The resort city of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin is a popular spot for vacationers from neighboring Milwaukee and Chicago as well as further afield. With its sandy beaches, outdoor adventure parks and winter sports, Lake Geneva is busy and buzzing all year round.

Browse FlipKey’s range of vacation rentals today to find your perfect property.

About Lake Geneva

Most famous as the birthplace of ‘Dungeons and Dragons’, the city of Lake Geneva has hot, humid summers and cold winters, with around 191 days of sunshine a year.

Summer is the best time to visit for relaxing at the beach, but the city is just as popular in the winter months for skiing and snowboarding. For a quieter vacation, come during spring or fall, when the weather is a little cooler and some tourist attractions may be closed.

Lake Geneva’s coastal location means dining out on fresh seafood is a must. You’ll find everything on the menu, from oysters and mussels to lobster and baked Boston cod. For a truly memorable dining experience, you could even enjoy a dinner cruise on the lake itself!

Many resorts in the area offer free shuttles, but taxis are also readily available, or you can hire a car at the airport.

What to do in Lake Geneva

If you’re traveling with the kids, take them to the Adventure Center for a whole host of outdoor activities. You can also zip line through the trees at Lake Geneva Canopy Tours.

During the winter months you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating and snowshoeing in the area. When the sun is shining, take to the lake for parasailing, boating or paddle boarding. Or, for something a little more relaxing, take a narrated boat tour to see some of the area’s most spectacular sights.

There are a few museums worth visiting in the area, including the fascinating Old World Wisconsin. This replica village complete with costumed villages in character means you can step back in time to the 1800s and experience what the area was like. For even more insight into local history, explore the Geneva Lake Museum.

During the summer months, there’s plenty happening at Riviera Beach, with food stalls, beach volleyball and watersports on offer.

Top travel tips for Lake Geneva

The closest airports to Lake Geneva are Chicago O’Hare International (just over an hour’s drive away) and Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (around 50 minutes’ drive).

There’s a daily charge to access Riviera Beach, but travel a little further afield and you’ll find a number of family-friendly beaches which are free. One of the most popular is Village of Fontana Beach.

For souvenir and gift shopping in Lake Geneva, you’ll find Broad & Main has an excellent selection of independent shops and boutiques to choose from, many of which sell locally handcrafted items and produce. Perfect for picking up a souvenir or two.

There’s more to Lake Geneva than sun, sea and sand – this coastal resort is popular all year round, with plenty of outdoor activities and a rich history to explore. Plan a trip to Wisconsin and browse the incredible range of vacation rentals available on FlipKey!