I live in a land-locked state – Colorado. We have enviable mountains that attract people from all over the world. But I’ve always considered myself to be an ocean-lover. As in, I was probably born in the wrong state for as much as I love being near, and in, the ocean. But then I had the opportunity to go to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and found out it’s all “in the water.” It’s why we named the destination one of our Editor’s Picks.

The view of Lake Elkhart from on the lake during a sunset cruise.

Within 30 minutes of sitting on the balcony of my hotel room, looking out over Elkhart Lake, I felt a calm wash over me that I had never really felt. It was a peace and serenity, and feeling that everything was going to be alright – a grand “everything in the world” kind of alright. I realized then that I don’t have to be near the ocean to feel the magnitude of life or a feeling of inner peace – I could, apparently get it all in the mid-west, in Wisconsin, in Elkhart Lake. But I don’t think it was all about the water. There’s just something about the place.

Elkhart Lake, the Lake

This isn’t your usual lake. Elkhart Lake is spring-fed, clear and 120 feet deep. It was carved by glaciers and is the fourth deepest lake in Wisconsin. If you sail around it, like on one of the sunset cruises I took one night, it’s a lovely, 4-mile around journey. Native Americans once lived on the shores. And the name, legend has it, came from a young warrior who slayed an elk and ate its heart to prove his love to a young woman. That lead him to be called “Elkheart.” Sadly, he fell for another girl and, let’s just say, it didn’t end well with all three drowning in the lake in a lover’s triangle. Some swear they hear the mournful cry for Elkheart over the lake when the moon is full! It’s the stuff of legends – and movies that someone should really make one day! There are other versions of how the lake got its name – ask a few people and you’re like to get a few different answers.

Elkhart Lake, the area, grew to have another claim to fame – car racing. The meandering roads that went over hills and around curves through town and on the outskirts made Elkhart Lake a hugely popular place for open road racing in the early 1950’s. It drew drivers and spectators from all over, including some pretty famous ones. Fears over crashes (because a little bit of snow fence between speeding car and bystander wasn’t sufficient), led to the end of racing in town. But a full-fledged, very official alternative was built, Road America (more on that, below). Road markers note some key points along the old route to allow your mind to follow the path.

Where to stay in Elkhart lake

Siebkens Resort, one of the most historic Elkhart Lake resorts, dates back to the mid-to-late 1800’s, then known as The Belleview Hotel. The Siebken family was from Germany and owned the hotel for many, many years. Wendy and Rob Orth bought Siebkens in the Spring of 2019. Rooms are updated and spacious, with artwork and accents that are a nod to Elkhart’s racing history like the glass-topped race car tire coffee table in my room! I loved my corner room that overlooked the lake. Every morning, I’d start the day with a cup of coffee while sitting on my private balcony, listening to the birds and waving to passersby.

My room at Siebkens Resort with a lovely view of the lake and a spacious patio.

On their property is The Tavern that has a former opera house built above it. The Tavern has always been a favorite hangout of the racing crowd, including racers themselves. The Tavern’s biggest claim to fame is the rye bread using a recipe Herman and Laura Siebkens brought with them from Germany. The popular bread is the sole bread choice for sandwiches. Don’t even think about asking for another kind. Wendy and her husband have contracted with a local bakery to be the exclusive baker of the rye bread, using the original recipe, churning out 45 slices per long baking pan.

The dining room of Siebkens Resort. Generations of guests have enjoyed meals here.

The Osthoff Resort is a year-round destination, a beacon seen from many points of Elkhart Lake including from on the lake itself. Celebrating its 25^th year in 2020, this Elkhart Lake resort has lodging suites, meeting and special event space, multiple restaurants, and a spa. Flowing through all of what the Osthoff has to offer is a genuine honoring of the Native American culture that came before. A certain spirituality and focus on well-being, health, and wellness permeates the experience from the food to the spa treatments, setting The Osthoff apart from other, equally expansive, chain hotels. Learn more about the spa experience, below. The Osthoff also has multiple special events throughout the year including Big Band Weekends, Jazz on the Vine, and the famous Old World Christmas Market. Check with the resort to see which events are still planned for 2020 given the Covid-19 situation. The Osthoff Resort was voted one of the top 10 resort hotels in the Midwest by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as part of their 2020 World’s Best Awards.

