Major city · United States
RichmondRichmond, Wisconsin
Skip as a base unless you have a car and a lake cottage booked: one half-day for Turtle Lake and a supper club, or pass through on US-12.
Richmond is a rural town of about 1,800 people in western Walworth County, on US-12 between Elkhorn and Whitewater. There are no sidewalks and no transit, so a car is required. What brings people here is Turtle Lake, a supper club dinner and the Kettle Moraine countryside along Route 12. Treat it as a half-day or an overnight at a lakeside cottage, not a multi-day destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct (lakes and outdoor dining); Dec–Feb for a quiet winter stay
- avoid Nov and early Apr (mud season, nothing open outdoors)
- Airports
- MKE · ORD · MSN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Richmond911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Walworth County Sheriff (non-emergency)262-741-4400
- Richmond Town Hall608-883-2269
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Richmond, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime, but the real risks are rural driving at night, deer on US-12 and no sidewalks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 262-741-4400 Walworth County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 608-883-2269 Richmond Town Hall
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMKE Milwaukee Mitchell International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-43 and US-12; the closest large airport.).
- Getting aroundCar or bicycle only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealSupper-club dinner (main plus sides)Tipping 18–22% is expected.$20–40
- Beerdraught at a bar / six-pack at a store$6–9$10–14
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedLakeside campsite, a night, per personUS$25
- Mid-range bedLakeside cottage (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$250
- High-end bedLakeside cottage (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MKE Milwaukee Mitchell International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-43 and US-12; the closest large airport.) · ORD Chicago O'Hare (About 1 h 45 min by car; more flights but a longer drive.) · MSN Dane County Regional (Madison) (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-12 west.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Avoid*
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Oct, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Richmond: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car or bicycle only. There are no sidewalks and no bus service; side roads are quieter than US-12 and County A. Distances between the lake, the restaurants and the winery are short by car but not walkable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Geneva
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-12 east, about 20 min by car
Shore path, boat tours and a full restaurant row; the busiest lake in the county.
Elkhorn
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-12 east, about 15 min by car
Walworth County Fair grounds and a walkable brick downtown.
Delavan
goDoor to door: About 20 min
County A south then WI-11, about 15 min by car
Circus-themed downtown and Delavan Lake; about 7 mi from Richmond.
Whitewater
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-12 west, about 20 min by car
College town with a small lake and a summer ski show.
Williams Bay
goDoor to door: About 35 min
US-12 east then WI-50, about 25 min by car
Quieter north-shore base for Geneva Lake.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Turtle Lake shoreline
Cottages and a family resort on the water; book ahead for summer weekends.
County A / US-12 crossroads
Closest to the supper clubs and the winery; mostly self-catering rentals.
Delavan or Elkhorn
7–10 mi away with proper hotels and motels if the town itself is full.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Lakeside cottage (up to 4)1 × 1 night × US$250 | US$250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Supper-club dinner for two1 × US$80 · check | US$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$64 |
| Trip total≈ US$352 per person per day, bed included | US$704 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Supper-club dinner (main plus sides)Tipping 18–22% is expected. | $20–40 |
| Beer: draught at a bar / six-pack at a store | $6–9 / $10–14 |
| Winery tastingcheck | $10–20 |
| Gasoline, per galloncheck | $3.00–3.60 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No sidewalks and no street lighting on rural roads: wear something visible after dark.
- US-12 is a fast divided highway; cross only at marked points.
- Cell signal and Wi-Fi are patchy outside the main buildings.
- Most kitchens close by 21:00 and some places shut entirely in January–March: call before driving out.Most kitchens close by 9:00 PM and some places shut entirely in January–March: call before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Walworth County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 262-741-4400
- Richmond Town Hall
- 608-883-2269
Pocket card
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RichmondRichmond, Wisconsin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Walworth County Sheriff (non-emergency)262-741-4400
- Richmond Town Hall608-883-2269
Embassy
No consulates in Richmond; the nearest are in Chicago (about 1 h 45 min). US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MKE → Richmond by rental car: about 1 h 15 min, fuel about $10 (check)
- Richmond → Lake Geneva by car: about 20 min, 15 mi (check)
- Richmond → Delavan by car: about 15 min, 7 mi (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
- Table for two, please — Table for two, please
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Richmond. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (lakes and outdoor dining); Dec–Feb for a quiet winter stay · avoid Nov and early Apr (mud season, nothing open outdoors) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MKE, ORD and MSN: drive times field-checked, rental-car fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Turtle Lake, the County A crossroads, and the US-12 corridor.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Turtle Lake beach, Staller Estate, the supper clubs) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Richmond
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