Oconomowoc Lake's luxurious homes along the water
From its nascent days in the 19th century, Oconomowoc Lake has served as a high-end hideaway in the Lake Country region. Famous Milwaukee families — including beer scions like the Pabsts — once owned homes on the water, and their names adorn streets in the community. Oconomowoc Lake retains its reputation today, with upscale estates and gorgeous lake views. “Many families on that lake have been there for generations,” says Jennifer Stoehr, a Realtor with the JJ Hausmann Team of Compass who has worked in the Lake Country for more than a decade. “Oconomowoc Lake is definitely a luxury lake. We have larger properties there. Most of the lake has absolutely beautiful frontage. Their water quality is wonderful.” Residents enjoy the community’s peaceful character and proximity to cute Main Streets in nearby Lake Country towns like Oconomowoc.
High-end Lake Country estates along the water
Long private driveways branch off the roads surrounding Oconomowoc Lake, with large estates hidden among the woods. Almost every home has a water view, whether directly fronting the lake, across Beach Road from the water or along a canal connecting to the lake. Craftsman lodges and farmhouses are generally more modest, while ornate coastal-inspired or contemporary properties make up the top of the market. Homes rarely sell in the community, with just two transactions in the past year. The median sales price is roughly $4.4 million, which rose 31% year-over-year. “We get a lot of people looking for that particular lake,” Stoehr says. “Unfortunately, not a lot of people can afford it now.” While many residents live in the community year-round, snowbirds are common, and some families utilize properties as vacation homes.
Boating, fishing and swimming in Oconomowoc Lake
Recreation in Oconomowoc Lake centers on the community’s namesake body of water. The private Oconomowoc Lake Club was founded in 1890 on the lakeshore and offers tennis lessons and tournaments, plus sailing events. Boating is popular among residents, and homes along the water feature private docks. The community’s public boat slip is located on the smaller Upper Oconomowoc Lake, which connects to Okauchee Lake. While the lakes have plenty of summer activities, residents can enjoy cold weather as well. “There are a lot of winter activities, too,” Stoehr says. “It freezes so nice and smooth most winters, so there are ice skating rinks and hockey tournaments on the lake.” The private Oconomowoc Golf Club is just north of the community, with a Donald Ross-designed course, a practice facility and a simulator in the clubhouse.
Highly rated Oconomowoc Area schools
The Oconomowoc Area School District serves Oconomowoc Lake and receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Students are split between three elementary schools, each teaching kindergarten through fourth grade, and two intermediate schools for fifth through eighth. Most of the community is zoned to A-rated Meadow View Elementary and A-minus-graded Nature Hill Intermediate. The entire district is zoned to A-minus-graded Oconomowoc High, which provides both Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate program for students.
Nearby dining options by car or by boat
The village of Oconomowoc Lake is mainly residential, but shopping and restaurants are easy to find. The closest restaurant is the Lake Country landmark Kiltie Drive-In, a throwback fast food and custard joint only open over the summer. Nearby lakefront restaurants like Weissgerber’s Golden Mast Inn or Foolery’s on Okauchee Lake are popular year-round and have boat docks for patrons to cruise in for a meal. On dry land, Summit Avenue is the nearest commercial corridor. Several shopping centers line the highway, with hardware stores, pharmacies and fast food restaurants like Culvers. Sendik’s Food Market sells groceries 2 miles away. The neighboring community of Oconomowoc, also 2 miles away, has a quaint strip of shops and restaurants on Wisconsin Avenue, its main street.
History talks and fireworks on the lake
Despite the village government’s small size, Oconomowoc Lake organizes occasional events for residents. Many of these are about the area’s history, including talks from local historians at the Oconomowoc Lake Club and a self-guided boat tour of storied homes on the lake. But the most significant is the village’s yearly fireworks show for the Fourth of July. Residents take a boat onto the water to watch, or make a reservation to enjoy them alongside dinner at the club.
Driving to nearby Lake Country cities or Milwaukee
Wisconsin Highway 16 is the main route through Lake Country, skirting to the north of Oconomowoc Lake. The route turns into Wisconsin Avenue to the west, leading to the downtown of the nearby city of Oconomowoc, just 2 miles away. Meanwhile, Interstate 94 is a mile from the community, leading 30 miles to Milwaukee. The closest commercial flights depart from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital is 2 miles away and has the nearest emergency room.
