Our curated list of things to do and places to go
Our list is provided for convenience based on our experience and opinion, and does not imply endorsement.
STURGEON BAY
About Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay is the county seat of Door County, with a population of nearly ten thousand, and was incorporated in 1874. There is evidence that Native Americans lived and worked in this area 11,000 years ago near the shore of Glacial Lake Algonquin and within walking distance of the receding continental ice sheet. The city has a rich and proud history of ship and yacht building and is a hub of commerce for the area.
Places to Visit
Cave Point County Park
https://www.co.door.wi.gov/554/Cave-Point-County-Park
5360 Schauer Road (about 8 miles northeast of the Town of Sevastopol.)
A must-do. Technically, it is not in Sturgeon Bay, but north, off Wisconsin Highway 57. Everyone visits Cave Point. It's a must-see. No entry fees. You can walk from your parking space to the shoreline 100 or so feet away, to experience its wave-worn ledges, underwater caves, and views of Lake Michigan. If you're looking for something to check out during windy weather, this is the spot to watch the lake batter the cliffs. Winter can be dangerous there, but it's worth it with the whole shore and cliffs covered with ice.
Potawatomi State Park
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/potawatomi
3740 County Highway PD, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
This park is just outside of Sturgeon Bay. It has some incredible overlooks and is easy to drive through and explore. Check out the Old Ski Hill Overlook, Observation Tower, and Shore Road.
NOTE: A vehicle admission sticker is required upon entry to the park. Vehicles with out-of-state plates are $16.00 for a daily pass for all state parks. Buy one, then drive to Fish Creek and visit Peninsula State Park. If you only have time to visit one state park, visit Peninsula State Park.
Whitefish Dunes State Park
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/whitefis
3275 Clarks Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
This park is just outside of Sturgeon Bay. The dunes are very cool. It is a great summer beach spot on the shores of Lake Michigan. A nature center features year-round programs, exhibits, and displays. NOTE: A vehicle admission sticker is required upon entry to the park. Vehicles with out-of-state plates are charged $16.00 for a daily pass for all state parks.
The Door County Maritime Museum
120 North Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235
The collections of the Door County Maritime Museum, established in 1969, comprise an expansive repository of artifacts, photographs, oral histories, artworks, and other materials relating to the rich nautical history of Door County, Wisconsin, in particular, and the Great Lakes region in general.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light
Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay - 2501 Canal Road Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Built in 1882, this lighthouse is located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The lower-level break wall is the only grounds section open to the public—no entry fee. Visitors must park in the lot outside the station's gate and follow the driveway from the front entrance to the seawall to reach the light—a great place to check out during sunrise, moonrise, or in the middle of winter, when it looks like a lighthousecicle.
Restaurants and Taverns
Trattoria del Santo
https://trattoriadalsanto.com/
920.743.6100
117 North 3rd Avenue | Sturgeon Bay WI 54235
No reservations are taken; it's first-come, first-served, and closed on Sundays. It's a locally owned, year-round family-owned Italian restaurant that rivals the best of Taylor Street in Chicago. Get there a little before five o'clock to make the first seating, no worries if you don't, you can leave your number and they'll call you when they are ready. We and our guests love everything on the menu, except the lasagna, which is a bit too soupy for our taste. It has great mixed drinks and homemade soups. Try the cannoli or chocolate Zabaglione for dessert (I say Zamboni : )
Elmo's Pizza
920.818.0408
143 N 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
A new addition to our list, a local family with a long history in the county, owns it. They make a good wood-fired pizza.
Cherry Lanes Arcade
https://cherrylanesarcadebar.com/
920.818.0093
127 N. 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
A nice Barcade with a vintage mid-century bowling alley.
Shopping
Shops on 3rd Avenue
Walking up and down 3rd Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, you'll find many locally owned shops and galleries. Drive down to 3rd Avenue and park right on the street. There's a lot of variety!
Some of the shops we enjoy are:
Bliss at the Marketplace
58 N 3rd Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI
It is a unique and higher-end home goods market with glassware, art, and furniture. Check out the basement for bargains.
Entertainment
Being the largest city within 50 miles, it features movie theaters and a variety of taverns, bars, and restaurants that offer diverse entertainment throughout the year. Third Avenue Playhouse is a local theater. Overall, we think there are typically better options farther up the peninsula, but that doesn't mean you should avoid Sturgeon Bay entertainment.
