Door County is a Premiere midwest family vacation destination, with year-round
excitement. Check out our
Door County Family Reunion Planning Guide for more information.
Family Vacation Season(s)
Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter
Door County Family Activities
- Rent bikes, mopeds, or a segway and discover our State Park trails (1 day)
- Take an airplane ride over Scenic Door County (15, 30, 45 minutes & 1 hour)
- Sail the bays and islands discovering bluffs, islands and lighthouses (3 hours)
- Go to all the Door County museums (1-2 days)
- Ride a fast and fun trip across the waters of Death's Door on one of the Ferries
(30 minutes)
- Take a tram tour of Washington Island (90 minutes)
- Experience the Thrill of Sport Fishing in Door County(4-8 hours)
- Go to one of the many beaches (1-2 days)
- Visit some of our County Parks (2-4 hours)
- Go Horseback Riding (2 hours)
- Visit Washington Island and Rock Island (1-2 days)
- Tour the lighthouses (half day)
- Take a Trolley Tour at Orchard Country Market (2 hours)
- Go Miniature Golfing (2 hours)
- Make your own masterpeice at Hands on Art Studio (1-2 hours)
- Visit The Farm (1-2 hours)
- Visit Plum Loco Animal Farm (1-2 hours)
- Get the whole family together for a kayaking, canoeing or high ropes adventure
at the Team Leadership Center (1-3 days)
- Grab an ice cream cone from one of our many
ice cream stops!
Door County Family Vacation Activities in Detail
Southern Door County:
Explore the world of Horses at the
Ahnapee Ranch year round. Experience the trails or ride in the indoor or
outdoor areas.
Sturgeon Bay:
Get a bird's eye view on a scenic air ride with
Orion Flight Services, Inc., located at the Cherry land airport. Take a two
hour cruise on the Chicago Fire Boat Tour. Enjoy the view of the Sherwood
Lighthouse and the Canal Station Lighthouse from the water. Visit the
Door County Maritime Museum and learn about the maritime heritage or stop by
the Door County Historical Museum and enter into Door County's Past. Rent a bike
at DC Bikes
and take a ride to the Potawatomi State Park. Or
rent a boat or jet ski or take a tour on one for some great fun. On a
Saturday Night you can take in the car races at
Thunder Hill Raceway at the John Miles Park at the Sturgeon Bay Fairgrounds.
Just 4 miles North of Sturgeon Bay visit
The Farm. There is something for everyone including well-marked nature
trails, log cabins full of displays, gardens and of course, lots of animals.
Just north of The Farm is an outdoor adventure waiting to happen at The
Team Leadership Center...check it out!
Carlsville:
Turn right on County I and stop by the
Dairy View Country Store watch the cows being milked or just relax with some
fresh home made ice cream and watch the rural side of Door County. Starting in
August Challenge your family to miles of fun in a beautiful designed corn maze.
If you missed horseback riding on your way in continue on I and stop at
Kurtz Corral Riding Stables.
Jacksonport:
One of the most popular photographed places in the county during any season is
Cave Point County Park. Stand on the rocky bluff and watch Lake Michigan carve
sea caves beneath your feet. Just to the West of Jacksonport, enjoy the antics
of a farm-animal family at
Plum Loco Animal Farm. Picnic or relax in the rustic cedar gazebos. Set
imaginations free in the mini play farm.
Egg Harbor:
Family fun rain or shine at the
Egg Harbor Fun Park. Enjoy Arcade fun with games for all ages. Listen to the
free concert in the Park on Thursdays at Harbor View Park at 5pm from July 6th -
. Picnic or relax in the rustic cedar gazebos. Set imaginations free in the mini
play farm.
Egg Harbor:
Family fun rain or shine at the
Egg Harbor Fun Park. Enjoy Arcade fun with games for all ages. Listen to the
free concert in the Park on Thursdays at Harbor View Park at 5pm from July 6th -
August 24th.
Don't miss a chance to see the Caves and have a super soaker
battle with your kids (ages 5-70+)on a safe sit-on-top or sit-in tandem kayak
tour with
Door
County Kayak Tours, located at
The Door County Outpost, where you can listen to some national music acts
learn how soap is made and grab a bite to eat.
Fish Creek:
for the entire family from ages 2 - 102. Stop by
Orchard Country Winery & Market and hop aboard the
Door County Trolley for a trolley ride and experience tours overlooking
scenic bluffs, majestic Lighthouses and visit spirited Ghostly places. But
before you leave the orchard, be sure to participate in the Cherry Pit Spit
Competition. Make a stop at
Peninsula State Park for some additional fun. Rent a bike or a moped at
Edge of Park located at the entrance to Peninsula State Park, or rent a bike
and tagalong at
Nor-Door Sport & Cyclery and ride the Sunset trails in the Park. Tour the
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse or climb Eagle Tower during the day. This 3,776 acre
State Park offers many amenities during the summer season. Bring your swimming
suit and enjoy the beach, rent a paddle boat at
Nicolet Beach Concessions and take a snack on board. In the evening take the
family to the nostalgic
Skyway Drive In Theatre or attend the
American Folklore Theatre under the stars where all shows are family
friendly.
Ephraim:
Boat Rental, parasailing and sunset cruises are available in Eagle Harbor at
Bella Sailing Cruises, Ephraim Sailing Center,
South Shore Pier Boat Rental,
Stiletto Sailing Cruises and
Wisconsin Water Wings.
Sister Bay:
Meet the challenge and test your skills playing miniature golf at
Pirates' Cove. Stop at the city park and enjoy a free concert on Wednesday
in the Park at the Beach Park Pavillion. Concerts are at 3 pm rain or shine from
June 14 - August 16th.
Ellison Bay:
Bring your camera when visiting the Ellison Bay Bluff County Park just off Hwy
42 to Porcupine Bay Rd following the signs. With a cool breeze off the water,
this is one of the most breathtaking views in the county. A wooden walkway
observation deck extends over the tree lines and the view is stunning.
Gills Rock:
Take a narrated cruise across Death's Door on a
Shoreline Charter. As you continue your journey to Washington Island, hop on
the
Island Clipper passenger ferry at Gills Rock and enjoy a narrated passenger
cruise. If you prefer to take your car to the Island you can continue two miles
down the road on Hwy 42 to Northport Pier and catch the
Washington Island Car Ferry.
Washington Island:
When you have docked at Detroit Harbor on the island catch the
Cherry Train Tour for 15 miles of peace and paradise or take the Viking
Train and Luncheon Tour. Climb the 184 stairs to Mountain Park and Look out
tower. Enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding waters and islands. Stable and
trail rides also available at
Field Wood Farms on the island.
Rock Island:
The only mode of public transportation to Rock Island State Park is the Rock
Island Ferry (the Karfi). Bring good walking shoes, pack a picnic lunch, water
bottles and take the self guided tour of the island. Things to see and do on
Rock Island include touring Pottawatomie Lighthouse, old cemeteries, rustic
campsites, Viking Hall exhibits, and the Thordarson Estate, including a very
majestic stone boathouse that welcome's visitors to Rock Island.
Countywide:
Sport
fishing is available countywide. Choose your own adventure. Fish for trophy
salmon, steelhead, lake trout, smallmouth bass and northern pike. You could also
rent a boat or jet ski or take a tour on one for some great fun.