The one thing that will stand out to any visitor who comes to Wisconsin is the friendliness of the people. They are kind, laid back, and very proud of whatever they do (farming, cider making, serving food, etc.). Then, you get into the natural beauty of Wisconsin. Dense forests, pristine lakes, and hiking paths for miles. Lastly, you cannot ignore the tastiness of the cheese. What will stand out is the deep-fried cheese curds on offer in just about every eatery in the state! Welcome to Wisconsin – you will love it here.
Voted No. 7 on USA Today’s 10 Best Summer Travel Destinations Across the US for 2024, I believe it should be higher on the list (having visited some of the other winners – Space Coast Florida, Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Ocean City, NJ).
In the last year, I have visited Wisconsin three times, visiting Eau Claire (for TBEX), Beloit, Door County, and Elkhart Lake. The journey from southwestern Ontario to Sister Bay in Door County is about 13.5 hours. You may want to take a break and drive part of Route 66 through Illinois to Beloit, Madison, or Milwaukee, then push on to Door County.
Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay, located in Door County, Wisconsin, is a charming city known for its rich maritime heritage and scenic beauty. Situated at the Bay of Green Bay entrance, it serves as a vital port and gateway to the Door County Peninsula.

Sturgeon Bay has a deep connection to maritime history. It’s home to the historic Michigan Street Bridge, an iconic lift bridge that allows ships to pass through the city’s canal. The area features a variety of vessels, from large freighters to small fishing boats, reflecting its longstanding maritime tradition.
Bass Around the Bay

Quirky, fun, and a means to beautify the city as well as focus on midwest artists, Bass around the Bay is an art treasure hunt in Sturgeon Bay. Sweet Treats, Open Door Pride, and Door County Calavera (above) are the three painted bass I found in the downtown area. All 28 projects are on display (click on the link for a map and images) to enjoy all summer leading up to the 24th Annual Street Art Auction on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Renard’s Artisan Cheese

Location: 2189 County Road DK, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Chris Renard is a Master Cheesemaker and co-owner of Renard’s Artisan Cheese. You could say it runs in the family. A fourth-generation cheesemaker, you will find over 100 varieties of award-winning cheese alongside a variety of locally produced goods. A must-stop enroute to the peninsula, sample some delectable cheese, or order lunch at Melt Bistro (I’d recommend the loaded mac & cheese and cheese curds – delish). Great gifts to bring home – chocolate covered cherries, preserves or wine.
Baileys Harbor
Lake Michigan’s waves and rocky limestone shoreline hug the village of Baileys Harbor, making it an ideal escape to reconnect with nature and outdoor adventure. It’s also home to breweries, coffee shops and a quaint sense of village life.
Baileys Harbor Fish Company

Location: 8096 Ridges Road, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Did you know that all the walleye fish sold in Wisconsin is Canadian? I found that fun fact while visiting Baileys Harbor Fish Company. Owner Carin (Stuth runs the family business and gave us a tour of the facility. If you want to pick up fresh fish, take a look here.
Sway Brewing + Blending

Location: 2434 County Road F, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
With a distillery tucked away in the basement of this neighborhood taproom, Sway Brewing + Blending in Baileys Harbor is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Decorated with large tables and comfy banquettes, you want to make this a coffee and/or beer stop. On tap are beers with interesting flavor profiles (funky & tart, fruity, or dry), you are likely to find something you like. On a sunny day, you can sit outside and enjoy time with friends. It has a lovely menu with a list of microbrews. They are renowned for their baked goods and awesome sandwiches.
Ellison Bay

Art and nature collide – the tiny village has attracted artists, writers, and dreamers for decades. Quirky public art, galleries where the artist answers the door, and eclectic shops showcasing foreign culture all call Ellison Bay home. This hamlet is also home to craft cocktails and ciders, classic diners, and some of the most stunning views in the county.
Island Orchard Cider

