Two quiet acres under old oaks, just up the road from the Bohners Lake beach & boat launch. Coffee on the big deck, kids running wild on the lawn, nights around the fire pit under more stars than you are used to. Lake Geneva is 12 min, historic downtown Burlington 9 min. Sleeps 8 in 3 bedrooms, great for families and wedding guests. It is the kind of quiet that makes you talk softer, stay up later, and leave slower. An easy drive from Chicago or Milwaukee, with skiing at Wilmot & Alpine Valley.

THE HOUSE

Three bedrooms sleep 8: a king with a rollout for a third guest, a bunk room the kids will fight over (sleeps 3), and a cozy queen on the main floor. Full kitchen with dishwasher and a Ninja coffee maker that takes both K-Cup pods and grounds. The deck has Adirondack chairs for slow mornings, and the fire pit is ready for the evening shift. Fast Wi-Fi, smart thermostat, and parking for six cars on the paved drive, so nobody has to shuffle.

THE GAME ROOM

The garage doubles as a game room, and it earns the name. Challenge the family to cornhole, grab the jump rope, lift some weights, or hop on the Peloton bike and keep your streak alive (log in to your own account for classes, or just ride). Rainy afternoon or post-fire-pit rematch, it covers both. The washer and dryer live out here too, which makes longer stays and muddy-trail days easy.

THE SETTING

We are in the countryside on the edge of Bohners Lake. The public swim beach and boat launch are just down the road, the lake holds bass, northern pike and panfish, and the John Margis Wildlife Area around the corner has quiet walking trails, two small ponds and resident beavers. At night, step outside: this is real dark-sky country compared to the city.

NINE MINUTES TO TOWN

Historic downtown Burlington, a.k.a. Chocolate City USA, covers the essentials and then some. Grab breakfast or live music at The Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine, a legendary burger at Fred's, frozen custard at Adrian's, and a craft pint at Low Daily Brewing, with a beer garden on Echo Lake, or the tiny Runaway Micropub. River Valley Ranch, the Midwest's oldest mushroom farm, has a farm store worth the stop. Kwik Trip and groceries are 10 minutes away.

LAKE GENEVA & DAY TRIPS

Twelve minutes to Lake Geneva: lakefront shops and restaurants, boat cruises, the famous 21-mile Shore Path past historic estates, kayak and paddleboard rentals, ziplines, and some of Wisconsin's best golf at Geneva National and Hawk's View. With kids, Safari Lake Geneva's drive-through animal park is a guaranteed hit. Further out: Alpine Valley amphitheater for big summer concerts (20 min), Road America's legendary racetrack (about an hour), Milwaukee in 45 minutes, Chicago in about 90.

SOMETHING EVERY SEASON

Spring brings ChocolateFest and the downtown Wine Walk. Summer is festival season: Country Thunder, one of the biggest country music festivals in the USA, is 20 minutes away in Twin Lakes, plus Lake Geneva's Venetian Festival fireworks, the Racine County Fair, Ribfest and the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Fall means Oktoberfest, Apple Fest and orchard trips. Winter: skiing and snowboarding at Wilmot Mountain and Alpine Valley (both about 20 to 30 min), and Lake Geneva's Winterfest with its national snow-sculpting championship. Hiking and biking year round at Richard Bong State Recreation Area, the White River Trail and Kettle Moraine.

HERE FOR A WEDDING?

You are minutes from Southeastern Wisconsin's most popular venues: Mercantile Hall, The Landing 1841, Veterans Terrace, Lilac Acres, The Farm at Dover, Boxed and Burlap, The Abbey Resort, Geneva National, The Ridge Hotel and Hawk's View Golf Club. Comfortable home base for the whole wedding crew, with room to decompress afterward.

GOOD TO KNOW

This is a peaceful residential area: max 8 overnight guests, no parties or events, quiet hours from 10 PM. No pets, and no RVs, campers or tents on the property (town rules). We are on a private well and septic, which is part of genuine country living and comes with a couple of simple house guidelines. The handsome wood stove is decorative only for now while it awaits replacement; the furnace keeps the house plenty warm and the fire pit covers your flame cravings. Self check-in with a smart lock, and we are quick to respond by text, with a local go-to person nearby for anything hands-on.

Book the quiet. The oaks, the stars and the fire pit are already here waiting.