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Top Things to Do in Door County, Wisconsin: Attractions & Activities

Door County is a peninsula in Wisconsin with Lake Michigan on one side and Green Bay on the other. We spent all of September 2022 in Door County and explored the peninsula thoroughly. Below are our recommendations for the best things to do when you visit Door County.

A sailboat anchored at Anderson Dock in Ephraim, Door County.

“This is one of the best posts I have seen capturing new and classic spots in the Door! Thank you.” – Em

Door County is home to roughly 30,000 residents but welcomes over two million visitors each year. The peninsula features charming lakeside towns, orchards and vineyards, sailing, wooded parks, and golf courses. Farmer’s markets, cafes, and restaurants are common, and the area boasts about 300 miles of shoreline with forests crossed by hiking and biking trails.

Door County includes one city, Sturgeon Bay, and a string of small towns and villages. You can drive the length of the peninsula in about an hour, so most destinations are close together.

Looking out over Lake Michigan from a rocky shore on Door County, Wisconsin.

We loved Door County. We enjoyed it so much we extended our stay by a week. If you’re planning a trip, here are our favorite activities and places to visit.

The first thing we did upon arrival was take a Trolley Tour. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, and the tour offered a great overview of the area. We recommend this as a first stop for first-time visitors.

Door County trollies parked in a row.
Looking out the front window of our trolly while on the Door County trolly tour.

Where we Stayed

We camped at Hy-Land Court RV Park in Ellison Bay for our entire stay and recommend it. The park is split into two distinct areas: one shaded and forested, the other open and grassy. We experienced both—three weeks in the tree canopy and a final week in full sun—each offering different benefits.

We are full-time RVers who live and work on the road in a 5th-wheel RV. If you’re curious about how we plan our stays, check our travel planning process for more details.

Looking out across the forested area of Hy-Land Court RV Park in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin.
The open area of Hy-Land Court RV Park.

Ellison Bay and the Northern Tip of Door County

Highlights in Ellison Bay and the northern tip:

  • Newport State Park features 2,300 acres of forest, 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, about 30 miles of hiking trails, and excellent stargazing opportunities.
  • Ellison Bluff State Natural Area was a short walk from our RV park. We often walked its wooded trail and watched sunsets from bluffs overlooking Green Bay.
  • The Savory Spoon Cooking School in Ellison Bay offers hands-on classes, a shop with specialty foods and kitchen goods, and occasional events—an excellent choice for a unique local experience.
  • Island Orchard Cider is a popular Ellison Bay cidery with a taproom that’s perfect for tasting local hard cider.
  • The Death’s Door Maritime Museum at the northernmost tip showcases maritime history, including a 45-foot wooden fishing boat built in 1930.
  • Take the daily ferry to Washington Island. It’s a short ride and allows you to bring bikes for exploring the island.
The wooded trail that winds through Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.
The walking trail in Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.
Watching the sun set over Green Bay from Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.
Watching the sun set over Green Bay from Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.
Sunset on a beach in Ellison Bay, Door County.
Sunset in Ellison Bay.
Several pasta dishes on a wood countertop at the Savory Spoon Cooking School in Door County.
The Savory Spoon Cooking School.

Washington Island

Washington Island lies about five miles off Door County’s northern tip and has a population of roughly 700. Settled largely by Scandinavian immigrants, it hosts one of the oldest Icelandic communities in the U.S.

We took bikes on the ferry and spent a day riding around the island. Notable attractions include:

  • Schoolhouse Beach, one of only five beaches worldwide made of smooth limestone rocks—ideal for skipping stones.
  • The Jacobsen Museum, with an eclectic local artifact collection and historic buildings on the grounds.
  • Washington Island Farm Museum, a family-friendly spot showcasing agricultural history.
  • Nelson’s Hall and Bitters Pub, known for its bitters tradition dating back to Prohibition-era practices.
  • Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, the largest lavender farm in the Midwest, with fields, a shop, and a cafe.
The smooth rocks and clear waters of Schoolhouse beach on Washington Island.
Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island.

Sister Bay

Sister Bay sits on the Green Bay side of the peninsula and is named for the Sister Islands at the harbor entrance. The village offers beaches, a marina, and many dining options.

  • Seaquist Orchards Farm Market is close to our campground and offers a wide range of cherry and apple products, a bakery, and produce.
  • Sister Bay Marina includes a beach, picnic areas, and easy access to a dozen nearby restaurants.
  • The Corner of the Past Museum has multiple restored buildings and galleries with local artifacts.
  • Sail Door County operates day sails, private charters, sunset cruises, and lighthouse tours. We enjoyed a peaceful sunset sail from Sister Bay.
  • Door County Creamery serves memorable gelato and also offers wine and cheese—perfect for pairing.
  • Stabbur is a Swedish restaurant and beer garden notable for its grass-covered roof where goats graze.
Looking at a Tall ship passing us by as we sail on a 40 foot sailboat at sunset.
Sailing past Sail Door County’s Tall Ship.
Steve and Rebecca Blackwell on a sailboat in Door County, Wisconsin with the sun setting in the background.
Sunset on a sailboat out of Sister Bay.
Looking towards the bow of a sailboat while sailing at sunset.
Goats on the grass covered roof of Stabbur Beer Garden in Sister Bay.
The goats on the grass-covered roof of Stabbur Beer Garden.

Ephraim

Ephraim lies a short distance from Sister Bay on Green Bay’s shore. Settled by Norwegian Moravians in the 1850s, the village still reflects that heritage—Ephraim remained dry until 2016.

