It’s hard to believe that sailors used to quiver at the sound of “Door County.”
That’s because Door County got its name from “Portes de Mort” or “Death’s Door,” the nickname for the obscenely dangerous strait linking Green Bay to Lake Michigan. Despite having 11 lighthouses to warn Victorian-era sailors of the craggy shoreline, Door County is home to over 240 shipwrecks.
Rather wisely, the area rebranded as simply “Door County” – and has been known for peace, tranquility and cheese curds ever since.
Located about 1.5 hours north of Green Bay, Door County is 70 miles long by 18 miles wide, with 14 communities. Its natural beauty and 300 miles of coastline on Lake Michigan make it a popular tourist destination year-round.
If you’re planning a trip to Door County, what should you do? Who is the most passionate tour guide in the entire county? What are the best ways to get some outdoor exercise – and work off those cheese curds – while enjoying Door County’s stunning natural beauty? Here are our 7 unmissable stops in Door County.
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Please see our related story: Charms of Door County in winter include sleigh rides, fish boils and gallery hopping
Zip through the waves with Door County Adventure Rafting
When you hear “lakeside boat tour,” you probably picture a big, gentle boat calmly cutting through the water as the guide bellows local history through a megaphone. That’s not what you get with Door County Adventure Rafting.
Instead, you’ll pile onto a military zodiac like a Navy SEAL, fly through the water at 35 knots while AC/DC blasts in the background. It’s a ridiculous amount of fun.
It’s also a highly practical way to explore the coast of Door County, since the zodiac can get right up close to derelict ships, underwater shipwrecks and stunning lighthouses. The tour is two hours long, holds up to 12 people and welcomes anyone above the age of 3.
Sample cheese curds and get funky at Sip
Sip is the most colorful restaurant I’ve ever been to. And I don’t mean “colorful” in the figurative sense – I mean it’s literally bursting with purples, pinks, electric blues and teal. It’s a funky, memorable place to have breakfast, lunch or brunch. While the $14 Breakfast Bagel did its job and sustained me until lunch, the true standout was the plate of rather… unconventional cheese curds.
Wisconsin cheese curds typically come in one of three varieties:
- The unfried “squeaky” style
- The lightly fried tempura style
- The deep-fried (and best) style
But Sip’s cheese curds come as funky blocks that appear more like cheese marshmallows than traditional curds. A bold move in the heart of Curd Country, but one that won us over. Put simply, they’re delicious.
Check out a show at Peninsula Players Theatre
All I knew going into Peninsula Players Theatre was the name. I figured it was a nice, quaint theater somewhere in downtown Ephraim. So imagine my surprise when our guide parked right in the middle of the woods and said, “We’re here.”
Peninsula Players Theater is nestled deep in the Door County wilderness. Heck, they even built the theater out of the very trees they felled to make it.
The “players” aka staff, mostly live onsite in their own cabins. There’s also a dining hall, refreshment stands, clean bathrooms and more. It’s so majestic and fantastical that I half expected some elves from “Lord of the Rings” to be giving a tour.
I told the theater’s founder that I honestly can’t think of a better date night spot in the world. You can bring a picnic, see a live show, sip a classy cocktail – and since the theater is less than a hundred feet from the shores of Green Bay, you have an amazing view during intermission.
Paddle the waves with Kayak Guide Justin
A three-hour tour with Kayak Guide Justin might be the single most value-packed adventure you can have in Door County. I say that because for around ~$120 per person, you’re getting a solid upper body workout, a relaxing, intimate view of the crystal clear waters, and an insightful tour of the peninsula’s history and ecology.
Justin Pahnturat is magnetic – he loves kayaking and Door County alike, and his passion and positive energy just radiates. But crucially, he doesn’t talk the whole time so you can enjoy the tranquil silence of the bay.
If you’re concerned that you lack the upper-body strength to kayak for three hours, don’t be. Justin does a great job of regulating the group’s speed so it feels brisk yet relaxed, and there are plenty of breaks.
So if you’re seeking to run your fingers through the water – while getting in a little exercise – it’s a no-brainer activity.
Hit the trails at Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park is like a tiny version of Door County. It’s a complete peninsula filled with lighthouses and bike trails, and a group of adults can navigate it by bike in under two hours.
Naturally, we opted for the bike trail that most closely hugged the shoreline. You won’t have a bayside view the entire time, but even when the trail brings you 50 feet inland, you’ll feel hugged by nature.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse on the west side of the park is open to the public from May through October, and park rangers are happy to provide brief tours after 11 a.m.
I wouldn’t call Peninsula State Park the ideal place for a long walk since it’s full of cars and bikers. Plus, the points of interest are spread pretty far apart (a mile or more) for pedestrians.
Stroll on the boardwalk and commune with nature at The Ridges Santuary
The Ridges Sanctuary is Wisconsin’s first land trust, featuring elevated walkways so you don’t disturb the birds, fauna and insects around you. Every few feet you’ll find a placard explaining whose home you’re visiting, from the lovely northern conifers to the endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly.
The walk is short; after a few hundred yards, you’ll reach the Bailey’s Harbor Range Lights, featuring an upper range light on your left and a lower range light on your right.
So why are there two lighthouses in Bailey’s Harbor? And why is one of them so far inland? Well, imagine for a second that you’re a ship captain in 1873, desperately trying to navigate Bailey’s Harbor at midnight without crashing. If you see one light, well, at least you know where the shore is. If you see two lights – and you line them up – you now have a clear line to follow to avoid the rocky shoals.
Local mariners decided this was such a good idea that the lights remain active to this day, helping sailors safely maneuver the bay when modern navigation aids fail.
Fireplace, lake view and full kitchen: Here’s the place to stay in Door County
I had a lovely experience at the Edgewater Resort. My King Premium Plus Waterview Fireplace Suite (phew) featured a full kitchen, massive balcony and soaking tub.
For a building constructed in 1900, my room was shockingly soundproof. I know for certain that I had neighbors because we waved at each other from our respective balconies. But aside from the occasional pitter-patter of kids’ feet tearing down the hallway, I didn’t hear a peep.
The beds are modern and cozy, and there’s nothing like waking up to a lake view sunrise.
If you’re even on the fence about whether the extra ~$50 per night for a lake view room is worth it, it is. This was my view for three nights – from a huge balcony.
Honorable mentions: other unmissable stops in Door County
- Horseshoe Bay Cave is only open to public tours two days out of the year, but if you’re feeling brave and you have good knees, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
- Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours is your traditional big-boat tour, with an emphasis on local homes and architecture.
- Hill Street offers a quintessential Wisconsin bar experience, with delicious burgers and Spotted Cow on tap.
- Ephraim Coffee Lab will make you a killer cup of ‘joe and a filling breakfast burrito.
- Fish Creek is a picturesque bayside shopping district, with high-end boutiques and a charming town square with the occasional live music act.
- Pizza Brothers offers a quirky variety of specialty pies – from “Mactastic” mac and cheese to “Taco Pollo.” We tried them all and didn’t have a single bad bite.
To learn more about what Door County has to offer, visit DoorCounty.com.
– Stories and photos by Chris Butsch, contributor