Some of The Osthoff Resort’s guest buildings, the lovely grounds, and the pond that people can ice skate on when it’s frozen over.

People from all over come to Elkhart Lake and enjoy the various lodging options. But what I found so interesting is that, for generations, people have been coming up from Chicago and other big cities for the summers (think Dirty Dancing but hopefully with less drama). I visited with a woman who was up for the summer with her kids, a tradition she was carrying forth from her own childhood. Dads would come up for the weekend and then return for the workweek. The old train station is still in the middle of the village, the launching point for many happy summers. It’s hard not to imagine busy, playful, relaxing seasons at the lake, anywhere you go in Elkhart which, for me at least, just adds to the charm of the place.

The old train station in the heart of Elkhart Lake was where many happy summers began with families coming up from Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

Where to get a thrill in Elkhart Lake

Road America is a place for everyone, even if you’ve never given one wit about auto racing. If you’ve driven a vehicle of any sort, there’s something here for you. Road America opened in 1955 in response to concerns about injuries and deaths of spectators. Amidst lush forests, it’s the most pastoral race track I’ve ever seen. Road America attracts world-class racing, driving school, team-building activities, a motorcycle school, geocaching, go-karting, ATV-ing, parties, and camping! I drove an ATV through the hilly and rocky woods which was SO out of character for very-cautious-me. But I had THE best time! Road America is a great place to break free of your confining comfort zone – believe me! I hear the concession stands are a standout, open during the racing events, with many of the 11 owned by non-profits, each selling a different local specialty.

Go-karting is just one option at Road America.

ATV-ing in the woods of Road America.

Where to relax and zen out 

Aspira Spa inside The Osthoff Resort is built on a philosophy of a real, organic experience that is based on the healing traditions of the Indigenous people the world over, but specifically there in Elkhart Lake. Feng shui is used extensively including in the use of circles, concentric and overlapping. The experience is a blend of East and West. It’s one of the most restful, calming places I’ve experienced. And the showers? Water comes from overhead and straight at you for a therapeutic sensation of washing away stresses. I was literally sad to leave that shower.

Circles play a big part in the design throughout Aspira Spa inside The Osthoff Resort.

Experience the Lake on a cruise. The Osthoff offers a morning Coffee Cruise to start your day right. We went on a Sunset Cruise before dinner, a languishing, restful, and educational way to reset after an active day. I get a particular kick out of the boat houses dotting the shore with stairways leading up through the woods to houses of various architectural styles. The boat houses were used long ago by residents and guests who wanted a place for a quick change out of their woolen swim costumes! No doubt. Today, they are often used like a small cottage, or sunroom where cruises might catch owners eating dinner, offering a wave or a “hello!” Our guide told us the homes on the lake (and their boat houses) are rarely sold but are, instead, usually passed down to other family members.

One of the many boat houses on the shores of the lake, originally used for changing out of one’s heavy, wet swim costume.

Go for a walk throughout the area. Elkhart Lake is small, very walkable, lovely, and friendly area. Go for a stroll after dinner and you’re sure to pass one charming cottage after another with people sitting on their front porch, ready with a smile, a wave and some chit-chat.

There’s also cycling, canoeing, fishing, golfing, and hiking in the area. Or just sitting in a lounge chair by a pool or lakeside if that’s more your speed.

Two Fish Gallery is an oasis within the oasis that is Elkhart Lake. Located on a residential street in an Arts and Crafts style bungalow with a plush garden and potter’s studio out back, it’s like going to the home of your coolest, most artistic friends. Owned by a husband and wife, Fair Trade crafts and goods are sold inside the house. Classes can be taken in the studio but they are multi-week. Good reason to stay for awhile. Sit a spell in the sculpture garden which is wonderfully haphazard, dotted with outdoor art and water features.

Shop for locally-made and international pottery and other goods at Two Fish Gallery and Sculpture Garden.

