I love Memorial Day weekend because to me, it signals the start of summer here in the Midwest. Unfortunately, many hotels, restaurants and attractions are closed, and events are canceled, because of COVID-19.
If you want to get out of town, here is the status of some tourist destinations in the state. I’ll keep this updated.
Wisconsin Dells
- While its main resort is closed (meaning, the spa, waterpark, arcade and restaurants are closed) until May 27, the Kalahari’s Lake Delton Waterfront Villas are now open. You also can get a 10 percent discount on your boat rental from Dells Watersports.
- Ditto with the Wilderness. Its main resort is closed, but you can book a golf package, which includes a stay at a golf cabin plus golf at Wild Rock.
- Chula Vista‘s waterpark, restaurants, etc., are still closed until May 27, but all of its rooms and the Cold Water Canyon golf course are open.
- Mt. Olympus will be fully open on Saturday to guests only (meaning, no public day passes to the waterpark and theme park). At least that should cut down on its overcrowding.
- The Original Wisconsin Ducks reopened this weekend.
- Timbavati Wildlife Park opens for the season on May 18.
- Big Sky Drive-In Theatre opens for the season on Friday.
- The Wisconsin Dells CVB has a list of what restaurants, stores and other hotels are open.
Lake Geneva area
- Many of the Lake Geneva-area hotels and resorts are starting to reopen. Some, including Grand Geneva Resort and the Cove of Lake Geneva, remain closed.
- One of the few lodging places that never closed is the Abbey Resort. Its restaurants, spa and pool opened this weekend.
- Lake Lawn Resort reopens on Friday, though its pools and fitness center will remain closed. It also appears its annual Pig Roast won’t be held.
- The Cove of Lake Geneva reopens on Friday as well, but its pool, cabana bar and arcade will remain closed.
- All the golf courses, including Geneva National, are open.
- The Lake Geneva Cruise Line is open, and I believe boat rentals will be available.
- Riviera Beach is still closed.
- About a half-hour drive from Lake Geneva is McHenry Outdoor Theater, which reopened on May 8.
- The Lake Geneva CVB has a list of what restaurants, stores and other hotels are open.
- Not too far from Lake Geneva is Burlington, home of the annual ChocolateFest, which unfortunately has been canceled.
Kohler/Elkhart Lake
- The American Club used to host a bunch of events (e.g. Kohler Festival of Beer) around this time of year, but that ended a few years ago. Guess it’s a moot point now. Lodging is available at Inn on Woodlake, Sandhill and Red Fox, while Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run golf courses are open.
- Lodging is available at the Osthoff Resort, but everything else inside is closed. Too bad, because I love the lobby bar, called the Elk Room. It’s got a decent-sized bar, lounge seating and a beautiful view of the lake. Also, it seems like the annual Big Cheese event won’t be held.
- Rent a boat through Elkhart Watersports, which began taking reservations on May 1, or through the Osthoff Resort.
Door County
- Door County initially made it very clear that it did not want any visitors, even those who owned a home. Currently, most of the hotels are still closed, including the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor, the Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay and the Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort.
- Golf courses, including Peninsula State Park and Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, are open.
- The Washington Island Ferry is only open for essential travel.
- Skyway Drive-in Theatre plans to open Memorial Day weekend.
- The Door County CVB has this hideous list of what restaurants, stores and hotels are open.
Tags: Door County, Elkhart Lake, Kohler, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells
