Family Fun Weekend in Door County

With more than 50 beaches, dozens of parks, and family-friendly activities and businesses around every corner, Door County is a perfect destination for a fun family weekend.

Day 1

Shortly after rolling into the county be sure to stop at the Destination Door County Welcome Center in Sturgeon Bay to get the latest on the weekend’s festivals, happenings, and best activities for families.

From there, Eagle Harbor Inn is a great spot to base your family vacation in Door County.

Nestled across from the bay on Ephraim's main street, Eagle Harbor Inn has been providing accommodations to Door County visitors since 1937. The inn’s unique combination of suites and bed and breakfast rooms provide the perfect balance of B&B charm and resort amenities for couples and families alike.

Families love taking advantage of the great walkability of charming Ephraim. A short walk along the bay connects you to shopping, dining, and famed Door County experiences, such as fish boils and art galleries. Down the street you’ll find a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy, such as the Ephraim Public Beach, boat rentals, bike tours, and hiking in the beautiful Peninsula State Park.

Day 2

Morning
Rise early, grab a great breakfast in Ephraim, then head into Peninsula State Park to connect your kids with nature. The park features a nature center with a calendar full of nature programs and if you don’t catch one of those, there’s no shortage of trails, scenic overlooks, or places to skip rocks into the bay.

Afternoon
Head into Fish Creek to grab lunch at one of dozens of local eateries and take advantage of some great shopping for kids and adults alike.

Then, check out the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s museum campus, including the famed Anderson Dock, where your family can add their names to the boards on the pier. Enjoy dinner in your suite before journeying back into the park for a one-of-a-kind theater experience.

Evening
Northern Sky Theater is building the next generation of theater-going audiences by fostering an inviting, cross-generational, family-friendly cultural experience—a place where theater is still close enough you can touch it.

Day 3

Morning
After a good night’s sleep, you may want to take your kids on a fishing “expedition.” They’ll love fishing off the piers at one of the town marinas, or find a quieter scene and cast for rock bass off the causeway on Kangaroo Lake.

With a full day ahead of you, you might also want to spend a morning on the water by renting a pontoon boat or paddleboards out of Ephraim or Sister Bay. Ephraim is a great place to get the family introduced to human-powered watercraft on a calm summer day. A pontoon rental, on the other hand, allows you to go on an adventure to Horseshoe Island or Little Sister Harbor and see the peninsula from a whole new angle.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are plenty of other kid-friendly options like bowling alleys, movie theaters, petting zoos, and museums.

Afternoon
If you haven’t explored the southern part of the peninsula, Country Ovens offers a great excuse to dive in each July with their Cherry De-Lite Festival in Forestville. Spend the rest of the day driving around the open roads of Southern Door, stopping at orchards and farms, markets, or Belgian chapels.

Evening
Drive back north along the shoreline, where you can watch the sun set slowly over the shore and through the trees on your way back to your lodging, weaving through each little town. Maybe even stop for custard, gelato, or ice cream on the way.

Day 4

Want to squeeze in one last memory on your way out of town? Take the kids to Cave Point County Park near Sturgeon Bay. This stunning geological wonder will wow them, and you, and offers a stunning backdrop for a family photo or two.