Best Lake Geneva Hidden Gem Attractions
THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Attractions in Lake Geneva
Best Lake Geneva Hidden Gem Attractions
Category types
Types of Attractions
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Good for
10 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
What travellers are saying
- Tamara H10 contributionsA great live performance! A fun show that all ages can enjoy. Tristan Crist has great stage presence. The tickets are pricey, but the show goes all out.Written 29 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura L1 contributionThe Safari was a wonderful and memorable experience! The staff were very positive and friendly. The animals seemed to be well-taken care of and “happy.” Even the giraffes and zebras were galloping around. Very neat to see!Written 25 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- crh24Kenosha, WI190 contributionsThere are two activities that folks should do when visiting Lake Geneva – take the mailboat tour (sit on the right side of the boat) and walk the the lake shore path based on one's ability, e.g., perhaps walk a small portion of the path as an out-and-back. On a weekday in mid-June 2024, June 19 2024, I decided to walk around the entire lake clockwise starting from the Riviera docks in Lake Geneva, which is about a 21.5 mile walk. I live about 30 minutes from Lake Geneva, and always wanted to walk the path. Anyhow, I started the walk just prior to sunrise and finished 8 hours later. As previous reviews stated, each property owner is responsible for the public path on their property, and the path varies greatly from property to property. The path may be crushed rock, bricks, a narrow dirt path, thin slabs of rock, or just walking on a lawn, as a few examples. The path is easy to follow. My biggest obstacle was dodging in-the-ground-sprinkler systems that were watering flowers/lawns in the morning. Sometimes the path can be a bit slippery when wet, depending on the path's surface, such as rock slab surfaces. The only path component that I didn't care for was on the south shore on the east side of the golf course, where signs direct walkers to walk the road for a brief bit (Trinkes Estates). Although, looking at “some” on-line maps, the shore path is labeled following the shoreline at Trinkes (a lagoon), and not the road. I asked a few locals about it, and it appears this is an area of much debate/discussion. Although, I think technically one should follow posted signs, e.g., walk the road.
The path allows for close up views of the multitude of opulent estates that surround the lake. Obviously, the estates are stunningly beautiful. I did encounter a few property owners that waved to me drinking early morning coffee on their porches. Most folks that I saw on the estates were landscape crews attending to the properties. There were a bunch of cicadas around, and could be easily heard; 2024 was a big year for cicadas in Lake Geneva. Other fauna I encountered were turkey vultures, a doe with her fawn, ducks and ducklings, cranes, and herons. Lastly, between Big Foot beach and Lake Geneva, I encountered the “mail boat” making one of its final mail deliveries of the day.
There are a few historic markers/signs along the path. For example, I stumbled upon a large flag pole between Williams Bay and Fontana that had a small brass placard: “This historic wooden flag pole stood atop Chicago City Hall from 1885 to 1905. Originally over 60 ft tall, now approximately 47 ft after resetting.”
I mapped out the lake shore path on a gps, and it shows the path being 21.4 miles with about 1,900 feet of elevation ascent/descent. The path isn't completely flat in areas, there are mild ascents/descents/undulations over the course of the 21.4 miles. Although, I was surprised to learn that there was that much elevation change due to the mild undulations on the path; it wasn't that noticeable to me.
After completing the walk, I stopped at the visitor center in Lake Geneva and grabbed a brochure about the lake path. I am posting the contents of the brochure below:
The Geneva Lake Shore Path is a public easement going 21 miles around the entire lake. There are no public bathrooms unless you are in a city or village. The Shore Path is public, however the properties it crosses are private. Please be respectful staying on the path while crossing private property.
Access points:
LAKE GENEVA to CHAPIN ROAD: 3.5 miles, 1 hr 15 minutes; Mostly level terrain, some hills.
CHAPIN ROAD to WILLIAMS BAY: 3.5 miles, 1 hr 15 minutes; Steep around Cedar Point.
WILLIAMS BAY to FONTANA: 3.5 miles, 1 hr 15 minutes; Level but some rugged areas.
FONTANA to SHADOW LANE: 2.3 miles, 50 minutes; Hilly and unlevel areas.
