Elkhart Lake's waterfront and racing attract homebuyers and visitors
The town of Elkhart Lake shares its name with the body of water it surrounds. The lake is spring fed, resulting in a nice blue color that attracts longtime residents and summer tourists. Luxury condos hug the shoreline, many with lake views or balconies for watching the sunset. While Elkhart Lake might seem like another lake town, it set itself apart from others like it in the 1950s, when street racing took off. The racing culture led to the construction of Road America, a 640-acre racetrack just outside of town. Vacationers might come to cool off in the lake during the summer, but Elkhart Lake maintains a steady population, where locals run into each other at downtown restaurants and at the track during the racing season.
Cooling off at Fireman's Park and hiking the Ice Age Trail
Fireman’s Park is the town’s beach, open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Buoys mark how far people can swim, and there are volleyball courts and grills on the sand. People need season or daily passes to enter. The Shore Club, one of the condo communities, hosts Elkhart Lake Watersports, which offers watercraft rentals and competitive waterskiing and wakeboarding. Quit Qui Oc Golf Course has two greens open to the public — one 18-hole course and one nine-hole course. The grounds also include a putting green and driving range. The Ice Age Trail stretches 1,200 miles across the state, but the La Budde Creek Segment Trailhead is right in Elkhart Lake.
Lakefront condos and various housing styles throughout Elkhart Lake
In town, older trees in lawns shade Nationals, New Traditionals and ranch-style homes. Some homes have blooming garden beds along front façades. On the outskirts of town, communities like Sharpes Condos have narrower roads where trees hug close to the pavement and offer more privacy between properties. The Osthoff Resort and The Shore Club are both condo communities right along the water. Single-family homes usually sell between $210,000 and $450,000. Condo units range from around $300,000 to $1.2 million. Units on the water or in The Osthoff's premier wings demand the highest prices. Monthly homeowners association fees in the condos also range from $150 to around $1,200.
Elkhart Lake's downtown local restaurants and art gallery
In downtown Elkhart Lake, Off the Trail’s little red building used to be the town’s old train depot. Now it’s a café, but it pays homage to its roots with train-themed sandwich names, like the Amtrak Bagel. Paddock Club’s big class windows let in plenty of natural light, and its menu features pasta and steak dinners. Despite its name, Lake Street Café is a more formal establishment. Locals and tourists stop in Two Fish Gallery to pick up a new piece of art or enroll in an art class. Elkhart Lake doesn’t have any grocery options itself, but Walmart and Pick ‘n Save are less than 10 miles away in Plymouth.
Seasonal festivities and racing at Road America
Around Independence Day, the Elkhart Lake Fireman’s Picnic takes place at the park, with carnival rides and games, live music and fireworks over the water in the evening. The Elkhart Lake Farmers and Artisan Market runs from May to October in Village Square Park, where visitors can shop for fresh produce and baked goods. Racing enthusiasts can watch weekend races at Road America throughout the season, though there’s also plenty of individual tournaments throughout the year. The Cheese Capital Cup dates back to 1966.
Elkhart Lake schools receive A and B Niche ratings
Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Elementary and Middle schools both share the same building and receive B-plus ratings from Niche. Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah High School receives an A-minus, and students can earn early college credit through partnerships with state colleges and universities.
Nearby amenities in Plymouth and Sheboygan
While Elkhart Lake has plenty to keep its residents engaged, they can find most other necessities in Plymouth, about 7 miles south, connected by Highway 67. Rhine Street heads east towards Sheboygan, about 20 miles away. Ascension Calumet Hospital and HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital are both about 17 miles away. Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is about 55 miles away.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
