Is Door County Worth Visiting? A Local Wisconsin Guide

My birth certificate may say Brown County, but Door County will always be home to me. 

It was in this county north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, that my great-grandfather built a summer cottage next to his two brothers in 1939. It has remained in my family ever since, serving as our gathering place for every summer of my life. 

Door County is where I learned so many things: how to swim, how to water ski, how to fish, and how to sail. It’s where I learned the extremely important tip that if you microwave cheese curds for 10-15 seconds, they will “squeak” again. 

It’s also where my love of Tin Cup was born, which in my opinion is the best golf movie of all time. Don’t you dare judge. It was one of the few DVDs we had there for years.  

It is obviously very special to me, but what about you and your family? Is Door County worth visiting and a good use of your PTO? 

Let me convince you below!

Is Door County worth visiting?

Door County is worth visiting for its beautiful scenery, orchards, wine, spirits, beer, and cheese, as well as many other unique Midwestern experiences.

I definitely wouldn’t want to write so much just to tell you, “Meh, your vacation is better spent elsewhere.”

As someone who’s spent countless days over the years in this lovely county, let me show you just some of the reasons to visit.

Door County is more accessible than you think.

Wisconsin may be a part of flyover country to many of you, but I encourage you to leave that stereotype behind. Being centrally located, it’s easier to get to for so much of the country. 

If you’re already in the Midwest, Door County is only a two-hour drive from Milwaukee and a little over four hours from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

It’s also a little over an hour from the Upper Peninsula (the U.P.), which I hear is actually a part of Michigan and NOT Wisconsin. 

READ MORE: If you’re traveling from Milwaukee, check out our guide to all of our favorite things to do there.

To my relatives up there: Say yah to da U.P., eh?

Even if you’re not from the Midwest, Door County is still closer than you think. It’s only a three-hour drive from Chicago.

Note: Watch your speed, though. The cops will be looking for non-Wisconsin license plates once you cross that border. Wisconsin thanks you for the revenue if you forget.

If you HAVE to fly closer than Chicago, the Green Bay airport is a regional one. You will most likely connect through Minneapolis, Chicago, or Detroit. It will then be a 30-minute drive to the southern tip of the county. 

Fun fact: Wisconsin infamously has two seasons, winter and road construction. You will definitely run into a construction zone or three on your way if driving, but don’t fret too much. 

It has no shortage of cute towns on the water.

Door County is 70 miles long and boasts a number of adorable towns on the water. Some would even say the towns have a Cape Cod vibe but without the pretentiousness and generational wealth. 

Ok, that “some” is me. 

If you want a little more civilization on your trip, stop in Sturgeon Bay. It’s the largest town in the county at just under 10,000 residents. The downtown area has plenty of walkable bars, shops, museums, and restaurants for you to explore. 

If you’re looking for a little less civilization, keep on truckin’ up to Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, or Sister Bay on the Green Bay side. For even fewer people, go on the Lake Michigan side to Jacksonport or Baileys Harbor.

You’ll be rewarded with both more peace and quiet, despite longer drives to get around to the other things in the county.

There’s plenty of space for your RV, car-house, or tent. 

If you’re taking your house with you on your trip, there are nearly 20 different campgrounds for you to choose from within the county.

That includes 460 sites at the busy Peninsula State Park to more secluded locations such as Washington Island’s campground. You’ll just need to hop on the Washington Island Ferry to reach the latter.

Door County’s scenery is therapeutic.

Everyone likes sunrises and sunsets. With the county being at most 18 miles wide, you can see both against the backdrop of one of the world’s largest lakes. 

Take a seat on one of the numerous sandy beaches and watch the waves crash against the limestone cliffs.

You can watch bald eagles, pelicans, and many other birds soar above your head or travel into one of the parks to enjoy what nature has to offer other than bugs. (I’m mostly kidding here, but bring bug spray if you are easily annoyed.)

Door County is also a great place to enjoy some stargazing and Northern Lights due to its low levels of light pollution and location halfway to the North Pole.  

It has water activities galore.