Where to learn something new in Elkhart Lake

Groups can book Culinary Workshops for team building that include great tips, hands-on learning, recipes to take home, and a wonderful meal of what you and the rest of your gang, made.

A fig dessert made at an Osthoff Resort Cooking Course.

Wade House Historic Site is an interesting and fun place to learn about history. The museum building itself has wonderful exhibits and some rare finds. But that’s just the beginning. By foot or by horse-drawn wagon, meander the 240 acres and be immersed in history. The living history museum includes wooded areas, pastoral fields with roaming animals, a blacksmith shop, a sawmill and the Wade House itself.

With furniture and décor as it would have been in 1850, the Greek Revival designed Wade house has three levels – the second floor being at just the right level to unload luggage from the top of the horse drawn carriages that would pull up out front, thereby avoiding carrying heavy trunks and bags up the narrow staircase to guest rooms. Pretty ingenious! The Wade family (which included 9 children) arrived to “found” the town, build a sawmill and a blacksmith shop. A renaissance man, Wade was the Justice of the Peace and Postmaster. Mrs. Wade cooked for the people coming in, including overnight guests.

Vegetables grown at back, in the kitchen of Wade House just as it would have been in the mid-1850s.

Today, visitors are ushered into the past with knowledgeable and very committed and costumed interpreters. When the group I was with visited the Blacksmith shop, which opened in 1847, guide Tim Socha, a historical tradesman, demonstrated what day-to-day life was like in the shop and the sawmill. You’ll see him in our video, below.

An example of a twisted hook made at the blacksmith shop at Wade House Historic Site.

See the historic blacksmith shop and sawmill in action at Wade House Historic Site:

Where to eat and drink well 

For a small-ish town, there are a surprising number of Elkhart Lake restaurants. They are all independent (except for one, small Subway) and are supportive of each other. I was told by one restaurant owner that if one place is out of something, they’ll just yell down and ask a neighboring restaurant if they can spare some. I love that there isn’t bitter competition between them. But then again, the sense of community is so strong in Elkhart Lake, it shouldn’t be surprising.

Lake Street Café’s fun and funky front room gives no indication of the elegant dining room in back where you can enjoy the state’s third largest wine list (which earned it a Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence). It’s perfect for a romantic meal or supper with friends.

Paddock Club is a family-run restaurant of elegant, seasonal small plates. Plan on getting a bunch to share. I’ve been there twice and have been blown away by every dish I’ve had.

Plum Salad with whipped ricotta, cherry tomato, cucumber, baby kale, hazelnuts and lavender-honey vinaigrette at the Paddock Club.

SwitchGear Brewing Company, a neighborhood hangout started by a group of friends, serves 10 of their own beers on tap, along with 10 Wisconsin beers. Buy a small tub of their private label cheese to spread on crackers or dip pretzels into – it’s addictive.

Route 67 Saloon for its non-traditional look of various textures of metal, love of motorized vehicles and some international cuisine mixed in with BBQ! The place is a surprising blend. I had the BBLT – A BLT with the ADDITION of brisket – fantastic.

Don’t miss the deep fried pickle spears at Route 67 Saloon.

Henning’s Cheese Store, Museum and Factory isn’t a restaurant. They are cheesemakers and purveyors. However, I recommend you go in and shop to your heart’s content for very authentically-Wisconsin cheese. Create a picnic to enjoy by the Lake. Before you go, though, step into their museum area which tells more about the history of the business and of cheesemaking. You’ll totally lose track of time watching all of the action through the big windows where you can see staff at work making cheese. If you’re into behind-the-scenes things like I am, you’ll want to allow at least 20 minutes just to watch.

With that beautiful lake as its anchor, life in and around Elkhart Lake goes by at a relaxing pace. It’s the perfect place to take advantage of a wide variety of activities or just to languish and commune with the calming energies all around you. There really is just something about that water (and everything surrounding it).

Learn more about Elkhart Lake, WI on their official visitor’s website.

— Story and photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough

Hungry for more? While you’re in Wisconsin, also visit Door County! Here’s our article about that.

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