Location: 12040 Garrett Bay Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
An award-winning hard cider company located in Ellison Bay, WI, Island Orchard Cider is named after the cider fruit orchard on Washington Island, where they grow apples, pears, and hazelnuts. Every fall, they handpick the fruits and then ferry them across Lake Michigan’s Death’s Door to their production facility in Ellison Bay. I recommend you taste the Platinum Award winners Pomona and Hopped Brut apple ciders!
Drinks are served by flight tastings, glass pours, and shareable pitchers. To accompany the cider they offer locally-focused snack options (cheese, crackers, preserves and sausages).You can try a flight of ciders, but I would also recommend the cider vinegar flight. It is a unique experience that will appeal to any gourmands in the group.
Sister Bay

Sister Bay’s bustling marina and waterfront are central to the village’s appeal. The harbor is a lively spot for boating, with a charming boardwalk and park areas perfect for enjoying views of the bay and lively local events.
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant

Location: 10698 North Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234
After the waterfront park, I would have to say Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant is the most famous place in Sister Bay. The Swedish menu is extraordinary, and their souvenir shop is wonderful, but it’s the grass roof and the goats on them that makes this a must-see activity.

Al Johnson’s Restaurant, established in 1973, is renowned for its Swedish cuisine and distinctive Scandinavian atmosphere. The tradition of goats on the roof began in the early 1970s when Al Johnson, the restaurant’s founder, decided to add a quirky touch to his establishment. The idea was inspired by Swedish farms, where goats were often kept on roofs to graze on moss and lichen.
The Dörr Hotel

Location: 2329 Mill Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234
A beautiful, modern building, The Dörr Hotel has spacious rooms, a great location and multiple meeting areas inside and out. The most notable are the fire pits on the front lawn of the hotel. Surrounded by Adirondak chairs, they welcome guests to enjoy some s’mores – like camping but with an incredibly comfy bed!
Most of the rooms have beautiful balconies looking out to Sister Bay. The waterfront is just a block away and has a beach, a dock, and sitting areas. You are also a stone’s throw from Al Johnson’s Restaurant where you can see the goats on the roof in the morning before they retire for the day at 3 pm.
Ephraim

Explore the Town
Pop into a few of the peninsula’s favorite galleries and boutiques or enjoy a walk along the boardwalk. Perfect for an afternoon on a boat cruising the bay. You can rent a boat and hire a guide with easy access to Peninsula State Park’s Nicolet Beach, Horseshoe Island, Eagle Bluff, and Eagle Lighthouse with South Shore Pier Rental. There was a fishing derby when we were visiting, and we watched competitors as they patiently (and peacefully) fished in Eagle Harbor.
Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor

Location: 9990 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54211
A definite treat are the sodas and milkshakes at Wilson’s in Ephraim. Go back to simpler times and order a basket of cheese curds, a burger and a milkshake. A classic Door County Landmark, around since 1906, have a seat on the comfy red-tuffted leather booths with a menu a firm nod to the 1950s. Open during the summer season from mid-May to mid-October. The service was exceptional and the location was perfect.
Old Post Office Restaurant

Location: 10040 Water Street, Highway 42, Ephraim, WI 54211
Experience a traditional fish boil at The Old Post Office Restaurant. It began as a way of feeding Swedish and Norwegian lumberjacks working to clear brush. It was simple, quick, and made in a cauldron that would feed hundreds; the fish boil can be found throughout Door County.
Part performance, part spectacle, this communal dining experience ends with a huge fireball at the end of the boil. It has a very special purpose. After adding a lot of salt, potatoes, onions, and finally, the Great Lake White Fish, the fish oil rises to the top, and the brine needs to be boiled off. So, once the cooking process is done, kerosene is thrown on the fire to burn off the brine.

