Updated September 6, 2024
The night air is getting a little crisper and the trees are starting to burst into gorgeous color here in the Lake Geneva area. Now begins the season when fall foliage takes center stage and draws visitors from throughout the Midwest. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy the fall colors:
- Take a boat ride around the lake. Whether you rent a motorboat to explore on your own or opt for a tour — Lake Geneva Cruise Line tours run through the end of October and offer everything from brunch buffet cruises to sunset cocktail cruises, getting out on the water on Geneva Lake is a great way to view the beauty of fall. Fun fact: famed landscape architect Jens Jensen designed many of the grounds of the historic estates around Geneva Lake and intentionally planted trees that would dazzle in the fall! For a similar experience on Delavan Lake, take a cruise aboard the Lake Lawn Queen: options range from fall color tours to sunset cruises to themed dinner cruises.
- Bike the back roads. Walworth County is full of hidden-gem roads and bike trails awash in fall colors. Bring your own bike or rent a bike at Lake Geneva’s Avant Cycles, then follow the path of the changing leaves: A few favorite options include the Lake Geneva Bike Path, Snake Road and the White River State Trail. (For additional options, check out this web exclusive piece.)
- Hike the county and state parks. The Lake Geneva area boasts several county and state parks within a 30-minute drive. Closest to home is Big Foot Beach State Park, with its 6.5 miles of trails. North of Elkhorn in Sugar Creek, check out Price Park, a county park with 2.5 miles of hiking trails through beautiful forest and glaciated topography. If you’re looking for a longer hike, head up to the John Muir Trail System in the Southern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest, which offers a range of trail options up to 12 miles long. Right next to the Southern Unit in La Grange is Bromley Woods, managed by the Geneva Lake Conservancy, which offers about 2 miles of hiking trails through a gorgeous oak savanna and around a kettle pond.
- Opt for lunch with a view. Several local restaurants overlook beautiful scenes of fall foliage and many even offer outdoor seating (weather permitting.) On Lake Como, stop by Mars Resort for a view of the changing leaves from their large outdoor deck. On Geneva Lake, head to Pier 290 to take in the fall scene around Williams Bay from their covered outdoor bar or beachside fire pits. In Fontana, Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn provides panoramic views from their outdoor dining deck, or you can enjoy marina-side dining at The Waterfront at The Abbey Resort.
