Spring   |   Summer   |   Fall   |   Winter

Spring, summer, fall, winter — whatever the season, there are always plenty of great reasons to visit Door County! In fact, Door County hosts three unique, seasonally themed promotions that celebrate all the romance, recreation, food, music, arts, nature and beauty our area offers like nowhere else. Come, explore the wonder of the seasons in Door County today!

Spring in Door County

GUIDE TO SPRING (PDF)

MAY MEANS BLOSSOMS EVERYWHERE

Every May, thousands of acres of cherry and apple blossoms spring to life, millions of daffodils and tulips pop up all over the peninsula, and countless wildflowers carpet the forests, meadows and roadsides.

The Door County Festival of Blossoms is a month-long celebration of the county's spring beauty and rich natural heritage.

Garden and nature walks throughout the county are just the beginning. Special events include arts and crafts shows, historical tours, children's activities and the annual Door County Maritime Museum Lighthouse Walk.

Let yourself in on the secret of spring in Door County.

Summer in Door County

SUMMER SERVES UP FUN FOR EVERYONE

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Door County hums with activities for families, couples, and nature lovers. There's so much to do that even a week isn't enough time to explore everything. Summer in Door County is the perfect Midwest family vacation spot.

With more than 300 miles of scenic shoreline dotted with bustling harbors and quiet coves, Door County offers a wealth of water-based recreation. Sailing, cruising, canoeing and kayaking - with your own craft, rentals or charters - are just a few of the ways to enjoy the sparkling waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Sandy beaches, scenic water cruises, and a car ferry to Washington Island are a few more.

Throughout a dozen quaint harborside towns and the pastoral interior of the county, quality art galleries and studios reflect Door County's well-earned reputation for culture in the country. The rich performing arts scene - from classical and jazz music to renowned theater troupes - garners national attention.

You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy the living legacy of Door County with its fascinating museums and ten lighthouses. Summer fun can be even more rewarding if you complete a class in the arts or humanities.

Five state parks and more than a dozen county parks offer some of the best hiking and biking opportunities to be found in the Midwest. Golf courses, horseback riding, great fishing, cherry orchards, and scores of festivals are complemented by picturesque sunsets, memorable restaurants, and pampering accommodations.

Summer is peak time for fun and relaxation in Door County.

Fall in Door County

A SEASON FOR YOUR SENSES

It's hard to imagine something better than summer in Door County, but fall makes a strong bid.

Fill your senses with the dazzling colors, pungent smells, and quiet sounds of nature as you hike or bike the dozens of state and county parks in Door County. Or treat yourself to a relaxing, scenic cruise by car, boat, or horse-drawn wagon. You can even get an eagle-eyed view of the changing colors with a scenic airplane ride. Fall colors begin to turn in late September and usually peak by mid-October. For current information on our fall colors visit our Fall Color Report on the Home Page at www.doorcounty.com.

For your taste buds, there are roadside stands and farmers' markets at every turn, offering crisp apples from local orchards, aromatic hot cider, and the bounty of the local harvest. And what would harvest season be without festivals? Door County has some of the best in the Midwest with pumpkin decorations, parades, collector cars, arts and crafts, and fireworks.

Reluctant to let the glow of summer fun fade? Fall offers one more chance to enjoy some of your favorite summer activities such as golfing, antique hunting, sailing, horseback riding, gallery browsing, fishing, and sightseeing.

Whether you're staying in an elegant inn, cozy B&B, modern resort, cabin, motel or campsite, fall will put you in touch with the peninsula's natural beauty at its best.

One bit of advice: the fall foliage season is very popular, especially the first half of October. Make reservations early if your travel plans include a weekend.

This Fall, Door County invites you to enjoy our So Delicious So Door County promotion, a celebration of  cuisine and culture including fiery fish boils; cooking classes and demos; palate-pleasing samples from local orchards, vineyards and farms; artistic offerings from plays to paintings to pottery; and even special lodging packages that all include a $25 Door County gift certificate.

Winter in Door County

Winter Activity Guide

WINTER ROMANCE AND OUTDOOR FUN

Between the time the last leaf drifts to the ground and the first daffodil pops her head up, the full beauty of Door County's Quiet Season offers a feeling that this very special place was created just for you. It's a season filled with romantic crackling fires, scenic explorations, and leisurely dining and browsing. Whether you like to get out and play or stay in and snuggle, Door County is the place to be in the winter.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides, caroling, a parade, and candlelight tours of some of our finest inns and B&Bs during our Capture the Spirit of a Door County Christmas celebration, which runs from early November through the holidays.

Use your camera to capture the frozen beauty of our snow-draped cedars and frozen waters such as Lake Michigan at Cave Point County Park.

Explore our hundreds of miles of quiet trails, perfect for skiing or snowshoeing, or zip along 250 miles of snowmobile trails. For weather and trail conditions, visit our Winter Snow Report on the Home Page at www.doorcounty.com.

Pack up the sleds and tubes and take the Hill 17 challenge at Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, just one of the county's great sledding spots.

Go ice fishing along the peninsula's scenic shoreline. For those who like fishing on hard water, the frozen waters of Green Bay offer great ice fishing opportunities as shanty villages sprout in the harbors. For tips on how and where they're biting, call the Fishing Hotline at (920) 743-7046.

Explore a winter trail on horseback at Kurtz Corral, County I near Carlsville. Call to reserve a trail time. (920) 743-6742.

Enjoy our pristine parks on skis, snowshoes, or foot at special candlelight skis scheduled at each of the state parks in January and February.

Tour and taste at one of Door County's five great wineries.

Make an art project at Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek.

Plan ahead to beat cabin fever by coming to Door County for a romantic getaway weekend. From December to April, we offer special packages for two that include pampering accommodations, tasty food, and special extras such as massages, sleigh rides, or chocolates and champagne. Choose from dozens of packages. Click on The Nature of Romance promotion for more info.

Winter also features some very special events with their unique Door County flavor.

Start the year off with a splash by joining the plunging "polar bears" in the Annual Polar Bear Swim. Come to Lakeside Park in Jacksonport at noon on Jan. 1 and watch as hundreds of hearty souls storm into the freezing water of Lake Michigan.

At 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, the attention shifts to Egg Harbor where the Midwest's goofiest parade takes to the streets. The fun is in never knowing what or who will show up to take part in this impromptu tradition.

In February, the Fish Creek Winter Games turn the Fish Creek marina into a carnival on ice. Music, food, beverages, and games like ice bowling, ice golf and toilet seat tossing are just some of the highlights. This winter get your nose cold and your heart warm in Door County as you discover the joys of our quiet season. For more information about Door County in the winter or any season, call the helpful Door County Visitor Center staff at (920) 743-4456.

Door County Snow Report & Trail Conditions
For an update on trail conditions, snow and weather in Door County, visit our Winter Snow Report on the Home Page at www.doorcounty.com.