It’s all very dramatic, but once you understand why it needs to be done, you will enjoy one of the oldest traditional meals in Door County. I cannot recommend this enough, as a unique eating experience. We enjoyed the boiled whitefish, red potatoes, and onions at the Old Post Office Restaurant (adjacent to the Edgewater Resort).
Edgewater Resort

Location: 10040 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54211
At the Edgewater Resort, you have a choice of a one-bedroom cabins or large motel rooms with a view of the harbor. Open year-round, this family resort has a pool and easy access to the scenic waterfront. I recommend a room on the second floor overlooking the bay. They boast a spacious living room, kitchen, and a beautiful veranda with wicker chairs for spectacular view of the sunrise and sunsets.
Egg Harbor
Egg Harbor, a coastal gem on the Green Bay side of the peninsula, is renowned as one of America’s best small towns. Surrounded by orchards and nature preserves, it features a sparkling marina and waterfront perfect for aquatic activities. The foliage-lined main street offers specialty shops, bakeries, and eateries serving everything from craft cocktails, art galleries, and craft breweries—all within sight of the harbor.
Hatch Distilling Co

Location: 7740 Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Combining agriculture with making spirits will lead you to Hatch Distilling Company. Recently opened on the newly expanded and repaved Highway 42 in Egg Harbor, this distillery has both indoor and outdoor seating with a private room in the back for tastings. Hatch produces mead, cider, and wine that is local, seasonal, and imaginative using local ingredients found on the peninsula or not too far away. Enjoy cocktails made from burbon, gin or vodka and mead (honey wine). Their website has cocktail recipes that you can enjoy at home (spirits and merch are available for purchase)!
One Barrel Brewing Company

Location: 4633 Market Street, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
If you like beer, cider, seltzer, and soda, walk over to One Barrel Brewing Company and enjoy a flight and some awesome pizza, freshly made and delicious. Sit outside and enjoy the beer garden. It is both child- and dog-friendly with inviting picnic tables and umbrellas.
Carrington Restaurant

Location: 7643 Hillside Rd, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
If you are looking for a special dinner with a killer sunset, you want to go to Carrington’s. Overlooking Egg Harbor, sitting above their spectacular golf course, be sure to ask for a table with a view. The menu has a wide variety of items, from ribs to seafood pasta. Generous portions will leave you full, but satisfied.
Fish Creek
Founder’s Square

Fish Creek is the perfect place to do a bit of window shopping. Take your time and walk along Main Street, then head to Founder’s Square, a collection of galleries, shops, and restaurants. For something unique, stop by Fish Creek Moccasin for authentic moccasins and leather accessories. Visit founder Asa Thorp’s original log cabin, built in 1849. In 1855, Asa built the first dock in Fish Creek, which welcomed ships and established the town as a stop on the way from Green Bay.
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market

Location: 9197 Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market is the perfect place to stock up on all the good things that Door County offers. You can buy cheese curds, jams, pie filling, and even a few traditionally Wisconsin souvenirs. You will also want to sample the wines produced in the multi-generational-owned winery and market.
This arguably is one of the best places in Door County to see the rows and rows of Door County Montmorency cherry blossoms. Breathe in the fragrance and the billowy clouds of blossoms for the perfect selfie. Then, shop for freshly baked cherry pies, tart cherry juice, dried cherries, and cherry wine.
White Gull Inn

Location: 4225 Main Street, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Providing traditional (and unique) stays, the White Gull Inn is a historic 118-year-old country inn featuring rooms, suites, and cottages with fireplaces decorated in antiques, coordinating prints and fabrics that maintain the warm, nineteenth-century flavor.

White Gull Inn aslo features a restaurant which is open to the public. It reminds you of a family restaurant from a bygone era, with free coffee refills, large portions, and friendly staff. You can also try one of their famous traditional Door County fish boils.
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park is the largest state park in Door County, and offers a rich array of activities and natural features. The park is renowned for its scenic beauty, including the iconic Eagle Tower, which provides sweeping views of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Location: 9462 Shore Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212
For anyone visiting Wisconsin, Peninsula State Park is a must-see destination. This expansive park in Door County covers over 3,000 acres and offers many activities. You can choose from more than 460 campsites, join friends at one of the three group camps, or enjoy a round of golf on the 18-hole course. There’s also a summer theater for live performances and a sandy beach perfect for relaxing. For those who like to stay active, the park features scenic bike trails and a historic lighthouse with fantastic views.

