Things To Do
The Abbey Resort
Take in all that the Abbey has to offer while you're in town – enjoy beautiful lakefront dining with live entertainment, explore their indoor and outdoor resort pools, relax by the spa, and more! The newly renovated Avani Spa offers experiences inspired by the unique elements of their area, combining the highest quality products with classic traditions. Whether you're staying at The Abbey or elsewhere, you're able to make various appointments here – from nails, hair, and make-up, to massages and facials. Onsite dining includes 240º West, Waterfront, Bar West, Cafe Latte, Gazebo Grill, and room service. Be sure to also check out the "Things to Do" section of The Abbey website for a variety of activities to do onsite, as well as more recommendations for around the Lake Geneva area.
Lake Geneva Shore Path
The Lake Geneva Shore Path is a 21-mile loop that travels the entire lake, weaving in and out of wooded patches and offering beautiful views of the water and up-close looks at the amazing lakeside homes. The best time of day to stroll is in the morning, as the path is a local favorite for walking and joggers. Get out even earlier to watch the sunrise over the lake as you greet the day.
Lake Geneva Shopping
Take a stroll up and down Main Street in the main downtown area to check out some of the local shopping. Whether you're searching for that perfect keepsake, unique addition to your home, or looking to expand your wardrobe, Lake Geneva has one-of-a-kind shops and stores for all kinds of shoppers!
U.S. Mailboat Tour
Lake Geneva is one of the few locations in the country that still delivers mail to the shoreline homes by boat. Every day at 10am, the boat leaves for its 2.5 hour tour around the lake, which includes a narration of the history of the lake and its many famous estates, like the Stone Manor and Black Point Estate. But the real highlight is seeing the “mail jumpers” who turn the act of collecting and delivering mail into a show. Cruise Lake Geneva also offers many other boat cruise and tour options if you're interested in booking something while you're in town!
Golf
Check out one of the (non-member only) courses below if you'd like to hit the links while you're in town. Abbey Springs: https://www.abbeysprings.org/Golf Country Club Estates: https://www.countryclubestatesgolf.com/ Geneva National: https://www.genevanationalresort.com/golf Grand Geneva: https://www.grandgeneva.com/golf/courses Hawks View: https://www.hawksviewgolfclub.com/golf-course/ Majestic Oaks at Lake Lawn Resort: https://www.lakelawnresort.com/golf/ Paradise Golf Park (for mini golf): https://www.paradisegolfpark.com/ The Ridge: https://www.ridgelakegeneva.com/golf
Chuck's Lakeshore Inn
Chuck's offers the great food, generous drinks, and friendly service that has always made “Chuck’s” a tradition in Lake Geneva. Just a short walk down from The Abbey!
Gordy's Boat House
With 8-mile views, their scenic Lake Geneva waterfront bar + restaurant offers a family-friendly boating atmosphere right on the water. Just a short walk down from The Abbey!
Little Bar
Just a short walk from The Abbey, Little Bar offers great drinks and hand tossed pizza.
Coffee Mill
Stop in Coffee Mill over by The Abbey and enjoy organic and Free Trade coffee and teas, hand-crafted drinks, fresh strawberry smoothies, and our locally famous oatmeal bake. (There's another location down by Gordy's + Chuck's as well!)
Blue Heaven Ice Cream
Looking for a sweet treat over by The Abbey? Look no further than Blue Heaven Ice Cream – a local favorite!
PIER 290
Enjoy beautiful lake views from their dining room, front deck, or covered canopies. Your meal is sure to hit the spot with their extensive menu featuring casual American fare for lunch, dinner, and boozy brunch on the weekends. Along with dining options, you can also sit with your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand on their sandy beaches or around their fire pits, all while taking in some live music!
Avant Cycle Cafe
Avant Cycle Cafe is a local coffee roaster and bicycle shop that offers rentals if you want to explore Lake Geneva by bike. They have fully integrated both sides of the business, even including links to online route maps on each coffee label. Fuel up before hitting the streets with brewed coffee, cold brew, and espresso drinks.
