A relaxing trip to Wisconsin means a visit to Lake Geneva – the spot that USA Today dubbed “The Best Small Town for Adventure.” Adventure, charm, and history combine to make Lake Geneva top of the list for many looking for a memorable weekend escape. The lake’s pristine waters, lush forest landscape, and lovely small town make this the perfect place to take a quaint fall vacation. To get you in the mood, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite autumn events happening in the area.
Maritime Wonders
This time of year, one event on everyone’s radar is the annual Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show. This local event has grown to include an artist marketplace and local estate tour, in addition to the main boating competition. In late September, the Geneva Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show brings together a variety of over 100 classic and vintage boats from all over the country and showcases them in the Abbey Marina, the official harbor of The Abbey Resort.
Visitors can enjoy the event for free and hear about the types of boats from the owners themselves. Learn about the characteristics of a classic cruiser and imagine all the fun you can have on a leisurely runabout. Along with the boats, there’s always great live music and a group of local vendors that bring even more hustle and bustle to the marina. Miss this year’s event? Don’t worry – you can still enjoy the local boats that decorate the marina and catch next year’s event to discover the new lineup of beautiful vessels.
Historical Estate Tour
Lake Geneva has a long history as a summer destination where Chicago’s rich and famous made their escape from big city life. Wealthy elite contracted the top architects at the time to build their summer estates along the lake’s waterfront. Today, glorious mansions still stand tall around the lake, a reminder of the glory of Chicago’s past. Each estate was built to be a unique beacon that stood out from the rest, whether decked out with large facades of colonial brick or European-inspired archways and columns.
The best way to see all of these amazing buildings is by embarking on one of Lake Geneva’s boat tours. Not only will the tour give you a breakdown of the top estates that encompass the shoreline, but you’ll get some very interesting background history behind each one. Fall is the perfect time to take a boat tour in Wisconsin as the season’s colorful leaves only enhance the beauty of the surrounding architecture.
A Fall Celebration
With Columbus Day weekend and Halloween right around the corner, you can get the full fall Lake Geneva experience at The Abbey Resort. The resort has lined up unique activities throughout the season including caramel apple making, pumpkin painting, and a bewitching bonfire. If you’re visiting with family, don’t miss out on the resort’s Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt where you’ll get clues and a map to discover treats around the spacious property.
Book their special Flavors of Fall package and visit The Apple Barn where you’ll get to pick scrumptious apples and find your perfect pumpkin. Snack on apple cider donuts and enjoy a bottle of the barn’s local wine back at your room. Talk about iconic fall. When you’re done with all the festivities, take a dip in the Avani Atrium pool, where you can enjoy the beautiful fall scenery while making your way through the steam and sauna rooms. Then finish the day off with a lakeside sunset at Waterfront Restaurant, where you can drink, dine, and dance the night away.