A standout feature of the park is Eagle Tower, which rises 60 feet high with its top observation deck 253 feet above Green Bay. Visitors can climb 100 steps to reach the top or take an 850-foot, fully accessible canopy walk that winds above the tree line to the observation deck.
The park’s eight miles of shoreline along Door County provide stunning views of the Niagara Escarpment. The waves crashing against these towering bluffs create a beautiful natural setting that’s ideal for photography, hiking, or simply soaking in the scenery. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful retreat, Peninsula State Park has something to offer everyone.
Other Activities in the Region:
Washington Island

A 30-minute ferry ride across Death’s Door you will arrive at Washington Island. The once-treacherous waterway connects Green Bay with Lake Michigan. After wreaking havoc on ships and sailors alike for decades, the site has become a destination for scuba diving. There are around 240 known shipwrecks in the waters of Door County alone. You can explore about 25 of them in a number of ways, including shipwreck diving, clear-bottom kayak tours, boat rides, and local maritime museums.

Schoolhouse Beach is a sight to behold. Instead of sand, it is covered with smooth limestone pebbles. Part of the Niagara Escarpment, it is a protected harbor and provides great swimming and picnicking opportunities for visitors. It even has a diving raft!

Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, Shop & Le Café
Location: 1350 Airport RdWashington Island, WI 54246
The perfect Instagram opportunity is a lavender field in the summer. Visit Fragrant Isle Lavendar Farm with over 20,000 lavender plants and gardens. From buds to blooms to harvest and distillation, enjoy lavender’s seasonal journey. Visitors will enjoy strolling through the lavender farm fields and gardens. You can also shop for over 300 lavender infused products in their shop or enjoy desserts or lavendar-infused drinks at the Café.
State Parks

Door County, Wisconsin, is home to four more stunning state parks, each offering its own unique features and activities. Potawatomi State Park is known for its impressive observation tower, which provides panoramic views of Sturgeon Bay and the surrounding landscape.
Newport State Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park (one of
just 48 parks in the world). This means it is recognized for its exceptionally dark night skies, making it an ideal location for stargazing and observing celestial phenomena. The park’s commitment to preserving its night skies offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience a clear, unpolluted view of the stars.

Whitefish Dunes State Park is distinguished by its sandy dunes and expansive beach along Lake Michigan. The park features the tallest sand dunes in Wisconsin, and its unique landscape is perfect for hiking and picnicking. There is also a Nature Center to visit.
Rock Island State Park is unique for its isolation and accessibility only by ferry. Deer abound, and it’s a great island for bald eagle and pelican spotting. The park is renowned for its beautifully restored Pottawatomie Lighthouse. It’s a prime destination for those seeking solitude and an immersive experience in nature.
Belgian Heritage Center

Location: 1255 County Road DK, Brussels, WI 54204
Stop by the Belgian Heritage Center on your way into or exiting the Door Peninsula. In the 1850s, Belgian immigrants arrived in southern Door County with the promise of land and a new life. Getting more than they bargained for, they cleared dense forests and established an agricultural community that remains today.
A stop at the Belgian Heritage Center (formerly St Mary of the Snows Catholic Church) and the Belgian roadside votive chapels will teach any history lover about the impact and resiliency of these Walloon settlers. If you’re lucky enough to be there when a festival takes place, you can sample the delicious Belgian food!
Belgian Votive Chapels

The wayside votive chapels of Northeast Wisconsin represent an old-world religious tradition brought to this area in the 1870s. Named for saints often in thanks for prayers answered. Thirty-six are documented with five near the Belgium Heritage Center. By tradition, most wayside chapels are open to any worshiper at any time, and are slightly removed from the farm itself for privacy and quiet. Please remember: these chapels are houses of worship and should be treated with reverence and respect by all visitors.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Destination Door County as part of a press trip with other journalists and travel writers. All experiences, meals and treatments were complimentary. All opinions are my own without bias. Thank you to the Destination Door County for additional images. Credit to each photographer has been given.


Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.