wisconsin lake resort for young kids

March 8, 2015 4:06 PM

I want to hang out at the lake for a week with my family. Looking for resort suggestions.

I'm looking for a cabin to rent at the lake (resort or vrbo, whatever) for my family this summer. We live in Madison and would like to be within a 5 or 6 hour drive north of here, and within a couple hours of a real hospital (so, Duluth).

There are a million small resorts but not much information about any of them online -- I'm hoping for some personal recommendations. The most important thing for us is that there be a nice shallow sandy swimming beach. A playground would also be great, and clean cabins with a kitchen. We'd like to be on a smaller, quiet lake, and at a quiet resort (not too much bar traffic).

If you've been anywhere like this I'd love to hear about it! Thanks very much, metafilter.

posted by gerstle to Travel & Transportation around Wisconsin (5 answers total)

We stayed at Ross' Teal Lake Lodge in Hayward several times when I was a kid, and it really seems to fit what you want. It's low-key, but kept up beautifully with pool and beach swimming, along with activities like boating and fishing. There's a sense of community with the other guests (one summer during a storm with a tornado warning, we ended up with about 30 other lodgers who had gotten caught outside during a hike taking shelter in our cabin!), but it was also very easy to find solitude if that's what you want out of your trip.

The thing I remember the most is the food - it was fantastic, gourmet food, and absolutely the highlight of our trips. The same family who ran it when I was there still runs the place, so I would hope that the quality has stayed the same too. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to try to remember anything else about our trips!
posted by augustimagination at 4:57 PM on March 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

There are a bunch of resorts on Lake George, in northern Wisconsin. I haven't stayed at any of them, but the lake and woods around there is gorgeous. There's also Holiday Acres, which is on Lake Thompson. I have stayed there and eaten at their restaurant (I grew up right by them) and it is also beautiful. (I'm jealous! I miss home!)
posted by Weeping_angel at 5:42 PM on March 8, 2015

Oh. Holiday Acres might not be the quiet, small place you're looking for. It's pretty popular.
posted by Weeping_angel at 5:43 PM on March 8, 2015

My family went to Bibs when we were kids and I have a lot of great memories; it seems to check off a lot of your boxes. Cabins, swimming, playground, plus a little bar/arcade... I haven't been in a decade, but if you're looking for personal recommendations, we loved it! Like I said, very fond memories. Close enough for a day trip to do inner tubing down Eagle River, the shops at Minaqua (if you want to get out for a day). Good luck! I miss those cabins :).
posted by Zephyrial at 10:05 PM on March 8, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks, you guys! Those are just what we're looking for.
posted by gerstle at 2:51 PM on March 10, 2015