Walking down Highland Drive in Kohler, Wisconsin, in October should be on every traveler’s bucket list. It might be only a half-mile trek from The American Club, the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property at the heart of the resort destination, to the quaint Shops at Woodlake, but it’s a delightful journey of autumnal beauty and Middle American charm all rolled into one three-block package.
Beyond the breathtaking scenery, though, Kohler shines this time of year for its stuffed event calendar. Be it fall golf or the winter holidays, each weekend is filled with something special the rest of the calendar year. And seeing as how the photogenic hamlet is less than 65 miles from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and 132 miles from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, there’s no excuse not to finally make that solo trip or sweethearts getaway happen. Just remember to pack a parka for those cool evening strolls on Highland.
The American Club
Before The American Club was an elegant inn on the National Register of Historic Places, it was a housing facility for Kohler manufacturing company’s immigrant workers. To this day, rooms and suites still hold a residential feel, which is largely due to the fireplaces, dark woods and textured tuffets that can be enjoyed all times of year. But there’s just something extra special about these touches when the temperatures outside drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
We most recently stayed in the Spencer Tracy Room, a unit that had velvet curtains, a crystal-inspired Kohler sink — as you might expect, the sinks, showers, tubs and toilets around this village are top of the line — and Diptyque toiletries that filled the room with notes of tuberose, orange blossom and jasmine. With your senses heightened, crack open a bottle of Wisconsin’s own J. Henry & Sons bourbon to set the mood to optimal autumnal heights.
Kohler Waters Spa
One of the preeminent facilities in North America, the Five-Star Kohler Waters Spa is a neutral-toned, light-wooded haven of intimacy and innovation. With the former, you’ll find plenty of spaces for seclusion — the steam room, infrared sauna, whirlpool and unisex relaxation pool immediately come to mind. There’s also an ice cave meant to reset the body after a steam or sauna session. But whatever the frozen walls can’t calm, the mint and eucalyptus that’s infused in the cave’s air certainly will.
Kohler shows impressive range through a treatment menu filled with ancient practices (acupuncture), futuristic options (icoone body contouring) and seasonal services like the 50-minute Autumn Renewal Massage meant to ease leftover summer tensions and boost circulation.
Fall Golf
There is still a little time to enjoy Whistling Straits’ two jagged, windswept layouts, the Straits and Irish courses. Kohler’s flagship Straits course, site of four past majors and the 2021 Ryder Cup, closes for the season on November 2. The Irish course will remain open a little longer — the schedule is solely dependent on fall forecasts.
If for some reason you can’t reserve a time at Whistling Straits over the next few weeks, Blackwolf Run has three courses with slightly less frenetic schedules. River is a demanding, 7,404-yard spread carved along a glacial river basin. Meadow Valleys is a tough Pete Dye-designed beauty. The Baths is a 10-hole, par-3 playground for golfers of all levels. Enjoy all three in the crisp Wisconsin air through early November.
Kohler Food & Wine
This event is one of the country’s best food-focused gatherings for pairing delicious plates with a sense of place. Last year, Green Bay chef Chris Mangless showed guests how to make an incredible sunchoke soup while Madison’s Daniel Fox redefined “going whole hog” with a demonstration on how to appreciate every part of the pig.
For this year’s fun (October 16 to 19), people like Milwaukee chef Dane Baldwin and Racine winemaker Chris Berg will add local flavor alongside marquee names such as Martha Stewart, Robert Irvine and Scott Conant. Though many of the headlining events are sold out, some appetizing cooking demonstrations and wine tastings are still available. Food & Wine favorite Taste of the Vine is a unique shindig overflowing with vino, small bites and live music inside the Kohler Design Center — it’s no wonder it’s only available to overnight guests.
Holiday Happenings
Once Kohler Food & Wine concludes, the village preps for its turkey- and tinsel-filled transformation. Chefs all around the campus will have prime rib and roasted carrots at the ready for family feasts on November 27. But in addition to the elevated eating, Kohler has guided hikes, afternoon teas and a champagne sabering cooked up for the holiday weekend menu, too.
When December comes around, Kohler will embrace the Christmas spirit. While you won’t be able to play a round at the aforementioned Blackwolf Run, the courses will be put to good use for holiday light displays, snowshoeing, ice skating and much more. Additionally, there will be carriage rides (weekly), breakfast with Santa (December 6 and 7) and a holiday 5K (December 13) to go along with lavish dining spreads on December 24 and 25.
And then on December 31, Kohler will pull out the party hats and noisemakers to welcome 2026. Though New Year’s Eve celebration specifics were light at press time, we know that a seven-course meal is planned at Four-Star The Immigrant Restaurant, and revelers along Highland Drive will be out in droves.
