I’ve called Wisconsin home for the better part of 11 years now, and I always got shocked stares from friends when I told them I hadn’t yet visited Door County. You’ll love it! they all said. After finally visiting, it turns out they were right!
If you’re a Door County newbie like me, look no further – here are the best things to do in Door County that will make your first trip up north amazing!
The barn at Lautenbach’s – right before you get to the cherry fields!
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Farm + Market
If Door County is famous for one food, I’d say it’s cherries! In the summer (typically mid-July through mid-August), cherries will be ripe all across Door County. One of the best ways to experience this season is to visit a local farm and pick cherries right off the tree. At Lautenbach’s, you can pick a mini pail for $5 or a 10 pound pail for $15. We picked the mini pail, and it was just enough to make one delicious homemade cherry pie!
You can also visit their store, which will be full of cherry-mania. Cherry wine, jams, sauces, and baked goods will tempt you at every turn. Many items are locally made and make a great treat to bring home as a souvenir.
In the fall (typically mid-September through early October), apples will be ripe and ready for picking on the farm. While I visited during the summer, I might just have to go back during autumn so I can make an apple pie!
I’ll take allll the wine, please.
Stone’s Throw Winery
There are lots of local wineries in Door County, but Stone’s Throw is by far my favorite! The winery has won multiple awards, and when you taste their wine, you’ll know why. They have a wide array of varietals that you can try in their tasting room (5 standard wines for $8). You can also enjoy a glass (or a bottle!) on their outdoor patio, which will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Napa on a nice summer’s day.
There’s not much better than some al fresco dining on a warm day!
I would recommend starting with the wine tasting to find your favorite type, and then ordering a glass of it and relaxing on the patio for the afternoon! Their on-site tapas restaurant, Vino!Vino!, is full of exquisitely flavored dishes that will fill you up after all the wine you’ve been drinking.
If you’re short on time, you can also grab a bottle of wine to go and enjoy it later!
Our picnic dinner had the most gorgeous sunset views.
Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille
If you’re looking for the perfect casual dinner, then you must try Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza! Their crispy crusts and sustainably grown ingredients make for a delicious pizza that hits the spot after a long day. You can eat on their patio or order carry out. We carried our pizza out from their Fish Creek location and ate it near the marina across the street as we watched the sunset over the water – it was magical.
I can almost taste this custard just looking at it…
Not Licked Yet Custard
No summer day in Wisconsin is complete without a refreshing scoop of custard! If you’re not from Wisconsin, you might think custard is just ice cream. However, it’s distinctly different (and in my opinion, much more delicious!). Custard has egg yolks in it and a higher percentage of butterfat. It is also extremely creamy and denser than traditional ice cream. Once you try it, it’ll be hard to go back to normal ice cream!
To experience the best of Door County custard, make a stop at Not Licked Yet. This quirky shop in Fish Creek has custard (chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, and an ever-changing flavor of the day), sundaes, burgers, and sandwiches.
How could you not want to feed these cute little guys?!
There’s plenty of space to enjoy your food outside, as well as a play area for kids. My personal favorite part of our stop here (besides the custard) was the pond behind the shop filled with ducks. For $1, you can purchase a bag of “duck food” (a.k.a. popcorn) to feed them (which of course I had to do!).
Explore the Towns of Door County
Part of the charm of Door County is all of the little towns you can explore! There are several towns dotting the coastline of the peninsula, such as Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and Baileys Harbor. Each town is filled with local shops, restaurants, and bars you can visit. There are also plenty of places to access the water if you’re looking to boat, kayak, swim, or just enjoy the views.
I’d recommend spending a morning walking through the town and popping in and out of the shops. Some of the souvenir shops can be kitschy, but there are a lot of local artisan shops that I enjoyed too!
This tea kettle is a monument to Washington Island’s Scandinavian heritage – it’s home to one of the oldest Icelandic communities in the US!
Washington Island
Washington Island is a fun getaway from your getaway! This little island is located off the northern tip of the Door County peninsula and requires a 30-minute ferry ride to get there. It is easiest to drive your car onto the ferry so you can use it to get around on the island; however, you can also walk onto the ferry and rent a bike or scooter upon arrival. The ferry is first come, first served, so be sure to get there early to save your place in line.
Due to the extra travel time required by the ferry, I would recommend a trip to Washington Island if you are spending more than three days in Door County, or if it isn’t your first time to the peninsula. There is so much to see on the mainland that it will likely fill up a short weekend!
If you do have the time to visit, there are plenty of unique things to do (especially in the summer) on Washington Island!
I felt like I was in heaven walking through these fields!
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm
The main reason I wanted to go to Washington Island was to visit Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm. This farm is the largest single-site lavender grower in the Midwest! If you can’t get to Provance for lavender season, this cute farm will do just fine. You can walk through the fields of lavender (and take as many Instagram photos as you want), shop all things lavender in their market, and even pay $5 to pick your own lavender bundle in one of their fields! This is what I did, and I was so happy to bring my fresh bunch home and let it fill my room with its calming scent.
The water is so clear and blue here, you almost forget you’re in the Midwest.
Schoolhouse Beach
You can’t miss the famous Schoolhouse Beach when on Washington Island. This sandless beach is made up of smooth limestone rocks and is one of only five beaches like it in the entire world! These beautiful rocks and the bright blue water make it a popular destination, so I’d recommend arriving early to avoid crowds.
Food on Washington Island
After spending the day on Washington Island, you’ll likely need some sustenance! I’d recommend getting a classic Wisconsin fish fry and Old Fashioned at KK Fiske, a casual restaurant that specializes in delicious freshly caught fish! To wash it down, wander over to the Albatross Drive-In for some more custard. Fair warning though: this place is delicious but can be a little slow, so be patient or skip it if there’s a line!
There are endless options for outdoor recreation at Peninsula State Park!
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park is probably the most popular outdoor recreation site in Door County, and it truly has something for everyone! It has hiking and biking trails, sandy beaches, gorgeous rocky shorelines against Lake Michigan, a summer theater, a nature center, a lighthouse, and a golf course.
Hikes are typically only a few miles long, but vary in intensity from difficult to easy. Most hikes weave through various sections of forest and lakeshore, making this a great way to see the park.
If you want to enjoy the water, you can visit Nicolet Beach. Here you can go swimming off the sandy shores, or you can rent a kayak or boat and head farther out into the lake!
This park gets popular in the summer, so plan to go on a weekday or early in the morning on weekends to avoid crowds.
Cave Point County Park
Cave Point County Park is one of the most well-known natural wonders in Door County. Its beautiful jagged cliffs on the shores of Lake Michigan are stunning and unlike many other parks in the area! Hiking, picnicking, kayaking, and diving are popular activities in the summertime.
The beach at Newport State Park at night – it was a full moon, making everything so bright!
Newport State Park
Newport State Park is another great green space to explore! However, I came to this park at night specifically to stargaze. Being on the eastern side of the tip of Door County means there is very low light pollution in this park, making it one of the darkest areas in the state! Newport has even been designated a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, one of only two in the Midwest and 18 in the United States. On a clear, dark night, you will be able to see a wondrous array of stars and planets fill up the night sky.
If you’re planning to stargaze, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the park during the daytime, although there are signs that you can follow to viewing locations once you arrive. The park technically closes at 11pm, but allows visitors later if they are planning to stargaze. The Newport State Park website has a few other helpful tips for planning your midnight adventure!
Where to Stay in Door County
There is no shortage of cute places to stay in Door County. While you won’t find your typical large hotel chains, you will find plenty of local hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnbs. Everything is within about a 15 minute drive of each other, so you really can’t go wrong. Popular locations are along the various inlets of the peninsula, including Fish Creek (where I stayed!), Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and Baileys Harbor.
No one gave us a second look as we took these cute couple photos in the lavender fields.
LGBTQ+ Considerations
Driving up to Door County through small-town Wisconsin had my wife and I a little worried about how we’d be welcomed once we arrived at our destination. Would we get weird looks when we checked into our one-bed bed and breakfast? Would we feel comfortable walking down the street holding hands?
I’m happy to report that although my wife got asked about her ‘husband’ when checking in at our bed and breakfast, we otherwise faced no issues! Everyone seemingly just wanted to enjoy the warm weather and their weekend away.
Another nice perk is that the Door County tourism board has an LGBTQ+ travel page promoting openness and acceptance, which made me feel welcome before even beginning our trip.
Read more: Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers
There’s just so much to love about Door County.
Overall
Door County is the perfect destination for Midwesterners looking for a weekend getaway. Between charming towns, local restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to get outside for some fresh air, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Have you been to Door County? Let me know what else is on your best of Door County list!
Read more: United States Travel Guide
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This post was last updated on September 15, 2020.
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