Scenic Attractions
You Won't Want to Miss

From the peaks of observation towers to the rolling sand dunes of Lake Michigan’s coast, there is no shortage of beautiful scenic attractions in Door County. With the community’s strong conservation ethic and stewardship, much of this scenery is preserved and free to the public. Whether it’s on land or water, find your scene in Door County’s great outdoors.

Observation Towers

While the county is happily void of any skyscrapers, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good view, and the colorful views of autumn are worth a trip in themselves. Three observation towers stretch towards the clouds in Potawatomi State Park, Peninsula State Park and at Mountain Park on Washington Island. Each has their own history and their own view of the surrounding waters.

Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park was closed in May 2015 due to structural concerns. The Friends of Peninsula State Park have launched a fundraising drive to rebuild the tower, hopefully by 2018, to reopen one of the most popular scenic attractions in Door County to the public. For more information, visit EagleTowerFund.com.

Beaches

Whether it’s sandy beaches for the whole family, the famous smooth limestone shores on Washington Island or just a quiet place to watch the sunset on the water. Learn about the unique geography of the peninsula that created miles of white sand dunes on the lake side and beaches tucked beneath the shadow of the Niagara Escarpment on the bay.

Islands

Sail, paddle or boat out to the many islands surrounding the peninsula. Whether you’re spending the day visiting the shops and restaurants of Washington Island or skipping between the tiny uninhabited islands that serve as nesting places for migrating birds, Door County’s clear water is your road to get there.

What is the Niagara Escarpment?

Door County’s unique geology is no mistake. The towering bluffs that make some of the best scenic attractions in Door County possible are part of a much larger rock formation. The Niagara Escarpment is a backbone of limestone that runs from Lake Winnebago in east central Wisconsin through Ontario, Canada before winding down near the famous Niagara Falls in New York.

The escarpment is internationally recognized for its geologic significance. In Door County, two state parks, Peninsula and Potawatomi, claim the escarpment as their main attraction. In addition to offering some of the best views of Green Bay and the peninsula, it also contributes to weather patterns that make the peninsula some of the best wine producing land in the region.