SHADOW LANE to LINN PIER: 2.9 miles, 1 hr; Some rugged terrain.
LINN PIER to BIG FOOT BEACH STATE PARK: 3.3 miles, 1 hr 10 minutes; Level terrain.
BIG FOOT BEACH STATE PARK to LAKE GENEVA: 2 miles, 40 minutes; Some uneven surfaces.
Public restrooms:
Lake Geneva
Williams Bay
Fontana
Linn Pier (Porta Potty)
Big Foot Beach State Park
Update 6/30/2024. I went out to Lake Geneva on 6/23/2024 to tour Black Point. I arrived in the town early and walked for a bit prior to embarking on the 10:30 Black Point tour. I was told it was cancelled due to no power. Big storms came through the evening prior, and did a lot of damage on the west end of the lake, e.g., Williams Bay and Fontana, for example. So, I decided to come back out on 6/30/2024 for the Black Point tour since it was a glorious weather day (albeit the weekend prior to the Fourth of July). Since I had a 10:30AM Black Point tour I thought I'd arrive early and walk part of the shore line path. Prior to the tour, I walked from the Riviera boat docks to the Williams Bay boat launch/restrooms and then back to the Riviera prior to departing for Black Point. In Williams Bay there were a number of trees down or snapped off from the storms. I saw a house with roof damage as if a tree partially clipped the house. I also encountered a family of minks near the water. I wasn't sure if they were minks or fishers, but later determined they were definitely minks. Lastly, the cicada season ended, since I didn't hear nor see any.Written 30 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - robkimboys11 contributionsThe guided tour was full of stories about the first owners and how they found this Amazing lake property!
Also a little history about the Beer 🍺
Brewery that was created.Written 24 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Miller256Norway, MI135 contributionsHad a good time doing the wine tasting. Atmosphere was nice. We were able to taste the wines outside, since it was nice out. Had some good sweet wines. If you like dry wines, they have lots if those also.Written 12 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tarit1979Gurugram (Gurgaon), India242 contributionsThe museum is an amazing place where you get a glimpse of life in Lake Geneva during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is very well laid out with sections like the fire station, military room, school, living room etc. Best part is that they have a I Spy activity for children which engages them for 1 hour and they search for items in the list. There are good spots for Photos all through the museum. They have free parking for customers.Written 5 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JoDee W1 contributionThe owners were so friendly and accommodating to our group. They also gave us a history of the area. The bartenders and waitstaff were very attentive and friendly. Definitely will be going back and bringing many family and friends with us to experience such an awesome place.Written 2 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gina326Arlington, IL65 contributionsMy husband and I did the gangster’s paradise room which was the hardest room and it was hard!! We did not escape! We were close, probably could have done it in another 10 minutes or so. It was a lot of fun, highly recommend doing this!!Written 15 November 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lori MSaint Peters61 contributionsFor an out of the sky experience, this zipline is amazing not only with the lines, but the staff made it so fun and enjoyable. Carter, Autumn and Jayden took safety first, then the flying began. ThanksWritten 9 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tom I1 contributionMy wife and I rented scooters for 3 hours over the weekend. It was our first time riding street legal gas scooters so we were a bit nervous. We had a very convenient and great time, and felt safe along the way. Highly recommended for new or experienced scooter drivers, great way to get around Lake Geneva area!
The 20-ish minute operating and driving instruction prior to being released into the wild was a huge confidence boost for both my wife and I. We became comfortable with starting the scooter, getting the scooter off of, and onto, the kickstand for parking. We went through a driving course in the parking lot which gave us confidence in making turns, stopping on a spot, starting from feet on pavement to feet in scooter, as well as getting a feel for how the scooter drives. Huge confidence boost in our ability but also a safety reinforcement.
We scooted up to downtown Lake Geneva where the annual Oktoberfest celebration was happening. Parking for cars was a nightmare (told by others in our group and seeing no open spots), but not for us! Able to scoot right up to the festivity barriers and park on the sidewalk, off to side not obstructing pedestrians. Easy peasy! Walked around for a couple of hours enjoying the festivity.Written 17 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
