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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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