Delavan Community Guide
Quick answer: Delavan is a city of about 9,200 people next to Delavan Lake, a 1,906-acre lake about 15 minutes west of Lake Geneva. It mixes a brick-street downtown with circus history, murals and 5 Frank Lloyd Wright summer houses on the lake.
For a day: rent a boat at Lake Lawn Resort to see the Wright houses, tour the downtown murals, and book dinner at Jonathan’s on Brick Street. Chicago is about 90 miles away.
Delavan was the circus capital of the 1800s: 26 circus companies were based here between 1847 and 1894, and the P.T. Barnum circus was organized here in 1871. The downtown still has its brick street, now with murals painted by the WallDogs artists.
Delavan Lake is the draw for most buyers. It’s deeper than many area lakes (52 feet at its deepest) and busy with boats all summer.
Delavan at a glance
| Fact | Delavan, WI |
|---|---|
| Population | 9,228 (July 2025 Census estimate) |
| County | Walworth County |
| Lake | Delavan Lake: 1,906 acres, 52 feet deep |
| To Geneva Lake | About 8 miles to Williams Bay, 15 minutes |
| To downtown Lake Geneva | About 10 miles, 15 to 20 minutes |
| To Chicago (Loop) | About 90 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes |
| To Milwaukee | About 45 miles, 50 minutes |
| Lake access | 4 public boat landings and a public beach at Town of Delavan Community Park |
| Interstate | I-43 |
| School district | Delavan-Darien School District |
| Municipal website | City of Delavan |
Quick picks
Delavan Lake vs. Geneva Lake
| Delavan Lake | Geneva Lake | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1,906 acres | About 5,400 acres |
| Max depth | 52 feet | About 135 feet |
| Shore path | No continuous public path | About 21-mile public Shore Path |
| Resort on the water | Lake Lawn Resort | The Abbey, Geneva Inn and others |
| Feel | Boating and fishing, fewer tour boats | Tour boats, estates, busier downtowns |
Things to do in Delavan
1. Get out on Delavan Lake
BoatingFishingLake Lawn has been on the lake since 1878 and covers 250 acres with 2 miles of shoreline. Rent a boat or join a tour. Anglers come for bass, walleye, northern pike and muskie.
Tip: Winter brings ice fishing and snowmobiles once ice conditions allow; check locally first.
2. See the Frank Lloyd Wright houses from the water
ArchitectureHistoryWright designed 5 summer houses on Delavan Lake’s south shore between 1900 and 1905. Penwern (3335 S. Shore Dr.) has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
All 5 are private residences. The best view is from a boat.
3. Tour the WallDogs murals
FreePublic artAbout 20 murals painted by the WallDogs sign-painter collective in 2015, many telling the circus story. Start on Walworth Avenue’s brick street and loop the downtown blocks.
4. The Dancing Horses Theatre
Rainy-day pickAll agesA 300-seat theater with an equestrian show set to music, plus a petting zoo, pony rides and train rides in season. There’s a holiday show at Christmas.
5. Golf
Spring to fallMajestic Oaks plays through the Lake Lawn grounds. Delbrook is the city’s other public course. For more, see the Lake Geneva golf guide.
6. Wine and beer
WineryBreweryStaller Estate pours its own wines in its tasting room. Duesterbeck’s is a small brewery between Delavan and Elkhorn. Downtown, Bar One Nineteen is a speakeasy hidden inside Boxed & Burlap. See the bars, breweries and wineries guide.
Restaurants in Delavan
1. Jonathan’s on Brick Street
Steak & seafoodItalianSteaks, seafood and Italian on the brick street. The one locals pick for a special dinner.
2. The Village Supper Club
Supper clubLake viewA Wisconsin supper club with water views. Order an old fashioned and stay for sunset. More in the supper clubs guide.
3. 1878 on the Lake and The Lookout
Lakeside1878 is Lake Lawn’s dressier dining room; The Lookout Bar & Eatery is the casual spot with lake views.
More places to eat in Delavan
Fire 2 Fork
Upscale-casual, wood-fired cooking from an open kitchen.
RigaTony’s
Italian deli and sandwiches.
Elizabeth’s Cafe
Breakfast and lunch.
Arandas Mexican Grill
Mexican with a loyal local following, plus the La Ventanita bar.
Bettino’s
Italian takeout and delivery.
Brick Street Protein Deluxe
Shakes, tea, crepes and fruit.
More options: the restaurants guide and the Friday fish fry guide.
Parks and beaches
| Park | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Town of Delavan Community Park | Delavan Lake’s public swimming beach, boat launch and fishing |
| Mill Pond Beach Park | Spring-fed swimming, slides, volleyball, picnic areas, concessions |
| Congdon Gardens | A 1-mile path through 6 themed gardens and an armed forces memorial |
| Paul Lange Arboretum | 24.6 acres on Lake Comus with a nature trail, canoe and fishing access |
| Phoenix Park | Band shell with free summer concerts; late-June fireworks |
| Andy’s Park | Skate and bike park |
See the beaches guide and outdoor activities for more.
