Family-Friendly Resort Minutes from Quaint Downtown Shops

A guitarist strums a clean note with a smooth downward motion, a singer closes his flowing warble and, with a deep plunging break, a flurry of bodies cannonball into the pool for a watery finale. So goes the nightly chorus of sounds in The Cove of Lake Geneva's inviting pool scene, which is filled out by an occasional house band, two pools, and wealthy poolside bar. Rows of cerulean lounge chairs and a few covered cabanas set the stage for visitors to lay lazily in the shade or take in a poolside massage. As adults relax in the deep end of the large pool, youngsters can splash in their own shallow pool centered by a red mushroom fountain. A section of ship dubbed the S.S. Cove lets kids climb aboard, walk the plank, or send a stream of water shooting toward pirates that dare pass by. An additional indoor pool welcomes swimmers in all seasons. Windows reminiscent of a small-town church let rays of light in to flicker on the sparkling water, surrounded by high ceilings and rich wood beams.

Each of The Cove's private units are condominium style, meaning guests can enjoy all the comforts of home in addition to the amenities of a luxurious hotel. King or queen beds rest couples royally, and the spacious living room encourages dozing off on a sleeper sofa next to a fireplace and a flat-screen TV. The suite is rounded out by a full kitchen, which sets the stage for do-it-yourself dinners and science-project volcanoes with a toaster, a microwave, a dishwasher, pots and pans, and the required culinary utensils.

Sojourners who seek a vacation from cooking, meanwhile, can shuffle over to dine in the eclectic lineup of restaurants that peppers the downtown area. Or they can simply head downstairs to Sprecher's Restaurant & Pub, the on-site brewery and restaurant. Plates stacked with hearty burgers forged from locally sourced ingredients match up with 14 Wisconsin craft beers brewed using Old World methods. Outside of sipping the Hefe Weiss and Black Bavarian brews or sitting on a block of ice, travelers can cool off with homemade soda in on-tap varieties such as cream soda, orange dream, and root beer made from pure vanilla, aromatic botanicals, and honey from Wisconsin honeycombs.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Cozy Northern Town with an Adventurous Side

Located right across from The Cove of Lake Geneva is its grand namesake, a gaping gulf of crystal-clear lake ripe for swimming, leisurely sails, waterskiing, and tubing. Outside such aquatic thrills, travelers can promenade the footpaths around the lake, which pass by opulent mansions, expansive English-style gardens and estates, and a Buddhist temple. The winter unlocks another side of this dynamic town: skiers take to the low mountains for skiing and snowboarding, and others find an outdoor match with a snowmobiling, ice fishing, and outdoor ice sculpting.

Just a short walk from The Cove resides the charming downtown area, which overflows with both casual and upscale restaurants, shopping, and homemade beers and ice cream. The neighboring rustic storefronts brandish hand-thrown pottery and kaleidoscopic glass-art pieces.