Fall Color Trip to Geneva Lake, Wisconsin-- Part 2: Into the Town of Lake Geneva

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

Once you get to the town of Lake Geneva (the town is named Lake Geneva, the lake is Geneva Lake) Highway H is routed over to the US-12 expressway, but to continue on the original US-12, you continue north on Wells Street, past the high school.

Continuing, you will see a lot of motels (and some of them are very old ones).  This is not surprising as these motels were built for travelers and vacationers as the Lake Geneva has always been a favorite of people from Chicago.  You will also pass a great old sign advertising a cheese place.  And, there is a lot of color.

When Wells Street ends, you are at Wis. Highway 50, which is Lake Geneva's Main Street, turn left and now you drive through a great old bustling main street.  All stores are occupied and lots of shoppers, but here in October nowhere near as busy as it is in the summer.  Parking is at a premium in the summer.  (parking is $2 an hour)

Just, keep a close eye on what lane you need to be in as it is somewhat confusing as to where you should be.

A nice side trip here is to turn at the last stop light before the beach and library and take a drive down by the lake, Riviera Docks and Popeye's, a popular eatery right across from the Riviera featuring rotisserie chicken and one of the best fish fried in Wisconsin on Fridays.

--RoadDog

Lake Geneva's Riviera Docks and Park

The snow sculpture competition, judging and festivities take place mostly at Lake Geneva's famous Riviera Docks, Park and Ballroom. This is one impressive structure built on a man-made peninsula right downtown across from Popeye's (not the fried chicken chain)

The Riviera Docks was built in 1932, and hosted many of the era's Big and Swing bands like Wayne King, the Dorsey brothers, Artie Shaw and Louis Armstrong.

A beautiful fountain was dedicated in 2004 in front of the building (but is now covered for the winter).

The Gage Marine lake boats operate out of the docks and there is a regular market place of small stores on the lower level and a ballroom upstairs.

One of Lake Geneva's Grand Places. --RoadDog

A Trip Back to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for That Gorgeous Fall Color

Liz and I took a drive to the town of Lake Geneva and around the lake last Thursday.

We liked it so much, we went back again yesterday with buddy Frank.

We again drove the original US-12, now Highway H from Genoa City, on the Illinois line. Took Wells Street past all those old motels, to downtown and parked in front of Popeye's (paid 25 cents for every thirty minutes) which has been dishing up great food and atmosphere since the early 1970s.

You get a great view of the lake and the historic Riviera Docks building and all the classic old Gage Line ships anchored there. The hills were ablaze in fall color. They were still having their Oktoberfest celebration so Liz and I ordered German food and Frank got their famous rotisserie chicken that is grilled outside. Even better, we had a 50% off coupon. Works for me.

Afterwards, walked around the corner and saw that the old video arcade was indeed closed. There was an article in the Chicago Tribune back in August saying that it was closing for good in September, a victim of the times. Kids have all that new technology and can even carry around games of that sort. A bit of Americana gone.

Walked over to the Riviera Docks and viewed the impressive classic boats. We were especially impressed with the Polaris, a diesel launch from around 1900 which used to ferry folks from the Riviera to one of the mansions along the shoreline.

Talked to someone working on it who said the zebra mussels which have invaded the Chain of Lakes where we keep our boats have been in Geneva Lake for several years, but after at first causing problems, aren't as bad. And, the lake has never been cleaner and clearer.

More to Come. --RoadDog