Things to do in Ephraim:

  • The Hardy Gallery at Anderson Dock is housed in an old warehouse whose exterior is famously covered with graffiti signatures from sailors dating back decades. Visitors often add their names if space allows.
  • Ephraim hosts many art galleries, making it an excellent stop for art lovers.
  • The Ephraim Historical Foundation manages exhibits and historical buildings with tours and educational programming.
  • A fish boil at The Old Post Office is a classic Door County experience: locally caught fish and vegetables cook over an open fire, and the spectacle ends with a dramatic boil-over created by adding a kerosene “bomb” to the fire.
  • Wilson’s Ice Cream is a local favorite for ice cream and casual meals—plan for lunch and a dessert line if you visit.
The outside of the graffiti covered walls of the Hardy Gallery in Door County.
The Hardy Gallery in Ephraim.
A sailboat anchored at Anderson Dock in Ephraim, Door County.
A sailboat anchored at Anderson Dock in Ephraim.
A huge cast iron pot set over an open flame during a fish boil at The Old Post Office restaurant in Ephraim, Door County.
Watching the fish boil at The Old Post Office in Ephraim.
The outside of Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant in Ephraim, Door County.
Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant.

Fish Creek

Fish Creek combines shops, restaurants, beaches, and coastline and sits next to Peninsula State Park, whose main entrance is located in the village.

Recommended activities in Fish Creek:

  • See a show at the Peninsula Players Theater. As America’s oldest resident summer theater, it offers a unique “theater-in-the-woods” experience with open walls and doors to the surrounding forest.
  • Visit The White Gull Inn for classic Door County fare—many visitors praise its cherry-stuffed French toast.
  • Burnt Bluff Stone and Glass offers glass-blowing demonstrations that make for an engaging rainy-day activity.
Steve and Rebecca Blackwell standing on the coast of Door County with the sun setting over the water behind them.
Drinks outside by the water before a Peninsula Players show.
Inside the Peninsula Players Theater with the doors and walls open to the surrounding forest.
Inside the Peninsula Players Theater.
Watching a Glass Blowing Demonstration at Burnt Bluff Stone and Glass in Fish Creek, Door County.
Watching a glass-blowing demonstration at Burnt Bluff Stone and Glass.
A plate of cherry stuffed french toast.
Cherry Stuffed French Toast at The White Gull Inn.

Bailey’s Harbor

Bailey’s Harbor sits on Lake Michigan’s side of the peninsula and offers excellent beaches, hiking, and kayak and bike tour options.

  • Visit Canna Island Lighthouse and take the hay wagon across the causeway to climb the lighthouse.
  • Walk through The Ridges Sanctuary, one of Wisconsin’s most biologically diverse areas.
  • Kayak with local outfitters—paddling around Green Bay offers great views of cliffs and shoreline.
  • Stop at Cornerstone Pub for lunch before an outdoor activity; it offers tasty pub fare and friendly service.
Kayaking in Green Bay where you can see how green the water is.
They don’t call it Green Bay for nothing!
Kayaking past rocky cliffs along the Green Bay shore of Door County.
I loved the geometric shapes of the cliffs.

Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor has several origin stories for its name; one colorful tale from 1862 describes rowers throwing hard tack and eggs ashore during a race, leaving the harbor covered in eggshells the next morning—hence the name Egg Harbor.

  • Go cheese tasting at Door Artisan Cheese—Wisconsin and cheese go hand in hand.
  • Sample Door County wines and ciders at local wineries and enjoy covered outdoor tasting areas when the weather calls for it.
  • Visit Off the Wheel Pottery to browse pottery, glass, sculpture, and paintings by regional artists.
  • Door County Trolley departs from Egg Harbor and offers an excellent orientation tour for first-time visitors.
Standing on an overlook with Lake Michigan in the background on a stop during our Door County Trolley Tour.
One of the stops during our Door County Trolley tour.

Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay is Door County’s largest city and the practical hub for groceries, hardware, and services. It also offers several attractions:

  • The Door County Maritime Museum provides an indoor maritime experience when weather keeps you off the water.
  • Whitefish Dunes State Park contains the largest Great Lakes dunescape in Wisconsin.
  • The Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market runs Saturdays from June through October and showcases local vendors and produce.
Looking out across the water from the top of the Door County Maritime Museum tower.
Looking out across the water from the top of the Door County Maritime Museum Tower.

Door County State and County Parks

Door County hosts 19 state and county parks. Peninsula State Park is one of the most popular, offering 460 campsites, group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, sandy beaches, bike trails, a lighthouse, and eight miles of Green Bay shoreline. The park’s bike trails rank among the most scenic we’ve seen, and Eagle Tower—a 60-foot observation tower—provides excellent views of Green Bay from the bluff.

Biking on one of the many tree covered trails through Peninsula State Park.
Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park.
Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park.
Steve and Rebecca Blackwell standing on the coast of Door County with Lake Michigan behind them.
At the top of Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park.

Door County Fun Facts

More fun facts…

  • The 45th parallel runs through the middle of Door County, placing the area halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
  • There are at least 240 known shipwrecks in Door County waters.
  • Nelson’s Hall and Bitters Pub on Washington Island is famous for serving a remarkably high volume of Angostura bitters each year.
  • The peninsula has been inhabited for around 11,000 years; artifacts from an ancient village at Nicolet Bay Beach date to about 400 BCE.
  • Door County’s year-round population is about 30,000, but summer populations can swell to as many as 250,000.
One of the many forested areas by the water in Door County.
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