9 Big Wonders Show Why Door County, Wisconsin, Is So Delightful

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Door County is known for its woods and water that change every season.
Woods and water abound throughout Door County, changing every season. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Two towers ought to be on your list of Door County, Wisconsin important places to visit.

One’s on the water and the other’s in the woods. Both offer up immense delights.

In between, delightful experiences pop up in the villages, towns and city of this peninsula bordered by a lake and a bay.

Hold on to the notion of the Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay and truly accessible Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park – the must-do towers – but absorb an overview of Door County first.

Assortment of Communities

Door County neighborhoods is defined by Backyard fences, abundant blue skies and leafy trees.
Backyard fences, abundant blue skies and leafy trees define many Door County neighborhoods. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Data matters here because it means a driving vacation can easily wrap in lots of different opportunities.

Door County is 70 miles  long, with Lake Michigan influencing the east side and the bay named Green on the west. Water figures in community names too; many include harbor, creek or bay.

My Door County Trolley driver said the roads are curvy on purpose: slow down to savor the beauty everywhere.

The width as you consider driving: two miles in some spots and 18 in the other. Zigzagging from a bay to a great lake isn’t available just anywhere!

Community names are fun and all of them have back-stories. Feel the difference in Fish Creek or Ephraim. Sturgeon Bay or Egg Harbor. Sister Bay or Gills Rock.

Look for 14 towns, four villages and one city. That’s Sturgeon Bay, population 9,926 in 2024. Next closest? Sister Bay with 1,169.

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Taking a walk in Door County could possibly end in one of its 53 public beaches.
Sometimes a walk that seems to start in the woods ends up at the beach with Door County’s 53 public beaches. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Even (or especially!) without a strict itinerary, good chance a traveler will encounter public beaches—53 of them—county parks—there are 19—and five state parks.

Keep an eye out for flower cutting gardens in Egg Harbor; some Saturday nights there are yoga practices in the gardens.

Lodging Choices

A collection of buildings on the water's edge typically make Edgewater Resort, Door County.
Edgewater Resort is a collection of buildings on the water’s edge. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Where to sleep always matters; in Door County the decision might involve water views or village calmness. Could be fine dining walkability or farm-fresh produce. Might be close to art galleries or theaters or locally-owned shops.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Confer with Destination Door County to match your overnighting pleasures with this immense landscape.

EDGEWATER RESORT

A room with easy access from bed to soaking tub in Edgewater Resort, Door County.
Easy access from bed to bubbly soaking tub in this Edgewater Resort room. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

One way to hedge your bet choosing lodging is staying in the middle of the county! Edgewater Resort in Ephraim offers that possibility – with options for condo-style facing the water or the courtyard, studios or single hotel-type rooms. Cottages with one or two bedrooms are behind the water-view rooms.

My front windows looked toward Eagle Harbor, just past the swimming pool. I liked squinting to pretend the closed umbrellas on pool-side tables were lighthouses—definitely another Door County feature.

Many rooms have big whirlpool tubs, complete with bubbles and bathrobes.

Ephraim and the Edgewater Resort are on the Green Bay side of the peninsula and that means superb sunsets. Choose wide verandahs with rocking chairs, or a walk along the water’s edge for viewing.  

Cozy seating areas nestle among flowers and shrubs designed for a native-plant, almost wild look, natural and pleasing even as autumn colors dominated tall trees all through the county.

Officially Dark Night Sky

Autumn colors often described as “luminous.” by some residents in the Door County peninsula.
Autumn colors on the Door County peninsula some residents describe as “luminous.” Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Dark is important when we want to see the stars, right? Well, Dark Sky International says Newport  State Park on the northern tip of Door County is “remarkably dark.”

Guess they know what they’re talking about after certifying 200 dark skies in 22 countries on six continents since 2001!

With 15 miles of open water separating the land under this sky from the mainland, the park is in the town named Ellison Bay.

