A Lake Geneva staycation

As the seasons change and the sky begins its annual descent into grey, I’ve found that an overnight stay in Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva is the ultimate form of self-care and a cure for the early seasonal blues.

For us, a quick night away was a rejuvenating experience: though only an hour away from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva felt like a palate cleanser in the best of ways. This staycation proved a peaceful escape, filled with rest, relaxation, and the kind of fun a resort town offers year-round.

Here’s how we spent our fall-time weekend escape to Lake Geneva.

Admiring the lake

The first tip to visiting Lake Geneva, is to admire the lake. Geneva Lake is undeniably the star of the show—as Wisconsin’s fifth-largest lake and one of the state’s top resort towns, it dazzles as a picturesque escape.

One of the best ways to appreciate the water is by jumping on the lakeside Shore Path. The trail is dotted with gorgeous homes, mansions, and gardens (many built by wealthy Chicago-based magnates, with names like Wrigley and Seipp).

The public trail meanders along the lakeshore with easy, walkable terrain (a mix of grass, dirt, brick, and concreate) that’s just over 20 miles. Completing the entire path takes between 8 – 10 hours to walk. Completing small stretches is very easy, as there are access points, benches, and beaches all over the area.

Downtown Lake Geneva

For this season’s trip to Lake Geneva, we opted to spend some time exploring downtown. The town’s Main Street is full of charm, with plenty of public art and local shops.

There’s also a very real Hallmark quality around the holidays. We went into several stores that had incredible Christmas displays, with so many options for gift-giving. Some of our favorites included:

• The Cornerstone Shop and Gallery. This store had impressive holiday displays spanning across several rooms! It was impressive!
• The Market of Lake Geneva. This market-style hall is packed with local stores (a wine shop, gift store, thrift store, art gallery, and more), and was decorated so beautifully for the holidays. I’m really glad we stopped inside!
• Bonded by Gigi. This is maybe my new favorite boutique store! It’s a fun, quirky, young woman-centric spot, with a permanent jewelry stall in the back. Bonded by Gigi is located within the Market of Lake Geneva, with online shopping available on their website.
• Geneva Upscale Consignment. Great prices—I found a fantastic jacket here, and we were impressed with the value throughout the store.
• Brick & Mortar. This home goods store had trendy finds, with festive holiday displays. We loved perusing all of their room designs.

Recharging at The Geneva Inn

A focal point of our visit was getting to relax, recharge, and rest at our hotel—the beautiful Geneva Inn.

Our room had the key essentials for some R&R: a balcony with incredible Lake Geneva views, a giant bathtub, complimentary spa robes, a comfortable bed, and a glass of champagne upon check-in. Because we came in late fall, the area was quiet and peaceful; it was a luxurious setting.

Spending time on our balcony, admiring the staggering views of the lake—especially at sunset—was a highlight of our entire trip. It was a chance to connect to each other, with a dazzling view.

Thanks to The Geneva Inn for hosting us!

Apothecary Bar at Maxwell Mansion

Though it felt nearly impossible to peel ourselves out of our robes and head out on the town, I’m so glad we did. Chad and I visited the Maxwell Mansion’s Apothecary Bar for a pre-dinner drink, and it was another highlight.

The Maxwell Mansion is an upscale historic mansion located in downtown Lake Geneva, and is home to an 1880’s apothecary-themed bar—a nod to the original owner. Cocktails and mocktails are meticulously crafted, and guests can enjoy them either in a garden lounge or snuggled up indoors in vintage-style booths.

We had a blast at the Apothecary Bar and would love to return in the future, especially to the later-night speakeasy in the mansion’s basement.

Food stops

Lake Geneva is home to some incredible restaurants for nearly every taste. During this stay, we opted for two main meals:

• Dinner at Hunt Club Steakhouse. The Hunt Club Steakhouse, located at Geneva National, was a splurge dinner in a beautiful, upscale setting.
• Brunch at The Grandview Restaurant. The vibes were exquisite at our hotel’s on-site restaurant! In addition to live music, the expansive lake views made this meal one of the most scenic breakfast experiences I’ve ever had.

Note: in the past we’ve visited and enjoyed Topsy-Turvy Brewery, Oakfire Pizza, and Lake City Social!

No bad time to visit

Though Lake Geneva is a firm summer-time resort town, the area has much to offer year-round. For us, this was the perfect staycation to kick off the cooler months and to enjoy a little peace, quiet, and lakefront relaxation.

Looking forward to our future Lake Geneva visits!

---