Introduction
Growing up in Wisconsin, the annual summer road trip up to Door County meant a week of spending time in the great outdoors. Activities included camping, fishing, swimming, bicycle riding, exploring, and going out for ice cream sundaes.
Waking up to the sound of loons out on the water or hearing owls hoot in the forest canopy high above our campfire allowed a child’s imagination to soar. Canoeing around a small lake full of water lilies with glowing fireflies just above the surface at dusk was magical. Hemingway’s Big Two-Hearted River comes to mind now when reflecting on these times.
Although Door County makes up the majority of the Door Peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, the quintessential Door County always felt like it began once the bridge over the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was crossed.
Many small towns dot the coastline such as Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor, and more. The two main highways that weave throughout the peninsula are 42 and 57. The famous curvy portion of highway 42 bringing one to the Washington Island Ferry in Northport meant one had finally reached the tip of the peninsula.
Favorite pastimes include going to a traditional Wisconsin fish boil, biking the Sunset Trail to Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park, to picking cherries and apples in one of the many orchards. Other fun activities include live outdoor productions at the Peninsula Players Theatre, sampling wines at any number of local vineyards, and ultimately enjoying nature.
Where To Stay
Being centrally located in Door County will make your visit and daily adventures more enjoyable. Unless you have a specific need to stay at one end or the other, I’d recommend staying near Fish Creek.
Fish Creek and Ephraim border Peninsula State Park and have a plethora of eateries, hotels and inns, coffee houses, local markets, and shops. Whether you prefer camping in a state park or enjoying the comforts of a luxurious bed and breakfast, these towns are perfectly situated and offer all the necessary comforts for your stay. If you prefer the Lake Michigan side, Gordon Lodge near Cana Island Lighthouse is a great option!
A trip to the Northern tip of the peninsula to board the ferry to Washington or Rock islands is only a forty-five minute drive. A journey South to Sturgeon Bay or any of the surrounding bays and towns can be done in half an hour or less.
Wilson’s in Ephraim
Best Eats
Many great restaurants exist in Door County. Included below is a list of a few of our favorites:
1) Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant - the iconic Sister Bay establishment most people have either heard about or seen pictures of with goats atop their grassy roof. Al Johnson’s is a family favorite. The Swedish pancakes with traditional lingonberries are incredible! This restaurant only serves breakfast and lunch and seating is first-come, first-served. Be sure to plan accordingly.
2) Pelletier’s Restaurant & Fish Boil - the place to go for a traditional Wisconsin fish boil. Pelletier’s has been doing nightly fish boils for decades and the all-encompassing dining experience is not to be missed during your stay in Door County. A slice of their fantastic cherry pie concludes your dining experience.
3) Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor - Ephraim’s classic red and white striped awnings have been a symbol of home-cooked burgers, fries, and ice cream since 1906. Wilson’s has been a family favorite for generations and we always look forward to each visit.
4) Blue Horse Beach Cafe - if you enjoy great espresso and breakfast treats, Fish Creek’s Blue Horse is fantastic! Hands down the best coffee shop we regularly visited on our most recent trip to Door County. They open at 6 am and have great made-to-order sandwiches and amazing pastries as well. Blue Horse and Red Cup on Washington Island are our two favorite coffee shops in Door County.
5) Wild Tomato - if wood-fired pizza is your slice of heaven, then Wild Tomato is a great option and has two locations. We dined at the Fish Creek location with the other being twenty minutes North in Sister Bay. The appetizers and pizzas are amazing with most ingredients being locally sourced from Door County farms! For anyone who loves great pizza, this is a must-try!
6) Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard - this frozen custard stand dates back to the 1980s and the offerings at Susie & Clay’s place are delectable. Nothing makes for a better treat after a long bike ride or enjoyable day out in Fish Creek than a hot fudge sundae or root beer float. The outdoor seating area is a great place to enjoy your time together with family and friends.
7) Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse - if you enjoy BBQ, Egg Harbor’s Casey’s is one of the best. Everything from the succulent baby back ribs to the smoked pork shoulder are delicious choices and this restaurant always makes for an enjoyable evening out in Egg Harbor.
Anderson’s Dock in Ephraim at sunset
Highlights
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park - is one of the highlights of Door County and many enjoyable activities can be found within its borders. The Sunset bike route is a 9-mile loop that provides a scenic and relaxing ride throughout the park. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, circa 1868, provides a fascinating look into the history of one of the many lighthouses that grace the shores of Door County. Kayaking out to Horseshoe Island makes for an adventurous and enjoyable day out on the water. Taking in the view above the forest at the Eagle Lookout Tower is also a favorite pastime.
Three campgrounds exist within the park and reservations must be made months in advance of the busy summer seasons. Welckers Point campground is a favorite with forest-covered sites, but both Tennison Bay and Nicolet Bay campgrounds offer great options closer to the waterfront. Tennison Bay is more primitive offering a pebble beach and canoe launch while Nicolet Bay has more facilities and a sandy beach recreation area.
