The natural beauty of Door County has long attracted artists who are looking for inspiration. Explore the natural beauty of the county and enjoy the varied visual and performing arts we offer.
Season(s)
Late Spring, Summer and Fall
Activities
- Visit the Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art and the Miller Art Museums - both in Sturgeon Bay (half day)
- Enjoy a community theatre show at Third Avenue Playhouse (1.5-2 hours)
- Visit Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay (half day)
- Take in an Isadoora Theatre Company performance (2 hours)
- Take a drive to Cave Point County Park and spend the afternoon (half day)
- See a Door Shakespeare production (2 hours)
- Hike the Ridges Sanctuary (2-3 hours)
- Attend a Birch Creek Concert (2-3 hours)
- Make a project at Hands On Art Studio (3 hours)
- Enjoy classical music through Midsummer's Music Festival or Peninsula Music Festival (2-3 hours)
- Picnic and bike or hike in Peninsula State Park (half day)
- Attend a performance of the American Folklore Theatre (1.5-2 hours)
- See a performance at Door Community Auditorium (2 hours)
- Take the ferry to Washington Island and visit the Art and Nature Center, then catch the Karfi and spend the rest of the day on Rock Island (1 day)
- See an Island Players production (1-2 hours)
- Visit the Francis Hardy Center for the Arts in Ephraim and the Guenzel Gallery in Fish Creek (half day)
- Attend a Peninsula Players Performance (3 hours)
- Meander from Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock, stopping in galleries along the way. (1-2 days)
- Walk through the many arts & crafts shows held throughout the year
Activities in Detail
Galleries
Door County boasts many, many unique galleries. Spend a day traveling north from Sturgeon Bay stopping along the way to browse galleries.
The Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art
242 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay
920-746-0001
www.fairfieldartmuseum.org
The Fairfield's Permanent Collection features the work of renowned British sculptor Henry Moore in addition to work by Wassily Kandinsky, Alberto Giacometti, Ferdinand Leger among others.
The Francis Hardy Center for the Arts
Anderson Dock, Ephraim
920-854-2210
www.thehardy.org
The graffiti covered Historic Warehouse on Anderson Dock in Ephraim ha been home to the Francis Hardy Center for the Arts for over three decades. The building is surrounded by the shining waters of Eagle Harbor. The mission of the Hardy Center is to promote awareness of the arts through education and outreach programs,events and exhibits.
Guenzel Gallery
Peninsula Art School, 3900 County Rd. F, Fish Creek
920-868-3455
www.peninsulaartschool.com
This distinctive round barn gallery is a true Door County landmark. Changing exhibits feature local and national artists in painting, sculpture, ceramics and more.
Hands On Art Studio
Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek
920-868-9311
www.handsonartstudio.com
Paint your own ceramics, metal, glassware, tee shirts and birdhouses. Throw a pot. Experiment with fused glass. Make a project in our metal studio. A place to play for kids and adults.
Miller Art Museum
107 S. 4th Ave (in the Library), Sturgeon Bay
920-746-0707
www.dcl.lib.wi.us/millerartmuseum.htm
The four beautiful galleries in the Museum feature seven new exhibits each year with local and national artists, a permanent collection of exceptional Wisconsin artists, and a wing devoted to Gerhard C.F. Miller, Museum founder.
Washington Island Art and Nature Center
Main Road, Washington Island
920-847-2657
Located in an old Schoolhouse, the art gallery features works of local artists including watercolors, prints, jewelry and photography. The nature room has many displays including an observation beehive. A naturalist is available to answer questions and lead hikes.
American Folklore Theatre
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek
920-854-6117
www.folkloretheatre.com
Experience professional musical theatre in a unique outdoor setting. This critically acclaimed theatre company presents original musical theatre under the states at the Peninsula State Park Amphitheater mid June through late August.Shows are appropriate for all ages.
Birch Creek Music Performance Center
3821 County Highway E, Egg Harbor
920-868-3763
www.birchcreek.org
Door County's unique summer music school and concert venue. By day, music professionals from across the country teach promising young music students. By night, these same professionals take the stage in Birch Creek's 500-seat concert barn, performing in series highlighting symphony, percussion and steel band, and jazz and big bands.
Door Community Auditorium
Hwy 42, Fish Creek
(920) 868-2728
www.dcauditorium.org
DCA provides a wealth of opportunities to experience theatre, music, and dance in a state-of-the-art auditorium. Past performers include Harry Belafonte, Debbie Reynolds, Willie Nelson, Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Bob Newhart.
Door Shakespeare
Bjorklunden Garden, Baileys Harbor
920-839-1500
www.doorshakespeare.com
'Vibrant, funny & crystal clear.' Outdoor performances of Shakespeare and other classical plays. Heartfelt and hilarious stories for audiences of all ages. General admission. Adults $18, Student/ Seniors $16, Children $6.
