How to spend a weekend in Elkhart Lake, according to a local
Planning a trip to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin? Look no further than this guide created by a local.
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, has been an idyllic tourist retreat for more than one hundred years. Since the railroad was introduced to the town in the 1800s, visitors have flocked to enjoy its grand resorts, small town charm, and clear, rejuvenating waters. To this day, it remains a popular destination for families, couples, outdoor enthusiasts, and racing fans across the country looking for a fun weekend getaway.
Having grown up near the village, I am very familiar with the area and its popular attractions and activities. In fact, I spent a few summers as a hostess at one of its biggest resorts and was frequently asked for recommendations. This guide includes those recommendations and more, so that you can plan your own wonderful escape to Elkhart Lake.
Best time to visit Elkhart Lake
The best time to visit Elkhart Lake really depends on your personal preferences. However, as someone who has lived nearby for several years, I tend to enjoy the fall and summer the most due to the warmer weather. Many seem to agree, as summer, especially, is considered the peak tourist season for the village. Consequently, most of the activities we will discuss in this article are only available during the summer and fall.
That being said, the off-season can also be a good time to visit, especially if you are interested in seasonal activities like visiting the Old World Christmas Market or enjoying the snowy outdoors with snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Additionally, if you are looking to get a good deal, resort prices are typically lower during the colder months.
In general, you can expect summer temperatures to be on average between the upper 70s to the lower 80s. While in winter, they are often in the low 30s to low teens.
Getting to Elkhart Lake
While most people traveled via railroad at the beginning of Elkhart Lake’s tourist history, trains have long ceased to travel through the town. Today, most people get to the area via car. The closest major airports are in Milwaukee and Appleton, which are both about an hour’s drive from the village. Folks looking to visit from Chicago can expect closer to a 3-hour drive.
Where to stay in Elkhart Lake
For such a small town, Elkhart Lake offers quite a variety of places to stay during your visit. Perhaps most notable is its array of resorts, some of which have been operating for more than a hundred years.
The Osthoff Resort
The largest resort in Elkhart Lake is the Osthoff Resort. This AAA Four Diamond resort features spacious suites, multiple dining options, recreational activities, a spa, and so much more. For those looking to enjoy the lake, there is a private beach reserved for guests. In the summer, you can also rent a variety of watercraft, including kayaks, paddleboards, pontoons, and paddleboats.
My personal favorite thing about the resort is the Aspira Spa. Guests looking to take some time to relax will be happy to know the spa offers a wide range of services, including facials, massages, nail treatments, and more. The spa includes amenities like a cafe, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, and a meditation sanctuary.
Siebkins Resort
Steeped in a deep German heritage, Siebkins Resort has been operating since 1916, when it was acquired by Herman and Laura Siebken, who emigrated from northern Germany. The resort offers a mix of modern and historic accommodations as well as multiple dining options. Guests who want to enjoy the lake have direct access to a private waterfront.
The Shore Club Wisconsin
The Shore Club is a luxury boutique hotel that offers a variety of accommodations from comfortable guestrooms to multi-bedroom condos. Amenities include beachfront access, water sports rentals, and indoor and outdoor pools. There is also a range of dining options, with the most popular amongst locals being the Tiki Bar & Lounge, which is only open during the summer and features casual outdoor dining with frequent live music entertainment.
Places to eat in Elkhart Lake
When it comes to food and drink, there is something for everyone in Elkhart Lake. Whether you are looking for casual or fine dining, pizza or steak, Elkhart Lake has a restaurant for you. Below are a few of my personal favorites.
Off The Rail
Off The Rail is the place to go if you want to grab a quick coffee, breakfast, or lunch. The menu includes a variety of handcrafted foods, including sandwiches, soups, bagels, baked goods, specialty coffee, tea, and more. There isn’t a ton of indoor seating, so be prepared to potentially take your food to go. If it is nice outside, try taking your meal to nearby Village Park for an impromptu picnic. The restaurant is located in a bright red building in the middle of downtown and is nearly impossible to miss.
Lake Street Cafe
A nice downtown spot for lunch and dinner, Lake Street Cafe is a local favorite with a range of delicious food and drink options. They are especially famous for their wood-fired pizzas. For an appetizer, I’d recommend ordering the Homemade Potato Chips. I also really like the Warm Nut Crusted Goat Cheese Salad. The restaurant offers an extensive drink menu with lots of beer, wine, and cocktail options.
Paddock Club
The Paddock Club is an upscale farm-to-table restaurant located in a historic building named after a gambling club that was active in Elkhart Lake during prohibition. The menu changes with the seasons, but in general, you can expect dishes like pasta, steak, and seafood. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season, and can be made up to 60 days in advance.
Gessert’s Ice Cream and Confectionery
Another local favorite is Gessert’s Ice Cream and Confectionery. This traditional parlor was established in 1922, making it one of the oldest ice cream parlors in the United States. While there is handmade fudge, old-fashioned candies, and chocolates available for purchase, my favorite thing to get is the ice cream. The parlor usually carries Cedar Crest and offers a variety of sundaes, malts, shakes, and ice cream sodas. The location itself is pretty neat and is decorated with a variety of antiques and artifacts from throughout the parlor’s long history.
Top things to do in Elkhart Lake
There is plenty to keep you busy during your weekend retreat to Elkhart Lake. From boating and swimming to racing and golf, there is a variety of activities to enjoy.
Enjoy the lake
One of the biggest reasons people visit Elkhart Lake is for, well, the lake. In fact, tourists have been vacationing at this particular lake since the late 1800s, when the railroad made the town accessible for those residing in large cities like Milwaukee and Chicago.
Because of the countless underground springs that feed the lake, Elkhart Lake is considered one of the cleanest in Wisconsin, making it a great place to go swimming, boating, and fishing. If you aren’t staying at a resort with private beach access, there is a public beach at Fireman’s Park with concessions, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and volleyball courts.
Check out the Farmers & Artisans Market
From the end of May until early October, Elkhart Lake hosts a weekly Farmers & Artisans Market on Saturday mornings. This picturesque market is located near the old downtown train depot and features a variety of vendors. While strolling through the market, you can be sure to find plenty of fresh produce, baked goods, handmade jewelry, decor, soaps, and so much more.
Visit Road America
Racing has been a fixture in Elkhart Lake since the early 1950s, when sports car racers from throughout the Midwest would come to compete on closed-loop courses around the lake. While road races have since been discontinued, race fans can still visit nearby Road America to see some of the best perform at this world-famous four-mile track.
Listen to some live music
In Elkhart Lake, nothing says summer quite like sitting outside, drink in hand, listening to some great music. From May through September, it’s common to hear live music playing throughout town. Each of the resorts hosts summer concert series, which are open to the public and often scheduled on multiple days each week. Throughout the year, the village also hosts music festivals and events, like Jazz on the Vine and the Midwest Acoustic Music Festival.
Hit the course
For those who want to spend some time outside but need a break from the water, Elkhart Lake has two golf courses with a total of 27 holes. Quit Qui Oc Golf Club‘s original 18-hole course was opened in 1927 and designed by acclaimed golf course architect Tom Bendelow, known as “the Johnny Appleseed of American Golf.” Its newer 9-hole course, the Glacial Nine, was designed and built by Bob Lohmann in the early 2000s. Besides its two courses, the club features a restaurant and bar, a pro shop, practice driving ranges, putting greens, and lessons from PGA and LPGA professionals.
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