What To See, Eat, And Do In Door County, Wisconsin
Feb 2022
Most of my travels have been to the outer edges of the country. I haven’t traveled much to the middle part of the US. To be honest, Wisconsin has never been one of those destinations where I felt I needed to put it on my travel list. But after traveling there, I now understand why this is such a magnificent outdoor destination.
When I had the opportunity to travel to Door County, Wisconsin I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I went in with an open mind and quickly learned that this part of the country is literally like out of a dream. It has a rich history and an array of things to do. Door County, Wisconsin is so very unique and I can see why so many families make it a tradition to come back year after year.
I traveled to Door County at the end of its winter season. I would love to go back to experience it again during one of the warmer seasons. It was so beautiful during the winter and can’t imagine how incredible it must be in the spring and summer.
What’s So Special About Door County?
Door County was put on the map when National Geographic ran a story on the peninsula in 1969. That’s when tourism to this area began to grow. Door County has 300 miles of shoreline, and 11 lighthouses, is one of the top 5 cherry-producing areas in the country, has the largest lavender farm in the midwest, has some of the oldest trees, and has no national chains.
I feel what makes Door County special are the large open spaces and it’s small population. Also its Scandinavian roots and people’s way of life. They call it Friluftsliv (FREE-LOOFTS-LIV). Which means open-air living. There’s a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors here. Its residents have strong beliefs in preserving this area for generations to come. Protecting the land and water is a huge priority for the people within the community. As a visitor to the area, it was refreshing to witness true respect for mother nature.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Door County
I traveled to the area at the end of February since I wanted to go ice fishing. But Door County is a beautiful destination all year round. Its peak season is from May through October. So it really depends on what you are looking to do. If you need more help or suggestions be sure to reach out to the wonderful team at Destination Door County. They are a great resource in helping you to plan a fantastic visit to the area.
Where Should I Stay In Door County?
There are many different types of accommodations available in Door County. It all depends on what type of experience you are looking for and what your particular needs are. Options like campgrounds, Bed & Breakfast, resorts & condos, log cabins, wheelchair-accessible lodging, and more.
The Landmark Resort is where I stayed. My room was a two-floor suite with a full kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a patio overlooking the bay. It was super spacious. I traveled alone but it would have been perfect for my family of five. Here is more room and resort information.
What Are The Best Outdoor Activities In Door County?
Open Door Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary that is open seasonally. The sanctuary is 34 acres and was established for un-releasable birds to call their home. This is a fun place to bring the whole family to experience birds of prey. You can schedule a private tour.
JJ’s Guide Service I traveled to Door County in February for one particular reason, to check a bucket list item off my list, ice fishing! It was seriously one of the coolest things I have ever done. Local professional ice guide JJ Malvitz plans out all the details for your adventure. Including meals! Our press group cruised across a very frozen Green Bay in a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle to one of JJ’s shanties. There we would experience what ice fishing was like. You also get to keep whatever you catch during your experience.
Lindal Fisheries Once you catch your whitefish then what? I had zero clue how to clean and prep a fish to cook. So our group got to take the whitefish we caught to Lindal Fisheries. Lindal’s is a commercial full-service fish-cleaning operation. They process and package the fish into boneless filets. The owner Dan Lindal is a 3rd generation fisherman and opened up his business in 2015 on a whim. Dan prides himself on taking care of his local fisherman and customers.
Crossroads at Big Creek Is a nature preserve learning center. Depending on what time of year you visit, you can hike, snowshoe, or cross country skiing. Their mission at the center is to encourage learners of all ages to be responsible stewards of our environment. Appreciating it and also recognizing the history of its ancestors. I did their candlelit hike which was such a neat experience. Check out Crossroads calendar of events.
The Ridges Sanctuary This year-round beautiful sanctuary is a great place for a nature walk or snowshoeing during the winter months. The Cook-Albert Fuller Center has a full exhibit on the cultural and natural history of The Ridges. The Hidden Brook Boardwalk was what I walked on for my nature trail hike. It’s also a great option for families that need to use a stroller for their young children.
