Williams Bay is a village on the north shore of Geneva Lake
The village of Williams Bay curls along the shoreline of Geneva Lake in an area of Wisconsin long known as a vacation retreat. Starting in the late 1800s, affluent city dwellers built spacious summer homes around the lake, which sits about 90 miles from Chicago and 50 miles from Milwaukee. "The population explodes from Memorial Day to Labor Day," says broker Ryan Simons, owner of Simons Realty Group. In Williams Bay, the population of 3,000 doubles in summer, when seasonal residents and visitors come to town. However, as a small village about 6 miles from the larger city of Lake Geneva, Williams Bay is less touristy than other lakeside communities. "It's a little more quaint," Simons says. "They really try to keep much of the feel that it's had for the last 100 years. It's a great place to raise families."
Home age and proximity to the lake are price factors
Housing options include ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and cottages dating from the early to mid-20th century. "Some of the cottages and lake homes have been passed down from generation to generation," Simons says. In recent decades, more contemporary and custom-designed homes have come on the scene. Single-family homes typically range from $530,000 to $750,000, though spacious waterfront properties can go into the multimillions. "We're seeing the smaller homes are being torn down and larger and larger homes are being built," Simons says. Some subdivisions in Williams Bay have homeowners associations and community amenities like fitness centers and pools. Condos generally run $200,000 to $400,000, though larger units and those on the lake may be over a million.
The lake has flooded in the past, though it's not common. Homes with basements may include sump pumps. The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Recreation and sports around Geneva Lake, including on ice
The shoreline of Geneva Lake forms the southern border of Williams Bay. "They get more tourist traffic, and part of the reason is that the lake is beautiful. It has nice clear water, tour boats and the city of Lake Geneva itself is right on the lake," Simons says. A lakefront path connects Williams Bay Beach, the municipal pier and Edgewater Park, which has a playground and a veterans' memorial. In summer, the lake is popular for swimming and water sports — allowed here more than some nearby lakes. Wintertime features ice skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling, plus plenty of activity at the Skeeter Iceboat Club, which helps the village earn its title as the "Ice Boat Center of the World." The unique vessels sail atop the ice, steered by a metal runner. Other nearby attractions include the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy as well as Geneva Lake Country Club and Big Foot Country Club, both private and both offering golf and tennis.
Dining and shopping close by or in Lake Geneva and Elkhorn
On the lake, Pier 290 has American cuisine, outdoor dining and live music on Saturdays. Harpoon Willie's, Café Calamari and Lucke's Cantina are some of the other options. "They don't really have chain restaurants," Simons says. Green Grocer has organic and locally produced meat and produce, packaged and bulk items and wine and beer tastings every Saturday. The Williams Bay Farmers Market is held at Edgewater Park on Friday mornings, May through August. Walmart, Aldi and other stores are about 7 miles away in Lake Geneva. Elkhorn, about 7 miles north of Williams Bay, also has an assortment of stores.
Mostly car-dependent, with state Routes and Interstate 43
Sidewalks aren't common in car-dependent Williams Bay, though many streets have short blocks and some are curved, so it's walkable and bikeable as far as traffic and speeding not being a serious concern. There's no bus service, but major roads in the area include state Routes 50 and 67, each of which meets Interstate 43 after about 6 miles. The Mercyhealth Walworth Hospital and Medical Center is less than 2 miles away.
One building for elementary and combo middle/high school
Williams Bay School District serves all grades in one building. Williams Bay Elementary School receives a B-minus grade from Niche. Williams Bay Middle/High School, considered a single school, receives a C-plus and B-plus, respectively. Some high school courses convert to college credits from Gateway Technical College or the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The village has activities and annual events for all ages
The Village of Williams Bay Recreation Department offers numerous activities, such as ping pong socials, self-defense classes, and a meetup for mothers and young children. Outdoor recreation includes a walking club, baseball, a fishing club and flag football. Neighbors come together for annual events like a Fall Festival, a Cinco de Mayo celebration and the Summer Kickoff Bash.
A resort and new residential development planned for Williams Bay
In 2024, the Village of Williams Bay Board approved a proposal for a new lakeside resort on the former campus of George Williams College. Reception from residents was mixed. Plans call for a resort, a 90-acre public nature preserve, an amphitheater and a retreat center. Separately, a residential project, also approved by the board, could bring more than 40 single-family homes to an area about a half mile from the lake.
Written By
Robin Silberman
