Elkhart Lake, WI: A Small Town With Big Fun

Small towns have a lot to offer families, especially those with teens and older children. From the local food to the activities, everything is usually more affordable and the people are friendly and welcoming. One small Midwest town that has a lot to offer active families is Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Elkhart Lake is a beautiful lakeside town located in southeastern Wisconsin. Potawatomi Indians gave this area its name because they believed that the shape of the lake- which is scooped out by ancient glaciers- resembled an elk’s heart. The 4th deepest lake in Wisconsin, reaching depths of 120 feet, has a sandy bottom and natural springs give the water a beautiful blue color on sunny days. The natural beauty of the 292-acre woodlands in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine makes it an ideal destination for families who enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.

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Where is Elkhart Lake, WI?

This lakeside community is a great road trip destination. It is located about an hour’s drive north of Milwaukee and two and a half hours from Chicago.

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Things to Do in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

The town has a population of just under 1,000 people, but it is filled with activities, restaurants, and places to stay for families. In addition to the lake, there are plenty of other things to do in Elkhart Lake.

Here is a list of 15 family activities we did on a recent visit that you’d want to experience for yourself.

1. Visit Road America – National Park of Speed

Elkhart Lake has a long history of road racing, dating back to 1950 when the first races were held on public roads. Road America is a four-mile, 14-turn course permanent road racing track. The track at Road America hosts a variety of races, car club events, including races for cars, motorcycles, and go-karts, driving schools, and private track rentals.

Some of the big race events include MotoAmerica Superbikes and NTT INDYCAR SERIES Sonsio Grand Prix in early June, NASCAR XFINITY Series in late July, and the Ariens Art on Wheels Vintage Weekend in mid-September.

If you have teen drivers in your family, enroll them in a driving course to help improve their skills and confidence between the wheel. During the winter months, the winter driving courses teach car control on ice and snow.

4 Miles of Fitness

On non-race Mondays and Wednesdays from May to September, visitors can bike, walk or run on Road America’s legendary 4-mile, 14-turn track. In addition to the track, there are numerous cross-country trails and service roads on the property that are perfect for families to explore.

2. High Speed Karting at Road America

For the thrill seekers in the family, try racing karts that reach speeds of 40mph. The Briggs & Stratton Motorplex at Road America offers public karting sessions, karting experience and Karting Club race weekends. Sessions allow anyone ages 14 and up (with an adult present) to drive karts on the same track used by professional racers.

3. Off-Road Adventures (UTV Riding) at Road America

From May to October, Road America offers a guided UTV riding experience that takes drivers across various types of terrain on its 640-acre property. Participants drive side-by-sides across dirt and mud (weather permitting) trails through a mostly wooded area.

The full experience lasts about two hours and includes a safety briefing and short training on how to operate the vehicle.

4. Drive the Historic Race Circuit Route

During the early 1950s, this town was famous for its races on public roads. The 8.5-mile circuit was used until 1952 when the first road race track, Road America, was built.

Today, visitors can still drive the same course that once hosted world-renowned drivers such as Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill, and Juan Fangio. Stop by the Elkhart Lake Visitor Center to pick up a free Historic Race Circuit Route map. The route is well-marked and easy to follow, making it a great option for a leisurely day trip or driving and site seeing.

5. Hike or Bike in the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit

There are a lot of racing and car activities on this list thus far. For those who want to get outside and explore the natural beauty of Elkhart Lake, there are plenty of options for that as well.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit is a large state forest that offers visitors a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy the great outdoors. This region of Wisconsin was created by glaciers, and as a result, there are many interesting geological features to see.

There are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the forest, perfect for exploring on a warm day. The trail system includes hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels.

Some of the most popular trails include the Parnell Tower Trail (about 19 minutes from town), which is a 3.4-mile moderate hike to the top of an observation tower with views of the glacier-carved terrain; and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which is a longer hike that covers the entire state of Wisconsin. There is a section in La Budde Creek Park that winds through this part of the state.

