East Troy Community Guide
Quick answer: East Troy is a Walworth County village of about 5,000 people, roughly 20 miles north of Lake Geneva and 32 miles southwest of Milwaukee. It’s home to Alpine Valley Resort (skiing), Alpine Valley Music Theatre (summer concerts), the East Troy Electric Railroad and an 1847 village square.
Lake Beulah, Booth Lake and Potters Lake sit just outside the village, and the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit starts a few miles north.
East Troy gives you 4 real seasons of things to do within a 10-minute drive: ski runs in winter, a big outdoor amphitheater in summer, sailboats on Lake Beulah, and trolleys running to The Elegant Farmer’s orchard in fall. Geneva Lake is about 25 minutes south.
East Troy at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population | About 5,000 (Census ACS 2020 to 2024 estimate: 4,978) |
| County | Walworth |
| To Geneva Lake | About 20 miles, 25 to 30 minutes to downtown Lake Geneva |
| To Chicago | About 95 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours |
| To Milwaukee | About 32 miles, 40 minutes via I-43 |
| Lake access | Lake Beulah (812 acres), Booth Lake Memorial Park beach, Potters Lake, East Troy Lake |
| Main highways | I-43, WI-20, WI-120, County ES |
| School district | East Troy Community School District |
| Municipality | Village of East Troy |
What should you do first?
East Troy attractions compared
| Attraction | Season | Cost | Distance from the Square | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Valley Resort | Winter skiing; summer golf and biking | Lift tickets vary | About 5 miles | Lessons, yes |
| Alpine Valley Music Theatre | Late spring to September | Ticketed | About 5 miles | Yes |
| East Troy Electric Railroad | April to December (themed trains in fall and winter) | $11 to $17 | In the village | Themed trains, yes |
| The Elegant Farmer | Year-round market; Harvest Fest Sept to Oct | Free entry | About 8 miles (Mukwonago) | No |
| Booth Lake beach | Memorial Day to Labor Day | $20/day non-resident | A few miles | No |
| Village Square | Year-round | Free | Downtown | No |
Things to do in East Troy
Alpine Valley Resort
SkiingNight skiingGolfThe biggest ski hill in this corner of Wisconsin: 388 feet of vertical, a longest run of 2,500 feet, a terrain park, rentals and a ski school. Night skiing runs until 10 p.m. every day.
The hotel has 110 rooms right at the slopes. In summer the hill switches to an 18-hole golf course, disc golf, mountain bike trails and pickleball.
Tip: Season passes go up on October 1. The “Six After Six” pass covers 6 weeknight sessions after 6 p.m. For more, see the Alpine Valley Resort guide.
Alpine Valley Music Theatre
ConcertsSummerAn outdoor amphitheater with room for about 37,000 between the pavilion and the lawn. It books big country, rock and festival tours most summer weekends.
Tip: Leaving takes longer than arriving. Buy parking ahead, come early and plan on a slow exit after the encore. The 2027 lineup usually starts posting in winter.
East Troy Electric Railroad
HistoryMuseumRestored electric trolleys run 7 miles of the old Milwaukee electric interurban line between the East Troy depot and The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago. The depot doubles as a small railroad museum.
Regular trains run Saturdays from mid-April and Fridays and Sundays in summer. Dinner trains, Harvest Fest trains, Trick or Treat trains and Christmas trains fill the rest of the year.
Tip: Christmas and dinner trains sell out. Book as soon as dates post on the railroad’s schedule page.
The Elegant Farmer
FallOrchardThe farm market at the other end of the rail line, known for its Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag. Harvest Fest weekends add pick-your-own apples ($15 to $45), hayrides, pony rides and a corn maze. Entry and parking are free.
More orchards are on the apple orchards and pumpkin patches guide.
The Village Square
FreeEventsFounders Jacob Burgett and Austin McCracken platted the village in 1847 and kept the center as public land. The WPA-era bandstand still anchors it, with shops and restaurants on all 4 sides.
The East Troy Area Chamber runs First Fridays (live music and food vendors), the Fall Beer & Wine Walk in October, Halloween on the Square and December lighting events.