Go in daylight to enjoy 30 miles of hiking trails, 2,300 acres of forest and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Go back after dinner for the dark sky.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Sky is an important Door County word in another way too: Northern Sky Theater in Fish Creek. Original shows outside in the amphitheater in Peninsula State Park and inside the 248-seat Gould Theater opened in 2019. NOVA is the mission: Nurturing Original Voices of Artists.

Shops and Eateries in Courtyards

Order your take outs from Prince of Pierogi in Ephraim for your picnics in Door County
Polish dumplings with a wide array of fillings fuel picnics in the yard, or takeout, from Prince of Pierogi in Ephraim. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

I found way more than lunch in a courtyard nestled off Water Street (Highway 42) in the village of Ephraim. I experienced an international welcoming spirit, entrepreneurship and a bit of interesting shopping at Aunt Velma’s House ‘N Heart.

Prince of Pierogi and Anatolia are the foodie places; tables in the courtyard offer the chance of a picnic when the weather’s right.

Shorewood Villages is the name of this delightful spot. World Welcome could be its nickname because the entrepreneur-owners of each restaurant came to Door County on J1 visas to work, expand their English language skills and learn the American culture.

Warren Phohl with the nonprofit Door County Bridges told me 535 students have come to the peninsula communities through the J1 visa program from 72 countries, with more expected.

Enjoy exotic meals at Door County.
Earning an MBA while introducing new foods to America, Muktar Aghazada expresses appreciation for Door County and the J1 visa program. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Azerbaijan is the original home of Muktar Aghazada who has also earned an MBA from Illinois State University as well as establishing Anatolia’s.

His menu reflects another peninsula—named Anatolia in Turkey. Azerbaijan is just east of there.

Poland is Krol Krzysztof homeland; he’s opening a second kitchen in 2025, this one in Sturgeon Bay.

A larger courtyard in downtown Fish Creek with lovely landscaping and benches for resting is called Founder’s Square. Cottages with shops and restaurants date to 1855 when the first dock was established.

A cheerful courtyard in autumn in Door County.
Courtyards in Founder’s Square in Fish Creek more cheerful than frightful in autumn. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

SheBuysTravel Tip: Wonder if a trip somewhere could show you the feeling: “We’re all in this together.” Or introduce you to people who act like that? Bunches of them seem to live in Door County, Wisconsin.

I went to do some hiking (and leisurely strolls) in the autumn leaves of state parks, county parks and neighborhoods.

In the midst of those maples and birches, oaks and beeches, I kept meeting people who wanted to talk about compromise and partnerships and looking out for one another.

Set a nice tone for me in restaurants and along leafy paths, in shops and on tourism trolleys, in my lodging walkways and along the many, many waterfronts.

Some of the Door County Places to Eat

Tart cherries grow abundantly in Door County and can be served with pies.
Tart cherries grow abundantly in Door County and pie is only one of dozens (hundreds!) of the ways they’re served. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

CHOP


CHOP
 is a fine dining steak and seafood house in Sister Bay, with a sister restaurant down the street named LURE.

Winter’s cold in Door County, and LURE closes for that season. CHOP is open.

The Wisconsin Old Fashioned made with brandy is $5.00 during happy hour. Another bargain – the three-course early dining menu served from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Say yes to bread while considering your entree; popovers are the signature. “Accompaniments” are the word for scallops, shrimp, lobster and maybe mushrooms or onions added to an order of beef.

“Compounds” distinguish the CHOP menu too with options to choose your butter: black truffle with garlic and white wine perhaps or worcestershire and garlic chives or bearnaise with tarragon, shallots and white wine.

CHOP is next door to the Door Hotel and just a block from the interesting Al Johnson Swedish Butik shop.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you liked meeting the men from Poland and Azerbaijan in Ephraim restaurants, notice the servers at CHOPS. Mine was from Ukraine, sensitive, polite and highly skilled, also a J1 visa holder speaking of his appreciation for the opportunities.