Door County is sandwiched between Lake Michigan on the East and the bay of Green Bay on the West. (The bay is an arm of Lake Michigan itself.)

This provides over 300 miles of shoreline to swim, kayak, canoe, jet ski, boat, or float to your heart’s content.  

As a bonus, the shoreline is so extensive you can always manage to find your own section of the lake with no one else around.

READ MORE: Love the Wisconsin boating scene? Check out our guide to cruising around the Apostle Islands.

The trails are some of the best in Wisconsin.

If land activities are more your thing, Door County is home to five state parks:

• Newport State Park
• Whitefish Dunes State Park
• Peninsula State Park
• Potawatomi State Park
• Rock Island State Park

That’s on top of 19 county parks and dozens of nature preserves to explore. 

Whether you are looking for a casual walk or bike ride or a more seasoned hike or jog, Door County has a trail for you. 

Note: If the parks on the west side like Peninsula State Park are too busy, head to the less traveled Lake Michigan side. Parks like Cave Point County Park, Whitefish Dunes State Park, or the even less traveled Toft Point State Natural Area near Baileys Harbor are great alternatives. 

There are 11 historic lighthouses to visit.

One of the stories for how Door County got its name comes from the treacherous strait between the northern tip of the peninsula and Washington Island.

The chilly and unpredictable waters there became known as Death’s Door due to the numerous shipwrecks occurring here. 

To help ships guide their way, 11 lighthouses were built all around the county, which you can explore and see how the families used to live before they were all automated. 

While it’s not at the famous “Death’s Door” area, my favorite lighthouse is still probably the Cana Island Lighthouse near Baileys Harbor. Instagram would appear to agree with me, as well!

There are 34 named islands to explore.

Adding to the shoreline are several islands near the peninsula. You can kayak or canoe around several islands near Peninsula State Park or take a boat to see the Chambers Island Lighthouse a few miles off the shore.

The gem, though, is the largest of the islands: Washington Island. You can take the ferry with your car, bike, or just your feet and meet the island and its 700ish residents on a fun Door County day trip. Don’t miss the lovely lavender farm. 

Fun fact: In 1936, the U.S. Supreme Court had to intervene to decide that Washington Island and the surrounding was a part of Wisconsin and not Michigan. For fellow Wisconsin Badger fans, this is a Wisconsin v. Michigan result I can definitely brag about. 

Door County has a wine scene!

Many don’t usually think of Wisconsin and wine together, but the positioning of Door County between the lakes allows for a unique microclimate suitable for wine production.

Many of the wines here are of the sweet variety, but there are several wineries here for you to test your palate. 

Stone’s Throw Winery is a family favorite, but you haven’t lived until you’ve visited Door Peninsula Winery. The latter features wines that highlight tart Door County cherries, one of the area’s signature crops. I’ll give it one thing. These wines are unique.

They have craft breweries, cideries, and brandy Old Fashioneds, too.

If wine isn’t your thing, it’s all good. Door County also boasts several breweries, cideries, and distilleries for you to try, as well. We like Hatch Distilling Co. for its outdoor patio and craft cocktails.

If you like cocktails, give the Wisconsin Old Fashioned a try. This one uses brandy instead of your traditional whiskey or bourbon as the base. (Some folks would argue that brandy is the traditional base, but I digress.)

Fun fact: Depending on your internet source, something between 51% and 90% of the brandy produced worldwide is consumed in Wisconsin. They must be making quite a few of these throughout the year. Trust but verify here. 

You can pick your own fruit in a local orchard.

The same microclimate allowing for grapes also makes Door County an excellent place for cherry orchards. Several orchards in the county invite visitors to pick their own cherries as they ripen between mid-July and mid-August.

That means cherry blossoms, too, by the way, all with fewer crowds than you’d get at the bigger cherry blossom destinations around the country.

Door County also boasts several apple orchards, which were the main orchards before cherries were introduced. You’ll need to come in the fall for these, though. 

Either of these crops in a Door County pie is the best way to experience both.

You can eat your weight in cheese.

