Door County Packs Fun for the Family
by Rosalind Stefanac
We’d never heard of Wisconsin’s Door County — a stretch of coastal towns on a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. But after only a few days of hiking, biking and eating our way through this scenic spot in the Midwest, Door County has earned a top spot on our list of favourite family destinations in the U.S. Here are four reasons why we’ll be going back the very first chance we get.
It’s good for a week or a long weekend
Door County Packs Fun for the Family
Once you fly into Green Bay, driving the 70-mile stretch from the southern part of the peninsula to its northern tip takes a little more than an hour, but there are days of biking and hiking trails, beaches and bluffs to explore—along with shops, museums and good eats. The area has more than 300 miles of shoreline with limestone bluffs and beaches, along with five state and 19 county parks. Be sure to take your teens and tweens on a guided tour at Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin’s oldest non-profit nature reserve. This relaxed two-hour tour really is suitable for all ages, and our engaging guide made sure we caught all of the fascinating nature elements along the way. Between June to October, you can apply to spend a week in the lighthouse on the property too!
You can take a ride across Death’s Door
Door County Packs Fun for the Family
Door County was named after the sometimes treacherous water passage that lies off the peninsulas’ tip where Lake Michigan and Green Bay meet, aptly named Porte Des Morts or Death’s Door. Provided the weather accommodates, take the 30-minute ferry to cross this scenic passage from Northport Pier to Washington Island, the largest of the County’s outlying islands. There you can take a dip at Schoolhouse Beach made up entirely of smooth, white pebbles. Or take a stroll through the fields of Fragrant Isle with more than 30,000 lavender plants. There is even a café and gift store with all kinds of lavender-infused products, including fragrant cookies and lattes.
From here, take a short ferry ride to Rock Island to tour Pottawatomie Lighthouse, the oldest in Wisconsin. This pedestrian-only state park has 10 miles of hiking trails. It also has an impressive boathouse completed in 1929 that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just be sure to pack your drinks and snacks as few options are available on the island.
Skipping the fast-food chains is preferred
Door County Packs Fun for the Family
Outside of Sturgeon Bay (Door County’s shipbuilding hub), there are no fast-food chains throughout the entire peninsula. Instead, teens and tweens will love trying Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim, which has been operating since 1906. They offer home-brewed draft root beer, ice-cream floats and flame-broiled burgers, along with jukeboxes at every booth. We also loved Prince of Pierogi where former soccer pro turned Chef Krzysztof Krol served up the most delicious homemade pierogis and other Polish fare. For a dinner splurge, try a window seat at Burton’s on the Bay at the Alpine Resort. Here you can catch a panoramic sunset view of Green Bay.
Door County is also one of the top tart cherry-producing regions in the U.S. so don’t miss out on trying all the cherry-infused culinary delights available throughout the region. The prime cherry-picking season runs from mid-July to mid-August. Come between mid-May to early June to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom!
You can sleep by the beach
Door County Packs Fun for the Family
At the family-run Square Rigger Lodge in Sturgeon Bay immaculately clean motel rooms walk-out to a spacious lawn and sandy beach overlooking Lake Michigan. It’s the perfect place to play some Frisbee or sit and relax with a good book for some downtime. The larger suites come with fully equipped kitchenettes too.
To find out more about Door County visit www.doorcounty.com