We use the AllTrails app to find and map out hikes in the area, which is especially helpful if you’re looking for an easy or family-friendly hike.

AllTrails is a free mobile app and website with detailed, hand-curated trail maps, along with crowd-sourced reviews and photos. With 300,000+ trails, users can filter to find the route that’s right for them.

Upgrade to the PRO version for offline maps and more.

Get the App Here

6. Visit the Fireman’s Park and Beach

This seasonal recreation area located on the northeast side of the lake includes a public sandy beach, a park with sheltered areas, picnic tables, a concession stand, and restrooms. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the lake.

If you are staying at one of the three lakeside resorts (Osthoff, Siebkens, or Shore Club), you will have access to their private beaches as well.

7. Play a Round at Quit Qui Oc Golf Course

Quit Qui Oc is a family-owned and operated, 27-hole golf course that is open to the public. The owners and staff do an excellent job of making visitors feel welcome. The course is located on the west side of the lake and offers beautiful views.

There is a pro shop, practice area, and clubhouse which serves the most amazing views. Plus the sounds of Road America in the distance remind you that you are in one of the best places for motorsports in the country.

8. Shop Downtown Elkhart Lake

The downtown area here is home to several unique shops, including gift shops, clothing stores, and art galleries. It’s completely walkable and makes for a great afternoon of exploring.

Elkhart Lake Outfitters carries some of my favorite outdoor clothing brands like Patagonia, Smartwool, Tentree, and Kuhl. They have a great selection of gear for both men and women.

Get Ice Cream at Gesserts

Gesserts Ice Cream and Confectionary is an old-fashioned ice cream shop that has been serving up delicious ice cream, fudge, and chocolates since 1947.

Two Fish Gallery and Sculpture Garden

Another downtown shop worth visiting is the Two Fish Gallery. This gallery, owned by a local husband and wife team, features a wide variety of pottery, artwork, and sculptures by 50 regional and fair trade artists. If you want to get hands-on you can register to take a workshop or class at onsite The Two Fish School, which specializes in high-fire stoneware.

The gallery’s outdoor sculpture garden is one of my favorite tranquil spots in town. Handmade pottery and ironwork are featured alongside water features, potted plants, and stone sculptures. Bill, the owner, mentioned many visitors will bring their morning coffee and stroll through the garden to start their day. What a great way to start the day!

9. Take a Boat Tour of Elkhart Lake

As anyone who has ever been lucky enough to experience it will tell you, there is something truly magical about being on a glacial lake. The water on this lake is so clear and pure, and the scenery is like something out of a fairytale. If you want to get the most out of your time, then I highly recommend renting a pontoon boat or scheduling a lake cruise. That way, you can really take in all the beauty that this place has to offer. And trust me, it will be an experience that you and your teens will never forget.

The Osthoff Resort offers pontoon boat rentals and two cruises per day, seasonally that is open to the public. There’s a morning coffee cruise and an evening cruise. We did the evening cruise and in addition to a leisurely boat ride around the lake, the captain provided an overview of local history and area geology.

Note: On Sundays from June to mid-September, only electric and man-powered watercraft are permitted on Elkhart Lake.

10. Attend a Concert at Brown Baer

Housed in a former blacksmith shop, this restaurant and live music venue on the weekends has a great vibe. The menu features an eclectic mix of American comfort food like burgers and sandwiches, as well as entrees like jager schnitzel. There’s also a good selection of craft beer and wine.

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11. Paddle Out on Elkhart Lake

If you want to experience the lake in a more active way, then I recommend renting a canoe or kayak from one of the local outfitters and paddling out onto the water.

There are several places to put in, but two of my favorites are near The Osthoff Resort and Elkhart Lake Watersports at The Shore Club. Both offer rentals for everything from canoes and paddleboards to pedal swan boats and pontoon rentals. From there you can paddle around to your heart’s content. Check each of the resorts for a current activity list that offers seasonal SUP fitness classes, wakeboarding instruction, and more.