Events through the year
Summer (June to August)
Brick Street Days downtown in June, fireworks at Phoenix Park in late June, free Saturday band shell concerts from June to mid-September, and the Market at Tower Park on Thursdays. See summer activities.
Fall (September and October)
Scarecrow Fest in mid-September, Oktoberfest in early October and a Halloween sip-and-stroll through downtown shops in late October. Darien’s Corn Fest is next door; see the Darien guide. More in fall activities.
Winter (December to February)
Dasher Days holiday shopping on 2 December Saturdays, then Winterfest in mid-January with snowmobiles and ice carving. Ice fishing on Delavan Lake once the ice is in. See winter activities.
Spring (April and May)
A Cinco de Mayo festival with music, food trucks and a parade on the first weekend of May. Marinas open and boats go in. See spring activities.
Schools
The Delavan-Darien School District serves the city. Some Delavan Lake addresses fall in other districts, so confirm by address.
| School | Grades |
|---|---|
| Turtle Creek Elementary | 4K to 2 |
| Darien Elementary | 3 to 4 |
| Phoenix Middle School | 5 to 8 |
| Delavan-Darien High School | 9 to 12 |
The Wisconsin School for the Deaf, a state school founded in 1852, also has its campus in Delavan.
Commute and getting here
| To | Distance | Typical drive | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lake Geneva | About 10 miles | 15 to 20 minutes | WI-50 |
| Elkhorn | About 6 miles | 10 minutes | I-43 or WI-11 |
| Milwaukee | About 45 miles | 50 minutes | I-43 |
| Milwaukee airport | About 45 miles | 45 to 50 minutes | I-43 to I-894 |
| Chicago Loop | About 90 miles | 1 hour 45 minutes | WI-50 and US-12 to I-94 |
| O’Hare | About 75 miles | About 1.5 hours | US-12 to I-94 or I-90 |
Homes in Delavan and on Delavan Lake
| Property type | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| Delavan Lake lakefront | Historic estates and updated waterfront homes with private piers |
| Lake-access homes | Homes with association or deeded access, usually priced well below Geneva Lake lake-access homes |
| Lake Lawn area | Homes and condos near the resort’s dining, golf, spa and marina |
| City of Delavan | Older homes on city lots near downtown, plus newer subdivisions |
| New construction | Ranches and 2-story homes at The Shores of Delavan Lake, with inlet lake access, a clubhouse and trails |
Price depends on the water. Lakefront, lake access and in-town homes on the same road can sit in completely different brackets, so pin down deeded rights and pier rules early.
Best of Delavan
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | A boat on Delavan Lake | The Wright houses are only visible from the water |
| Best dinner | Jonathan’s on Brick Street | Steak, seafood and Italian downtown |
| Best free | WallDogs murals | About 20 murals downtown |
| Best swim | Mill Pond Beach Park | Spring-fed water and slides |
| Best rainy day | Dancing Horses Theatre | Indoor show year-round |
| Best garden | Congdon Gardens | 6 themed gardens on a 1-mile path |
Mistakes people make
Trying to see the Wright houses from the road. They’re private homes. Go by boat.
Assuming Delavan Lake has a shore path. It doesn’t. Plan time on the water instead.
Guessing the school district. Lake addresses can fall in different districts. Check by address.
Frequently asked questions
What is Delavan, Wisconsin known for?
Delavan Lake, its history as home to 26 circus companies between 1847 and 1894, 5 Frank Lloyd Wright summer houses on the lake’s south shore, about 20 WallDogs murals downtown and Lake Lawn Resort, open since 1878.
How big is Delavan Lake?
1,906 acres with a maximum depth of 52 feet, according to the Wisconsin DNR. It has 4 public boat landings and 1 public beach.
What are the best things to do in Delavan?
Rent a boat on Delavan Lake, see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses from the water, tour the WallDogs murals, catch a free band shell concert at Phoenix Park, see the Dancing Horses Theatre and visit Congdon Gardens.
Does Delavan have Frank Lloyd Wright homes?
Yes. Wright designed 5 summer houses on Delavan Lake’s south shore between 1900 and 1905, including Penwern. They’re private homes, best seen from a boat.
Is there a public beach on Delavan Lake?
Yes, at Town of Delavan Community Park, which also has a boat launch. Mill Pond Beach Park in the city has spring-fed swimming.
What school district is Delavan in?
The Delavan-Darien School District, which runs Turtle Creek Elementary, Darien Elementary, Phoenix Middle School and Delavan-Darien High School. Some Delavan Lake addresses fall in other districts.
How far is Delavan from Chicago?
About 90 miles from the Loop, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Milwaukee is about 45 miles and 50 minutes away via I-43.
What kinds of homes are in Delavan?
Lakefront estates and updated waterfront homes on Delavan Lake, lake-access homes, homes and condos near Lake Lawn Resort, older homes in the city and new construction at The Shores of Delavan Lake.
What is the population of Delavan, WI?
9,228 as of the July 1, 2025 Census Bureau estimate, up from 8,505 at the 2020 Census.
Thinking about Delavan Lake?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Delavan and Delavan Lake, from south-shore lakefront and lake-access homes to houses a few blocks from the brick street downtown and new construction near the lake.
Search Delavan properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.