My Adventures in Door County, Wisconsin

By Sabra Rieck

If you love small coastal towns, specialty shopping, outdoor activities, and good food, like I do, Door County is the place for you! Surrounded by nearly 300 miles of Lake Michigan and Green Bay shoreline, It is fondly known as “The Cape Cod of the Midwest.”  

Let me introduce you to some of my favorite places.

Egg Harbor
If you’ve never been to the area, Door County Trolleys is a great way to get a little background about the area while indulging in some great tours.  They have at least ten different themes to choose from.

Tours include a variety of tasting tours (wines, beers, cheeses etc.), ghost tours, a lighthouse tour, family and lake tours, holiday (Christmas & Easter) tours, shortened family tours and more! 

Sister Bay
At the Tannenbaum Holiday Store you can find just the right gift for anyone on your list, and for any special occasion.  This store is housed in an old Lutheran church built in 1879, and still has its original architecture with stained glass windows, alter and choir loft.

At Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and Butik (butik is french for boutique) they have a rare sight. It's a restaurant with goats grazing on the roof! Established in 1949, they serve serve traditional Swedish food as well as American. Servers even dress in Scandinavian garb.

Ephraim
If you love staying in a historical landmark hotel with a great water view, the Water Street Inn is for you! It was established in 1896 and has been newly restored.  Their theory is that “every moment of time is a gift—one that can be savored if we find a way to lose track of it”.  This is a place where you can relax and do just that.

Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor is a great place for flame broiled burgers and homemade ice cream.

The home-brewed draft root beer and juke boxes that play the classics, add to the fun.

A family tradition since 1906, they've had many expansions over the years. 

It is still a family-run business.

You can’t visit Door County without taking part in one of the many fish boils in the area.  We chose the Old Post Office Restaurant.

They have history dating back to 1874. It was a Post Office in the early 1900’s, in the rear of a general store. 

The Old Post Office Restaurant has waterfront dining.

and they have maintained the tradition of the fish boil which began 100 years ago.  You must see the presentation before your meal with the “boil over”.  It’s an important part of the whole experience.

Fish Creek
If you love tasting new wines, you must stop at Lautenbach Orchard Country Winery and Market.  They have been in business since 1955, and are known for growing, harvesting, and producing award-winning fruit products.  Their wine flights are a highlight of the visit, with over 40 wines to choose from.  They also have fresh bakery, artisan cheese, jams, salsas, and many more.

I love to check out art galleries and outdoor art! Edgewood Orchard Galleries is one of the most respected art galleries in the Midwest. Housed in a stone fruit barn built in 1918, the gallery opened it's doors in 1969.

Edgewood Orchard Galleries is known for it’s wide range of media by over 150 artists.

Housed in a stone fruit barn built in 1918, they have expanded over the years.  In 2008, they added their outdoor sculpture garden which is placed throughout the wooded area by the gallery.  All of them are for sale too!

Baileys Harbor
If being outdoors in nature and taking a good hike is your pleasure, visit Ridges Sanctuary Nature Trail. Founded in 1937, it's one of the most diverse natural areas in Wisconsin. It has a fully accessible boardwalk through part of the trails. 

There are two iconic Baileys Harbor Range Lights also on the property.

 

Fish Creek
If you enjoy seeing the area from the water, Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours will take you on a variety of tours. 

We did the Millionaire Row and West Islands tours They highlighted some of the Cottage Row houses, the most preferred address for the past 100 years. 

The Takeaway
There is something for everyone in Door County.  I didn’t even begin to mention all of the water sport activities available - boating, fishing, kayaks, and much more. Plan on spending several days in the area to get a real feel of the past.

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