Located in the quiet southern Lake District of Wisconsin and just an hour outside Milwaukee, Gerstad Builders’ Bailey Estates may be a peaceful and serene place to live, but this Williams Bay community also sits in the vicinity of some of Wisconsin’s best summer entertainment! Whether you want to spend summer days fishing, strolling through a vibrant festival or making a splash at a nearby waterpark, homes in Bailey Estates are in an ideal location to experience the best of both worlds.

True to the regions name, the community is surrounded by three large lakes, perfect for a day of activities on the water or rest and relaxation. Lake Geneva offers boating, swimming, picnicking and fishing around its banks either on private property, like The historic Abbey Resort, or public property, like Big Foot Beach State Park. To the north, Lake Como is well-stocked with largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish, making it the perfect fishing spot for experienced and beginning fishermen alike. The much deeper Delevan Lake on the other side of Bailey Estates is also a popular fishing spot.

Named for the neighboring lake, the residents of Bailey Estates can find lots of active summer fun in the nearby town of Lake Geneva. Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark serves as an indoor world of water and has everything from a children’s area to giant waterslides. Nearby Aerial Adventures also offers fun outdoor physical activities like zip lining, a ropes course, ‘mega’ ball rolling, wall climbing and free falling.

For those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, we suggest Lake Geneva’s 52^nd Annual Venetian Festival scheduled for Aug. 13 to 17, 2014. The festival will include a boat parade, craft fair, water ski shows, carnival rides and fireworks, as well as nightly performances by popular musicians, including Cherry Pie and Too White Crew.

For a great day trip, visit the Yerkes Observatory on the shores of Lake Geneva, a facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Chicago. Free guided tours of the observatory are given every Saturday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Guests will be able to see the 90-foot dome where the world’s largest lens-type telescope resides and view numerous exhibits on the main floor, as well as the Quester Museum, where they can learn about the observatory’s most renowned astronomers. The general public may also attend summer public observing events the nights of July 24 and 27, and see the marvels of space through the 24-inch diameter reflecting telescope. The cost to participate is $30 per person.

For more information about local events and happenings in Williams Bay and neighboring Lake Geneva, or for information on the new homes available at Bailey Estates, be sure to visit the Gerstad Builders website today!