Door County, Wisconsin, is a peninsula that embodies the ideal blend of quaint small towns, rural agriculture and orchards, beautiful beaches, and laid-back sophistication. Join ViewCation as we make a list of some of the best things to do in Door County, Wisconsin.
Visit the Cana Island Lighthouse via wagon ride.
Wagon rides to Cana Island, home to a historic lighthouse, are among the most popular things to do in Door County. Walking through the shallow water to the island is an option if you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind getting wet.
The waggon ride, which is drawn by a tractor, is included in the price of the lighthouse admission and is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Though the only thing to see on the little island of Cana is the old lighthouse and the keeper’s home, the short trail into the woods makes for a good hike as well as a great way to enjoy nature’s serenity. The lighthouse is over 150 years old, having been turned on for the first time in 1870. For fun, climb the lighthouse and check out the keeper’s spooky home, complete with peeling wallpaper and fascinating items illustrating life on the uninhabitable island.
Visit Door County’s Beautiful Small Towns
Door County is home to some picturesque small towns that are well worth a visit.
Beautiful seaside communities dot the shoreline of Door County, Wisconsin, adding to the region’s appeal and making up its throbbing heart. Visiting the shops and eateries in these picturesque communities will give you a sense of the local culture and, at the very least, provide you with some context for understanding the residents who regard Door County as home. It’s highly recommended that you travel to communities like Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor and Ephraim.
Sample the local beer and wine.
Door County’s abundance of breweries shouldn’t come as a surprise. Beer from both Door County Brewing Co. and its more experimental Hacienda Beer Co. label are available at the taproom in Baileys Harbor, where you can have a great time. It would be best if you tried the India pale ale that tastes like a guava milkshake. You should also check out One Barrel Brewing Company, also located in Egg Harbor, for its large beer garden and weekend live music. I liked their cherry beer.
You’re also in luck if wine is more your thing. The Door County Wine Trail connects eight local wineries where you may enjoy tastings for a reasonable price. At Lautenbach’s Orchard, You can sample some of the excellent fruit wines made in the county, including, of course, the famous cherry wine.
Enjoy a fish boil.
Going for a fish boil is one of the best things to do in Door County, and an awesome place to do this is at White Gull Inn. The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek is one of the few restaurants in the area that provides this type of dramatic and delectable meal. As you sip your drink on the patio, you can see the fish boil being cooked; once it’s ready, you’ll be escorted into the cosy restaurant. You’ll be in for a treat with their cooked fish and potatoes, seasoned with nothing more than salt. The remarkably excellent dishes served there make it one of the best in the region. To finish off a classic Door County lunch, we recommend the cherry pie made with local cherries. You are going to adore it in every way possible!
Take the ferry to Washington Island for the day or overnight..
In spite of the fact that you may easily fill a whole day with activities in mainland Door County, I urge you to take some time to relax on Washington Island. Visit the lovely Schoolhouse Beach and Sand Dunes Park, or take a stroll through the fragrant lavender fields at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm. You could also chow down on a burger at the legendary Albatross Drive-In, take in the stunning architecture of the Stavkirke Norwegian Church, and finish off your trip with a shot of bitters at the Nelsen’s Hall Bitters Pub.
Hang Out at the Beach
Being a peninsula, Door County is home to many beautiful beaches that are perfect for lounging in the sun during the summer. Beaches on Washington Island’s pebbly Schoolhouse Beach and Rock Island’s sandy shore are locals’ favourites among those on the mainland. White sand beaches like Egg Harbor and White Dunes State Park are also quite popular. One of the finest ways to unwind in Door County is with a day at the beach, so make sure you schedule some time there when the weather is nice.
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Pick up some famous Wisconsin cheese curds.
Cheese curds are a must when in Wisconsin, and Door County has several options for purchasing them. Renards Cheese, located in Sturgeon Bay, is likely the most well-known, and it offers a wide variety of cheeses and flavours.
You can also get your hands on some curds from the Sister Bay establishments, Door County Creamery and Door Artisan Cheese Company. You can also visit Husby’s Food and Spirits in Egg Harbor, which is well-known for its fried cheese curds.
Go Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the best ways to enjoy the waters of Door County.
It can be done at a number of locations throughout Door County, but one of the best is likely to be off of Cave Point County Park. By taking to the water in a kayak, you get to explore the wonders of Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park, two parks known for their stunning natural features, including gorgeous caverns and waterways.
And you need not worry about prior kayaking experience; numerous kayaking companies will get you sorted. Once you register with them for a small fee, they will instruct and direct you and supply all the tools you’ll need.
Have Breakfast at Al Johnson’s
It’s one of the best places for breakfast, lunch and hanging out at night with friends. However, the goats above Al Johnson’s are the restaurant’s most recognisable feature. The roof is built of sod and is grazed on by a variety of goats. Sister Bay’s Main Street runs straight down the middle of the restaurant, making the goats impossible to miss. Although Al Johnson’s is most famous for its goats, the restaurant’s food is also amazing. Even if you aren’t a morning person or a breakfast eater, those Swedish pancakes are worth getting out of bed for.
See a play at an outdoor theatre.
Door County is famous for its exceptional theatres, and for a good reason. In Fish Creek, Washington, sits the lakeside Peninsula Players Theatre, which has been putting on productions since 1935 and just underwent a major renovation, making it a must-visit. This theatre has opening sides so that you may enjoy the fresh air during the summer. There is both an indoor and an outdoor theatre at the Northern Sky Theater in Fish Creek. The outdoor theatre is easily everyone’s favourite type of theatre. Seeing a play performed outdoors is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but make sure to bring along some bug spray, too.
Visit the Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay.
You’ll find the Door County Maritime Museum on the active waterfront in Sturgeon Bay, right in the middle of town between the two main bridges. It houses four large exhibition galleries as well as the refurbished tugboat John Purves, which was built in 1919. The new Jim Kress Nautical Lighthouse Tower features an observation deck with panoramic views of Door County and ten stories of interactive educational displays on the region’s maritime past, present, and future. The vistas alone make it worthwhile seeing because it’s so wonderfully done.
Cruise Along on a Sunset Boat Tour
This is one of the best things to do in Door County.
Enjoy the sights of Sister Bay from the deck of a 63-foot tour boat that departs from the heart of town. Sister Bay Scenic Boat Cruises provides daily narrated tours to Death’s Door, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, and the numerous islands, cliffs, and beaches that surround Door County. While the upper deck serves as a sun deck with ample seats, the lower bar deck is where you’ll find the boat’s shade and beverages (including beer). There is live music onboard the sunset cruises every night.
Try Ziplining
It may come as a surprise, but Door County offers several options for zip lining. Before plunging into the forest canopy, guests on Lakeshore Adventures Zip Line Tours LLC can take in breathtaking vistas of Moonlight Bay and Cana Island. One of the best canopy tours in Ellison Bay can be found at Rowleys Bay Resort. Thrill-seeker should definitely visit the Door County Adventure Center in Sturgeon Bay for a ride on the region’s longest and highest zip line.
Check out the Edgewood Orchard Galleries
Opening its doors in June 1969, Edgewood Orchard Galleries is now being run by the third generation of the same family. The gallery features the works of more than 150 different North American artists. In a gorgeously restored century-old barn and award-winning sculpture garden, they display their one-of-a-kind works of art, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, glass, jewellery, wood, and clay. For the best scenery, be sure to visit in the fall.
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