Owing to its location along one of the finest lakes in the state and its award-winning lakefront development, Williams Bay is an attractive summer resort. It is the home of Yerkes Observatory, a facility devoted to research in astronomy and astrophysics and the world’s largest refracting telescope ever constructed and used for astronomical observations. Gage Marine, which runs the excursion boats on Geneva Lake, is headquartered here. Aurora University, a full-service educational conference center offering challenge courses, environmental programs and year-round lakeside recreation, has made its home in Williams Bay.

In the summer Williams Bay grows to nearly double its population with tourists ready to enjoy swimming, boating, fishing and leisure walks around the lake. Winter brings ice boating, ice fishing and snowmobiling to “the Bay,” helping to create a village for all seasons.