Lakes near East Troy
Lake Beulah
SailingBoatingThe big lake of the area, with a sailing history that goes back to the Lake Beulah Yacht Club’s founding in 1893. Summer weekends bring regattas, and the Lake Beulah Sailing School teaches juniors and adults.
Lulabell’s Dockside on the east shore takes boaters at its dock and diners on its deck.
Potters Lake, Booth Lake and East Troy Lake
SwimmingFishingPotters Lake (about 160 acres) is a recreational lake with a public boat launch and a sandy bottom. Booth Lake has the Booth Lake Memorial Park beach. East Troy Lake is small and mostly a fishing lake.
For depth, species and launch details across the region, see the lakes around Lake Geneva guide and the fishing guide.
Where to eat and drink in East Troy
East Troy Brewery
BreweryOn the SquareHouse beers, a chef-driven menu, a fireplace lounge and a patio, right on the Square. The best first stop in town.
Lulabell’s Dockside
LakefrontDock-up diningThe area’s lakefront patio. Pull up by boat or drive in, and time it for sunset over Lake Beulah.
Alpine Valley Resort runs the Bistro and Valley View Lounge, plus a Friday fish fry. For more, see the Friday fish fry guide and the bars, breweries and wineries guide.
Parks, beaches and trails
Booth Lake Memorial Park
BeachDay passEast Troy’s swimming beach. Season passes ($25 per household) are open to residents and property owners in the Town of East Troy, Town of Troy and Village of East Troy. Everyone else pays $20 per person per day.
Tip: Bring photo ID. Resident pricing needs proof of address, like a tax bill or vehicle registration.
Beulah Bog and Lulu Lake State Natural Areas
FreeHikingKettle bogs, wetlands and glacial terrain near Lake Beulah. Lulu Lake borders the DNR’s Mukwonago River Unit on the Mukwonago side.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit
TrailsCampingMore than 22,000 acres and over 100 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails, plus a long stretch of the Ice Age Trail. Old World Wisconsin in Eagle is on the way.
The village also runs dog parks, an archery range and the East Troy Veterans Memorial. Program info is at East Troy Parks and Recreation.
Schools
East Troy is served by the East Troy Community School District, with its district office at 2040 Beulah Ave. The district runs Little Prairie Primary, Prairie View Elementary, East Troy Middle School and East Troy High School.
School assignment depends on the exact address. Confirm it with the district before you buy. The East Troy area library is in the village.
Commute and drive times
| To | Approx. miles | Approx. drive | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mukwonago | 8 | 15 min | County ES |
| Alpine Valley Resort | 5 | 10 min | County D |
| Elkhorn | 15 | 20 min | WI-20 / County ES |
| Downtown Lake Geneva | 20 | 25 to 30 min | WI-120 |
| Milwaukee (downtown) | 32 | 40 min | I-43 |
| Milwaukee airport (MKE) | 35 | 40 min | I-43 / I-894 |
| Madison | 65 | 1 hour 10 min | I-43 / US-12 |
| Chicago (Loop) | 95 | 1 hour 45 min to 2 hours | I-43 / I-94 or US-12 |
I-43 is a few minutes north of the Square, so Milwaukee and its suburbs are an easy daily drive. Chicago is a weekend drive more than a daily one.
Housing in and around East Troy
Village homes. Older houses on the blocks around the Square, many within a few blocks of Main Street, plus newer subdivisions on the village edges.
Lake Beulah waterfront. The area’s largest lake and its priciest shoreline, with deep water and an active sailing club.
Potters Lake, Booth Lake and East Troy Lake. Smaller lakes with cottages and year-round homes, generally at lower price points than Lake Beulah.
Town of East Troy acreage. Rural lots and hobby-farm parcels, some backing onto the Kettle Moraine.
Before you buy: Confirm whether a parcel is in the village or the town (it changes sewer, water and services), check lake district rules for the specific lake, and verify the school assignment.
