Lake Geneva Ranked Among Top 10 Small Midwest Towns by USA Today

Historic lakeside destination earns national recognition for charm, adventure, and scenic beauty.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, has once again earned a spot on the national stage, ranking fifth on USA Today’s list of the top 10 best small towns in the Midwest. The popular travel destination was praised for its outdoor activities, rich history, and picturesque lakeside views.

Known for its boating, hiking trails, boutique shopping, and charming restaurants, Lake Geneva has long attracted visitors during the warmer months. USA Today described the town as “elegant,” recalling its legacy as a Gilded Age retreat for Chicago’s elite. The publication highlighted the town’s grand mansions, which are best admired by boat or along the scenic 20-mile Geneva Lake Shore Path.

To qualify for the list, towns had to have a population under 25,000. Lake Geneva was ranked fifth overall, standing alongside notable small-town destinations such as Madison and La Porte in Indiana, and Grand Haven and Mackinac Island in Michigan.

This is not Lake Geneva’s first time in the spotlight. It was named USA Today’s Best Small Town for Adventure in 2019, and earned runner-up honors in both 2020 (Best Small Town for Adventure) and 2017 (Best Wisconsin Attraction).

Other Wisconsin towns such as Bayfield and Mineral Point made the list in 2023, but Lake Geneva is the sole Wisconsin representative in the 2024 ranking.

USA Today’s Top 10 Best Small Midwest Towns 2024:

1. Madison, Indiana
2. La Porte, Indiana
3. Worthington, Ohio
4. Vevay, Indiana
5. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
6. Council Grove, Kansas
7. Grand Haven, Michigan
8. Winona, Minnesota
9. Saugatuck, Michigan
10. Mackinac Island, Michigan

#LakeGeneva #MidwestTravel #BestSmallTowns #USATodayTravel #WisconsinTourism #GenevaLake #SmallTownCharm