The Baker House
Outfitted in the opulence of the Gilded Age, this historic mansion-turned-restaurant (and inn) charms diners with its period-perfect decor. Think: lavish brocade sofas, ornate chandeliers and rich, carved fireplaces. The food here is also worthy of a callout – an elegant, fine-dining experience that flawlessly matches the immersive atmosphere.
Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar
Housed inside an adorable cottage, Barrique is a cozy retreat stocked with more than 55 wines by the glass, in addition to over 50 beer options from craft breweries. As far as food goes, there's focus on seafood but this kitchen is a self-proclaimed “fried-free zone” – check out the lobster rolls, Louisiana lump crab cake sliders, and shrimp ceviche.
Egg Harbor Cafe
A personal favorite of Meagan's in downtown Lake Geneva, Egg Harbor Café is a vacation destination offering great service and flavorful breakfast, brunch, and lunch in a modern farmhouse setting.
The Grandview Restaurant
Catch a beautiful sunset over Geneva Lake through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the Grandview Restaurant. This spot is located atop a bluff near Blackhawk State Park inside the upscale Geneva Inn, and is a popular choice for special occasions – featuring prime steaks, seafood, pastas, and more.
Great Eggs
This quaint lakeside cafe serves up a tasty selection of breakfast + lunch wraps.
Hunt Club Steakhouse
Hunt Club is an easy choice if you're looking for a fancy dinner in Lake Geneva. It’s an intimate space housed inside a 106-year-old mansion, outfitted with a stone fireplace and dark pine paneling. Steak is naturally the focus here – it's difficult to go wrong with ribeyes, filets, and strips sourced from family farms in Wisconsin and Iowa.
Mars Resort
Just a short drive up to Lake Como, this beachside restaurant and patio has been a Lake Geneva favorite since the 1920s. While the lakeside establishment is best known for its signature tangy, fall-off-the-bone ribs, the pork chops and charbroiled half duck rank right up there as close second favorites.
Next Door Pub & Pizzeria
Consensus around Lake Geneva is that this decades old pizza pub remains a local favorite. A casual and family-friendly vibe, this spot features thin hearth-fired pies, and an extensive menu of burgers, pasta, and sandwiches. They also have not one, but FOUR Bloody Marys to choose from.
Oakfire
Head into downtown Lake Geneva for lunch at Oakfire, which specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas made with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese that is imported each week from Italy. Thanks to the focal 800-degree wood-burning oven – also imported from Italy – you can watch as your pie cooks in just 90 seconds. Their 2nd floor outdoor deck overlooks the water and is hard to beat.
Popeye's on Lake Geneva
This Popeye's is unrelated to the fast food chain you're probably thinking of, and has been an area landmark for half a century. Check out their popular rotisserie chicken or all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry, or maybe treat yourself to crispy cod on the patio and take in spectacular lake views.
Scoops Ice Cream
Scoops is an adorable ice cream parlor that every small town should have. Stop in for generous dishes and cones, or even a refreshing Italian ice on a hot summer day.
Sopra Bistro
Located on Main Street in the heart of downtown, Sopra Bistro is a perfect combination of the laid-back Lake Geneva vibe, and the lively feel of a Chicago neighborhood (where the owner + chef was previously from). The warm wooden barstools, chairs, and tables create a harmonious balance of elegant American bistro and a comfortable neighborhood bar.
Tail Feathers at Hawks View Golf Club
Fish fries are a way of life in Wisconsin. Tail Feathers at Hawks View Golf Club serves up many classics on Friday nights – take your meal of choice down with a brandy Old Fashioned, which is a regional staple.
Topsy Turvy Brewery
Topsy Turvy is a local brewery inside a 110-year-old neo-Gothic church, complete with beautiful stained glass windows. The Chicago native owner has fully embraced Wisconsin drinking culture, serving up local brews like a Stellar Nova OG hazy IPA and Lake Path blonde ale.
Tristan Crist Magic Theatre
This hour-long show set in an intimate 51-seat theater in downtown Lake Geneva marries comedy with mind-blowing magic. Master Illusionist Tristan Crist even brings audience members on stage to participate in the acts, from levitation to large-scale illusions (he can make a helicopter appear out of thin air!).