The shore path has been an integral part of life on Geneva Lake for hundreds of years – and because it’s rich in history and uniquely accessible to the public, there are 21 miles of stories along it. Let me share my favorites with you on this self-guided GPS walk.

You'll find out how some of the owners of the incredible lakeshore estates made their fortunes and were able to build such magnificent homes. These titans of the beer, washing machine, chewing gum and even bicycle industries took refuge here after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, while the city was rebuilt, in the process they made Geneva Lake one of the Midwest’s favorite vacation destinations.

This tour covers the entire Geneva Lake Shore Path. You can start and end it at any point and come back to it as many times as you like. Whether you go for a long walk or a short one, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to relax at when you get back to one of the three lakeside towns.