The Ice Castles aren't the only winter attraction in Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva has been a favorite summer getaway in Wisconsin since wealthy Chicagoans built mansions along its namesake lake in the 1800s.
But the hot spot has become a winter destination as well, especially the past few years when the Ice Castles brought tens of thousands of visitors to the Walworth County town.
The castles are coming back to Lake Geneva again this winter at Geneva National Resort & Club on Lake Como.
The one-acre creation will feature ice slides, thrones and tunnels and colorful lights at night. The castles are expected to open in January and remain open through March, depending on the weather. Tickets typically go on sale at icecastles.com in November.
If you’re heading to Lake Geneva to visit the castles, here are some other things to do while you’re there.
Things to do outside
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has 20 downhill runs plus a terrain park. The ski hill offers rentals and lessons, and the resort also offers sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing opportunities. For après ski activities, the resort’s Leinenkugel Mountain Top Lodge has plenty of food and drink options to enjoy around a fireplace.
Big Foot Beach State Park, along Geneva Lake’s eastern shore, has more than six miles of trails that are groomed for classic cross-country skiing when conditions allow. The rest of the park is open to hiking and snowshoeing. Clear Water Outdoor, 744 W. Main St., offers ski rentals.
The Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy in Williams Bay has four miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Find the main trailhead at 251 Elkhorn Road (Highway 67).
The Lakeshore Path follows an old Native American trail around the entire 21-mile shore of Geneva Lake. The path is open to the public for hiking year-round, allowing for a closer view of the mansions that line the lake’s shore, but visitors are asked to not wander beyond its limits onto private property. Pick it up at any of the public parks or beaches along the lake.
Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures is open year-round, so you could brave the elements for a canopy tour on nine zip-lines. Tours are start at $100 per person.
Things to do inside
Downtown Lake Geneva has a variety of shops and galleries, including food shops like Kilwins, a favorite for chocolate and ice cream.
Shows at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre are held in an intimate theater, allowing for an up-close view of the illusions. Tickets are $40.
The Dancing Horses Theater features a variety of horses performing alongside their trainers. Tickets start at $25.
If you’re staying the night, the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark at Grand Geneva is only open to resort guests, with two family water slides, a lazy river, an activity pool, and a wading pool with slides for little ones.
If you're a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, don't miss the Lake Geneva Public Library, overlooking Geneva Lake from Library Park. The Prairie-style building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice James R. Dresser.
Food and drinks
Pier 290 along Geneva Lake in Williams Bay serves American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant also has outdoor heated igloos along the lake that you can reserve for a fee ($45 for lunch, $75 for dinner).
The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa also has igloos available to rent. They cost $50 on weekdays and $65 on weekends and holidays, with a $50 food and beverage minimum.
Popeye’s is a downtown Lake Geneva staple at 811 Wrigley Drive. The family-friendly restaurant is huge, and the menu includes everything from sandwiches and burgers to steak and seafood — including a Friday fish fry.
Oakfire, 831 Wrigley Drive, serves Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza along with salads, sandwiches and other Italian fare.
Simple Cafe, 525 Broad St., serves locally sourced food for breakfast and lunch.
Topsy Turvy Brewing Co., 727 Geneva St., opened in an old church building downtown in 2020. More than a dozen beers are on tap, from sours and stouts to IPAs and pilsners. The brewery also has a beer garden for sipping outside if the weather allows.
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Lodging
The Cottages at Geneva National, on the same grounds as the Ice Castles, has villas with one- and two-bedroom guest rooms available, with shared common spaces, including a full kitchen. Call (262) 245-4000 or see genevanationalresort.com/ice-castles-package.
The Ridge in Lake Geneva is owned by the same company as Geneva National and allows dogs in its rooms and suites for an additional fee. Call (800) 225-5558 or see ridgelakegeneva.com.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers rooms in its main lodge and luxury villas along with a spa and fitness center, on-site dining, downhill skiing and a waterpark. Some rooms are pet-friendly (for an additional fee). Call (262) 248-8811 or see grandgeneva.com.
Lake Lawn Resort in nearby Delavan has a variety of rooms and suites, plus a spa, on-site dining, and activities for kids including laser tag. Winter recreational equipment including snowshoes, skis and ice skates is also available for rent. Call (800) 338-5253 or see lakelawnresort.com.
The Baker House is a good option for a romantic getaway, offering five rooms for rent in a historic Queen Anne-style mansion built in 1885 in downtown Lake Geneva. Call (262) 248-4700 or see bakerhouse1885.com.
Events
The highlight of Lake Geneva’s annual Winterfest celebration, Feb. 1-5, is the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship, when sculptors created snowy masterpieces along Geneva Lake.
Contact Chelsey Lewis at clewis@journalsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chelseylew and @TravelMJS and Facebook at Journal Sentinel Travel.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Things to do in Lake Geneva in winter beyond the Ice Castles
