain bikes, horseback riding and pretty much any other outdoor adventure you may want. Back in the day, it was one home of the Playboy Club, and the hotel’s salacious history is almost as much fun as its sporty present.

From a distance, this grand waterfront hotel looks like one of the lake’s Gilded Age mansions. Get a little closer and you’ll find it’s a lovely four-story hotel — one where you can score a room with a private balcony overlooking the water at a pretty reasonable price. The rooms are large, so you can spread out and unpack if you like to feel at home away from home. While not a supper club, The Geneva Inn’s on-site restaurant The Grandview is still a good bet for a traditional Wisconsin steak dinner.

To really get into the historic side of Lake Geneva, stay at the Maxwell Mansion, the first mansion built along the lake and the only one that operates as a full-service hotel today. The speakeasy is cool, yes, but the rooms are even cooler, taking that same time-warp aesthetic and applying it to all 28 sleeping spaces. During warm weather, you can enjoy drinks by the heated outdoor pool at Maxwell’s tiki bar. In chillier seasons, sip them in the lobby among the dark wood and deep navy of the Apothecary, which serves inventive cocktails varying by the week.