Wisconsin is known as America’s Dairyland for a reason. The state produces 25% of America’s cheese. Door County is no slouch with two cheese-making factories producing year-round using local milk. 

There are several varieties of cheese you can only find in the state of Wisconsin at artisan cheese shops, with many award-winning types to choose from.

The best for me and the uninitiated are fresh cheese curds. If you haven’t tried these delicacies yet, you’re in for a surprise in the form of a squeak in your mouth when you eat them.

Don’t worry, this just means they’re fresh. 

The cheese curds are also great fried, but I like to keep it au naturel and pair them up with mini-sausages always available nearby. Don’t question me here. Just do it. It’s science.  

If you’re not sure where to start, Renard’s Cheese is a family favorite. They’ve been doing their thing with the freshest cheese curds since 1961 as fourth-generation, family-owned and operated cheesemakers.

You can experience local European traditions.

Fish boiling was brought to the peninsula in the late 1800s by Scandinavian immigrants who needed an economical way to feed large groups of workers.

It wasn’t until the 1960s, however, that fish boils as they are seen today became a popular tradition. That’s when the owners of The Viking in Ellison Bay followed by the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek started their own style and version. 

Locally caught whitefish is boiled on an open fire, in an outdoor community-style kitchen on a large metal kettle. The fish is usually accompanied by onions, potatoes, and corn, with a slice of Door County cherry pie for dessert. 

The boil master typically tells stories to the group while you get to watch the spectacle, explaining each part of the process.

You’ll get to experience this event with several dozen of your closest new friends. It is not uncommon for locals to celebrate weddings, graduations, and community gatherings with a traditional fish boil. 

Restaurants now offer fish boils throughout Door County from Sturgeon Bay all the way to the tip of the peninsula. That makes it easy to watch this Scandinavian tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Call ahead for reservations.

There. Are. Goats. On. The. Roof. 

It doesn’t get quirkier than this. Sister Bay boasts a famous Swedish Restaurant called Al Johnson’s. It’s known just as much for its lovely Swedish food as it is for the goats who live on the sod roof of the restaurant. 

Established in 1949, the restaurant is a must-visit for first-time travelers in Door County. It is the epitome of cultural heritage with Door County quirk, and any experience with goats is a good experience.

I don’t know what generation the goats are on now, but I’ve been taking pictures of these beauties since I was a wee little boy. 

Finally, Lambeau Field is right down the road.

I snuck this one in here as it’s technically not in Door County. If you’re a fan of American football, I would argue it’s more than worth the 30-minute drive from the southern end of Door County to visit the home of the Green Bay Packers. 

You can book a stadium tour, check out the Hall of Fame of one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, or just walk around the grounds and take in the atmosphere.

If you’re there in the preseason, you could even catch a player riding a local kid’s bike from their practice facility. It’s a local tradition, and don’t worry, they give the bikes back when done. 

Most importantly, and perhaps even bigger than the fact that I’ve been a lifelong fan, Agnes and I first met after a preseason family night game near Lambeau. Yep. You can even find love there.  

How Much Time You Need for Door County

Try to spend at least two or three days in Door County in order to get the full experience. Spending a night on one end of the county and then the other will allow you to experience one of the most charming drives in the Midwest.

Door County is very long but narrow. It can take you over an hour to drive from the southern end of the county to the northern tip, so prepare accordingly. That drive time can increase with traffic in the high season.

Door County is meant for leisurely travel, too. Relaxing on its sandy shores or people-watching at any of the area wineries is all worth your time.

The Best Time to Visit Door County

The best month(s) to visit Door County are during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The ice cream will taste better, and you’ll have better luck finding open businesses during the high season.

You can visit Door County during any season, but things are very seasonal here. In the winter, despite seasonal closure, locals and visitors embrace winter activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

What is so special about Door County?

Cheese. Wine. Goats. Finding love in a hopeless place. What’s not to love about this magical county?

There’s so much more to love about Door County, but I’ve hopefully given you enough reasons to book that trip yourself so that you can make your own memories.

Perhaps I’ll even see you out on the water on weekends when I’m back. I’m back there pretty often!

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