What to do and see in Delavan, United States: The Best Places and Tips

August 19, 2017 Layne Dawes

Delavan is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,463 at the 2010 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Delavan but the two entities are politically independent. City events include the Delavan Train Show in March, Cinco de Mayo in May, Heritage Fest in August, and Scarecrow Fest in September.
Restaurants in Delavan

1. Yerkes Observatory

373 W Geneva St, Williams Bay, WI 53191-9603 +1 262-245-5555
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 252 reviews

Yerkes Observatory

Yerkes Observatory is owned and operated by the University Chicago, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and located in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Built between 1895 and 1897 in the classic Romanesque style, Yerkes is home to the largest refracting (lens-type) telescope in the world and two other research-grade reflecting (mirror-type) telescopes. The building is beautifully preserved and ornamented with Roman brick and terra cotta, has three telescope domes (the largest is 90 feet in diameter and 10 stories in height), and is situated on 77 acres in a park-like setting. Tours of the building and the refractor are available Monday through Saturday. The cost is $10 per person age 18+ and $8 per person age 6 - 17. Weekday and Saturday hours vary by season. Consult the website for the most current tour schedule. Saturday tours are held for the public at 10 and 11 am, and 12Noon (11 am and 12Noon only from January 1 to mid-March). Reservations are not required. Saturday visitors are asked for a donation of $10 per person for adults and $8 per person for ages 6 - 17. The grounds are open every day, during daylight hours, for self-guided walking tours, free of charge. Photography is permitted. Professional photographers are required to contact the Observatory in advance during weekday hours to obtain permission for any photo shoot. The staff also hosts public observing sessions with the 40-inch refractor and the 24-inch reflecting telescopes many evenings throughout the year. Reservations are required and there is a charge for participation. Visit the Yerkes website for more information. The Observatory contains a lovely museum, many interesting displays concerning its construction, history, architecture and the science of astronomy, and a beautiful new gift shop with many unique items.

Reviewed By Zhenhao S

This place is amazing and the tour is wonderful. My wife and I were not expecting much before the tour, but we felt surprised and impressed by what we received. The tour guide provided us a very meaningful tour, including the description of the architecture details. There were many symbols embedded in the architecture details. The tour guide gave very interesting interpolation and explanation about how these symbols may be related to the founder and the functions of this historic observatory. The director Dan showed us how the amazing telescope operates in its usual working status. What impressed us the most is the enthusiasm of people who work in this observatory. We can feel they really love this place and this job. We are very grateful what they have done, not only maintaining this old facility, saving this site with historic meaning, but also educating and exciting people who have ever visited this observatory.

2. Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

W6384 Sugar Creek Rd, Elkhorn, WI 53121-3846 +1 262-728-3266
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Apple Barn Orchard and Winery

The Apple Barn Orchard & Winery is an attraction fit for all ages. Bring the kids for strawberry picking in June, apple and pumpkin picking in autumn, or leave the kids at home and come sample some of our award-winning fruit wines! If that's not enough, our bakery is consistently utilizing our seasonal fruits in scrumptious goodies like apple cider donuts, strawberry/rhubarb pies, and much more. Wine not come and see us? We're just off the beaten path, right where you wanna be!

Reviewed By LoveBeaches1017 - Saint Louis, Missouri

We went to visit the Apple Barn on a Tuesday in May. The Trip Advisor page shows it as being open during the week, but when we got there, their sign said they are only open on weekends in May. I'm not sure how to get that changed on Trip Advisor.

3. The Waterfront at The Abbey Resort

269 Fontana Blvd, Fontana, WI 53125-9604 +1 262-275-9034
Excellent
27%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
19%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 73 reviews

The Waterfront at The Abbey Resort

Reviewed By mangia007 - Schaumburg, Illinois

This was our second time we spent at the Abbey this year. We didn't try the waterfront for dinner so we had lunch there this time we did dinner. We each a had a burger vey good.

4. Tristan Crist Magic Theatre

609 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1907 +1 262-248-0505
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 594 reviews

Tristan Crist Magic Theatre

The Tristan Crist Magic Theatre features world-class magic, comedy and illusions in an entertaining 60 minute performance. Located in beautiful Lake Geneva, WI. Open year-round, reserve your tickets today to witness this incredible show.

Reviewed By Shadw20 - Yorkville, Illinois

My family attended this show based upon all of the reviews we saw on Trip Advisor. It didn't disappoint. We were amazed at the show that Tristian Crist put on and we have been back twice since. Our family loves magic shows and have been to several in Las Vegas. This is a great little theater with an excellent show for everyone!

5. Belfry Music Theatre

3601 Wisconsin 67, Delavan, WI 53115 +1 262-394-6460
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 105 reviews

Belfry Music Theatre

The Belfry Players, Inc., also known as the Belfry Theater and Belfry Music Theater, is a theater facility and acting company in the town of Delavan, adjacent to the village of Williams Bay. Established in the remains of an historic and deconsecrated Mormon meeting house, the Belfry was the first summer stock theater in Wisconsin.

Reviewed By bnelsonr - Rockford, Illinois

We purchased tickets for Aug 6. All that was left was back reserved section. It was row 13! The theater has seating for 250 so there is no bad seat. The show was as good as it gets. Cookies & water when entering and a Dove bar when leaving!

