Door County

[FruitStandJim]

Who has been to Door County? The wife and I are thinking about making a trip for Labor Day weekend. We have never been, so I'm open to all suggestions as far as where to stay/things to do/where to eat. Thanks!

[🏀]

Same boat.

[Jockey]

Who has been to Door County? The wife and I are thinking about making a trip for Labor Day weekend. We have never been, so I'm open to all suggestions as far as where to stay/things to do/where to eat. Thanks!

First off, make reservations early. Depending on what you want to spend, there are places for all ranges from nice, affordable motels to luxury spots. If looking for a cabin or house, try VRBO. Last time up there, we VRBO'd a renovated church in Sister Bay for a little over $1000 a night, but it was a large 5 bedroom place. On a holiday weekend, you can find a decent motel for under $150.

Don't be distracted by Sturgeon Bay. Go up to the Egg Harbor - Fish-Creek - Ephriam area. Lots to do. Hiking, Biking, Shopping, good restaurants, the beach in Peninsula State Park. If you hve a spare day, head over to Bailey's Harbor and Neport Beach state park.

Also check out the Northern Sky Theater in Peninsula State Park. Theater at night in the open woods. Great venue. Shouldn't need tickets in advance as it seats somewhere around 500.

If you are gonna be biking, let me know and I'll give you a couple nice spots to ride.

[GB Warrior]

Jockey,

Wife and I are going up this summer for our first vacation sans kids and interested in biking. I've gone camping up there around Peninsula since I was a kid, but was not into distance biking at that point - so definitely interested to hear good spots. We're eyeing a B&B in Sister Bay.

[FruitStandJim]

First off, make reservations early. Depending on what you want to spend, there are places for all ranges from nice, affordable motels to luxury spots. If looking for a cabin or house, try VRBO. Last time up there, we VRBO'd a renovated church in Sister Bay for a little over $1000 a night, but it was a large 5 bedroom place. On a holiday weekend, you can find a decent motel for under $150.

Don't be distracted by Sturgeon Bay. Go up to the Egg Harbor - Fish-Creek - Ephriam area. Lots to do. Hiking, Biking, Shopping, good restaurants, the beach in Peninsula State Park. If you hve a spare day, head over to Bailey's Harbor and Neport Beach state park.

Also check out the Northern Sky Theater in Peninsula State Park. Theater at night in the open woods. Great venue. Shouldn't need tickets in advance as it seats somewhere around 500.

If you are gonna be biking, let me know and I'll give you a couple nice spots to ride.

Jockey,

Thanks a bunch. A co-worker of mine suggested a place in Sister Bay, so we might end up staying there as well. I don't think we'll be biking, but definitely interested in hiking.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Who has been to Door County? The wife and I are thinking about making a trip for Labor Day weekend. We have never been, so I'm open to all suggestions as far as where to stay/things to do/where to eat. Thanks!

A suggestion.  If your schedule can swing it, go a week or two after Labor Day.  The rates will be better, and they will go up again in the fall, and it won't be as crowded.

Some other thoughts.  Skip Washington Island.  It's nothing special and is a waste of a day.  I prefer the beach at Newport State Park over Penninsula because it is usually way less crowded.  Great hiking in both Penninsula and Newport though.

If you are into breweries, distilleries, etc.  Door County Brewing in Bailey's Harbor and Hatch Distilling in Egg Harbor are fun.  Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor is godawful.  A ton of wineries that range from "meh" to "pretty decent."

I will echo that Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay are going to be the best for shopping.  And we never go south of Egg Harbor or Bailey's Harbor once we get up there.

Some people are really into fish boils.  I can go without but I don't want to bias anyone against it. If you want a traditional bar / fish fry experience, we usually to to the Penninsula Pub which is kind of in the middle of nowhere.  Otherwise there are some great restaurants up there given your tastes. 

[mu03eng]

Agree with Jockey, especially the Egg Harbor/Fish Creek/Ephriam area.....lots of great things to do and see around there and lots of great food choices (highly recommend Wild Tomato). One thing to watch for is the Ephriam is a dry town so now alcohol at the restaurants in town.

If you are into photography and/or really want to see the Milky Way, etc at night....go to Newport State Park, it is an official "dark sight" which I think there are only a dozen of in the US where you can get a really really clear view of the stars at night without light pollution (assuming good weather).

Also recommend a trip up to Washington Island, have to take a ferry but it's a really laid back place with some fun spots to explore like the glacier stone beach.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Also recommend a trip up to Washington Island, have to take a ferry but it's a really laid back place with some fun spots to explore like the glacier stone beach.

Ooops!   

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Oh and Emphraim is no longer a dry town.  You can get beer and wine in the restaurants.

[🏀]

I was planning mid to end of June. Too early?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I was planning mid to end of June. Too early?

If you are spending a lot of time in the water, yes.  But otherwise you're going to be likely in the low 70s for highs with high 60s and low 80s possible.

[Lighthouse 84]

Depending on where you want to stay on the Peninsula, and what type of place you're looking for, if you're looking for a VRBO, there are plenty of places south of Egg Harbor that are great locations.   My wife's family has had a place on the Bay side, with a rental cottage with 200 feet of frontage, for over 50 years, that's 4 miles south of Egg Harbor. 

I second staying away from Shipwrecked.  Horrible beer and that's all they serve.  If you want a good place for outdoor drinking, try One Barrel in Egg Harbor or the Beer Garden at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay.  If you're looking for wine, the  Door Peninsula Winery in Carlsville is pretty bad.  Try Simon Creek in Jacksonport or better yet, Stone's Throw in Bailey's Harbor. 

Biking or hiking in Peninsula State Park are very good.  For hiking though, try Cave Point Park, which is just north of Whitefish Dunes State Park (decent place to spend a beach day).  For a leisurely hike, try the Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey's Harbor.   You can do either guided or self-guided hikes.

If you've got kids, try PC Junction in Bailey's Harbor (across the street from Stone's Throw Winery), at the Peninsula Center.  They serve beer and the food is served via a small train that stops in front of your seat with your food.

For a really nice dinner, I'd recommend the Waterfront in Sister Bay and Glidden Lodge in Sturgeon Bay.  Lure in Sister Bay is  good as well.  Otherwise, supper clubs are always decent, including the Nightengale in Sturgeon Bay and the Greenwood in Fish Creek.

If you're going to golf in Door, go to the Orchards.  It's the best golf in DoCo for a decent price.  While scenic, most of the rest are dog tracks when it comes to golf, unless you want to spend the money and can get on at Horseshoe Bay.

Mid to end of June isn't too early PTM, though you may have 55 degree weather or you may have 75 degree weather.  That time of year is a crap shoot.  The lake side is going to be a few degrees cooler than the Bay side also.

[jsglow]

Lots of good advice.  I like hanging in Door. It's not our normal stomping grounds but always a good trip.

[FruitStandJim]

These suggestions will be a lot of help, thanks!

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Lots of good advice.  I like hanging in Door. It's not our normal stomping grounds but always a good trip.

We much prefer it to the Minoqua / northwoods area. 

[mu03eng]

Oh and Emphraim is no longer a dry town.  You can get beer and wine in the restaurants.

Really, must have been recently because we were up there two years ago and it was still dry

[jsglow]

We much prefer it to the Minoqua / northwoods area.

Been an Up North guy my entire life.  We will never stop going back every chance we get.

[mu03eng]

Definitely, definitely stay away from Shipwrecked, beer is bad and food might be worse.....classic tourist trap.

Make sure you look at the events page for Door County when you pick weekends, there are a lot of fun events like beer festivals, car shows, etc going on in summer and fall that are a good time to go to. Also, if you play golf there are a couple of really good courses up there including Peninsula State Park and The Orchards.

[Lighthouse 84]

I've been fortunate to be able to go each year since 1983.  We get there 8-10 times during the year, with the last time of the year being Thanksgiving.   Many times we never get off our property though, given that we can boat, kayak, SUP and swim from the property.  We stay in one house and VRBO renters stay in the smaller cottage (holds 4 adults).

Lots o' festivals throughout each season to hit up as well, each in a different town during different times of the year. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Really, must have been recently because we were up there two years ago and it was still dry

It was a couple of years ago but honestly we have our places set so we haven't tried to eat in town there outside of Wilsons. 

[MUfan12]

A suggestion.  If your schedule can swing it, go a week or two after Labor Day.  The rates will be better, and they will go up again in the fall, and it won't be as crowded.

If you are into breweries, distilleries, etc.  Door County Brewing in Bailey's Harbor and Hatch Distilling in Egg Harbor are fun.  Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor is godawful.  A ton of wineries that range from "meh" to "pretty decent."

I will echo that Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay are going to be the best for shopping.  And we never go south of Egg Harbor or Bailey's Harbor once we get up there.

Some people are really into fish boils.  I can go without but I don't want to bias anyone against it.

Agree with all these. We went the third weekend of September and it was wonderful. The taproom at Door Co/Hacienda Brewing is great, and they typically have live music at night.

[BrewCity83]

The Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek is always fun, and for outdoor drinking hit Fred and Fuzzy's just south of Sister Bay for some good sunset views at an outdoor bar.  The beer garden at Al Johnson's is great too.

[Jockey]

Also recommend a trip up to Washington Island, have to take a ferry but it's a really laid back place with some fun spots to explore like the glacier stone beach.

Just make sure to take bikes if you go to Washington Island.

[cheebs09]

Heading up there right now. I can’t disagree with anything said here.

Roots is a B&B in Sister Bay that a young couple from my hometown own. We had a great stay there and so have a number of friends and family.

You can get Door County Cherry stuffed French Toast for breakfast at White Gull Inn. Cookery is also good, but I liked the character pre-fire.

Alexander’s in Fish Creek is a great dinner place.

Our friends from Marquette own Clink! in Ephraim. A DIY craft place that is a blast. Kid friendly too.

[drewm88]

For golf I recommend Pirate's Cove in Sister Bay. You can get through 18 in no time, even when crowded.