Lastly, the park has its own golf course and Northern Sky Amphitheater. Nature guides offer insights into local flora and fauna and take groups on guided evening wildlife walks.
Fragrant Isle Farm - Washington Island
Washington Island
Washington Island - is a fantastic destination for a day trip. The Washington Island Ferry Line runs from approximately 7:30 am through 6 pm during peak season. Our first stop once disembarking in Detroit Harbor is always Red Cup Coffee House. It is a stylish laid-back coffee house with superb espresso and treats! We typically prefer to circumnavigate Washington Island counterclockwise from Detroit Harbor.
After grabbing a coffee, we work our way up to Jackson Harbor where it is possible to catch a second ferry over to Rock Island State Park. However, all vehicles must be left behind on Washington Island as Rock Island is a bicycle or hiking destination only. Jackson Harbor hosts a maritime museum as well as Jackson Harbor Soup and a small park with nice views across the water to Rock Island.
Traveling West along Jackson Harbor Road, you come to the Sievers School of Fiber Arts. If you or a family member enjoy any craft revolving around knitting, sewing, quilting, or any other fiber art, this school is a neat place to stop and look around.
Near the northwest corner of the island, Fiddler’s Green is a favorite spot for lunch and describes itself as an adventurer’s oasis. An eclectic establishment, they offer fantastic meals made with the best ingredients. They are located at the intersection of Jackson Harbor Road and Airport Road.
Our last two favorite stops on Washington Island are next door to one another. Stavkirke is an architecturally breathtaking Norwegian stave church. A short walk down a nice path reveals beautiful gardens surrounding the church. Next door, Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm is also a sight to behold. Walking amongst the rows of lavender or sitting in the Adirondack chairs offers a sensory experience while enjoying the afternoon sun. These two locations are favorites before catching the ferry back to the mainland.
Plum Bottom Road
Farms & Barn Quilts
For anyone who enjoys the classic red and white framed barns of the midwest and Wisconsin, Door County has a fantastic amount of these structures along the highways and backroads. A fun scavenger hunt includes looking for the famous barn quilts that adorn the sides of many of these great farms.
1) Plum Bottom Road - between the towns of Carlsville and Egg Harbor along highway 42 exists my favorite farm in Door County. A turn from 42 onto Plum Bottom Road leads around a curve to one of the most picturesque farms. This farm looks as amazing at sunset as it does during a winter storm. The bright red barns with white trim and plum-themed barn quilt make it an idyllic setting.
2) Barn Quilts - the Barn Quilts Location Guide states over 46 barn quilts exist throughout Door County with 18 of them being located north of Sturgeon Bay. Keep your eyes open while driving around this beautiful county and you’re sure to spot many.
Cherries & Orchards
While several long-established orchards dot the landscape of Door County, Lautenbach’s Orchard is a great example of a classic Door County farm that has been growing, harvesting, and producing award-winning fruit products since 1955. They are located just south of Fish Creek along 42. Any cherry, fruit, honey, wine, or beer product you could hope to find is located within their expansive store.
A favorite orchard to photograph lies just off Porcupine Bay Road near Ellison Bay. The land is private but pictures can be taken of the orchards along the shoulder of the road. Endless rows of cherry trees fill the landscape along both sides of the road. These orchards happen to be on the way to Ellison Bluff State Natural Area which offers phenomenal views over Green Bay and the surrounding islands. Our favorite time to visit is early in the morning.
Baileys Harbor Range Lights
Lighthouses of Door County
1) Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Lighthouse - one of the most famous big red lighthouses along the Lake Michigan shore, this lighthouse is photogenic all year long.
2) Baileys Harbor Range Lights - as part of The Ridges Sanctuary nature preserve, the Baileys Harbor Range Lights are the last remaining pair of working navigational range lights in Door County. The lower range light is housed in a small structure just off Ridges Road, with the upper range light housed atop an actual lighthouse just off highway 57.
3) Cana Island Lighthouse - this 1800s lighthouse is situated on an island just north of Baileys Harbor. A natural rock land bridge connects the island to the mainland making it one of the more unique lighthouse settings in Door County. Be advised, during periods of high lake water levels, this lighthouse may be inaccessible.
4) Eagle Bluff Lighthouse - located within the boundaries of Peninsula State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse that is still open for tours. It sits high atop the limestone bluffs of the state park and is accessible from the Sunset bike path or by car via Shore Road.
5) Island Lighthouses - many of the surrounding islands such as Chambers Island, Plum Island, Pilot Island, and Rock Island also have unique lighthouses that can be seen from the ferry rides across Porte des Morts. A few are still open for viewing and tours.
Conclusion
Should you plan to visit Wisconsin anytime soon or are thinking of taking a road trip, be sure not to miss Door County. With many exceptional places within the state’s borders, Door County has something for everyone to enjoy and has always been a very special place. It is a great setting to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and offers beautiful places and activities to enjoy year-round.
Rows of cherry trees line Porcupine Bay Road just south of Ellison Bay, WI