Prepare to be immersed in a grandeur society as Lake Geneva propels you into a Renaissance-like world. Known as one of the most stunning lake destinations in the country; located 80 miles from Chicago and 40 miles from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva has been historically known as a permanent fixture of wealth and hosting the upper echelon society.

Known as the “Newport of the West” and the “Hamptons of Chicago” due to its notoriety in the late 1800s, the small lake town became known as a summer home retreat for prominent families like The Wrigley’s, Wackers, Chapins, Drakes, and Schwinns which drove many to want to see the Southern Wisconsin lakeside retreat for themselves.

More than 100 of those homes are still standing in their Gilded Age glory, however, today Lake Geneva is known for more than its star power. The four-season resort town is a favorite for families with young children, friend getaways, chef-driven cuisines, trendy shopping, and tons of water activities.

A grand welcome to Lake Geneva is a stay at a AAA, Four-Diamond resort. Welcoming their guest with luxury at its finest is the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Originally opened in 1968 as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel (yes, you read that right) this unique property offers luxurious guest rooms, suites, and opulence unlike no other.

Decadent dining options include the Geneva Chop House specializing in hand-selected, custom-seasoned steaks prepared to perfection by Executive Chef Dustin Urbanik and his staff. The Iberico Pork and Japanese Whisky Porterhouse both are highly recommended and can be paired with the perfect wine by the resident sommelier Andy Kulakowski.

Although the lake experience is amazing, the adventures go far beyond the galaxies that are known to man. A must-see during your Lake Geneva visit is the Yerkes Observatory. Known as the birthplace of modern astrophysics, since 1897 Yerkes Observatory has welcomed astronomers and astronauts to its majestic and iconic location of scientific discovery and education of space.

It is most famously known as the home to the world’s largest refracting telescope and was one of the two places Albert Einstein ask to see on his 1921 tour of America. Today, Yerkes is embarking on its next journey of history as it is now owned by the Yerkes Future Foundation. With restoration and revitalization, YFF non-profit organization is taking Yerkes Observatory to even further heights.

As you travel back from space at the Yerkes Observatory, experience the pristine waters of Lake Geneva by way of the unique mail delivery by boat! Since 1916, the town of Geneva has been delivering its mail via boat on the lake. Currently, there are only a handful of places left in the country where mail is still delivered by boat and this 2½-hour cruise around the entire lake is exciting and scenic! It’s a must-do if it's your first visit to Lake Geneva. Take the opportunity to learn more about the estates' history and get close to the properties as the mail carriers jump on and off the boat to deliver mail.

Working up an appetite is no problem in this town. You have a lot of dining options throughout Lake Geneva, but PIER 290 serves up Lake Life as the only waterfront restaurant on Lake Geneva! Known as a friendly restaurant with delicious food, PIER 290 invites you to enjoy beautiful lake views in its large dining room, front deck, or covered canopies. The menu features casual American fare for lunch, dinner, and boozy brunch on the weekends. Along with dining options, you can also sit with a drink in your hand on the lakefront beach and your toes in imported sand around fire pits. The fun doesn’t stop when summer ends, PIER 290 is your year-round spot for weekly specials, lakeside dining, live music, and fun!

Although Lake Geneva is known for its beautiful waters, there is more beyond the lake shores including several wineries for sipping and savoring. A day of wine tasting starts at Hill Valley Dairy. Full of fun and flavor, Hill Valley Dairy offers both, great wines and small-batch, high-quality cheeses with locally sourced milk. Growing up on a dairy farm, Ron Henningfeld loved working alongside his family members, caring for the animals and farmland.

Today that passion still exists as he and his wife are creating a variety of artisan cheeses with Romari Farms fresh milk. He remains passionate about making quality cheeses using quality milk and connecting local people to local food products. Make sure you try the black pepper cheddar, whiskey gouda, and cheese curds!

If fruit wines are your thing, Apple Barn Orchard and Winery is for you! Described as an attraction fit for all ages, this 4th generation farm invites parents to bring the kids for strawberry picking in June, apple and pumpkin picking in autumn, or leave the kids at home to enjoy some of their award-winning fruit wines. If that's not enough, their bakery is consistently utilizing their seasonal fruits in delicious goodies like apple cider donuts (I ate mine before I got in the car), strawberry/rhubarb pies, and much more. I’d recommend enjoying your tasting selections outside under the beautiful 140-year-old maple tree.

Magic in Wisconsin may not be the first thing you would consider during a visit to Lake Geneva, but here is where that may change. While it may not be the typical thing on your to-do list you will want to get tickets for a show at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre. The shows are clever, funny, engaging, and baffling. How you can produce an event that a 6-year-old and a 70-year-old were equally thrilled with is a testament to the range of illusions this show provides. Appearing Birds, disappearing motorcycles, appearing helicopters, ladies cut in half – it is Vegas in Geneva! The award-winning, 175-seat Tristan Crist Magic Theatre is an amazing and entertaining event and a great way to end your Lake Geneva visit.

Now that you have gotten an idea of what Lake Geneva has to offer, remember that this one-of-a-kind destination is conventionally located just 10 miles north of the Illinois state line, and easily accessible from Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee. Situated on the shores of its namesake, Geneva Lake, you will find yourself in love with the charming downtown district filled with distinctive shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, all within walking distance of the water.

Anchored by its history, the lakefront beckons you from its pristine beaches, picturesque parks, and of course, the famous Geneva Lake. From cruising the lake aboard a U.S. Mail Boat Lake Geneva tour to taking in the Yerkes Observatory, relaxing at the Grand Geneva Resort, or sipping fruity wines at Apple Barn Orchard under maple trees, it is easy to live your best lake life in Lake Geneva. Learn more about the city of Lake Geneva at visitlakegeneva.com.