The Lake Geneva area is one of the top vacation destinations in Wisconsin. It is only an hour and a half from Chicago, making it one of the best day trips from Chicago (or weekend getaway!). Visitors come to enjoy the breathtaking lakeviews and upmarket (yet approachable) feel.
This post gives you a quick overview of the towns around the lake with the best local recommendations for what to eat, where to stay, and what to do in Fontana Wi.
There are 3 main towns around the lake: Lake Geneva, WI, Fontana, WI, and Williams Bay, WI. Each town has a different feel. When you say you are “visiting Lake Geneva” most people mean they are coming up to spend time around Geneva Lake in one of these three towns.
Lake Geneva, WI is the main tourist destination at the lake. Visitors flock to this town for the beach, lakeside restaurants, cute main street shopping, and to catch the famous Lake Geneva boat tours. There is a lot to do but it can get crowded especially in the summer or on holidays.
Fontana, Wi is your elegant yet understated friend. This is one of my favorite places to spend the day with my two sons. It is less crowded than Lake Geneva and has beautiful lakeviews, the Fontana beach, our favorite family friendly resort (the Abbey Resort), a pirate ship park, and coffee shops and restaurants both kids and adults will enjoy.
Williams Bay, WI is the local gem. It is a quiet town but still has a cute downtown area with ice cream shops, a smaller (less crowded) beach, a playground on the lake, instagramable ice cream sundaes, the famous Yerkes Observatory, and my favorite lakeside restaurant Pier 290, which is right on the lake.
Snapshot of Fontana Wi:
Where to stay in Fontana WI: Stay at one of the best resorts around the lake, The Abbey Resort and Avani Spa (check out the full insider tips here). Check out my full guide to the best overall resorts and hotels, or top 3 family friendly hotels around Lake Geneva.
Where to eat in Fontana WI: Eat at one of the top 7 restaurants with a lakeview, Gordy’s Boathouse or local institution, Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn,
What to Do in Fontana WI: Take advantage of the Fontana public beach, enjoy the pirate ship playground, grab coffee by the lake at The Coffee Mill on the Water, Walk the famous Lake Geneva Shore Path or take advantage of all of the amenities at the Abbey resort including indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, multiple restaurants, in house coffee shop, arcade, family movie room, have smore’s by the lake, or relax in the newly renovated Avani spa! Click on the links above for full details and insider tips to help you spend less time planning and more time playing around the lake.
No matter which town you pick there are so many fun activities your family will enjoy. For a full list of what to for adults click HERE. For the family activity guide click HERE. For the snapshot of WIlliams Bay click HERE. For the snapshot of Lake Geneva click HERE.
This post is all about Fontana WI.