East Troy by season
Fall (September to November)
Harvest Fest at The Elegant Farmer runs weekends into late October, with Harvest Fest and Trick or Treat trains from the East Troy depot. Kettle Moraine color usually peaks mid-October. The Square hosts Halloween events and the fall beer and wine walk.
Winter (December to March)
Alpine Valley opens for skiing once the weather allows snowmaking, usually in December. The railroad runs Christmas trains, and the Square lights up for the holidays. See the winter activities guide.
Spring (April and May)
The railroad’s Saturday trains start in mid-April. Trails dry out in May, and the first Alpine Valley Music Theatre shows land late in the spring.
Summer (June to August)
Booth Lake beach opens Memorial Day weekend. Friday farmers markets run at Honey Creek Collective (N8030 Townline Rd.) from early June to early October. First Fridays bring music to the Square, and Lake Beulah’s sailboats race most weekends.
Best by category
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Alpine Valley Resort | Skiing in winter, golf and biking in summer |
| Best summer night | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | Major tours 25 minutes from Geneva Lake |
| Best history | East Troy Electric Railroad | Original interurban line, restored trolleys |
| Best fall outing | Train to The Elegant Farmer | Apples, corn maze and pie at the end of the line |
| Best on the water | Lake Beulah | Sailing since 1893 |
| Best free | The Village Square | Public since 1847, events most months |
| Best dinner | East Troy Brewery | House beer and food on the Square |
Mistakes visitors make
Assuming Booth Lake beach is free. It isn’t. Non-residents pay $20 per person per day.
Showing up late to a concert. Alpine Valley’s traffic backs up County D. Arrive early or expect to miss the opener.
Forgetting the Kettle Moraine sticker. The Southern Unit needs a state park vehicle admission sticker.
If you’re moving here
East Troy sits between the Milwaukee metro and the Geneva Lake area: 40 minutes to downtown Milwaukee, 25 minutes to Lake Geneva. You get 4 lakes within 5 miles, a ski hill 10 minutes away and a downtown built around a public square.
Compare nearby options on the Mukwonago, Elkhorn, Burlington and Whitewater guides, or the full community guides hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is East Troy, Wisconsin known for?
Alpine Valley Resort, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, the East Troy Electric Railroad and the Village Square, which has been public land since the village was platted in 1847. Lake Beulah and its yacht club, founded in 1893, are just outside town.
How far is East Troy from Lake Geneva?
About 20 miles, or 25 to 30 minutes from the Square to downtown Lake Geneva via WI-120.
How far is East Troy from Milwaukee and Chicago?
About 32 miles and 40 minutes to downtown Milwaukee via I-43. Chicago’s Loop is about 95 miles, or 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Is Alpine Valley in East Troy or Elkhorn?
Both, depending on which one you mean. Alpine Valley Resort (the ski hill) uses an Elkhorn address at W2501 County Road D. Alpine Valley Music Theatre uses an East Troy address at 2699 County Road D. Both are about 5 miles from the East Troy Square.
What is the East Troy Electric Railroad?
A railroad museum that runs restored electric trolleys on 7 miles of the old Milwaukee interurban line, from the East Troy depot at 2002 Church St. to The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago. Adult tickets are $17, and themed trains run in fall and around Christmas.
What lakes are near East Troy?
Lake Beulah (812 acres, 58 feet deep), Potters Lake (about 160 acres), Booth Lake with Booth Lake Memorial Park beach, and East Troy Lake. Geneva Lake is about 25 minutes south.
What school district serves East Troy?
The East Troy Community School District, which runs Little Prairie Primary, Prairie View Elementary, East Troy Middle School and East Troy High School. Confirm the assignment for a specific address with the district.
What kinds of homes are in East Troy?
Older homes around the Village Square, newer subdivisions on the village edges, waterfront on Lake Beulah, Potters Lake and Booth Lake, and rural acreage in the Town of East Troy.
Picturing a place near the Square or on Lake Beulah?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover East Troy and the lakes around it, from homes a few blocks from the Village Square to waterfront on Lake Beulah and acreage near the Kettle Moraine.
Search East Troy properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.