Isadoora Theatre Company
Performances Throughout The County
(920) 493-3667
www.isadoora.com
Isadoora Theatre continues to produce top-quality, thought provoking shows with its 3-show season running October through May throughout the county. Isadoora Theatre provides theatrical experiences of intellectual integrity fulfilled by open self-examination and artistic risk for the educational and cultural enrichment of our community.
Island Players
Washington Island
(920) 847-2215
joyce@washingtonisle.com
Founded in 1984, Island Players is a non-profit community theatre on Washington Island. It is the smallest community theatre in the state of Wisconsin, yet it has entered state & national competitions against urban and suburban theater groups, each year achieving both placement and individual awards.
Midsummer's Music Festival
PO Box 422, Ephraim
(920) 854-7088
www.midsummersmusic.com
A tradition of excellence since 1991. Door County's premier chamber music ensemble celebrates the summer solstice with world class performances in lyric settings throughout the Peninsula featuring music for piano, winds, and strings. Two special Chicago area performances. June, July & September Classical Concerts in historic and waterfront locations, as well as private home settings. Special Labor Day Weekend concerts also.
Peninsula Music Festival
Door Community Auditorium, Fish Creek
(920) 854-4060
www.musicfestival.com
Northeast Wisconsin's only professional orchestra features nine different concerts, in August every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Victor Yampolsky, Music Director and Conductor.
Peninsula Players Theatre
W4351 Peninsula Players Rd, Fish Creek
920-868-3287
www.peninsulaplayers.com
Since 1935 visitors to Peninsula Players have delighted in stellar performances of the latest plays and musicals in a unique and beautiful setting along Green Bay's shore. Patrons are invited to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of 17 forested acres, colorful gardens and spectacular sunsets before settling into the all-weather pavilion for an evening of live theater at its finest.
Sunset Concert Cruises
Cruising Out Of Sturgeon Bay
(920) 854-2986
www.concertcruises.com
Providing several lovely activities in one package: Narrated cruising in a scenic area, departing from the dock at Stone Harbor Resort; A fine buffet dinner catered by the Stone Harbor Resort Restaurant; Top-notch live entertainment by popular bands in an informal setting; Spectacular sunsets over the Bay of Green Bay. For countless Door County visitors it has been a tradition to take a concert cruise as part of their annual Door County vacation. Pick up a brochure at your motel/ resort
or B&B. Reservations are required.
Third Avenue Playhouse
239 N. Third Ave, PO Box 843, Sturgeon Bay
(920) 743-1760
www.ThirdAvenuePlayhouse.com
Offering quality, year-round local and professional performances in Sturgeon Bay's historic downtown. Located in the former Donna movie house, we also offer classes, workshops, music and more! Please call our box office to check our current schedule. (920) 743-1760. Open year-round.
Cave Point County Park
Located within Whitefish Dunes State Park, this county park features picturesque limestone sea caves, the result of Lake Michigan's relentless pounding against the limestone bluffs. While the sea caves are the big draw, the 19-acre park also features a tranquil half-mile hiking trail and is a haven for a wide variety of birds.
Crossroads at Big Creek (1 day)
Web site: www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org
Crossroads is located on the east side of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with the main entrance on Michigan St., just east of the intersection of Michigan and Highway 42/57. This 115-acre preserve includes several specific educational resource centers and an extensive all-season trail system that connects to evergreen and hardwood forests, streams, seasonal ponds, wetlands and upland meadows.
Peninsula State Park
Fish Creek
920-868-3258
One of the state's most popular parks. This 3,762 acre park features great camping, an 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, groomed ski touring, snowmogiling, sledding, swimming, boat rentals, observation tower, summer theatre and tours through the historic Eagle Bluff lighthouse.
The Ridges Sanctuary
County Highway Q, Baileys Harbor
920-839-2802
www.ridgesanctuary.org
The Ridges Sanctuary is a 1,200 acre pristine natural area. It features native wildflowers along its five miles of rustic trails and bridges.
Rock Island State Park
This 906 acre island has a colorful history. French explorer, Jean Nicolet first stepped ashore here in 1634. The area's first lighthouse, Pottawatomie Lighthouse, was built here in 1836 and is still in use. Chicago and Detroit gangsters used the island for a transfer point for bootleg whiskey during Prohibition. Icelandic native Chester Thoradson once owned the island and built an impressive stone boathouse that stands today. In 1962 it was sold to the state of Wisconsin and made a state park. Hiking only, no vehicles or bicycles are allowed. The island is reached by the Karfi ferry from Jackson Harbor on Washington Island. There are 10 miles of hiking trails and a limited number of backpack campsites.