Door County, Wisconsin is a peninsula just north of the city of Green Bay that is bordered by Lake Michigan on the east side and Green Bay on the west side. Approximately 11 miles wide and 70 miles long, it is often called “The Cape Cod of the Midwest”. Come to Door County for beaches, lighthouses, cherry orchards, apple orchards, and lavender farms. Enjoy fresh seafood, Wisconsin cheese, and anything cherries. Go hiking, biking, kayaking, shopping, and exploring. Enjoy beautiful sunsets and amazing vistas. Visit art galleries. Experience live theatre. The northern portion of Door County from Egg Harbor to Washington Island contains several quaint waterfront towns, beautiful parks, and miles of beaches. You’ll find this one-of-a-kind vacation destination just three hours north of Milwaukee.
Door County Fish Boils
Fish boils came to Door County by way of Scandinavian immigrants who needed an economical way to feed large groups of workers. Locally caught whitefish is boiled on an open fire in a large metal kettle. Salt, potatoes, and onions begin to cook first and when these are almost done the whitefish is added. After approximately 7 minutes the boil the boil master throws kerosene onto the fire and creates a fiery spectacle. The fish, potatoes and onion are served with melted butter, lemon wedges, coleslaw or salad, bread, and a slice of fresh-baked Door County cherry pie.
Old Post Office Restaurant– Ephraim
http://www.oldpostoffice.com
Pelletier’s Restaurant – Fish Creek
http://www.doorcountyfishboil.com
Rowleys Bay Restaurant and Fish Boil – Rowleys Bay
http://www.rowleysbayresort.com/fish-boil/
White Gull Inn and Restaurant
http://www.whitegullinn.com
Everything Cherries and Apples Too!
Head to Door County for the 2,500 acres of cherry trees and 500 acres of apple trees. The famous cherry blossoms along with apple blossoms typically bloom in mid-to-late May. Cherries are a staple at local orchards and are ripe for the picking mid-July to mid-August. Apples are ripe mid-September to mid-October. Several orchards have markets featuring locally grown cherries, apples, apple pies, cherry pies, cherry salsa, and numerous other products unique to Door County.
Wood Orchard Market (Egg Harbor)
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market
(Fish Creek)
Seaquist Orchards Farm Market (Sister Bay)
Koepsel’s Farm Market (Baileys Harbor)
And Don’t Forget the Lavender
In July, lavender lovers will want to trek to Washington Island to see the rolling fields of lavender and check out all the blossom-themed activities, shopping, and dining. Of course, the Lavender Markets are open year-round with everything lavender. On an October visit some purple flowers could still be found in the fields.
Lighthouses
The following four lighthouses are easily accessible to the public. Although you can visit these on your own, I would suggest the Lighthouse Tour offered by Door County Trolley. Also check with Door County Boats for scenic tours that will give you the opportunity to see some lighthouses from the water. There is also a Lighthouse Festival in June and October each year which offers greater access to the lighthouses.
http://www.doorcountytrolley.com
http://www.doorcountyboats.com
http://www.dcmm.org/door-county-lighthouse-festivals/
Cana Island Lighthouse
The most photographed of all Door County lighthouses. You can reach the island in a wagon being pulled by a tractor across the water.
http://www.dcmm.org/cana-island-lighthouse/
Baileys Harbor Range Lights
Located in the Ridges Sanctuary, the upper and lower lights are parallel to each other, one by the water and one 326 yards inland.
http://www.ridgessanctuary.org/visit-us-lights/
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located in Peninsula State Park.
http://www.doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Pottawatomie Lighthouse
Located on the north end of Rock Island State Park. The lighthouse is open daily during the summer; the state park is open year-round and is accessible by boat or the Karfi ferry from Washington Island.
http://www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rockisland/lighthouse
Island Lighthouses
The Chambers Island Lighthouse is on the northwest corner of Chambers Island, accessible only by boat, followed by a 2-mile hike. It is accessible on a tour offered during the Lighthouse Festival. Pilot Island Lighthouse and the Plum Island Range Lights are visible by water. Plum Island can be accessed by charter boat or boat tour.
Cheese
There is nothing better than authentic original Wisconsin cheeses. There are varieties to sample including blue cheese, cheddar cheese, Gouda cheese, goat milk cheese, European cheese, and Italian cheese. Try various samples and select your favorites from:
Wisconsin Cheese Masters (Egg Harbor)
Door Artisan Cheese (Egg Harbor)
Door County Creamery (Sister Bay)
Renards (Sturgeon Bay).
Hands On Art Studio – Fish Creek
Hands On offers both adults and children classes. Participate in daily projects that require no reservations including ceramic, canvas and wood & metal ware painting, mosaics, fused glass and stamped jewelry. You can also sign up for small group or individual classes in various mediums including jewelry, wheel throwing, pottery, and metal sculpture.
Wine/Beer/Spirits
There are several wineries, distilleries, and breweries to titillate your taste buds. You can visit on your own or you might consider a tour with Door County Trolley. They offer a Premier Wine Tour, a Wine Spirits & Brew Tour, an Uncorked Wine Tour, an Exclusive Margarita & Martini Tour, and a Bloody Mary & Brunch Tour.
Here are the locations you might want to visit:
Harbor Ridge Winery, Stone’s Throw Winery, Door County Distillery, and Hatch Distillery in Egg Harbor. Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay and Door County Brewing in Baileys Harbor.
Savory Spoon Cooking School – Ellison Bay
The Savory Spoon offers cooking classes with the home cook/entertainer in mind. This is an opportunity to learn new techniques and recipes that can be used in your own kitchen. Each class “hands on” is 2 1/2 – 3 hours with 12-16 students per class. After you have prepared the food, you will sit down and enjoy the meal at a table set with French linens, candles, and fresh flowers. A full wine selection from our cellars will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.
Sunrise/Sunsets
The photographers will want to check out the amazing sunrises and sunsets. My favorite sunset is at Anderson Dock in Ephraim. Try facing south along the bluffs in Cave Point County Park near Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Sunrise: Newport State Park, Cave Point County Park, Baileys Harbor
Sunset: Anderson Dock (Ephraim) Fish Creek Sunset Park, Sister Bay Waterfront Park, Skyline Road Overlooks, Peninsula State Park
Hiking
Peninsula State Park
Eagle Trail takes you from an amazing bluff-top view, down a difficult rocky descent, and along the shoreline of Ephraim Harbor below the bluff.
Door Bluff Headlands County Park
This quiet park north of Ellison Bay features soaring bluffs, rugged shoreline, magnificent views, and strenuous hikes on undeveloped dirt trails.
Cave Point County Park
Head south along the shoreline trail looking out over the jagged limestone bluffs as you make your way toward Whitefish Dunes State Park beaches.
Rock Island State Park
Head to the island by way of Washington Island ferry and then a second ferry to Rock Island. Start at the Thordarson Boathouse and hike to the Pottawatomie Lighthouse where you can enjoy the views.
The Ridges
The Ridge’s is a land trust protecting this very diverse ecosystem with over 500 species of plants, 60 species of birds, and 12 endangered species. Numerous people hike the paths from mid-June to early July to see the many blooming wildflowers including 25 species of orchids. This is also the location of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights.
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