Events
EGG HARBOR
About Egg Harbor
The township of Egg Harbor was established in 1861, and the Village of Egg Harbor was incorporated in 1964. The village typically has around 350 full-time year-round residents.
According to the book "Romance of Wisconsin Place Names" by Robert E. Gard and L. G. Sorden (1968), the harbor was known to the Potawatomi as Che-bah-ye-sho-da-ning, or "ghost door."
There are conflicting stories on how Egg Harbor was named. One version supplied by a local newspaper is that in 1825, voyageurs from Fort Howard (located within what is now known as the city of Green Bay) were traveling north to Mackinac Island to trade in their furs. A young lawyer and his wife were traveling with them and reported that when they stopped to camp overnight in the unnamed harbor, the voyageurs proceeded in jest to have an egg fight; thus, the harbor was named Egg Harbor.
The other story was provided by one of Egg Harbor's first settlers, Jacob E. Thorp, who reported that Door County's first non-native settler (in 1834), Mr. Increase Claflin, whom Jacob worked for and would become his father-in-law, named the harbor "Egg Harbor" because he found a nest of duck eggs while exploring the area. Mr. Claflin is reported to have named many places in the county, such as Hat Island, which he said was the shape of a hat. Horseshoe Bay because they had to shoe a horse while traveling through there. The Strawberry Islands are named because strawberries grew there. Eagle Harbor because he found an eagle's nest there, and so on.
We'll let you decide the most likely story on how Egg Harbor was named.
Places to Visit
Egg Harbor Marina
7815 Dock Road, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A must-do. One of the best, if not the best, marinas in the county. Take in a sunset here, or stop by anytime to walk around.
Frank E Murphy County Park
https://www.co.door.wi.gov/542/Frank-E-Murphy-County-Park
7119 Bay Shore Drive in the Town of Egg Harbor
34 acres with approximately 1300 feet of sandy shoreline.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Horseshoe Bay Farms
https://www.horseshoebayfarms.org/
7212 Horseshoe Bay Road, Egg Harbor, WI, 54209
The farmhouses and barns of Horseshoe Bay Farms are unique and rich in the farming, fruit-growing, and livestock history of the county linked to Green Bay. The property was essentially established in 1914 as a property development entity by some local lumber barons, but then became a cherry orchard and a farm focused on cattle breeding, raising hogs and chickens, dairy operations, grain farming to supply the feed for the animals, and a large vegetable and fruit garden to support the farm families and workers. They built one of Wisconsin's largest and best Holstein Friesian breeding farms. At one point, the farm was the largest employer in Door County. The property is very scenic, and the buildings are beautiful. They have tours. Just drive by, you'll see. Bring a camera.
Restaurants and Taverns
The Big Easy
https://www.bigeasydoorcounty.com/
920.868.9600
7755 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A little café with a lot of taste. It may be the only place north of the 45th parallel with homemade beignets and chicory coffee. They also offer homemade bagels and excellent breakfast sandwiches, including the Big Easy Drizzle, made with their bagel French toast, a sausage patty, and scrambled eggs, and served with a side of bourbon maple syrup. You get the idea now?!?
Fireside
https://www.thefiresiderestaurant.com/
920.868.4800
7755 State Highway 42 Egg Harbor, WI 54209
This is the more formal sit-down restaurant associated with The Big Easy. It also doesn't disappoint, with an eclectic menu that allows you to sample gator, camel, or traditional New Orleans cuisine, along with standard fare for those not so adventurous.
The Village Cafe
https://mojorestaurantgroup.com/village-cafe
920.868.3342
7918 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI
It's a pretty good sit-down restaurant; anywhere else, it might be the best breakfast restaurant in that county. But the competition for breakfast in Door County is pretty stiff. That said, it's respectable, offers good service, and has good food. If you are staying in Egg Harbor, it's very convenient.
One Barrel Brewing Company
https://www.onebarrelbrewing.com/
920.868.5262
4633 Market Street, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A great place to sit outside or inside with a couple of hundred of your best friends and enjoy a cold one. The pizza there is quite good, considering it's from Wisconsin. It's also family-friendly.
Casey's BBQ
https://caseysbbqandsmokehouse.com/
920.868.3038
7855 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A nice little Wisconsin tavern, with pretty good BBQ, that we hear is smoked with local Door County cherry wood. Sit at the bar, take in a game, order a barley pop, buy some pull-tabs, and count the pennies. Or they have a nice outdoor seating area with a sunset-ish view. They do not take reservations.
Burtons on the Green (seasonal)
https://www.alpineresort.com/dine/burtons-on-the-green/
920.868.3000
7670 Horseshoe Bay Road, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Located at the Alpine Golf Course Clubhouse, built in 1922, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on the time of year. We like the lunches. The lake perch sandwich is probably the best in the county. They maintain a non-standard schedule; we suggest confirming their hours before your visit.
Shopping
Door County Nature Works
https://shop.doorcountynatureworks.com/
920.868.2651
7798 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A premier location for fine and casual home décor. This is a must-stop and check out for you shoppers, you know who you are. It's a bit of a hidden gem, just off Highway 42 in the middle of Egg Harbor. The property has the most impressive maple tree we've ever seen.
Daughters and Co
https://www.instagram.com › daughtersdoorco
920.868.2651
7836 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
Sells small production wine, beer, and spirits in the 150-year-old Cupola House in Egg Harbor. They focus on classical and emerging styles from European and US producers. This is a business owned by a local young family, who do a great job recommending wines. Additionally, their little café serves the second-best latte within a 250-mile radius. Highly recommended. There are also other charming shops within the Cupola house.
Main Street Market
https://doorcountygrocery.com/
7770 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
A three-generation, local, family-owned grocery store open year-round, with an excellent variety of Wisconsin fare, including many local products. They have Nueske's bacon. Get some smoked fish dip.
Entertainment
Birch Creek Music Performance Center
920.868.3763
3821 County Road E, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
James and Frances Dutton founded "Birch Creek" in Egg Harbor in 1976 to pair professionals in the music industry with promising young music students. The school is located on a 40-acre, 79-year-old farmstead. Today, it is a residential summer music academy that provides talented young music students with advanced training and mentorship, as well as the opportunity to perform publicly alongside top music professionals from the United States and abroad. Four two-week residential summer sessions culminate with public performances at the Birch Creek Barn stage on the property; tickets are available online. The artists also perform community outreach concerts outside the school while they are attending.
Door County Trolley
https://doorcountytrolley.com/
920.868.1100
8030 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
They do everything from narrated scenic tours to cocktail tours to chocolate tours. We've enjoyed the bar crawls and the haunted or ghost tours with friends. Make reservations well in advance, as they tend to book up quickly.
Events
https://eggharbordoorcounty.org/events/
The Village of Egg Harbor hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The most significant annual events are the Third of July fireworks performed from the harbor (fireworks reflected over water is stunning), the Fourth of July Parade (started in 1920, paused during WWII and restarted in 1968), the Pumpkin Patch festival in mid-October (began in 1984), and the New Year's Day parade at 1 pm, every New Year's Day (since 1976). During summer Sunday nights, the village hosts a sunset concert series at the Village's own outdoor Peg Egan Performing Arts Center (lawn seats, so come prepared).
FISH CREEK
About Fish Creek
Fish Creek is an unincorporated area within the Town of Gibraltar; its first non-native settlers settled there around 1844, and it was officially established in 1857. The name derives from the Chippewa, "Gigonsi-Sibiwishe" an insignificant little fish creek. Typically, visitors to Fish Creek call it "Fish Creek"; locals, however, may call it "Fish Crick."
Places to Visit
Peninsula State Park
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/peninsula
920.868.3287
4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, Wisconsin 54212
A must-do. Considered Wisconsin's most complete park, Peninsula State Park offers over 460 campsites, three group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, a sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse, and eight miles of Door County shoreline. NOTE: A vehicle admission sticker is required upon entry to the park. Vehicles with out-of-state plates are charged ~$16.00 per day for a daily pass to all state parks. Drive up Skyline Road and check out Sven's Bluff—it's one of the county's best views. Drive Shore Road and check out the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. The Eagle Tower is easily accessible and offers a great view of Green Bay.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Blossomburg Cemetery
Stop by Blossomburg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park and check out some of the remaining old-growth Eastern White pines and Maple trees. It's a quiet and gorgeous location.
Restaurants and Taverns
The White Gull Inn
920.868.3517
4225 Main Street, Fish Creek, WI 54212
A must-do. One of the best breakfasts in North America, well, maybe just in the USA, no shit, the inn won that award in 2010. Founded in about 1896, it's a well-maintained, warm, friendly, and hospitable property, overflowing with charm. The cherry pancakes, the hash browns, the good guy hash, the cherry stuffed french toast, the eggs benedict, the lunch sandwiches, the oatmeal (even the friggin' oatmeal is excellent), and do yourself a favor and order an appetizer of their coffee cake for the table. Oh, and the dinners by candlelight. Oh, and take a cherry pie home.
Barringer's
https://www.barringersdoorcounty.com
920.868.5445
1 N Spruce St, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Outstanding food, one of the best lake perch dinners in the county, great steaks, good drinks, just overall great food and service. Make reservations.
Hill Street
https://www.hillstreetdoorcounty.com/
920.868.5282
4149 Main Street, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Read the menu before you go. No substitutions (and I mean no exceptions for anyone), and no ketchup is served! That said, it's a unique menu for the area. The food is excellent (great burgers, great noodles). They have a cannoli of the day, and we've never had a bad one (the cinnamon toast crunch was to die for). The drinks are excellent, and the service is friendly and helpful—try ordering "The Lucky" from the drink menu. They have a covered bar outside and an indoor bar (we prefer the indoor one).
Alexander's
https://alexandersofdoorcounty.com
920.868.3532
3667 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Call for reservations, arrive early, and drink at the bar before dinner. Alexander's is a Wisconsin supper club that consistently serves good food. The fish and steak are top-notch. Real supper club bartenders make drinks (the Old Fashioneds are great; try a Manhattan up and the Brandy Alexander for dessert). What makes a great restaurant? The staff has remained unchanged when you walk into it for the past 20 years.
Bayside Tavern
https://www.baysidetavern.com/
920.868.3441
4160 Main Street, Fish Creek, WI, 54212
A nice little 100-year-old Wisconsin tavern, with pretty good bar food. Why yes, that is a Leine's canoe hanging from the ceiling. We like the cheese cubes and the burgers. Try the Bayside Flaming Coffee. It's a great off-season spot to watch football, or watch it snow outside, or do both.
Shopping
O'Meara's Irish House
920.868.3528
3970 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Wool sweaters, Irish jewelry, Irish giftware, tweed hats, and Irish art and food.
Shopping Along Main Street in Fish Creek
https://visitfishcreek.com/shop/
There are something like 38 stores in Fish Creek. Some of our favorites include The Fish Creek Market, Founders Square, and Good Times Great Lakes. Just park and walk down the street to explore.
Door County Chocolate Design
https://dcchocolatedesign.com/
9341 Spring Road A-6, Fish Creek, WI 54212 (located in the Top of the Hill Shops)
A relatively new business owned by a young couple. The chocolate is outstanding. They also serve coffee. I wish I could bottle the smell of this place. Try the truffles. Their regular chocolate is delicious too. They issue a chocolate Advent calendar around Thanksgiving every year, which is very popular and very good.
Lautenbach's Orchard Country
https://www.orchardcountry.com/
920.868.3479
9197 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
This locally family-owned cherry orchard has been in business since 1955 and is open year-round. It offers jellies, jams, pies, frozen cherries, wine, and more.
Entertainment
Peninsula Players
920.868.3287
4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, Wisconsin 54212
This theater is America's oldest resident summer theater, founded in 1935 and relocated to its current location in 1937, and has grown into a serious theater featuring professional actors. The resident company maintains high-quality, artistic standards. Many alums have become Broadway, regional theater, screen, and TV personalities (i.e., Harvey Korman, Jessie Mueller, and John Walker). Directors and designers are hired from across the country. The property itself is magical, located right on the shores of Green Bay. Arrive early, enjoy a drink, and sit by the huge bonfire. The 600-person theater, rebuilt in 2005, features a full fly tower, a grass roof, cushioned seats, and solid walls that can be opened and closed depending on weather conditions. A radiant heated floor that allows performances well into October. We highly recommend going out of your way to see a comedy if one is playing; they are easy to get addicted to.
Door Community Auditorium
920.868.2728
3924 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
This year-round, 725-seat indoor music venue has hosted performances from a wide range of musical genres over the past 30 years. Believe it or not, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Indigo Girls, The BoDeans, The Lumineers, and Brandi Carlile have all played the DCA. It's an intimate location where you can see some great performances.
Skyway Drive-In Theater
https://www.doorcountydrivein.com
3475 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI
I'm sorry, did you say there's a drive-in theater? You heard right, and it's not uncommon to see cars waiting in line to enter this theater, which has been operating since 1950.
Northern Sky Theater
https://northernskytheater.com/
920.854.6117
9058 County Road A, Fish Creek, WI 54212
This theater specializes in musical comedies and dramas, with a strong emphasis on comedies, often featuring a local Wisconsin twist.
Door County By Water
https://doorcountybywater.com/
9448 Spruce Street, Fish Creek, WI 54212
They have boat rentals and one of the most comprehensive sets of boat tours in the county.
Events
https://visitfishcreek.com/events/
Fish Creek hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The most significant annual events are the annual Winterfest around late January (since 1988) and the Jack O’Lantern Days in late October.
EPHRAIM
About Ephraim
Ephraim was founded in 1853 as a religious community and remained a "dry" village until 2016. The year-round population is around 350. The town is steeped in history, art, and tradition, set against the stunning landscape of Eagle Harbor, Horseshoe Island, and Peninsula State Park.
Places to Visit
Anderson Dock / Hardy Gallery
https://ephraim.wi.gov/visiting-anderson-dock/
10005 Norway Street, Ephraim, WI 54211
Anderson Dock has always been an icon within the Village of Ephraim and Door County. In its early days, it was the business epicenter of the Village, and later on became the social center of Ephraim. The tradition of leaving a mark on the walls of the Anderson Warehouse began when sailors arriving in Ephraim painted the name of their ship and the date on the side of the building to mark their safe arrival in Ephraim. The bonus is that the Hardy Gallery is located on the dock and was founded in 1962 in honor of Francis Howe Hardy, a businessman, amateur painter, and summer resident in Ephraim for 30 years. The gallery has initiatives to address the needs of the local artist community, promote the creative enrichment of local youth, and showcase the visual arts and artists of the Door County Peninsula. Oh, and the Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Pearl Wine Cottage
3058 Church Street, Ephraim, WI 54211
A small, casual, wine bar, they do not take reservations because, in their own words, "sometimes people come early and decide to stay awhile, we like that." Wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, small plates, and snacks. It can get a little busy, but the crowd is chill.
Restaurants and Taverns
Wilson's
9922 Water Street #6, Ephraim, WI 54211
A Door County institution since 1906, at a superb location with Eagle Harbor right across the street. Your great-grandparents may have had ice cream here.
Ephraim Coffee Lab
https://www.ephraimcoffeelab.com/
3055 Church Street, Ephraim, WI 54211
This small-batch coffee roaster produces the best lattes within a 250-mile radius. Take home a bag of whole bean coffee. Two nights a week in the summer, the attached Bad Moravian serves bottles and one of the best Detroit-style pizzas we've ever had, scratch that, one of the best pizzas we've ever had. The place is a little rough around the edges, but don't let that deter you.
Shopping
Rusty Dusty Vintage and Records
9922 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54204
Other shops in Ephraim are touristy, but we like this shop the best. A local young family owns it. Bonus, it's next door to the Prince of Pierogi!
The Blue Dolphin
https://www.bluedolphinhouse.com
10320 North Water Street. Ephraim, WI, 54234
A gallery of distinctive home, garden, and functional arts from over 100 artists and craftspeople.
Reclaimed
https://reclaimeddoorcounty.com/
10451 Townline Drive, Ephraim, WI 54234
This resale and consignment store is unique; it's exclusively stocked with curated items selected by its owners, whether it's art, knick-knacks, kitchen items, furniture, or those mid-century summer bikini drinking glasses that your grandma had at her house.
Entertainment
Ephraim Shoreline and Sunsets
Ephraim is the best walking village. Just walk along the shoreline, hang out at Anderson Dock, and go to the beach, do some shopping, and stop by a restaurant, gift shop, or coffee shop.
Events
https://ephraim-doorcounty.com/events/
Ephraim hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The most significant event is Fyr Bal (pronounced Fear-Ball), which has been conducted every summer solstice since 1965. It is a Scandinavian-inspired event that culminates in the evening when bonfires are lit around the harbor's shores to "burn the winter witch." This tradition also has its roots in many European cultures, a practice that has been observed for centuries.
SISTER BAY
About Sister Bay
Sister Bay is the largest and busiest village in "northern" Door County with about 1200 year-round residents. The Liberty Grove township in which it is located was founded in 1859, and the village of Sister Bay was incorporated in April 1912. Sister Bay's harbor is one of the largest and deepest in the county. The village sits at the junction of the two main thoroughfares in the county, Wisconsin Highways 42 and 57. Only Wisconsin Highway 42 continues north to the end of the peninsula. The village's economy is mainly based on tourism.
Places to Visit
Three Springs Nature Preserve
https://www.doorcountylandtrust.org/harold-c-wilson-three-springs-nature-preserve/
10442 Three Springs Road, Sister Bay
Just a couple of miles outside of Sister Bay, this 555-acre preserve features a two-mile hiking trail that traverses relatively level terrain.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Pebble Beach
10599-10507 Pebble Beach Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234
This is a wonderful pebble beach (a sandless shore but filled with pebbles) located on Little Sister Bay.
Roots Inn
https://www.rootsinnandkitchen.com/the-kitchen
920. 854.5107
2378 Maple Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234
This is a tiny inn nestled off the beaten track in downtown Sister Bay. The inn features a tiny restaurant with one of the most unique menus in the county, and arguably the best vegan menu in the area.
Restaurants and Taverns
Al Johnson's
10698 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234
A must try. A Door County institution. "The place with the goats on the roof" (seasonal). Al Johnson's is an excellent diner, with fantastic food and great service, that hundreds of thousands of people visit each year. Try the Swedish pancakes with Lingonberries, or the Swedish meatballs, or the cold roast beef sandwich on Swedish Limpa bread. NOTE: The restaurant is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but right next to it is an outdoor beer garden called "Stabbur" that's open later and offers a limited food menu.
Chop
https://www.chopdoorcounty.com
920.854.2700 | 2345 Mill Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Reservations needed. Just go there to experience the freshly made popovers they serve before the main course. Otherwise, it's classic American steakhouse cuisine, with a view of the lake. Their daily three-course early dining menu is a great deal and includes popovers. Did I mention the popovers?
Shopping
Shopping along Main Street in Sister Bay
There are numerous stores in Sister Bay. Just park and walk down the bayshore.
Entertainment
Sister Bay Bowl
10640 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
A Sister Bay institution. Probably the best Friday fish fry in the county, maybe in all of Wisconsin. Add a six-lane bowling alley, a tavern, and there you go.
Music, music, music
The Stabbur Beer Garden and The Garage at Husby’s seem to have bands every weekend in the warmer months, and the village also has free summer concerts in the park, at the Sister Bay Performance Pavilion, which is right on the lakefront.
Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours
https://www.doorcountyboats.com/
Located at the Sister Bay Marina-10707 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI, 54234
They have boat rentals and one of the most comprehensive sets of boat tours in the county.
Door County By Water
https://doorcountybywater.com/
10967 N Bayshore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
They have boat rentals and one of the most comprehensive sets of boat tours in the county.
Events
Sister Bay hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The most significant events are Sister Bay Fall Fest (held since 1946), which is typically held the weekend after Columbus Day (locals call it "Fall Down Fest" as there can be many who drink too much during the fest). The Door County Christkindlmarkt begins on the Thanksgiving weekend. The New Year’s Eve Celebration and the FM 106.9 The Lodge Cherry Drop™, where you can stand out in the cold, and instead of watching the ball drop in Times Square, you can watch a lighted cherry drop from a crane.
ElliSON BAY
About Ellison Bay
The Native American name for the bay was "Joe-Sahbe Bay", after the son of a Potowatomi chief. Joe-Sahbe means "feather of the rolling cloud". A Danish immigrant "founded" Ellison Bay in 1865, eventually purchasing 8,000 acres, primarily through tax delinquencies, and developing the area to attract Scandinavian settlers. Today, Ellison Bay is the gateway to the peninsula's end (aka Peninsula North), with a year-round population of about 250. It is one of the least developed and quietest settlements in the county. Don't let that fool you: some of the best hidden treasures on the peninsula are in the area around Ellison Bay. This area of the peninsula also offers some of the best commercially caught freshwater fish in the country, complemented by local shops and restaurateurs who are happy to sell you some or prepare it for you.