Scaturo’s Baking Company & Cafe

 With so many ingredients at Scaturo’s truffle burrata is also served as a main course but might be an appetizer some places.
Truffle burrata might be an appetizer some places, but with so many ingredients at Scaturo’s it’s also a main course. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Sturgeon Bay is the peninsula community to find pizza to rival any previous favorite. Crust is hand tossed, sauces are house made and meats, cheeses and toppings are farm fresh.

Maybe go strictly for breads and desserts! The Scaturo bakery produces breads, pies, cakes, cookies and pastries every day.

Visionary owners Robert and JoAnne Scaturo opened their dream business in the mid 1990s, and they keep adding visions! One of their newest is truffle burrata.

Imagine calabrese peppers, prosciutto cotto, three cheese blend, fresh BelGioiaso burrata cheese, pesto drizzle and balsamic reduction. Plan on a second helping.

Think a burger’s simple? The Scaturo version comes on a kaiser roll just baked in house, never frozen ground chuck from the local Marchant’s Meats and (also local) Renard’s two-year aged white cheddar.

Prince of Pierogi

Enjoy boiled, and not fried dumplings in Door County
Dumplings are boiled, not fried, at Prince of Pierogi in Ephraim, and the stuffings are generous and varied. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Dumplings in a dozen versions seems to be the definition of Polish comfort food here.

They’re boiled, not fried, and the flour’s not enriched on purpose. Call it Polish artisan flour.

Savory or sweet can be the innards of every dumpling…ingredients like potato or cheddar and jalapeno with bacon crumbles. Maybe slow-roasted pork with butter and dill, or sauerkraut with mushrooms  or spinach and feta. For dessert – cherries and blueberries in a dumpling, or bananas and Nutella.

This is also a place to try Polish beers: a lager named tyskie, a pilsner named zywiec and a pale ale named tatra.

May 1 – November 1 is the season.

A Sanctuary Protecting Fragile Plants and Wildlife

Get close to exceptional and endangered plants and wildlife at The Ridges Sanctuary
The Ridges Sanctuary provides rustic trails and draw-you-in boardwalks to get close to exceptional and endangered plants and wildlife. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor might just be the perfect confluence of geography, growing conditions, enthusiastic scientists and naturalists—-and opportunities to visit in a multitude of ways.

Orchids grow in cold weather here—29 species of them. Endangered emerald dragonflies spend four to five years as larva and then hatch in Ridges Sanctuary, living just four to six weeks. Teeny-tiny dwarf iris like to grow here. Big trees too: 11 species of conifers in the boreal forest.

This is a land trust and a National Natural Landmark. Audubon declares The Ridges an Important Bird Area, with a capital “I.”

People with mobility needs are offered track chairs to help them experience the sanctuary.
The Ridges naturalists provide a track chair for free to help people with mobility needs experience the Sanctuary. Advance reservations recommended. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

SheBuysTravel Tip: Walk about on your own on five miles of rustic trails and bridges. Even better are hikes with naturalists, two hours of awe and wonder guidance spotting biodiversity treasures. Reserve the “track chair” for free—-just the right tires and comfort for mobility assistance.

Early bird hikes start at 6:30 a.m. and night hikes at dusk. Early afternoon guided walks happen too.

Interactive options pop up along the Family Discovery Trail and a printed guide is available to follow. Walk this on your own.

Why named “ridges?” When the Lake Michigan shoreline recedes, it leaves ridges, and now they’re the trails to walk.

Ridge-trails are parallel to wetlands called swales and the boardwalks offer chances to stand and gaze. Benches help too because this is a place to muse, and just be present.

Cana Island and Other Lighthouses

Cana Island lighthouse offers top views of the Door County while casting long shadows.
Cana Island lighthouse casts a long shadow when viewed from the very top. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Climbing 97 narrow twisty-turvy stairs to peer out the top isn’t the only pleasure about lighthouses I learned in Door County.

Walking on the bottom of Lake Michigan is too! Well, sort of—–because the short causeway from mainland to island was once in the deep, and often floods suddenly today.

