A Weekend in Door County: Tips for First-timers

A weekend in Door County, Wisconsin, can be relaxing, exciting, romantic, family-friendly, adventurous or laid-back. While the area provides different experiences for different people, it’s always scenic and memory-making. As a first-time visitor to Door County, however, planning a weekend getaway can be overwhelming.

As you research your Door County itinerary, a few questions will probably pop up:

• When is the best time to visit Door County?
• Which Door County town is the best to stay in?
• With only a weekend in Door County, what are the can’t-miss sights and activities?

This article aims to answer some of your most common questions and gives an overview for Door County first-timers.

Door County Basics

Door County is the easternmost county in Wisconsin located on the Door Peninsula. If you picture the shape of Wisconsin as your left hand – the peninsula is the thumb that sticks out.

Door County is 70 miles long and 18 miles wide at its base, narrowing as you head north. The water of Green Bay borders the western side of the peninsula. The north and eastern sides look out into Lake Michigan.

With 300 miles of shoreline, Door County is a naturally scenic weekend escape attracting 2 million visitors a year. Many make their way from the Midwest as Door County is an easy 2.5-hour drive from Milwaukee, less than 4 hours from Chicago, and less than 5 hours from Minneapolis.

(Another scenic Midwest destination to check out is Galena, Illinois. Mississippi views, restaurants, shops and wineries make it a great weekend getaway, too!)

Common Questions

When is the best time to visit Door County?

You may already have your specific weekend locked in for a Door County visit or maybe you are flexible with your dates – either way, there are some things to keep in mind.

The most popular time for a Door County visit is May through October when three-quarters of the tourists make their way to the area.

Spring offers the beauty of apple and cherry blossoms and wildflowers with fewer crowds, although the weather can still be cool and wet.

Summer brings hotter temperatures – ideal for water sports and swimming, but you’ll also encounter more bugs, bigger crowds and higher prices during this peak time.

Fall is a great time to visit Door County when the temperature is mild and the bugs have disappeared. Be prepared, however, for crowds as people flock to the many fall festivals which are common throughout Door County in September and October.

Winter sees the season’s die-hards who come for ice fishing, snow shoeing and exploring the frozen shoreline.

Weekends are more packed than weekdays as you may guess. But even weekdays can be busy during peak periods. Visiting during peak tourist times of late spring, summer or during fall events, plan for the place to be crowded and keep these things in mind:

• Make lodging reservations in advance. Places can book up fast.
• Be careful when driving through the small towns of Door County. Crowds of people will be walking up and down the sidewalks, some venturing into the streets and trying to cross in front of you. Be patient, drive with caution, and give yourself extra time.
• With so many cars and people lining the streets, you may think parking would be a nightmare. But between street parking and lots scattered throughout, the towns provide a good deal of parking for the amount of visitors. You shouldn’t have to drive around too long before a spot opens up.
• Door County has plenty of delicious dining options, but during peak tourist season restaurants will be crowded. You’ll likely have a wait to get seated at a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations. In my experience the time goes fairly quickly, though, especially since you have a scenic outdoor setting to enjoy as you wait.

Which town is the best to stay in?

Where to stay in Door County is usually a big question for first-timers to the area. The best advice I received during my first trip to Door County was to look at a map of the Door Peninsula and envision a triangle from Baileys Harbor north to Sister Bay, south through Fish Creek to Egg Harbor and back to Bailey’s Harbor.

This triangle captures the essence of Door County – charming towns with shops, restaurants, beaches, lighthouses and parks. This area also provides the most convenient home base to explore the area.

The city of Sturgeon Bay, south of the triangle, is the entrance to Door County. While it’s a nice city, it’s much bigger than the quaint towns farther north and not the most convenient to explore the peninsula.

North of the triangle are more remote towns and Northport Pier, which provides access to the Washington Island ferry. While you may decide to include a trip to Washington Island in your weekend itinerary, I don’t recommend it. It will take a big chunk of time out of your weekend in Door County. Your time is better spent exploring more accessible parts of the region.

The good news is there are a variety of lodging accommodations within the triangle. There are cabins, cottages and campgrounds as well as hotels, motels, resorts and B&Bs. You’ll have plenty of waterfront options, but make sure to reserve early if planning your visit during busy times.

In the end it doesn’t matter too much which town you stay in because you’ll likely be exploring all of them. The towns are within an easy drive of each other and all deliver a variety of unique experiences.

With only a weekend in Door County, what are the can’t miss sights and activities?

