No matter what a typical day in your life looks like – single, coupled, married with kids or anything in between – solo travel can be a truly rejuvenating experience. You’d be amazed how refreshing it can be to explore on your own, to follow your instincts unimpeded and to meet new people along the way. Even just a day or two wandering in an unfamiliar place can do wonders for the soul.
Lake Geneva is a fantastic destination for solo travelers. It combines Midwestern friendliness with a beautiful and walkable downtown area and plenty of solo-travel-friendly activities. Here are a few of our favorites to add to your list:
- Spend a day at the beach. Bring a book, pack a lunch, and achieve maximum relaxation. Choose Lake Geneva’s Riviera Beach for the people-watching, the Williams Bay Beach for extra shade or the Fontana Beach for the biggest area to spread out.
- Get out on the lake. One of the best ways for a solo traveler to get out on the water is to take a tour with Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Through Sept. 15, the popular morning US Mailboat tour is a great option, but it books up quickly so plan ahead. If you’re looking for a more physically active way to get out on the lake, rent a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard from Clear Water Outdoor or the Williams Bay Recreation Department. But remember: solo boating comes with extra dangers, so be sure to wear a life jacket!
- Take a hike. The area is full of beautiful places to explore on foot. The Geneva Lake Shore Path will give you a front-row view of the lake’s beautiful mansions, camps and clubs. Kishwauketoe Nature Preserve in Williams Bay offers around 3 miles of trails through the area’s beautiful, complex ecosystem. The White River Trail runs from Elkhorn to Burlington along an old railroad bed – it’s great for both hiking and biking.
- Pamper yourself. If you’re looking for a fully blissed-out solo trip, book a spa day at one of the area’s top resorts. Try a balancing lavender body experience at Avani Spa at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, a Hydration Ritual massage at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s WELL Spa + Salon or a Pure Fiji body ritual at Lake Lawn Resort’s Calladora Spa.
- Take a trip back in time. The Geneva Lake Museum is a great place to learn about the area’s rich history as you wander the recreated turn-of-the-20th-century streetscape. To see what #lakelife looked like in the 19th century, take a tour of Black Point Estate and Gardens (it includes a boat ride to and from the site.) Or join the Wisconsin Historical Society for walking tour of Lake Geneva’s historic Maple Park District or a tour of Oak Hill Cemetery, which was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Of course, you can always bring your partner or family to the lake as well, but if you opt for solo travel, you’ll be guaranteed plenty of time to relax and unwind and truly enjoy all that the area has to offer. Watch out: it can be addicting!
