Post-Turkey Traditions in Door County

By Elizabeth Charney
Originally written by a staff writer and published on November 1, 2018, this article has been rewritten by Elizabeth Charney to include new information and perspectives.

Thanksgiving dinner may be over, but there’s still a whole weekend to spend together. From shoreline hikes and leisurely breakfasts to holiday markets and supper club dinners, Door County offers plenty of ways to turn the days after Thanksgiving into a tradition of their own.

Friday: Fuel Up, Get Outside, and Unwind

9 am: Start with a Leisurely Breakfast

Take your time over breakfast before heading out for fresh air. Whether you’re staying near Sturgeon Bay or farther north, begin with a welcoming local spot and something satisfying. 

Scaturo’s Baking and Cafe, Sturgeon Bay: This family-owned cafe serves breakfast year-round alongside homemade breads and bakery treats. Enjoy a relaxed meal, then pick up a loaf of bread or something sweet for your weekend snack supply.

Sip, Ephraim: Start your morning with coffee and a flavorful breakfast in Sip’s bright, colorful setting. This year-round spot invites you to linger over your meal before heading upstairs to browse home decor and gifts; a little holiday shopping before the day’s adventures begin.

11 am: Walk Off the Thanksgiving Feast

With leftover buns from the night before, make French toast or use the buns to make egg sandwiches. Omelets also make good use of the leftover vegetables, and a side of bacon and stuffing is available to add to every plate. Enjoy carafes of Door County Coffee as you lowly begin to liven up by the fire.

Trade the holiday bustle for wooded trails and a little breathing room. Bundle up, bring your camera and choose a walk that suits your group and the day’s conditions.

Whitefish Dunes State Park, Jacksonport: Explore forest trails and views of Lake Michigan at this park protecting a sensitive dune ecosystem. It’s a fitting choice for families who want to keep a post-Thanksgiving shoreline walk part of their annual routine.

The Ridges Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor: Discover a different side of the peninsula among the sanctuary’s distinctive ridges, swales and conifer forest. Slow down, listen and look closely—the landscape rewards a quieter kind of exploration.

1 pm: Warm Up Over Lunch

After a chilly morning outdoors, take a seat and let lunch become another chance to catch up. Choose a stop near your walk so you can spend more time together and less time driving.

Coyote Roadhouse, Baileys Harbor: Warm up after your morning outdoors with lunch at this casual, year-round restaurant on Kangaroo Lake. With homemade soups, burgers and hearty sandwiches, it’s a welcoming spot to refuel and enjoy an unhurried meal before your afternoon adventures.

Cedar Crossing Restaurant, Sturgeon Bay: Return to Sturgeon Bay for a scratch-made meal in a cozy dining room. Its downtown location also leaves room for a short stroll before your afternoon plans.

3 pm:  Browse for Something to Bring Home

Ease into holiday shopping with gifts you can enjoy long after the weekend ends. These stops offer two different ways to bring a little Door County into your home.

Lautenbach’s Market, Winery, Cider Co., Fish Creek: Explore a farm market filled with Door County and Wisconsin products, including cherry specialties, bakery, cheese, jams and wine. Build a collection of edible gifts or stock up for another evening together.

Novel Bay Booksellers, Sturgeon Bay: Browse fiction, children’s books, local history and titles by local authors. Choose your next fireside read or ask for help finding a gift for the reader in your family.

5:30 pm: Make Dinner Part of the Tradition

Let someone else take care of dinner tonight. Choose a casual meal or a classic supper club experience, and give yourselves time to enjoy the evening.

Sister Bay Bowl, Sister Bay: Combine a family-owned supper club dinner with a game on the vintage bowling lanes. It’s an evening that gives both the meal and the friendly competition a chance to become a yearly tradition.

Nightingale Supper Club, Sturgeon Bay: Settle in for a classic Wisconsin supper club evening with steaks, prime rib or a traditional Friday night fish fry. Its welcoming atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to gather, share stories from the day and linger over dinner—save room for a homemade dessert.

Saturday: Holiday Shopping and Festive Fun

9 am:  A Coffee Run Before the Festivities

Keep the morning light with a warm cup and a bakery treat before heading out for holiday shopping. Grab something to go or linger a little while as you plan the day together.

