Top Things to Do in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Visitors arrive by boat to the summer home of Chicago mogul Conrad Seipp and his descendants. The 1888 Queen Anne-style mansion is now a state historic site.

Walk along a re-created Main Street with stores, homes and a school room for a glimpse of life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

On summer Thursdays, stop at the farmers market for fresh picnic fixings.

Lake excursions offer close-up views of the Victorian estates ringing the state's second-largest spring-fed lake.

You could browse downtown Lake Geneva shops, like Clear Water Outdoor, forever (OK, maybe not literally) without finding all the treasures. Clear Water features top-quality outdoor lifestyle clothing plus accessories and sports gear. At Brick and Mortar Home, you'll find candles, throw pillows and kitchenware. Maple Park Antiques draws you in with an intriguing mix of items on the porch, including fat 1940s-era water skis. Browse home decor, women's clothing, local art and more at Cornerstone Shop and Gallery.

More than 25 miles of walking paths run through the manicured grounds of estates, most still privately owned after being built by Chicago's elite—families like the Wrigleys, Schwinns and Maytags—in the late 1800s.

Stop by for a wine tasting or arts class, and hear live blues and classic rock music from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays year-round.

The breakfast and lunch crowd comes for dishes such as eggs Benedict and Texas French toast. Diners who eat gluten-free will find skillet creations, egg scrambles, sandwiches and pancakes.

East Lake Geneva Chicago-area visitors hankering for hometown flavor will find it inside the Harbor Shore of Geneva Lake. The deep-dish pizza always pleases; the salads and desserts are great too.

Try the all-you-can-eat fish fry.

Pull up a bright green chair and enjoy dishes like roasted squash grain salad, a Korean barbecue breakfast bowl or a mushroom Gruyère burger at Simple Cafe.

Savor fine Italian-American fare in a lively space. Try the baby octopus appetizer and an entree like pan-roasted pheasant breast with saffron risotto cakes.

Choose from artisan pizzas cooked in a brick oven, steaks, seafood and pasta. Stone walls, wooden beams and arches create a romantic atmosphere for dining.

At the Fontana end of Geneva Lake, guests of all ages are entertained with classic lake resort activities at The Abbey, the Avani Spa and indoor and outdoor pools, as well as the area's only virtual-reality gaming center.

The Ridge Hotel, The Cove of Lake Geneva and The Inns of Geneva National offer luxury rooms, suites and villas on the grounds of Geneva National Resort and Club, just north of Geneva Lake.

Northeast of downtown, choose a room, suite or villa; enjoy two golf courses and excellent restaurants at Grand Geneva, as well as an updated WELL Spa + Salon and a fitness center.

The main building offers lodging in elegant, traditional rooms, while the carriage house features modern suites. Relax with drinks in the Apothecary Bar.

For more information visitlakegeneva.com