Williams Bay is a lakeside community on the western side of Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin. It is and home to George Williams College of Aurora University.
Understand
Williams Point is home to about 2,600 people (2019). It is probably best known internationally for being home to the University of Chicago's Yerkes Observatory, which houses the world's largest refracting (lens) telescope, the great 40-inch.
Get in
Williams Bay is easily accessed from Beloit or Milwaukee by using I-43 (using the WI 67 exit and heading south) or Delavan or Lake Geneva (Wisconsin) by using WI 50. I-43 and WI 50 run to the north of the Village and most direct route into town is WI 67.
Get around
Williams Bay has no public transportation, so using a car is necessary. Most of the amenities in the community are centered on the downtown (centered at WI 67 and Geneva Street). Otherwise, the community is walkable (though fairly hilly).
See
- Yerkes Observatory (dead link: January 2023), 373 W. Geneva Street (from downtown Williams Bay, take Geneva Street west (left)), +1-262-245-5555 (ext. 800). Yerkes is the University of Chicago's active observatory and hosts a number of telescopes which remain in use. Tours focusing on the history and architecture of the building are held throughout the year during the day with nighttime programs held during the summer. Reservations are required for the nighttime programs.
Do
- Calvary Community Church, N2620 Harris Rd, Lake Geneva, WI (From Lake Geneva, west on Highway 50 to Harris Road (left)), 42.586349°, -88.530071°, +1-262-245-6294, office@calvarycommunity.net. Sa 5PM, Su 9:30AM & 10:45AM. Calvary Community Church is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America. 2016-09-21
- Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, 251 Elkhorn Rd (from downtown Williams Bay, take Geneva Street east (parking available on the right). This lake-side ecological conservancy features 65 acres of prairie and 4 miles worth of trail. Excellent hiking and biking throughout the spring, summer and fall.