Door County Kayak Tours Is open all year round. They offer kayak tours, fat tire E-bike tours, and paddle boating tours. I did the E-bike tour. Even though it was so cold, I had a blast! We went to Cave Point and Whitefish Bay Dunes. I want to go back in the summer since they also offer cliff jumping on some of their tours. Most of their tours are about 1-2hrs but you can do a half-day one that is about 4 hours long.
What Food Is In Door County?
Door County, Wisconsin offers so many food options. Below I will be sharing the places I personally tried during my visit. Below is just a mini list of what Door County offers. There are many other places to choose from as well. Be sure to use the Visit Door County, Dining Finder.
Renard’s Artisan Cheese If there is one thing Wisconsin is known for its cheese. Renard’s Market is a great place to sample and purchase some of the most delicious handcrafted cheeses. Renard’s master cheesemaker handcrafts fresh cheese every day. It’s also a full-service deli with indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect spot for a delicious soup, salad, or melt. They also offer complimentary cheese and wine tastings are offered 7 days a week.
White Gull Inn Is an 1896 beautiful historic bed and breakfast inn. They have rooms, suites, and cottages available for your stay. Many have fireplaces. The inn also has a restaurant on site that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a fish boil that is super popular in Door County. The restaurant was a winner of Good Morning America’s Best Breakfast Challenge. Call the restaurant at (920) 868-3517 for reservations
Door County Coffee and Tea Company Is a premier coffee roaster that has more than 100 coffees. They air roast their top 2% Arabica beans to absolute perfection. I purchased a few coffees to take back home with me and now my husband only wants Door County coffee. He says it’s the best he’s ever had. Come in to grab a delicious cup of coffee or tea for yourself. They serve breakfast and lunch. They make fresh bakery treats & homemade soups.
Sonny’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria Looking to have lunch or dinner with a water view? Sonny’s is a family-friendly restaurant located on Sturgeon bay. Serving delicious Italian foods like pasta, Chicago-style and Neapolitan pizzas, with the freshest ingredients. Their large salad bar is also a great option for those that are not into pasta and pizza. Be sure to try their homemade desserts and head downstairs to try one of the locally brewed beers. Plus downstairs is super Instagramable 🙂
Sister Bay Bowl and Supper Club Local 3rd generation family-owned and operated restaurant and bar. It has a 1958 bowling alley attached which was so fun to play after dinner. It was like traveling back in time to experience bowling as they did in the late 1950s. Super family-friendly and they offer a FREE game of bowling with a kid’s meal.
What Are Some Attractions In Door County?
Door CountyMaritime Museum and Cana Island Lighthouse is known as one of northeast Wisconsin’s top tourism destinations. The museum is broken up into floors and each floor has a different part of the history of the area. It’s a great place to visit by yourself or with your family. I would definitely block off a few hours for your visit. That way you can get the full experience and learn all about the many facts, history, and information about the peninsula. Be sure to go up to the top of the lighthouse to get an incredible view.
Door 44 Winery-Door 44 Is located at the heart of Door County. The tasting room is located on its six-acre vineyard. You can sample their wines, order a flight, make your own charcuterie board, walk the grounds, or sit and relax on their outdoor patio. You can buy their locally grown grape wines has won several international awards on-site as well.
Popelka Trenchard Glass Fine Art Gallery & Studio In 1997, owners Stephanie Trenchard and Jeremy Popelka moved from California to Sturgeon Bay and opened Popelka, a working hot glass studio and gallery. The owners are both nationally recognized artists and offer individual and group classes throughout that year. The also offers public demonstrations most Saturdays during the summer season. If you are interested in either of those, I highly recommend calling them to get their current schedule and times.
Fish Creek, Door County-Shopping If you are into shopping be sure to add this to your list of things to do. It’s a unique walkable shopping excursion with locally owned and operated shops. You can purchase items like local art, apparel, specialty food, books, children’s gifts, and more. Check out the Fish Creek events calendar. You can also get a FREE Visit Fish Creek activity guide.
Door County is a beautiful vacation destination. I left feeling mentally, spiritually, and physically recharged. It was exactly what I needed.
Thank you to Destination Door County for the incredible hospitality and itinerary. This was one of my favorite trips and hope to go back soon!
