The Best 1 Day Itinerary for Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva, WI is a picturesque town in southeast Wisconsin, not far from the border of Illinois. The town is rich in history and beautiful to visit any time of the year but especially in the summer.

You can certainly make a weekend trip out of it, but if you only have 1 day, I have the best 1 day itinerary for you. It hits the highlights of this charming town and you’ll even learn about the history of it too. If it’s too long of a day, feel free to adjust it to your comfort level.

Travel Tip: Download the Lake Geneva app. It has all sorts of important information for you such as special events, Lake Shore Path info, restaurants, etc.

Table of Contents

Morning Itinerary

Lake Geneva, WI Lake Shore Path

If you’re an early riser and enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the lake, then you should start your day by taking a walk along the Lake Shore Path. Even if you start the day out on the path for 30 min or so, it’ll be so worth it.

The path follows around the entire lake, 21.9 miles total. You can definitely walk around the whole path if you’re ambitious but give yourself 7-8 hours or more (probably better to save this for another day). If you just want to go for a stroll and take a peek at some of the beautiful homes, then you can turn around at any point and go back the way you came.

There are multiple entry points along the path in the different towns that go around the lake. The easiest starting point for you since you’ll be spending the day in Lake Geneva is at the Lake Geneva Public Library at 918 W. Main St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147.

Watch a video to learn more about the Shore Path.

1. Lake Geneva Library: A front view of Lake Geneva Library with its distinct mid-century modern architecture, flanked by benches and greenery, under a partly cloudy sky.
2. Library Park: An image showing the entrance to Library Park in Lake Geneva, featuring a sign that reads "Library Park - City of Lake Geneva." The park has lush green grass, trees, and a path leading towards the lake. The caption mentions the proximity to the Lake Shore Path.

US Mailboat Tour

This narrated boat tour is 2.5 hours and takes you around the whole lake to take a peek at all the historic homes along the lake and learn about their history. Not only that, but you get to see the mail being delivered to about 50 of the homes along the lakefront. It’s still delivered the same way it has for decades- a mail jumper jumps off the boat at the dock to deliver the mail and then has to jump back onto the boat before it leaves. The boat never stops moving. It’s an experience you’ll never forget! I highly recommend this one.

You can read more about this US Mailboat Tour in my other post.

There are other boat tours like a Luncheon Cruise that takes you around the whole lake as well or an Ice Cream Social Cruise that’s available if you’re looking for a shorter one.

The image displays the Walworth docked, with passengers aboard, and the caption "Lake Geneva US Mailboat - Walworth" written below.

Afternoon Itinerary

Time to Eat…Lunch!

There’s no shortage on places to eat. There are a few restaurants directly across from the Riviera Docks (where you will board and disembark for the boat tours). These are Popeye’s on Lake Geneva (not the fast food place), Speedo’s, and Oakfire. All have views of the lake, but Oakfire has an outdoor upstairs patio so you really have a great view of the lake.

My 2 cents:

I would not recommend Popeye’s. Even though it’s a staple restaurant in Lake Geneva and has been there since 1972, I don’t think their food is good and it’s overpriced.

Speedo’s is decent– I really haven’t had a bad experience there even though some of the online reviews are not favorable. It’s a typical burger place. You go for the outdoor seating overlooking the lake, not for outstanding food. I’ve had a tuna melt and burger in the past and they were good.

Oakfire would be the nicest place out of the 3. They serve wood fire pizza and some sandwiches. I’ve been here and the pizza and sandwiches are yummy.

1. Speedo's Harborside Pub & Grill: A bustling street view of Speedo's Harborside Pub & Grill located at 100 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, featuring outdoor seating with blue and yellow umbrellas and patrons enjoying a sunny day.
2. Popeye's on Lake Geneva: A photo of Popeye's on Lake Geneva at 811 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, showing the restaurant's entrance and nearby parked cars, with people walking towards the entrance on a clear day.
3. Oakfire Restaurant & Pizzeria: An image of Oakfire Restaurant & Pizzeria located at 831 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, displaying its modern two-story building with a covered outdoor dining area featuring red umbrellas and blue striped barriers.

There are many other places to eat in town such as Simple Cafe, Lake City Social (located in the Cove Hotel), and Tuscan Tavern and Grill. For more restaurant ideas check this out.

Travel Tip: Most restaurants don’t take reservations so try to eat at off peak times or grab a drink while you wait.

Shopping

Get ready to get your shop on! You can definitely spend the afternoon shopping at the many cute boutiques as well as touristy shops. Check out Bob’s Beach Shack for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. You won’t be disappointed. For more ideas on where to shop check this out!

Riviera Beach

If shopping isn’t your thing or you just want to relax/cool off on a warm summer day, then head to the beach. The Riviera Beach is located on Wrigley Drive next to the Riviera Docks and across the street from Popeye’s, Speedo’s, and Oakfire restaurants. It’s right in the heart of the downtown area.

Important Info: A $10 admission is charged-children under 6 are free- between 9AM-6PM daily. There is a beach bathroom available during business hours. The entrance to the beach is across the street from Oakfire Restaurant & Pizzeria.

1. Entrance to Riviera Beach: A photo of the entrance to Riviera Beach in Lake Geneva, showing a small pavilion, people walking, parked cars, and boats on the lake under a partly cloudy sky.
2. Beach View: A view of Riviera Beach from a higher vantage point, capturing the sandy beach, people enjoying the waterfront, parked cars, and the lake with boats in the distance.
3. Far End of the Beach: An image of the far end of Riviera Beach, featuring a sandy shoreline, people lounging, a fence, and the lake with a backdrop of trees and buildings.

Evening Itinerary

Time to Eat…Dinner!

I usually enjoy a nicer dinner to end a wonderful day trip. A great dinner place would be Oakfire (if you didn’t eat there for lunch). It overlooks the lake and you can get a picturesque sunset view as you unwind from the day and enjoy good company and great food.

The woodfire pizza is delicious, but there are some sandwiches on the menu too. I had the pepperoni pizza with a honey drizzle. My sister had a Capri sandwich and my niece had a Mickey Mouse pizza. Everyone enjoyed the meal with a view. They have an impressive dessert menu as well. My favorite is the Affogato (espresso poured over Italian bean gelato- with or without alcohol).

Again, here’s a list of restaurants in the downtown area. Be sure to take a look at closing time- some close earlier than others.

1. Oakfire Restaurant & Pizzeria: An image of Oakfire Restaurant & Pizzeria located at 831 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, displaying its modern two-story building with a covered outdoor dining area featuring red umbrellas and blue striped barriers.
2. View of lake from Oakfire outdoor upper patio: An image showing the view looking out onto Lake Geneva. The sky has fluffy clouds and the water is calm. There is an empty table with 4 chairs in the forefront of the photo.
3. Collage of 1. pepperoni pizza 2. Mickey Mouse pepperoni pizza 3. Capri sandwich with french fries and a small container of ketchup

Ghost Walk

If you’re not too tired, you should take a 90 minute ghost walk tour. Lake Geneva is a town that dates back to the late 1800’s and is sure to have some ghosts roaming about and you’ll learn all about them.

Events

Check out the Visit Lake Geneva events page. Lake Geneva has so many things going on during the summer. There may be an event happening on the day you go or you can even plan to go on an event day and make your day even more special.

IDEA: There are FREE Concerts in the Park on Thursdays from 6-8 PM in Flat Iron Park 201 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva, WI.

There are so many fun things to do and see whether you’re an early bird or a night owl… or both. I hope you enjoy Lake Geneva from sunrise to sunset as much as I do.