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As you research your Door County itinerary, a few questions will probably pop up:
This article aims to answer some of your most common questions and gives an overview for Door County first-timers. Door County BasicsDoor County is the easternmost county in Wisconsin located on the Door Peninsula. If you picture the shape of Wisconsin as your left hand – the peninsula is the thumb that sticks out. Door County is 70 miles long and 18 miles wide at its base, narrowing as you head north. The water of Green Bay borders the western side of the peninsula. The north and eastern sides look out into Lake Michigan. With 300 miles of shoreline, Door County is a naturally scenic weekend escape attracting 2 million visitors a year. Many make their way from the Midwest as Door County is an easy 2.5-hour drive from Milwaukee, less than 4 hours from Chicago, and less than 5 hours from Minneapolis. (Another scenic Midwest destination to check out is Galena, Illinois. Mississippi views, restaurants, shops and wineries make it a great weekend getaway, too!) Common QuestionsWhen is the best time to visit Door County?You may already have your specific weekend locked in for a Door County visit or maybe you are flexible with your dates – either way, there are some things to keep in mind. The most popular time for a Door County visit is May through October when three-quarters of the tourists make their way to the area. Spring offers the beauty of apple and cherry blossoms and wildflowers with fewer crowds, although the weather can still be cool and wet. Summer brings hotter temperatures – ideal for water sports and swimming, but you’ll also encounter more bugs, bigger crowds and higher prices during this peak time.
Winter sees the season’s die-hards who come for ice fishing, snow shoeing and exploring the frozen shoreline. Weekends are more packed than weekdays as you may guess. But even weekdays can be busy during peak periods. Visiting during peak tourist times of late spring, summer or during fall events, plan for the place to be crowded and keep these things in mind:
Which town is the best to stay in?Where to stay in Door County is usually a big question for first-timers to the area. The best advice I received during my first trip to Door County was to look at a map of the Door Peninsula and envision a triangle from Baileys Harbor north to Sister Bay, south through Fish Creek to Egg Harbor and back to Bailey’s Harbor. The city of Sturgeon Bay, south of the triangle, is the entrance to Door County. While it’s a nice city, it’s much bigger than the quaint towns farther north and not the most convenient to explore the peninsula. North of the triangle are more remote towns and Northport Pier, which provides access to the Washington Island ferry. While you may decide to include a trip to Washington Island in your weekend itinerary, I don’t recommend it. It will take a big chunk of time out of your weekend in Door County. Your time is better spent exploring more accessible parts of the region. In the end it doesn’t matter too much which town you stay in because you’ll likely be exploring all of them. The towns are within an easy drive of each other and all deliver a variety of unique experiences. With only a weekend in Door County, what are the can’t miss sights and activities?People venture to Door County for different reasons and with different interests. You may want to spend as much time as possible on a golf course, touring lighthouses, or hiking bluffs along the scenic shoreline. Maybe unique boutiques are your thing, sprinkled in with some wine tastings. Either way, your best bet is to prioritize the activities that mean the most to you. Limited to just a weekend visit, you won’t get to see and do all that Door County has to offer, but to help with your itinerary, here are some popular experiences in Door County. Explore Peninsula State Park.Experience a fish boil.Marvel at the goats on the roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant.Tour Cana Island Lighthouse.Visit a Door County winery.Discover Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park.(For another scenic and thrilling cliff diving experience in Wisconsin, check out our article on the Apostle Islands!) Paddle or cycle your way through the scenery.Choosing an active adventure is a great way to see the stunning Door County scenery. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and bikes to head out on your own, or choose to take a guided tour. Even with just a weekend in Door County you have time to fit an adventure into your schedule. Tour companies, such as Door County Kayak Tours, provide kayak and E-bike excursions from 1.5-4 hours. Savor a sunrise or sunset over the water.Enjoy Wilson’s ice cream.Taste cherry-flavored creations.Have you visited Door County? What are some experiences you’d recommend for a weekend in Door County? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you! What is there to do in Door County right now?Top Attractions in Door County. Cave Point County Park. 1,258. Parks. ... . Washington Island Ferry Line. 653. Ferries. ... . Peninsula State Park. 1,762. State Parks. ... . Stone's Throw Winery. 771. Wineries & Vineyards. ... . Schoolhouse Beach. 441. Beaches. ... . Seaquist Orchards Farm Market. 217. ... . Harbor Ridge Winery. 310. ... . Washington Island Stavkirke. 252.. How do you spend weekends in Door County?More Kangaroo Lake views.. Breakfast At Heirloom Cafe & Provisions.. Peninsula State Park: Biking The Sunset Trail.. Peninsula State Park: Hiking The Eagle Trail.. Apple Picking At Lautenbach Orchard.. Brunch At White Gull Inn.. Driving Door County's Curvy Highway.. Newport State Park: Hiking.. What is there to do in Door County for a day?10 Things to Do in Door County. Cave Point County Park. ... . Peninsula State Park. ... . Rock Island State Park. ... . Door County Wineries. ... . Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant. ... . Local Farms. ... . Cana Island Lighthouse. ... . Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.. Which town in Door County has the best shopping?1. Fish Creek. Fish Creek is a quaint waterside town in northern Door County. This charming destination also features some of the best shopping in the region and Door County's favorite gift shop, Beach People.
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