You could laze through a weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with nothing but a boat, twelve-pack, and yacht rock. But then you’d miss out on newly sprouted shops, resorts, restaurants, and adventure sports. Ready? All hands off deck.
Ground yourself at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, tucked in the rolling hills just outside of town. The site was the Playboy Club back in the ’70s. Though the Bunnies have left the building, the resort’s steak house, Italian restaurant, and outdoor pool are sleek, sceney places to kick back. Wind down with a yoga class, deep-tissue massage, or guide-led horseback ride through the woods.
Main Street’s downtown strip has recently seen a slew of design-focused boutiques. Our fave: Notice, a modern gift store (with a second location in Evanston) stocking techie wares (Jonathan Adler iPhone and iPad covers), home accessories (Patch NYC candles), and bath and body goods (Botacario lotions and soaps).
Flea market-meets-salvage yard with a dash of Anthropologie on Funky’s three huge floors. Each is stocked with heaps of antiques (jukebox, chandeliers, carousel horses), vintage hats, gourmet foodstuffs, and taxidermy.
Boatyard Bagel Co. has sailed off with much of the city’s lunch business. The cleverly designed cafe/deli pays homage to the nautical life with hanging oars, vintage propellers, and giant sandwiches with names like the Skiff (chicken salad or Sicilian tuna salad, sprouts, cucumber, and tomato) served on organic bagels.
Rent a bike at Pedal & Cup, a cafe and ice cream shop housed in a former train depot in the neighboring town of Springfield. The friendly staff will point you to the White River bicycle trail, which stretches eleven miles of pretty, glaciated landscape, from Burlington to Elkhorn.
For an adrenaline rush, zip line from one treetop to another with the help of Lake Geneva Canopy Tours. Catch views of the forest and Lake Como on the way. Extra challenges like staircases spiraling around trees and “sky bridges” (narrow wood-and-rope walkways) will make you happy you took your land-and-sea getaway to new heights.
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