I may be a bit biased towards one of the six Sister Lakes, Round Lake (the best one), since I've spent most of my summers growing up there. But whether it be Big Crooked, Little Crooked, Dewey, Magician, Cable, or Round Lake, the Sister Lakes area is hands down the best summer vacation spot in the Midwest. (Sorry Lake Geneva). Here are some reasons why:

1. Driftwood

Even though it's located on Round Lake, Sister Lakes as a whole would not be the same without this tiny little ice cream shop. Not only is it an ice cream shop, but the owners keep their dogs behind the counter of the store. What's better than dogs and ice cream?

2. The Sandbar (Round Lake)

After tubing and skiing all day, there is nothing better than parking on the sandbar with a pontoon full of coolers, rafts, chairs and snacks. Also, watching your siblings swim across the lake for run away raft is pretty entertaining.

3. 5-Mile Drive in

Just pee at home before you go, unless you don't mind sharing a bathroom with cockroaches.

4. 4th of July Fireworks

Again, Round Lake does it best. Watching fireworks fire off from an old pontoon boat on the sandbar while chillin on the boat snuggled in blankets beats sitting on a blanket in the park. Anyday.

5. 4th of July Weekend

Yes, 4th of July is so great it gets 2 points. When every single cottage owner and their mother is out on the lake, tubing is no longer just trying to stay on longer than the person next to you. It turns into more of a fight to the death against the waves.

6. Lions Club Breakfast

Who needs a gourmet breakfast when you can have unlimited pancakes made by little old men who know how to flip a flapjack like a pro?

7. Tube-Ski-Swim-Eat-Sleep-Repeat

Everyday.

8. Bonfires

There is no better place to roast marshmallows than right next to a lake, with no streetlights and no car sounds in the distance.

9. Cottage Life

These cottages may be old and tiny, but somehow everyone manages to have 20+ people comfortably stay for the weekend.

10. Fruit stands on every corner

On the rare occasion you get off the boat and in the car to drive somewhere, you can expect to stop for some fresh watermelon and cherries, to then eat on the boat.

11. Fresh Corn

How does one eat "canned" corn?

12. August Sucks

As if the constant back to school commercials were not enough, watching people take their boats out of the water is pure torture knowing there will soon be an 8 month long hibernation before the boats are back in the water.

13. White Swim Suits: Rookie Mistake

Unless you can somehow avoid getting sunscreen and the iron from the water from touching any piece of white clothing you may bring

14. Lake life

What else could u possibly need in life when you have a lake in your front yard? (and a few siblings to torment)

15. Summer Nights

Nothing beats a Sister Lakes sunset.