Sometimes, when you find yourself in a resort town during a very slow season, you have to poke around a little.
I did.
I treated myself to a little photo walk through Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin during one of those dreary days between color season and the holidays.
Due both to the time of year and day, most of the businesses was closed in a town that relies so heavily on tourism their high school mascot is the Resorter.
Still I found a treasure trove of interesting things to see.
A large complex caught my eye and I tried the main door, but it was locked. Then I moseyed over a little and found a second door that opened when I tugged.
I stuck my head in and found myself in the middle of one of the coolest car museums I’ve seen in a while. I wandered around a little, snapping pictures and chuckling at my great luck in finding the open door. I imagined my one phone call and whether my husband would put up the necessary bail money to spring me when I got arrested for unlawful entry.
Unsure of that answer, I made my way to an office with a light on.
“Hey,” I called out. “Is it okay if I look around a little?”
The gentleman working there looked up.
“Sure,” he said.
So, I took myself on a little self-guided tour, giddy with the pleasure of having the whole place to myself. I don’t know a lot about cars or motorcycles but I do know a couple of fellows who do. I can’t wait to bring them back to the ThrottleStop for a more formal, legitimate tour.
Elkhart Lake owns a proud history of racing and cars dating back 75 years. Its street racing tradition gave birth to Road America, which attracts more than 800,000 visitors every summer.
The place is a summer boom town.
I also know that Elkhart Lake boasts more beautiful seasons than mid-November, especially when the gales come early.
But, yesterday, on a cold, gray afternoon, I still found plenty of things to enjoy about the town.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
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Road America in Elkhart used to be my favorite NASCAR Road Course with its beautiful scenic track of hills. It was on my bucket list. But the Cup series pulled out a couple of years ago and moved the race to downtown Chicago – an expensive and unsafe place for fans! The Xfinity cars raced at Elkhart until this year because of the Paris Olympics. Upon looking at the 2025 schedule, Xfinity is also missing and replaced by a Chicago race. This is especially disappointing that NASCAR passed on next year being the 70th anniversary of the road course. No need to despair, other racing venues will be there including the Grand Prix! NASCAR’s loss and they wonder why they are losing fans. They simply don’t listen to the fans.
Thank you so much for this information! I hope NASCAR returns to Elkhart Lake. It is a beautiful course.
My college job was working the phones at Road America pre-internet!!!!!!! Good times.
Cool! I bet you have some great stories from that time.