A tractor-pulled haywagon is the other way to reach Cana Island with its lighthouse, keeper’s cottage, fuel storage shed and nature trail.

Lake Michigan is accessible from the land, and also with big views of it from the top of the lighthouse.

The Door County Maritime Museum operates Cana Island lighthouse as a museum. Some of the other 10 lighthouses are visible virtually and some only by boat. Access  lighthouse details at doorcounty.com and search lighthouses.

Towers Of Excellence

Door County Maritime Museum Tower

Enjoy amazing water views from the top of the ten-story Maritime Museum
The water view from the top of the ten-story Maritime Museum sets the stage for creative exhibits on every level, ancient water history and the latest modern science and labors too. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Oceans and great lakes may seem horizontal, their horizons way far off. Door County, however, takes maritime learning vertical with a remarkable 10-story museum on Sturgeon Bay.

Stairs sure, but also an elevator in the Maritime Museum tower.

Each of the ten floors offers a feeling of continuity but also fresh new graphics, lights and colors, sounds and views. And there’s always something interactive to do or hear or experience.

 Like lenticular photos. Know that word? I didn’t. Taller-than-people photos in the museum change when walking by, like the seasons do in this peninsula.

Or like voices of early original residents, speaking their native tongue to name the places their ancestors lived.

Or ancient geological maps to give a hint of land that began forming 400 million years ago are exhibited right next to hi-tech screens of the latest geo-spacial satellites at work.

Interactive exhibits at the Maritime Museum in Door County
Lots of the Maritime Museum exhibits are interactive but a few declare the foundational mission. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Knowing “People of the Water” on floor eight seems especially pertinent for a holiday on a peninsula, as does the tenth floor “Our Working Waterfront” since docks and ships of massive size are so visible right here.

“Life Underwater” and “Shipwrecks” are floors two and three, kind of connecting disaster and ecosystems.

Accessible Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park

Climb the Edge Water Towers with ease of the gentle-sloping ramp
The gently-sloping ramp allows access to the top of Eagle Tower without any stairs. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

Eagle Tower’s 60 feet tall. Imagining the view over Green Bay is exhilarating to some and sadness to others. Steps are not always possible, for certain not 100 of them.

That’s why this tower is so indicative of Door County’s cooperative and inclusive personality.

They built a gently sloping (never more than five percent) and very wide 850-foot ramp!

Wide matters to be side-by-side.

Sometimes you’re looking down on treetops. On land, hiking trails loop around for easy returns, or connect to other longer walks.

Enjoy amazing views from the top of Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park.
The view from the top of Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park opened up to many more people when the 850-foot ramp was built. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

On the ramp I saw baby buggies, wagons and wheelchairs with pushers and pullers, and I saw people winding their own way up and down.  Some walkers also used the ramp up and the stairs down.

Peninsula State Park rents 4 x 4 wheelchairs (remember the track chair at The Ridges Sanctuary.)

Five campgrounds have a total of 468 family sites. One area named Tennison Bay even features winter camping.

Maritime Museum helps understand the terrain of escarpments of Door County
Escarpment’s not a word just everybody understands but it’s a big influence on the nature of Door County. This map in the Maritime Museum helps understand. Photo credit: Christine Tibbetts

SheBuysTravel Tip: Tie together some of the distinctive features of Door County—for instance the ancient Niagara Escarpment glacial movement and what it means visiting here today. Peninsula State Park is full of bluffs, rocky and 150 feet high, caused by the Escarpment. Floor nine in the Maritime Museum offers Escarpment information. The Ridges Sanctuary protects rare plant and animal species existing because of the Escarpment. Limestone sea caves in Cave Point County Park date to this glacial movement too.

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Christine Tibbetts believes family travel is shared discovery — almost like having a secret among generations who travel together. The matriarch of a big blended clan with many adventuresome traveling members, she is a classically-trained journalist. Christine handled PR and marketing accounts for four decades, specializing in tourism, the arts, education, politics and community development.  She builds travel features with depth interviews and abundant musing to uncover the soul of each place.
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