Witnessing the iconic mail delivery process around Lake Geneva could very well be reason enough for a visit to the Wisconsin city. But lucky for us visitors, there’s so much more. There’s a certain magic and elegance about Lake Geneva, as I discovered when I spent a few days there. Here, I tell Real Food Traveler readers why it’s one of our Editor’s Picks.

Save this Editor’s Pick article to Pinterest to help you plan your visit to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Photo and graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Editor’s Pick: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

HOW THE AREA CAME INTO PROMINENCE

In southern Wisconsin, 80 miles from Chicago and 40 from Milwaukee, the late 1800s saw Lake Geneva become THE place to be by some of the biggest names in American business and industry. Families with familiar names including the Wrigleys and Schwinns, and those less familiar but equally influential, built summer homes – make that palatial mansions – around the lake. Many had multiple structures on their properties including pool houses, guest houses, stables and the like.

Some of those families built around Lake Geneva after their homes were damaged or destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which happened the same year train service began between downtown Chicago and Lake Geneva. While Chicago was rebuilding, the families moved to Lake Geneva.  Many loved it and stayed.

DELIVERING THE MAIL IS A “LEAP” OF FAITH!

Today, more than 100 of those original homes remain and can be seen while strolling parts of a 21-mile walking path that circles the lake. Or, they can be viewed when riding on the boat tours. Lake Geneva is one of a handful of places in the U.S. that still delivers mail by boat. The service has been in service for more than 100 years and is still going strong.

Board the US Mailboat and you’ll get two “shows” in one – the impressive residences around the lake plus the cheer-worthy, athletically-talented delivery folk who judge their timing and balance perfectly to leap from the moving boat, mail in hand, to land on the docks to deliver the mail. Typically, while the boat continues moving, they jump from the front of it onto the dock, make the delivery and jump on the back.

Every delivery is a triumph and success is not a given – there are falls into the lake on occasion. Or, if, because of wind conditions, it would not be safe for the boat or the dock to meet up, that delivery has to be skipped.

While riding on the US Mailboat tour, you’ll see many stunning mansions built by wealthy families over the years.

There’s loads of charm that goes along with these deliveries like excited dogs who eagerly wait for the mail delivery – sometimes placed in their mouths to give, tails wagging, to their owners. There are neighbors who wave (including one who bears a strong resemblance to Santa on vacation), and those who have built charming platforms where they meet the mail delivery people, grateful for the service that saves them from driving to the post office on one edge of the lake. See that in the video below.

The US Mailboat deliveries don’t happen year-round – as you can imagine, it’s too cold in the Wisconsin winters. But while it’s running, June – September, being witness to the delivery process provides guests very interesting stories about the people who built and bought the stunning homes, plus you get to see the natural beauty of the area and the exciting scene of the delivery process. It was great fun to watch and be privy to!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE IN LAKE GENEVA… 

Mail delivery aside, other ways to take advantage of the beauty of the lake include kayaking, paddleboarding and boat rentals. On dry land, the area is known for biking, golf, shopping and dining.

Hungry for more? Read our Editor’s Picks for Lubbock, TX.

THE GLAMOUR AND MAGIC OF MUSIC, SCIENCE AND HISTORY 

The Riviera Ballroom and Plaza is another magical place in Lake Geneva. The beautiful building overlooking the lake, with expanses of windows, is the site for many weddings, parties and other special events. Looking around, It’s so easy to imagine the past here, with sounds of big band music, laughter of people in their finest attire, dancing the night away, stepping out on the surrounding terrace to watch the moon reflecting off the lake. Back in the day, the Riviera attracted performers including the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, Gypsy Rose Lee and her All Star Review, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, Ella Fitzgerald, Chubby Checker, Thelma Houston and Donna Summer!

The Riviera Ballroom and Plaza is a landmark in Lake Geneva.

A huge claim to fame for Lake Geneva is that it is home to Yerkes Observatory, the birthplace of modern astrophysics. Down a long road, in a wooded area, the majestic building comes into view. Every carving on the outside and inside has a meaning behind it, saluting scientists, the galaxies and the patrons who helped make it possible. Yerkes has been a place of education and scientific discovery since 1897, welcoming astronomers, astronauts, educators, and Nobel Prize Winners from around the world, through the years. Definitely plan to take a tour of this fascinating place.

Yerkes Observatory is not only a place of scientific discovery, it’s a beautiful building.

The Geneva Lake Museum is one of those places I recommend people go to early in their visits to a new destination. Through artifacts from as early as 1831 to the present, interactive displays and a setting that looks like you’re walking down an historic street, popping into shops and residences on either side, it’s a great way to learn about the area and its history. Dungeons & Dragons fans will be particularly interested to know it’s the birthplace of the game.

The Geneva Lake Museum is a great place to start your visit to Lake Geneva to learn more about the history of the area.

WHERE TO EAT IN LAKE GENEVA 

All that exploring and experiencing the magic of days gone by can work up a hunger! Pier 290, Lake Geneva’s only lakeside restaurant, is a neighborhood favorite where owner Bill Gage makes the rounds, greeting his diners and friends. The restaurant is part of a collection of family-run, lake-centric businesses. Look around and see re-purposed antique nautical pieces, boards, bricks and more that were recovered from around the Lake Geneva area. Wisconsin favorites are served there including Breaded Cheese Curds, Deviled Eggs and the 290 “Steak” Stack with sirloin, tri-tip and chuck steak.