Door County Coffee, Carlsville: Start with freshly roasted coffee and a bakery treat, then browse the gift shop for beans, mugs and gourmet foods. It’s an easy way to warm up and tuck a few small gifts into your shopping bag before continuing north.

Happy Coffee, Sister Bay: Pick up a locally roasted, small-batch coffee paired with a house-made syrup and a fresh-baked pastry. This family-owned, year-round coffee shop makes a cheerful starting point for a day of browsing Sister Bay’s shops and enjoying the holiday festivities.

11 am: Celebrate the Season and Enjoy Lunch

Give this part of the day some flexibility so you can follow the festivities that interest your group. Choose one celebration and enjoy lunch nearby—or browse the food offerings at the market.

Holly Days, Egg Harbor: Enjoy the Elf Hunt, wagon rides, caroling and other seasonal activities during Holly Days, scheduled for November 27–28, 2026. Between festivities, browse Door County Nature Works for home furnishings, candles and gifts, or stop into Cupola Collective to continue your holiday shopping. When you’re ready for lunch, head north to White Gull Inn Restaurant in Fish Creek for a meal in its historic setting.

Christkindlmarkt Door County, Sister Bay: Explore artisan goods, northern European foods and holiday music at this outdoor Christmas market, scheduled for November 27–29, 2026. Continue shopping beyond the market with a visit to Tannenbaum Holiday Shop for ornaments, seasonal decorations and collectibles, or browse clothing and accessories at On Deck Clothing Company. Round out your outing with a trip north to Della Porta DC in Ellison Bay for Italian flavors, checking lunch availability before your visit.

5:30 pm: Settle In for Dinner

After a festive afternoon, slow the pace with a comfortable dinner. This is your chance to compare favorite finds, share photos and enjoy the company that brought you here.

Thyme Restaurant, Sister Bay: Settle in for farm-to-table dining with a menu highlighting ingredients from local farmers and producers. Small plates and hearty entrees make this a welcoming choice for a leisurely evening after the holiday festivities.

Brygga Plates & Pours, Sturgeon Bay: Settle in for a waterfront dinner beside Sturgeon Bay’s historic steel bridge. With dishes such as smoked whitefish dip, walleye fingers and bourbon-planked salmon, plus cocktails and non-alcoholic options, it’s a welcoming place to unwind and share highlights from your holiday adventures.

Sunday: A Slow Start and an Early Goodbye

Enjoy one last taste of Door County before getting on the road. Keep the morning simple with breakfast and a quick stop for something to take home.

8 am: One More Breakfast Together

Gather for a final meal and share your favorite moments from the weekend before packing up and heading home.

Morning Glory of Door County, Sturgeon Bay: Fuel up for the drive with breakfast at this year-round restaurant on Highway 42/57. Its location makes it a convenient stop as you head south, giving everyone time for one last meal together before saying goodbye to Door County.

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, Sister Bay: Start with Swedish pancakes and lingonberries or another breakfast favorite before heading home. Don’t leave without browsing the Butik, Al Johnson’s Scandinavian gift shop, and SKÅL, their other shop right next door. Leave a little time to pick out a keepsake or a few gifts for the holiday season.

10 am: Take a Little Door County Home

Choose one final stop along your route. Pick up a coffee for the drive or a few local treats to enjoy once you’re home.

Kick Ash, Ellison Bay: Before heading south, pick up a coffee for the road and browse gluten-free granola, bakery treats and coffee to brew at home. It’s an easy final stop for those staying in northern Door County, with a few tasty reminders of the weekend to tuck into your travel bag.

Renard’s Cheese & Melt Bistro, South of Sturgeon Bay: Browse artisan cheeses, homemade sausage and local specialty foods for an edible souvenir of your weekend. Choose a few favorites for your next cheese board or holiday gathering.

Elizabeth Charney is Destination Door County’s Marketing & Sales Manager and a Door County native who grew up in Gills Rock. When she’s not sharing the peninsula’s stories and favorite local stops, she enjoys making art, fishing and camping — and helping others discover reasons to keep coming back.