People venture to Door County for different reasons and with different interests. You may want to spend as much time as possible on a golf course, touring lighthouses, or hiking bluffs along the scenic shoreline. Maybe unique boutiques are your thing, sprinkled in with some wine tastings. Either way, your best bet is to prioritize the activities that mean the most to you.

Limited to just a weekend visit, you won’t get to see and do all that Door County has to offer, but to help with your itinerary, here are some popular experiences in Door County.

Explore Peninsula State Park.

Located just north of Fish Creek along the shores of Green Bay, Peninsula State Park is a great stop during a weekend visit to Door County because you can spend as much or as little time here as you want and still see stunning natural scenery. It’s easy to drive to many of the lookouts, including the newly designed Eagle Tower observation deck and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. With more time you can hike, ride bicycles, camp, golf, swim and even attend a show at the outdoor stage, Northern Sky Theater.

(Like outdoor theaters? American Players Theatre in Spring Green is another hidden gem in Wisconsin.)

Experience a fish boil.

Attending a fish boil is a unique experience in Door County. More than just a meal, it’s entertainment as you watch the master boiler pour kerosene on the open fire. Flames skyrocket around the large metal pot as the water boils over cooking up Lake Michigan whitefish with potatoes and onions. The fiery event is a local cultural tradition and fun tourist attraction.

Marvel at the goats on the roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant.

Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay serves up traditional Swedish cuisine, has a beer garden with an extensive drink list, and sells Scandinavian gifts in their shop, but it’s the spectacle on the roof that has visitors lining up. You may have heard rumors of a Door County establishment with goats grazing on the roof. Well, it’s true and something you have to see to believe. The restaurant’s roof is lined with sod. Beginning in late May goats hang out high on the roof as curious tourists snap pictures of the peculiar display. (Just know that the goats won’t be on the roof if it’s too hot, too cold, too windy or rainy. You can check out this goat cam for live updates.)

Tour Cana Island Lighthouse.

Just north of Baileys Harbor on the shore of Lake Michigan stands Cana Island Lighthouse. This iconic Door County lighthouse is worth a visit. You can tour the tower, learn its history and climb the 97 stairs for an epic view of the Great Lake and surrounding grounds. A tractor pulling a wagon takes tourists across the low-level water to the island. Or you can walk there if you don’t mind getting a little wet. Here’s a tip: Once you arrive on the island, you’ll be escorted to a building to buy your admission ticket. After doing so, go straight to the lighthouse entrance since there is often a long line to enter the lighthouse.

Visit a Door County winery.

There are 8 wineries in the Door County area. Include a stop at one or two of them during your weekend stay if you enjoy locally crafted vino nestled among spectacular Door County scenery. To visit all 8 or to find out more about each, check out the Door County Wine Trail.

Discover Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park.

Drive 20 minutes south of Baileys Harbor to find these two adjacent parks. They offer picturesque views of caves, dunes and waves crashing into the rocky shoreline. Bring a picnic and prepare for a stunning Door County backdrop perfect for picture-taking. You can even brave a daring cliff jump into Lake Michigan for some excitement. Cave Point is free to enter, but Whitefish Dunes requires a state park fee.

(For another scenic and thrilling cliff diving experience in Wisconsin, check out our article on the Apostle Islands!)

Paddle or cycle your way through the scenery.

Choosing an active adventure is a great way to see the stunning Door County scenery. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and bikes to head out on your own, or choose to take a guided tour. Even with just a weekend in Door County you have time to fit an adventure into your schedule. Tour companies, such as Door County Kayak Tours, provide kayak and E-bike excursions from 1.5-4 hours.

Savor a sunrise or sunset over the water.

Make time to see the sunrise over Lake Michigan or the sunset over Green Bay. This is a serene Door County experience not to miss. Head to a marina, climb to an overlook, or simply step outside of your waterfront accommodations and take in the pink, orange, and violet view.

Enjoy Wilson’s ice cream.

Dating back to 1906, Wilson’s is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and restaurant with a 1950’s feel. It’s a staple in Ephraim and a well-loved tradition for many. The location, atmosphere and large ice cream servings make this spot one to put on your Door County itinerary.

Taste cherry-flavored creations.

A visit to Door County isn’t complete without sampling some of Door County’s cherry-inspired creations. Whether you delight in cherry pie, cherry-stuffed French toast, cherry salsa, cherry strudel, or mixed into your favorite drink, such as cherry-flavored ale, Moscow mule, or wine – you’ll have fun tasting this classic and delicious Door County staple.

Have you visited Door County? What are some experiences you’d recommend for a weekend in Door County? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!