The popular 290 “Steak” Stack burger is a good way to fuel up before or after any adventures on the Lake.

Barrique Wine & Brew Bar has an ample food and beverage menu offered in the cozy space, where sharing small plates, salads, seafood and charcuterie boards, is encouraged. The small space makes it was easy to get into conversations with locals at neighboring tables. We ended up getting some great tips on things to do from fellow diners. That kind of experience when dining at a local restaurant is one of the pleasures of eating at local restaurants when travelling!

Barrique Wine & Brew Bar is a popular neighborhood hangout featuring shareable food.

Down a side street of the charming downtown shopping district is House of Bogini, a European-American café owned by the ethereal Sasha Butinas. Devoted to clean eating, Butinas combines her love of Mother Earth with her European roots to create locally- and responsibly-sourced menu items. If it’s available when you go, get the Pink Hummus which, I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I’d like because I am not a beet fan, but it was delicious, made with beet and garbanzos, drizzled with pink pepper and garlic olive oil! The décor has a gypsy-fern-bar feeling I just loved.

Have a healthy meal at the lovely House of Bogini, owned by Sasha Butinas.

Other restaurants in the Lake Geneva area to try include the Tuscan Tavern & Grill where steaks, seafood and Italian classics are popular, especially brick oven pizzas. The Getaway Restaurant at The French Country Inn, located on Lake Como, offers fine dining with scenic views. The space was a speakeasy during prohibition but these days, it’s known for specialties like Shrimp DeJonghe and King Cut Aged Prime Rib.

The Geneva Tap House is the perfect place to take in the local beer scene – and seltzers and wine. Almost magically, from behind a tap wall, you can get small amounts of beverages before deciding which one(s) you want to pour a bigger glass of. It’s a casual place where kids are welcome, as is playing a few rounds of a board game, especially while pulling apart one of their giant Pub Pretzels, nibbling on a Charcuterie Board or Turkey & Cheese Panini.

Try a variety of local sips (and bites) at Lake Geneva Taphouse.

Hill Valley Dairy sells small batch cheese made from the milk of the 65 cows at local Romari Farms. Those bovines enjoy plenty of fresh air and wandering space, making for delicious cheese. Favorites include whisky gouda, black pepper cheddar (my personal favorite), Habanero Cheddar (my runner up for favorite) and cheese curds. Buy some to enjoy there and some to take home for a real flavor of Wisconsin cheese.

Lake Lawn Resort is a short drive from the main Lake Geneva area. Located on the shoreline of Devlan Lake, the spot known for family retreats, weddings and conferences, has spacious guest rooms, lots of recreation and amenities. Dine at 1878 on the Lake, the onsite restaurant that celebrates heartland cuisine with a modern twist. Specialties include the Tomahawk Berkshire Pork Chop and Walleye Piccata. But save room for their Mud Pie which was a Chef’s National Dairy Board award winner.

Hungry for more? Get a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned recipe.

 WHERE TO STAY WHILE IN LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN 

There are numerous places to stay that all capture a different kind of charm. Our group of travel writers stayed in three different properties, each with their own personality and offerings.

The Ridge Hotel was my homebase during my visit to Lake Geneva. It has since been rebranded as the Lodge Geneva National. The sleek and spacious lobby area, including coffee bar, is a great place to meet up with others in your group, or meet new friends. The destination has a variety of on-site restaurants. And the tiered pool area, twinkle lights in the trees and lush landscaping all around provides a very pretty atmosphere in which to stay.

Formerly called The Ridge Hotel, Lodge Geneva National is a sleek, comfortable place to stay, with lovely grounds and several restaurant options.

Grand Geneva first opened as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel back in 1968, the first such property to open in the U.S. In 1993, the property was purchased by the Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation, renaming it the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa with a complete renovation to the rooms and grounds. The sprawling, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired hotel has two championship golf courses, a ski lounge in the shape of two interlocking snowflakes and a swimming pool that connects the inside and outside.

Whether a guest of the hotel or not, dinner at the on-site restaurant, Geneva ChopHouse, just one of their eateries, is excellent and should be included in any plans for visiting Lake Geneva.

Maxwell Mansion is a unique property owned by a husband-and-wife team. They have honored the beauty of the historic mansion, which was the first mansion built in Lake Geneva, back in 1856. They have created charming rooms out of former horse stables and carriage house and established the Apothecary Bar, and The Speakeasy, the latter of which is located in the basement of the mansion where Dr. Philip Maxwell performed surgeries. As with all the best speakeasies, a password is required to check in. Once there, it’s dark, moody, illicit-feeling fun, with craft cocktails flowing.

Maxwell Mansion gives a lot of attention to historic details.

Lake Geneva certainly, uh, delivers on a variety of things to do, combining a sense of friendly small town with an air of history and elegance still pouring over from the Gilded Age. For more information about everything I’ve mentioned here, plus things to do throughout the year, and plenty of other information, visit the Lake Geneva website.

-Story and photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor of Real Food Traveler

Please note, as is common practice in this industry, this was a hosted visit, however, all opinions are honest and based on the author’s opinion for the purpose of informing our readers.