Insider Tip Featured Door County Trip Ideas
- Experience Serenity in Egg Harbor
Located in the center of the Door County peninsula, Egg Harbor is a charming and vibrant village for known for fun, service, accommodations, dining, galleries, and great shopping (over 100 unique and diverse boutiques and shops). A leisurely stroll downtown delights the eye with lovingly restored historic buildings and in newer buildings that capture the village's old Wisconsin charm. Shopaholics will find nirvana at the Liberty Shops and the two levels of shopping at the Main Street Shops.
Egg Harbor starts off the year with an offbeat New Year's Day Parade you won't want to miss! If you’re looking for outdoor winter recreation and snowmobiling, these Egg Harbor resorts, cottages and retreats are either on the snowmobile trails or have direct access: A Cottage Retreat, Gray Gull Cottage, Honeydew Log Lodge, Landing Resort or the Newport Resort.
And if that’s not enough to do, winter is the perfect time to spa the day away in Egg Harbor at the Lucia Luxury Day Spa (open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during winter). And only 2500 miles northeast of Napa Valley (and a hop, skip and a jump east of Egg Harbor at the intersections of Cty. A & Cty. E) is the Stone’s Throw Winery, a whole other wine country that’s peaceful and unspoiled.
So don’t miss out on your chance to behold the wonder of Egg Harbor!
- See Jacksonport's Gems!
Situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the quaint community of Jacksonport offers a variety of fun and exciting activities. Experience our sandy beaches and rocky shoreline cliffs. Hike on peaceful trails and bike on quiet back roads, or enjoy our celebrations and festivals that add a bit of pizzazz to the otherwise laid back and relaxing atmosphere that is Jacksonport – on the ‘quiet side’.
You can stay in a motel, log cabin or waterfront lodging, and then go horseback riding at Kurtz Corral, Door County's premier riding stable. They have horses for all ages and abilities. Thousands of people come to ride each year on wooded trails winding throughout this 500-acre property. More experienced riders can take the ride to Simon Creek Winery. Even if you don't ride there, you’ll still want to visit to sample Simon Creek’s wares, take the free winery tour and enjoy their daily wine tastings.
Attend the tongue-in-cheek Thanksgiving Day parade on November 22, or, if you can’t get to Jacksonport until New Year’s, don’t miss the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club swim, held at 12 noon each New Year's Day in Lakeside Park. Come watch hundreds of "polar bears" start off the new year with an icy dip in Lake Michigan. And if you're feeling adventurous, feel free to join in the fun!
Spend the rest of your time hiking and biking the trails and seeing the magnificent Lake Michigan views at two of Jacksonport’s most popular parks: Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park. Finally, stop in at the Jacksonport Craft Cottage to participate in the Door County Christmas Treasure Hunt.
- Spend the Day in Sister Bay
Door County was recently selected as the Best Wisconsin Romantic Getaway Destination in 2007, and for good reason. As the cool autumn breezes usher in fall, it’s the perfect time for a romantic getaway in Door County.
This month's itinerary takes us to Sister Bay. There’s nothing better for a romantic getaway than reserving a spot in the quaint lodging options available in the village of Sister Bay. Get settled after your drive and spend your first evening down by the beach in the heart of downtown as the sun sets. Walk hand-in-hand to a great wining and dining experience to any of the Sister Bay fine dining experiences, including The Waterfront, The Mission Grille and the Inn at Kristofer's. You’ll love them so much, you may have to stay three nights just to try them all! Retire early for the evening and warm yourself by the fireplace in your room as you snuggle in for the night. There’s so much to do in Sister Bay, you will want an early start to your perfect crisp fall day in Door County.
What to do first? A brisk walk around the village or, if you brought your bicycles, bike through Sister Bay, down by the beach and if you are up for it, hit the backroads bike trails. Hiking and biking are unparalleled in all of Door County. Follow immediately with a hearty breakfast at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. It’s not just about the fabulous and authentic Swedish food (order the Swedish pancakes with Lingonberries). It’s about the Scandinavian uniformed wait staff, the gift shop and, most notably, the goats grazing on the grass sod roof!
Spend the rest of your day shopping, antiquing (Wisconsin Trails Magazine voted Chelsea Antiques the Best WI Antique Shop), and visiting Sister Bay’s fine jewelry shops (what’s a romantic getaway without a new bauble for your honey!). Plus, you can join the great Christmas Treasure Hunt in many of the Sister Bay shops and stores.
On your way from lunch (yes, we recommend you try and eat your way through Sister Bay), stop at the Sister Bay Historical Society Museum and walk off your most recent meal.
Just make sure your last evening involves one more sunset, the ideal way to complete the perfect Door County fall romantic getaway!
- Exploring Ephraim
There’s nothing quite like fall in Door County. From the cooler weather to the fantastic fall colors to the abundant relaxation, Door County is the perfect place for a girls’ weekend, or to just let the family spend quality time together.
You can set the tone for your perfect Door County Fall getaway by choosing the perfect cottage, B&B, hotel or condo in quaint Ephraim. Start the day early and smell the cool of autumn and spend the morning golfing at Peninsula State Park. Follow up your round with a perfect lunch in the village, a gallery walking tour around Ephraim in the afternoon, and then finish up the day with a Carriage Ride down to the beach to watch the sunset.
According to the readers of Midwest Living Magazine, Door County is the best place to find a unique gift in the Midwest. Door County and Ephraim are home to an extraordinarily diverse retail community. Antiques, art, home décor, apparel, lighthouse treasures and gifts galore grace the communities of the Peninsula and Ephraim. Stop in to each of Ephraim's Fine Art stores, or commit to an afternoon of Ephraim's unparalleled Galleries; it doesn't get any better than this. You won't go home empty handed!
Top off your sweet shopping experience by stopping for sweets and ice cream from Wilson's. That will put you right down by the beach just in time to watch perfect fall sunsets. Ahhh, the perfect fall day in Door County comes to a close.
- A Day of Fun in Fish Creek
Embark on a kayaking adventure at 7:45 am from Hands On Art Studio, or rent a kayak at Peninsula State Park, then marvel at the nearly 7 miles of park shoreline that wraps around forests, meadows and islands. By noon, you are ready for lunch in Fish Creek at any of their fine eateries. After lunch, it’s back to Hands On Art Studio where you can make a wood, ceramic, metal or other project to take home. Want to see more? Watch Explore The Door host Jon Jarosh make a popcorn bowl and a metal sculpture at Hands On Art Studio in episode 5 of the video podcast series.
The afternoon is reserved for time at one of Fish Creek's beaches where you can watch the sunset over beautiful Green Bay waters. After a full day of kayaking and beaching it, plan a great evening meal with the family. We suggest going to an authentic Door County fish boil at Pelletier’s or the White Gull Inn, or choose from other great places to dine in the area.
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