Here in Wisconsin, we revel in the changing seasons, especially when Summer turns to Fall. That’s when the color show begins and it’s time to slow down and take in the beauty of the fall foliage around our lake communities. It’s also a perfect time for a scenic drive to enjoy those colors. Here are a few driving (or biking) routes we recommend for the best leaf peeping experience.
SCENIC DRIVE #1 | AROUND GENEVA LAKE
South Route: From the Lake Geneva Visitor Center on Wrigley Drive, go south on Wrigley, curving left uphill onto Baker Street. Then stay right onto South Lake Shore Drive passing by Big Foot Beach State Park. At the intersection of South Lake Shore Drive and Pilgrim Church Road, bear right staying on South Lake Shore Drive. At the next four-way stop, turn right onto South Lake Shore Drive into Fontana. Just past Reid Park with Abbey Resort & Spa on your left, turn right on Reid Street heading uphill to Kinzie Avenue. Turn left on Kinzie and then a quick right onto North Lake Shore Drive. Continue on North Lake Shore Drive turning right at W. Geneva Street (Hwy. 67) heading into Williams Bay. At the intersection with Elkhorn Road (Hwy 67 turns left), continue straight onto E. Geneva Street. Turn right at Hwy. 50 (Main Street) and drive approximately 8 miles to return to the City of Lake Geneva.
North Route: Take Main Street/Hwy. 50 west out of the City of Lake Geneva. Continue approximately 8 miles to Geneva Street (just past The Ridge Hotel on your right). Turn left onto Geneva Street and head into Williams Bay. Take Geneva Street through Williams Bay. Turn left on North Lake Shore Drive on the west side of Williams Bay. At the stop sign at Kinzie Avenue, turn left and then a quick right onto Reid Street. Take Reid Street to 3rd Avenue and turn left. Turn right on Lake Street, then left on Fontana Blvd./South Lake Shore Drive. Continue on South Lake Shore Drive, turning left at the 4-way stop. Continue on South Lake Shore Drive, veering left at junction with Pilgrim Church Road, passing Big Foot Beach into the City of Lake Geneva.
SCENIC DRIVE #2 | SNAKE ROAD
Begin by taking Main Street/Hwy. 50 west out of the City of Lake Geneva to Snake Road (about 1 mile). Snake Road is at the bottom of the hill on your left, about a mile from Downtown. Continue on Snake Road which will turn right at the “T.” Snake Road ends at Hwy. 50, just west of where you entered. Woods School is a landmark at the western entrance/exit to Snake Road.
SCENIC DRIVE #3 | LAKE COMO / McDONALD ROAD
From Snake Road/Woods School, cross over Hwy. 50 to Schofield Road. Go to South Shore Drive (last left before the waters of Lake Como). Follow as far as desired and either reverse trip or exit first road left (S. Como Road) to return to Hwy 50. Turn left onto Hwy. 50 to go back to Schofield Road, turning left on Schofield then right on McDonald Road continuing to the “T” at Forest Road. Turn right on Forest Road back to Hwy. 50. If reversing the trip, take first left from Schofield Road onto McDonald Road and continue to the “T” at Forest Road. Turn right to Hwy. 50.
SCENIC DRIVE #4 | GRAND GENEVA RESORT & TERRITORY
From Downtown Lake Geneva, take Hwy. 50 (Main Street) east past Hwy. 12. Just past Hwy. 12, turn left into the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Enjoy the scenic and winding entry road as you pass by golf courses, the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark and Grand Geneva Resort. After passing the Grand Geneva main building, take a left just past the Golf Pavilion and continue to Sheridan Springs Road. Turn right on Sheridan Springs Road and continue to the “T.” Right will continue on Sheridan Springs Road through the quaint town of Lyons on Mill Street. Go left on Mill Street, left on Hwy. 36 and left on Hwy. 120, then left back to Lake Geneva. Another option is to cross Hwy. 120, becoming Krueger Road, and continue to Hwy. NN. Turn left on NN and another left on Hwy. H which will bring you back to Lake Geneva.
