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The first time I visited Kohler, Wisconsin, I had just found out I was pregnant. It was the only trip I took during my pregnancy, and at that point, I had no idea I was expecting twins. I wasn’t telling anyone yet, except for my massage therapist at Kohler Waters Spa (but more on this later), since I needed to disclose the pregnancy before my treatment. At the end of my massage, she quietly handed me a tiny rubber duck. It wasn’t part of the spa experience or a souvenir every guest received—just a small gesture to celebrate the news.
Fast-forward nearly three years and I returned to Kohler, this time as the proud mom of (almost) two-year-old twin girls. When I shared the story with the spa staff, they smiled and handed me two baby rubber ducks to bring home to my daughters. I’ve stayed at beautiful hotels around the world, but it’s that kind of kindness—not the thread count or the spa services—that keeps bringing me back.
Over the years, I’ve realized that spirit extends far beyond the walls of the resort. It’s why, after visiting dozens of small towns across America, I almost always recommend Kohler for a long weekend. Today, it’s an even easier recommendation thanks to the reopening of the historic 55-room Carriage House following a major renovation and the continued evolution of Woodlake Market and the Shops at Woodlake. Just two hours from Chicago and about an hour north of Milwaukee, Kohler proves you don’t need a long flight to discover one of the Midwest’s most charming small towns.
The Backstory
Part of what makes Kohler so different is that the visitor-centric resort never swallowed the residential village. And yes, it’s that Kohler. Long before the company became synonymous with kitchen sinks, toilets, tubs and faucets, the Kohler family envisioned more than a manufacturing town around its plumbing factory. Working with the Olmsted Brothers, they created a model village with parks, tree-lined streets and abundant green space where employees and their families would want to live. More than a century later, that vision still shapes the way visitors experience Kohler.
More of a suburban small town than a sprawling resort campus, Kohler is best explored on foot. The American Club—originally built to house immigrant workers—now serves as the heart of it all, with restaurants, bars and gathering spaces open to everyone, whether or not they’re staying overnight. Across the street sits the adults-only Carriage House, home to Kohler Waters Spa and additional guest rooms, while the Shops at Woodlake, Woodlake Market and the 36,000-square-foot Kohler Design Center—part showroom, part museum—are all just a short walk away.
Exploring the Village
Half the fun is simply wandering. Sculptures from the Kohler Artwalk can be found along gardens, sidewalks and unexpected corners, giving the town the feel of an open-air gallery. Before long, I find myself lingering at the Shops at Woodlake, stopping into Sweet Potato’s to see what’s new, admiring the children’s clothes and gifts at Little Love, and losing track of time at Kohler Gardener.
Of course, all that wandering works up an appetite. When hunger strikes, you’ll find plenty of options, from casual pubs to fine dining. At the top of the list is the award-winning Immigrant Restaurant, where multicourse tasting menus unfold over several leisurely hours in a historic dining room steeped in old-world charm. But the more casual spots are just as memorable. The Horse & Plow exudes coziness in every sense, and the cheese curds are spectacular—because, hey, when in Wisconsin. Over at Taverne on Woodlake, I can never resist the spinach dip, which swaps the usual cream cheese for cheesy grits. It sounds unexpected, but somehow it’s even better than the classic.
How to Spend the Perfect Day
For me, the perfect day here starts at the Greenhouse with a French toast latte and a pain au chocolat, enjoyed either inside the café or out in the flower-filled courtyard. From there, the day can unfold in any number of ways. Active travelers can join a class at Yoga on the Lake, hop on a bike at Bold Cycle or explore the River Wildlife trails, where deer, wild turkeys and countless birds are regular sights. Golfers, meanwhile, travel from around the world to play Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run.
No matter how the day unfolds, though, every visit should eventually lead back to the Kohler Waters Spa, just across the street from the American Club. In an era when wellness often feels performative, the 25,000-square-foot spa gets it right. Phones disappear into lockers—and if you happen to sneak yours out, you’ll be politely reminded to put it away (speaking from experience). Conversations soften, the day slows down, and, somewhere between the facials and the massages and the hydrotherapy pools, I realize I haven’t thought about checking my phone in hours. That’s become increasingly rare—and one of the greatest luxuries I can imagine.
Looking back, though, what defines Kohler for me isn’t any single attraction. It’s the way the village makes you feel—the quaint tree-lined streets, the public art tucked into unexpected corners, the shops where I always linger longer than planned and, yes, those three tiny rubber ducks. One marked the beginning of one of the biggest chapters of my life. The other two reminded me, years later, that kindness has a way of staying with you. After visiting dozens of small towns across America, I’ve found plenty with beautiful scenery, great restaurants and charming places to stay. Very few have made me feel as genuinely welcome as Kohler, and that’s why it’s still the one I recommend most.