I spent the better part of my formative years growing up in Pewaukee, and although my family didn’t call the city’s namesake lake home, a close friend’s did — and, happily, her parents still do. Some of my fondest memories from high school involve lazy, carefree afternoons on the family’s lakeside pier, moving only to refill our lemonades or jump onto the boat for a leisurely cruise. Today, our afternoons on the lake look a bit different: She now chases a toddler while cradling a newborn, and I also chase a toddler, instead with a big pregnant belly. Both our history and our new normal is why I’ll always love Pewaukee Lake. It’s a place where family ties and strong friendships are celebrated, where generations come together to catch up, unwind and relax, and form lasting memories. Here’s our guide to a little slice of paradise.
Best Family-Friendly Sports Bars
Dining on Pewaukee Lake is a no-fuss affair. No shoes? No problem. Locals frequent Gina’s Sports Dock, an uber-casual bar restaurant located on the south side of the lake. Docking your boat at Gina’s is free, though non-lake residents are welcome too. Kids enjoy the novelty that is Gina’s sandy beach, a built-in mini playground for busy bees, and the fully-stocked beach bar allows parents to happily imbibe nearby. Expect above-average bar food, including an especially juicy burger. Just east of Gina’s is another family-friendly favorite: Curly’s Waterfront Sports Bar and Grill or “The Waterfront,” as most locals call it. Curly’s is perched next to one of the lake’s more popular boat launches, so the vibe is a bit less relaxed — but lakeside casual nonetheless. Families praise the menu’s pizza and Friday fish fry, which features a catch of the day special.
Where to Anchor Your Boat for the July 4th Fireworks
Is there anything more patriotic — or, quite frankly, more quintessentially Lake Country — than watching fireworks from a boat on America’s birthday? This year’s show is scheduled for Thursday, July 4 at dusk. The fireworks are typically shot off from the small, uninhabited island near downtown and Lakefront Park, on the east end of the lake, so plan accordingly when anchoring your boat. The further east you anchor, the closer you’ll be to the action. Anchoring further west, however, provides more expansive views of the show.
Where to Admire Some of the Lake’s Priciest Homes
The beauty of lakeside living is the creative freedom given to lake residents who chose to build and/or renovate their homes. No two properties are the same, which makes cruising the lake — via boat, paddleboard, kayak or jet ski — all the more interesting. To ogle some of Pewaukee Lake’s poshest pads, head toward Rocky Point Road, on the south side of the lake. Family-friendly Pewaukee Lake is known for its multi-generational homes, as it’s not uncommon for buyers to tear down small cottages to build larger homes that accommodate their children and grandchildren, and Rocky Point Road boasts a handful of such properties. The prestigious road’s homes also feature generous lake frontage, so keep an eye out for impressive landscaping and over-the-top outdoor living spaces.
The Lake Feature Locals Love to Talk About
The eastern portion of Pewaukee Lake is home to Wilson’s Island, a 3-acre private island that includes two cottages, three piers and more than 1,000 square feet of water frontage for swimming or fishing. The island is occasionally up for sale, and was most recently listed for just under $900,000 last year. (It sold earlier this year for $670,000, according to multiple reports.)
The Go-to Rite of Passage for Kids Living on the Lake
Though entry isn’t limited to lake residents, enrollment in the Pewaukee Lake Sailing School (PLSS) is a popular choice for kids lucky enough to call Pewaukee Lake home. Programs begin for students as young as 5 years old, with adult sailing classes offered throughout the summer months as well. This year PLSS will also host the 2019 Optimist Midwest Championship, a qualifier for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, at the Pewaukee Yacht Club. Race days are scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8, so mark your calendar to watch the regattas firsthand. For more information, visit plss.org. — Jen Kent
Nagawicka Lake
A natural beauty ringed by upscale feasting and fun
With its clear waters, Waukesha County’s breathtaking Nagawicka Lake is a natural Wisconsin treasure. The word “Nagawicka” means “there is sand” in Potawatomi and Ojibwe, and the lake lives up to its name, with several sandbars to the west of St. John’s Island. Officially located within the city of Delafield and the village of Nashotah, and spanning 981 square acres, the 90-foot-deep lake also offers fantastic swimming and fishing opportunities — it’s home to perch, bluegill, crappie and large and small-mouth bass — and is also ideal for sailing.
Eat Your Way Around The Water
The Waukesha County lake community that surrounds Nagawicka, spanning from Delafield to Hartland, is home to a flourishing restaurant scene. Among its offerings:
• Fill your boat-day coolers effortlessly with handcrafted subs, sandwiches and wraps from Nashotah’s Picnic Basket, a year-round local favorite.
• Seven Seas Seafood & Steak, 1807 Nagawicka Road in Hartland, is a family-owned fine-dining restaurant serving a variety of steaks and seafood dishes, including tuna carpaccio and seared scallops, and elegant desserts such as a flaming coffee sundae. Purchased by the Weissgerber family in 1981, and the only full-service restaurant and banquet facility on Lake Nagawicka, Seven Seas, with its verdant gardens, offers guests over 500 wine selections — and a breathtaking lake view.
• Delafield’s Fishbone’s Cajun & Creole Restaurant features Southern-inspired fusion dishes such as jambalaya ya-ya, blackened crab cakes and ragin’ Cajun pasta. Situated on Nagawicka Lake’s shores, the restaurant is a favorite spot of Emily Heller, public communications coordinator for the Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use. “I love their sangrias during the summer months,” she says.
• In 2016, Amy Quinn opened her restaurant, Belfre Kitchen in a former Presbyterian church built in 1868. Using locally sourced ingredients, Belfre serves hearty lunch, dinner and brunch fare such as avocado chicken salad, ribeye steak and omelets.
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