Considering Geneva Long Weekend

Geneva looks better in the article than in person; maybe try Lyon or Annency, France or Lausanne.
The French spoken in Geneva (or the French speaking region of Romandy) is not that much different.
(Though the number for example 90 quatre vinght dix is nonante. 93 would be nonante trois).
I found Genva too bilingual i.e. everyone speaks English as a lingua franca because it is an international business town (e.g. the UN, WHO, and CERN are there). So just like in Paris people will speak to you English when they here your midwestern accented French, especially if it is hésitant. If you really want to practice you should go to Wallonie the French Speaking part in Belgium. I have been there two times the last two years and there are some neat towns Surprisingly many do not speak English there.

On Wisconsin!
I share Rick's prejudice re Geneva. For a city, I'd pick Lausanne, smaller lakeside towns, Vevey or Montreux.
But being as you're a Wisconsin girl and ain't 'fraid a no snow flakes, I'm thinking mountain villages. Chateau d'Oex, Les Diabrelets, Villars, Champery. These are ski resort towns, but offer a lot more than skiing. They are all rail accessible, meaning that you can be there within 2 1/2 hours of exiting customs. I'd say Verbier too, but it has gotten very expensive, even by Swiss standards.

Thanks guys, this is helpful! I may have undersold myself a bit in my initial post--I'm good enough in French that no one in Paris speaks English to me. That said, I take your point about Geneva being an international business town with English being widely spoken.

These other options are intriguing and I'll look into them. One thing I'm wondering is whether I'll have enough to do in them. I'll be solo, and when on my own I tend to prefer an urban environment with a wealth of things to do, neighborhoods to explore, and places to eat. I'm not a huge hiker, and due to a back injury I can no longer ski :(

It sounds like it wouldn't add a crazy amount of travel time to get to most of these, but that is also on my radar--given that it's a short trip, I will want to hit the ground running as early as possible the first day.

Also, Sam--go Pack go!

I'll reiterate Lyon, France, if you haven't been there. It has all the things you like. One destination that the linked sightseeing list doesn't mention is the modern market hall: www.halles-de-lyon-paulbocuse.com.

Geneve does have a very nice old town, a wide variety of cheese-intensive food, a more artsy district (Carouge), a few interesting museums and excellent high-end shopping. (I preferred Lausanne, when I picked my apartment there, it's also a bit more lively due to the Universities). On the downside, in Switzerland, shopping and restaurants can be very expensive as the CHF is so strong and cost-of-living so high. It can be shocking.

In Geneve, you will not hear many differences in the French spoken - just a few words. It's not like French-Canadian with the accents. As noted, there are many French people as the city is on the border -- in fact the airport has a French side and a Suisse Romande side. As you cross into the Canton du Vaud towards Lausanne, the regional accents become stronger (it's a bit sing-song). There are even tiny differences as move across the Cantons.

Food wise, Lyon is the best choice, and much more affordable. A great old town, history and interesting architecture. You might also consider Nice, as well.

Thanks, Laura and Gooster!

You've all given me some great ideas to research and consider. Lyon in particular is definitely interesting to me--I've heard so many good things about the food scene there.