By Catherine Mini
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 rst
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 o 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 O 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)
Afternoon: Visit Road America and race go-karts
Early Evening: High tea and small bites at Jay Lee Inn
Evening: Dinner at Paddock Club
Late Night: Enjoy a Nightcap at Siebkens Stop-Inn Tavern
Day 2:
Early Morning: Breakfast by the lake at The Osthoff Resort/Otto’s
Morning: Cooking class at The Osthoff Resort with the L’ecole de la Maison Cooking School
Early Afternoon: Wine tasting at Vintage Elkhart Lake
Afternoon: Indulge in a spa treatment at Aspira Spa
Early Evening: Pontoon Ride around Elkhart Lake (through The Osthoff Resort)
Evening: Dinner at Lola’s on the Lake
When you are planning your trip, you can stay up to date on Elkhart Lake events and local
attractions coming to the area on their tourism board website. No matter if you choose to follow
our weekend itinerary, or perhaps if you spend a couple extra days relaxing and taking things
at a slower pace, there are plenty of things to do and see in Elkhart Lake that the whole family
will enjoy!
Plan your trip to Elkhart Lake!
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.