6. The Dancing Horses Theatre

5065 State Road 50, Delavan, WI 53115-4200 +1 262-728-8200
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 235 reviews

The Dancing Horses Theatre

Enjoy a day full of experience at Wisconsin’s own Dancing Horses, Animal Gardens. You day begins with The Dancing Horses Theatre presentation of an enchanting NEW performance that is unparalleled anywhere else. From the moment the show opens until the finale, the audiences of all ages sit spellbound, applauding each equine performer and trainer, exclaiming in wonder, chuckling at the humor and even wiping the occasional tear when a moment of connection touches a heartstring. Get up close with the trainers with our newest park feature: the Backstage Tour. During the tour, you are given a demonstration about liberty-style horse training and then you will be invited into the stables to meet the equine performers. Next, as you exit The Dancing Horses Theatre, you enter the 30-minute Exotic Bird Show which follows. Meeting our Exotic Birds is a delightful treat. This performance features several different species of exotic birds that will amaze you with their incredible abilities and antics. Your experience continues with more, a visit to the Baby Animal Barn. The Baby Animal Barn is filled with both domestic and exotic baby animals that children can hold and feed. Our staff is there to answer any questions you may have about our baby animals. In close proximity is an outside petting zoo and several charming rides children will enjoy.You can then take a walk or ride through our Wildlife Exhibit, a natural-setting zoo where you can see animals, many of which are indigenous to Wisconsin. The exhibit culminates in the Deer Park where you can pet and feed white tail deer. You can experience a tractor-pulled wagon ride though the park, where larger animals are available for viewing. You won’t want to miss the train ride though our Indian Village; complete with teepees, Native American art, and oral history lesson about the area’s indigenous people.With the two stunning performances, The Dancing Horses and the Exotic Bird Show, and our animal attractions, this will be a day you will not soon forget and will want to share with everyone.

Reviewed By dutchgirl8 - Janesville, WI

Every young girls dream! Brought out my inner 10 year old, even as a grandma bringing the granddaughters. Start by purchasing tickets at concession stand, glad we arrived early so we could enjoy the petting zoo and baby barn before the show. My granddaughters love animals and couldn't get enough of them. And the animals out in the yard were so much fun! Goats, donkeys, miniature ponies, calf, emu's, etc.You don't really have to arrive too early for the 1:00 show, seating is general and there isn't a bad seat in the house. To keep kiddos occupied while waiting for the show to start, there is face painting and $3 pony rides (very reasonable). They lead the child/pony around the arena one by one so they feel like the star of the show. Light concession stand food available you can bring in and eat (hot dog, big pretzel, pop corn, soda,etc). The show was great! Several different numbers with nice costumes, talented riders. The bird act started at 3, the kids were a little restless by then and frankly it couldn't compete after seeing the horses. Kids wanted to go back and pet the animals some more. Easy to spend 3-4 hours there, I felt it was well worth the money. My only complaint was that during intermission, the host felt it necessary to bless "our new president"; politics don't belong here. I respect your right to support who you want but this wasn't a Trump rally and offended me (a lot)

7. Black Point Estate

4270 Southland Rd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 +1 262-248-1888
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 160 reviews

Black Point Estate

This mansion was once the summer estate of 19th-century beer magnate Conrad Seipp.

Reviewed By Jerry B - Branson, Missouri

We were on a road trip through Wisconsin with HQ at the Dells in a Time Share. Black Point Estate (Mansion) has all the elements of historical reviews of the local Very Rich inhabitants and their struggles through good and bad times. You'll love coming here and also driving around the lake and seeing other estates around the area. Great "green" healthy restaurant in town. They even have a book box outside the restaurant. Take a book. Leave a book. Novel idea (No pun intended)

8. Jerry's Majestic Marine

352 Lake St, Fontana, WI 53125-1149 +1 262-275-5222
Excellent
91%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Jerry's Majestic Marine

Reviewed By lamaral1968 - Chicago, Illinois

Rented pontoon boat for an hour. Price was very reasonable. At first thought that paying extra for fuel was not appropriate but then realized that depending on how fast you go will strongly affect how much gas you spend

Service was great. Boat was great. Everyone had a lot of fun and pontoon boat was perfect for swimming.

9. Al's Auto Body and Arboretum

W6866 N Walworth Rd, Walworth, WI 53184-5513 +1 262-275-2800
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 3 reviews

Al's Auto Body and Arboretum

Reviewed By Tom H - Watertown, Wisconsin

I found Al's when a busload of Master Gardeners booked a trip to this wonderful, peaceful place outside of Walworth, WI.There is no admission charge, but take your wallet because NO ONE leaves without wanting to add hostas to your garden. Al is knowledgeable, as is his staff, and all are laid back and congenial. It is best to call ahead and let them know you are coming. Also, mosquito repellent can come in handy; you are in a wooded, shaded place those little buggars love too. Please visit Al.

10. Geneva Lake Shore Path

Lake Geneva, WI +1 262-275-5700
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 609 reviews

Geneva Lake Shore Path

This lovely 21-mile walking path, around Geneva Lake, takes pedestrians by impressive homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods. A two-mile swath on the West End offers a manageable stroll, lovely views, and passes landmarks such as the Abbey Resort and Fontana Spa and popular local eateries like Chuck's.

Reviewed By Rachel R - Chicago, Illinois

A wonderful walk along the lake in any season. We prefer to start downtown at the beach entrance and head counterclockwise around the lake for as long as you like, then head back. Interesting houses to view along the way.

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