12. Guided Fishing Trip

The lake is a great place to fish for walleye, pike, and bass. If you’re not an experienced fisherman, no worries! You can book a guided fishing trip with Jay’s Guide Service, as we did. Our guide, Jay, was very knowledgeable about the lake. He’s been fishing this and other lakes for over 40 years and leading guide trips for over 24 years. He was able to show us the best spots to fish and help me cure my fishing dry spell landing a few nice rock bass and a 26″ walleye.

13. Relax at Aspira Spa

After a day of activities, relax and rejuvenate at the award-winning Aspira Spa. The spa offers a variety of treatments for those ages 16 and older including massages, facials, and body treatments. They are one of two spas in the country that offer chromatub treatment which places you inside a 270-jet tub with a combination of aromatherapy and color bath therapy to promote detoxification while increasing blood and lymphatic circulation.

I did the Hamman treatment which included aromatherapy in a wet sauna followed by a full-body exfoliation and a relaxation massage. I have to say it was one of the best spa experiences I’ve ever had. It combined both physical and mental relaxation and left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

14. Close the Night with a Bonfire

The Osthoff Resort offers a nightly bonfire complete with s’mores for guests (seasonally). It’s the perfect way to end a day of activities in Elkhart Lake. To purchase s’mores, just stop by the Splash Shack.

15. Stargaze on a Clear Night

Being in a small town along the lake makes for the perfect spot for stargazing on a clear night. If you need help finding constellations, download the Sky Map app.

Restaurants in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

For a town with a population of just 1,200 people, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin has a surprisingly diverse selection of restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or just want a casual meal, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Elkhart Lake:

The Paddock Club -everything here is amazing
Stop-Inn Tavern for their famous Siebkens Sandwich and rye chips with horseradish dip
The Cottonwood Social at the Shore Club
Quit Qui Oc Golf Course Restaurant – Fish Fry is amazing as are their sandwiches
Vintage Elkhart Lake – wine tasting
Osthoff Resort – Sunday Brunch
AMASA – for authentic Mexican food

Read more here about the restaurants in Elkhart Lake, WI I really enjoyed.

Where to Stay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

There are three lakeside resorts that are perfect for families with teens and older children: The Osthoff Resort, Siebkens Inn, and The Shore Club.

The Osthoff Resort

If you’re looking for a luxurious resort experience, The Osthoff Resort is the place for you. The AAA Four-Diamond rated resort offers the best views of the lake and shoreline. The amenities include an indoor pool, on-site restaurants, and the Aspira Spa.

Siebkens Inn

Siebkens Inn is a historic inn offering both renovated rooms in their historic building or sleek, modern condominiums in the newer Lakeview building. Both options offer modern amenities while maintaining its old-world charm. The hotel has an outdoor pool and whirlpool, on-site restaurants, private sandy beach, lounge, and legendary Stop-Inn Tavern known as the best bar on the racing circuit.

During our visit, we stayed here in the newer Lakeview condo 1 bedroom suite with a full kitchen and separate living area. My unit has a washer and dryer which came in handy after a long day at the beach. Room was spacious and being in between the other two resorts provided nearly activities, dining, and nightlife.

The Shore Club

The Shore Club is the perfect place for families with its indoor pool, a game room, and recreation equipment rentals (bicycles, water sports, etc.). Rooms were recently renovated and offer a sleek, modern design with all the amenities of home. The resort also has an on-site restaurants, private beach, and pier. The lakeside bar has great live music (seasonally) and offers a variety of beer and cocktails.

Ready to plan that trip yet?

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is the perfect small town for a family vacation. With activities like stand-up paddleboard fitness classes, wakeboarding instruction, guided fishing trips, and more, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Like many lakeside destinations, the town comes alive in the summer with live music, outdoor dining, and festivals. But there is still plenty to do in the off-season.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Elkhart Lake today!

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Elkhart Lake, WI: A Small Town With Big Fun – 15 Family Activities

Where is Elkhart Lake, WI?

Things to Do in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin