Text by Bethany Adams
If starting your day with fresh cherry pastries and ending it beneath endless stars sound like a dream come true, it’s time to book your trip to Door County, Wisconsin. Set along the Door Peninsula on Lake Michigan, Door County spans a handful of communities, each with their own unique charms and all offering unforgettable experiences that keep visitors coming back year after year.
For a quiet stay with a touch of history, book a room at Baileys Harbor Schoolhouse Inn, which was built in 1917 and is a walk away from dinner on the lake. Make the trip to breakfast even shorter with a room at Rowleys Bay Resort, where Grandma’s Swedish Bakery boasts famous half-pound pecan rolls and zip-lining adventures await next door at the Door County Adventure Center.
More outdoor adventures, including biking, paddleboarding, and exploring sea caves by kayak, can be enjoyed throughout the county’s five state parks. An evening of enchantment awaits at Newport State Park, the state’s only designated dark sky park, where you’ll find a star-filled sky accompanied by the gentle roar of the lake.
A must-have for foodies, locally grown cherries are showcased in endless dishes, but no trip to Door County is complete without a visit to third-generation cheese makers Renard’s Cheese. An elegant night out will be unforgettable at The Whistling Swan Inn & Restaurant, but Scaturo’s Baking Co & Cafe is perfect for fueling up after a day on the lake, topped off with more sweet treats than you can choose from. And while locally sourced whitefish can be found on almost every menu, it’s best enjoyed at one of the many traditional fish boils hosted around the peninsula.
Before you head home, find the perfect souvenir at the plentiful shops and galleries in Door County towns and villages like Sister Bay and Egg Harbor. And don’t end your trip without shopping for local art at The Hardy Gallery, housed in a historic warehouse by the water in Ephraim. After a trip filled with great food and new experiences, you’ll want to take your precious memories home with you—until your next visit!
