Things to Do in Door County, Wisconsin

Are you visiting Door County, Wisconsin for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in “The Door.”

When I have a visitor from out of town, the first thing I have them experience is a fish boil and a visit to Peninsula State Park, but I also take them to Newport State Park for a local, authentic experience.

When I want to escape the crowds/tourists, my favorite place to visit is Washington Island.

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Eagle Harbor in Ephraim at sunset for kissing with a view.

Traveling with your pooch? The best place to walk the dog is Sister Bay Dog Park.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit Hands on Art Studio. This place is amazing for the DIY craft person or jewelry maker. If I lived in Door County, I’d be coming here with girlfriends for an afternoon of creative self expression. Way cool!

Door County food:

If you are looking for typical local cuisine, I recommend one of the many wonderful Wisconsin supper clubs in the area – The English Inn, Greenwood Supper Club, Sister Bay Bowl, or Mr. G’s Logan Creek Grille.

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Door County Coffee and Tea. These folks are very friendly and serve the best local coffee.

Looking for cheap food in Door County? Go to Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor or Julie’s Park Café.

Parador is the spot for late night dining. For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Inn at Kristophers, Alexanders, Villagios, Mission Grille or Bluefront Café.

Seeing a lot of cherry trees? Door County is best known for growing the delicious Montmorency tart cherry and was once the largest producer of the crop in the US.

When you come to Door County, get your picture taken at the top of Cana Island Lighthouse.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park.

Cave Point County Park offers great views and Sister Bay Bowl is the best place to watch or experience the annual goat parade in Sister Bay.

In Door County, outdoor lovers will want to hike along the shoreline of Lake Michigan at Whitefish Dunes State Park, bike the Sunset Trail at Peninsula State Park, walk along the working waterfront and through the quaint downtown of Sturgeon Bay.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the shore at Egg Harbor or the Hemlock Trail at Potawatomi State Park.

After a day of adventure, The Spa at Sacred Grounds is the best place to go for a spa treatment.

If you are a museum lover, Door County’s best museum is the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. (Even if you aren’t a museum lover, this place is packed with history.)

Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub or Husby’s for live music.

The Peninsula Pulse will keep you posted on what’s happening in Door County.

You can tell a lot about Door County from visiting and watching Pumpkin Patch in Egg Harbor, an annual fall festival. In the spring you should visit Door County during the Cherry Blossom Bloom. In the summer you should attend Fyr Ball in Ephraim.

Did you know that Door County is known for ship building? Yet another reason to visit the Maritime Museum.  It’s also known for performing arts. Nearly a dozen performing arts companies call Door County home. I had the pleasure of watching the Door County Pickers jam at Door County Auditorium.

Plan a visit to Peninsula State Park in the fall for beautiful fall foliage.

Come to Door County for a sleigh ride, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and romance in the winter.  If you dare, try the Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge in the winter.

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey’s Harbor.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that Door County is part of the Niagara Escarpment, which extends in a huge crescent up into Canada and back down to Niagara Falls.

Just outside of Door County you can visit the Green Bay Packer’s Lambeau Field and have lunch at Curley’s Pub in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

What are your favorite things to do in Door County?

For additional insider tips follow Northern California Travel Writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter and @mydoorcounty.

Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Door County.