Member Monday: Geneva Lake Audio Tours

Walworth County resident Robert Bougadis has walked the Geneva Lake Shore Path every summer. As a history fanatic, Bougadis long desired an audio guide describing the unique history of the area and was surprised to find out that no such thing existed. In the summer of 2020, Bougadis partnered with the team at VoiceMap.me (a worldwide audio tour platform) to create Geneva Lake Audio Tours.

Geneva Lake Audio tours uses GPS activated technology that enables users to listen to the audio commentary at exactly the right time according to their location along the shore path or position on the water. With over 140 points of interest streaming directly to a mobile device, there is no need to stop to look down at a booklet, brochure, or device and read. As Bougadis likes to say, “throw some headphones on and you’re in business!”.

VoiceMap.me also allows users unlimited access to their purchased audio guides. “With Geneva Lake Audio Tours, users can take their tour into their own hands. They can break their hikes up into smaller sections and really go at their own pace and on their own time frame,” said Bougadis. Whether you are exploring by boat or by foot, you can retrace the history of life on Geneva Lake and uncover the stories site by site.

Bougadis adds “I think so many people walk the shore path and walk right past all the great stories and history of the lake and don’t even realize what they’re missing.”

Visitors can download the VoiceMap.me app on their smart devices and purchase the Geneva Lake Audio Guide for Boats for $14.99 or the Geneva Lake Shore Path Audio Guide for $9.99. To learn more about Geneva Lake Audio Tour visit VoiceMap.me and download your Geneva Lake Audio Guides today.

A Flurry of Fun: Winterfest 2021

A Lake Geneva tradition lives on! Winterfest will return to Downtown Lake Geneva February 3rd through 7th. Featuring the 26th annual National Snow Sculpting Championship, Ice Sculpture Walk, Fire and Ice Bar, Cocoa Crawl, and many more winter activities, Winterfest 2021 is bound to be a flurry of fun!

Hosted by VISIT Lake Geneva, Winterfest will once again welcome award-winning sculpting teams from across the country to beautiful Downtown Lake Geneva. You won’t want to miss catching a glimpse of these incredible teams hard at work crafting intricate works of art out of snow. Teams from Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin will have 72-hours to perfect their towering pieces in the heart of Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park. Upon completion, visitors will have the opportunity to view them up-close and vote for their favorite sculpture.

Winterfest festivities will carry on throughout Downtown Lake Geneva. Adults can warm up with a wintery libation at the Baker House Fire and Ice Bar running through February 7th. Stroll, shop, and sip your way through Lake Geneva during the Cocoa Crawl February 5th-7th. Sample sweet treats and sip on piping-hot cocoa at participating businesses.

Returning this year, the Ice Sculpture Walk will adorn the entrances to your favorite Lake Geneva establishments. Mere steps away from the Snow Sculpting Competition, you’ll find intricate Ice Carvings lining the streets and welcoming shoppers, diners, and hotel guests in true Winterfest fashion.

Cozy up by the fire during Bonfires on the Beach Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. S’mores, hot cocoa, and other refreshments will be available for purchase. Considering turning your Winterfest experience into a weekend getaway? Check out exclusive specials from local hotels and resorts to play more and save more before they melt away.

Will you be heading to Lake Geneva’s Winterfest? We want to see your pictures! Enter to win a BOGO Cards by submitting your photos to our Winterfest Photo Contest. The photos with the most likes will be entered to win. Submitting your photo is easy: use hashtag #lgwinterfest20 on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram OR follow this link. See official rules for details – https://woobox.com/279rqu/rules

For more events and activities happening throughout the Lake Geneva area during Winterfest 2021, head over to our Event Calendar at VisitWalworthCounty.com. Stay warm, and have an amazing Winterfest!

Ice Castles Return to Lake Geneva

A winter wonderland is under construction and preparing to bring the magic of winter to life in Lake Geneva once again. The Ice Castles will return to Walworth County this January for their third consecutive year. Geneva National Resort will  host the highly anticipated illuminated ice kingdom slated to open January 21st.  

Let your imagination run wild as you explore caverns and tunnels made entirely from ice. Race down an ice-carved slide and squeeze through crawl spaces and slot canyons to discover new experiences around every corner. With fountains, thrones, wishing wells, and more, you’ll be mesmerized by this unique, and family-friendly attraction.

The Crew began working on this year’s castle in November and expect it to grow to be a whopping 17-feet come opening day. Despite taking up a smaller footprint than in years past, this year’s castle is panning out to be as awe-inspiring as ever.

New for the 2021 season, an enhanced lighting packaged within the castle walls will illuminate the structure, paths, and ice-features to mimic the aurora borealis. Professional photographers will be on-site to help capture your visit and memories that will last a lifetime. For a more intimate experience, guests may reserve a VIP Arctic Alcove perfect for private moments such as proposals, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Built with safety in mind, this year’s Ice Castles will feature one-way walkways, timed entry, and limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased in advance through IceCastles.com and will be released in limited quantities.

Make a weekend out of your Ice Castles adventure and stay at one of the Lake Geneva Area resorts and hotels offering exclusive Ice Castles packages and rates. Start your day at the Castles with an breakfast fit for Queen Elsa of Arendelle herself at the Ice Princess Brunch at Geneva National Resort. Don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar to help fill your Ice Castles getaway with more frosty fun here in Walworth County.

Ice Castles are weather dependant and operating hours are subject to change. Please visit IceCastles.com for the more information regarding cancellation policies and venue safety policies.Ω