Looking for a vacation village in Wisconsin? Elkhart Lake, located just an hour north of Milwaukee, is a quaint yet lively small town packed with a variety of fun things to do and delicious dining! After I was invited to visit and tour the area, I compiled this weekend itinerary for you to save to plan a weekend getaway to Elkhart Lake, WI.
Last week, I had the chance to travel back out to Wisconsin to explore Elkhart Lake for the first time. It is such a cute little village just about an hour out of Milwaukee, and after visiting and spending time there, I can totally see why it has such an appeal for so many families to come out and spend their vacations here every year! Our trip out there last week was such a perfect way to kick off the fall season, and I enjoyed seeing some of the leaves changing on the trees and escaping the crazy heat wave in Phoenix.
In case you are not following us on Instagram or maybe you missed it, I shared all of the details from my press tour out to Elkhart Lake on my Instagram Stories. But not to worry--you can watch my Elkhart Lake Instagram Stories Highlights right here!
Are you headed to Elkhart Lake, or are you visiting Wisconsin and looking for a place to stay? You can save this weekend itinerary for your trip out to the Elkhart Lake area! Click any one of the links below to head to their page on Yelp--where you can bookmark these spots, read reviews, get directions to get where you're going when you arrive in Elkhart Lake or the Milwaukee area, and see what else is available in the area that may be worth exploring if you want to change the itinerary in any way.
Elkhart Lake is well-known for its street racing history through the 1950s, as well as housing the internationally-known race track at Road America. For racing enthusiasts of all ages, Road America hosts a number of events throughout the year and offers a variety of driving classes and rental karts.
In addition to racing, outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the water activities out on Elkhart Lake as well as the hiking trails and cycling trails. Rent a bike and ride your way around town to get your exercise in, or enjoy a leisurely ride with the whole family while taking in the beauty of Elkhart Lake. Other outdoor activities in Elkhart Lake include fishing, golfing, horseback riding, adventure programs, snow shoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling.
There are a handful of lodging accommodations, hotels, and resorts to choose from when you stay in Elkhart Lake. My two favorites that we visited were The Osthoff Resort and also Jay Lee Inn. The Osthoff Resort is great for those families looking for a traditional, inclusive hotel experience that has resort-like amenities. Jay Lee Inn is a wonderful bed and breakfast that offers a charming, quiet place to stay that is just a minute or two away from downtown and offers an even more tranquil experience.
After spending a week exploring all that there is to do and see in the area, I have compiled a condensed, 2 days travel itinerary that I believe gives you a taste of all of the best things there are to do, see, and eat in and around Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin!
Elkhart Lake Weekend Itinerary
Day 1:
Early Morning: Coffee and breakfast at Off the Rail
Morning: Visit Two Fish Gallery and garden / Tour the Wade House
Early Afternoon: Take the hydro bikes or canoes out on Elkhart Lake (rentals through The Osthoff Resort)
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| Siebkens Stop-Inn Tavern |
Day 2:
Evening: Dinner at Lola's on the Lake
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| Outdoor dining at The Osthoff Resort |
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| Hands-on cooking class at The Osthoff Resort |
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| Relax at Aspira Spa and indulge in one of their spa treatments |
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Thank you to Elkhart Lake for hosting our accommodations and allowing us to explore and dine around town to share our travel itinerary featuring our favorite Elkhart Lake dining and activities.
Wow looks like you had a busy weekend in Wisconsin. That table setting is beautiful. Our kind of weekend we like to spend when we go someplace.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a great week we had there packed with all kinds of activities! Elkhart Lake has so much to do and see, but we tried the best we could to narrow it down to what we think are the best things to do and the best places to eat!
DeleteWow, you guys had a jam packed weekend, which is exactly the way I like it when I travel. Sounds like a fun place to visit.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Glad you enjoy!
DeleteWhat a beautiful lake! It sounds and looks like you guys had a blast. I need to get here one day. I would love to relax near the water. And I would LOVE to go to a spa.
ReplyDeleteThe lake was lovely! And the Aspira Spa was heavenly!
DeleteI love the weekend itinerary! I would have loved it, too. I love the lakes in Wisconsin and this looks incredible.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh it's so great!!
DeleteThat looks like an absolutely gorgeous place to check out. I love small-town's because they're so much more character in them. I have been in Wisconsin quite a number of times but I've never been to the city. I can't wait to explore it!
ReplyDeleteYes I totally agree! Small towns have so much character, and you get to support mom & pop businesses as opposed to big chains. You can really help support a community when you stay in a small resort village like Elkhart Lake!
DeleteOh my this part of the country looks so beautiful. I've never been that far north. The shopping looks like loads of fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful! I definitely recommend!
DeleteLooks like you had an amazing time! I want to go out in some go karts!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh that go-karting was EXCITING! They can go up to like 40 mph I believe. I definitely hit the pedal to the metal at one point on the track and it was so exhilarating!
DeleteElkhart Lake in Wisconsin looks like the perfect little spot to visit this fall with my family for a weekend getaway. This location is quite close for me and totally doable
ReplyDeleteYes absolutely a great spot for a weekend getaway in the fall. Hope you get a chance to get up there!
DeleteElkhart Lake looks like a charming place to visit. I was in Wisconsin last month visiting my friend in Kenosha. Kenosha is a beautiful place too.
ReplyDeleteIt is so charming! I have not been out to Kenosha yet, but it looks pretty (just looked it up online!) :)
DeleteWhat a cute place to visit! This sounds like a lovely little town. I think that is an adorable gift shop. Sounds like there are plenty of things to explore.
ReplyDeleteFor sure!
DeleteElkhart Lake looks great place for vacation. Food and rooms looks great. I would like to have vacation in this beautiful place
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely spot for a weekend getaway vacation!
DeleteWhat an absolutely amazing looking place to go and explore. I would love to check out those gardens, they look like they have some amazing things hidden around in them.
ReplyDeleteYes, the garden was so beautiful and totally unexpected! It is on the same property as the art gallery.
DeleteThis looks like a beautiful place to visit with so much to see and do. I would love to visit with the family.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great!
DeleteOh, that looks lovely! The fall colors are so pretty. I think I would really enjoy visiting the Wade House.
ReplyDeleteThe Wade House was very cool! I enjoyed learning about how the stagecoaches would travel to different parts of the state and around the Midwest, and how it was a hotel for people needing a place to stay while traveling on the road.
DeleteOh man, I would love to visit Wisconsin one day!! Your photos are simply GORGEOUS!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Yes, Wisconsin is awesome and there are some really fun and unexpected hidden gems throughout the state!
DeleteWhat a beautiful and relaxing place this is. Lake is my favorite place to visit on warmer months and in the Fall too.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lake is such a lovely spot!
DeleteThis looks like an incredible place. I'd love to visit one day, thanks for the itinerary.
ReplyDeleteOf course! :)
DeleteThis looks like such a fun getaway. So much to do and that food looks amazing
ReplyDeleteThe food was absolutely exceptional at Paddock Club and Lola's on the Lake!
DeleteLooks like a wonderful time. That tavern looks so cool.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh if you like racing then you would enjoy the tavern! I heard that there are so many amazing stickers and racing memorabilia items throughout the tavern that are so cool!
DeleteI've never been to Elkhart Lake or Wisconsin! I've always wanted to travel North and this looks like the perfect place to visit! I love how the trees are already changing!
ReplyDelete