Places to Visit
Ellison Bay Bluff County Park
12050 Ellison Bluff Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
https://www.co.door.wi.gov/534/Ellison-Bluff-County-Park
The park consists of 174 acres, mostly atop a bluff, with a 7,000-foot shoreline that is inaccessible due to the bluff but still offers a commanding view of Green Bay.
Newport State Park
475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/newport
This state park comprises 2,300 acres of forest along 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. It has 30 miles of hiking trails. There are 17 backpack campsites available for reservation. The twelve hiking trails cover diverse landscapes, including some boreal forests, commonly found in Canada. The Lynd Point Trail covers about 2.5 miles and hugs the lake shore. Newport has been designated a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association, one of only eighteen in the United States and the only one in the Midwest. This park also lies along the western Lake Michigan segment of the Mississippi flyway. NOTE: A vehicle admission sticker is required upon entry to the park. Vehicles with out-of-state plates are charged ~$16.00 per day for a daily pass to all state parks.
Mink River Preserve
11590 Mink River Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/mink-river-estuary/
This 2031-acre Nature Conservancy and Wisconsin DNR preserve encompasses the Mink River estuary of Lake Michigan. The estuary is only about one and a half miles long and empties into Rowley's Bay. It's considered one of the most pristine estuaries in the country. The preserve is a critical stopover site for birds along the western leg of the Mississippi flyway along Lake Michigan. More than 200 species may pass through the area annually during migration. Otherwise, there is excellent kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. There are six different trails on the property. If you are kayaking or canoeing, you can launch from a public boat landing at Rowley's Bay at 1041 County Road ZZ #1001, Ellison Bay, WI 54210.
The Clearing Folk School
920-854-4088 | 12171 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
Jens Jensen founded this folk school in 1935. He had emigrated from Denmark to the United States, established himself as a renowned landscape architect, and fashioned this 125-acre property along the bluffs of Ellison Bay, inspired by the folk schools of Denmark. Today, "The Clearing" is a continuing education institution. The teaching method emphasizes discussion, conversation, nature study, and hands-on work rather than classroom learning through reading and writing. Classes are typically a week long, with 25 to 35 students and instructors, living together on the grounds. The Clearing has a “closed campus” policy during resident classes; however, free guided tours of the grounds are available most Saturdays and Sundays, May through October, at 1:00 pm. The grounds are difficult to describe in words; the place lends itself more to feeling than logic, although the word "treasure" comes to mind. A warning: you may find yourself inquiring about the school's extensive class offerings during or after your visit.
Places Not Everyone Knows About
Door Bluff Headland’s County Park
12900 Door Bluff Park Road
https://www.co.door.wi.gov/551/Door-Bluff-Headlands-County-Park
The largest county-owned park, at 252 acres, has over a mile of shoreline, much of it not directly accessible; one accessible portion is a hike up and down a bluff, through a Cedar forest onto a strip of rock beach that extends into Green Bay. It's really unique among hikes in Door County, with some views North towards Washington Island.
Sand Bay Town Park
11154 N Sand Bay Lane, Sister Bay, WI 54234
https://libertygrovewi.gov/park-picnic-areas/
A quaint sand beach on Sand Bay, Lake Michigan, that technically has a Sister Bay address, but is essentially part of Rowley's Bay, which is considered Ellison Bay territory. No one ever returned from here on a warm day and said they were disappointed. There is the beach, a swing set, a picnic area, restrooms, and you can launch kayaks/canoes from the beach. Also, this is a great dark park for those star- and/or Aurora-watching nights.
Restaurants and Taverns
Mink River Basin
https://theminkriverbasin.com/
12010 State Highway 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
A local tavern/sports bar, with decent food and service and an extensive whiskey/bourbon menu. We like the whitefish sandwiches.
Blue Bear
920-854-3284 | 12029 State Highway 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
Nice little breakfast and lunch place with a diverse yet balanced menu where everyone should be able to find something they like or try for the first time. The menu offers the standard farm eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and toast, and has other items like griddled banana bread, cacio e pepe eggs, salads, a brunch burger, and a power bowl. One of the best breakfast burritos on the peninsula IMO. Great coffee and drink menu. Totally worth the drive.
The Ellison Restaurant and Lounge
https://www.theellisoninn.com/lounge
920-854-2928 | 11934 State Highway 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
Years ago, our first impression of this space was that it looked like architect Mike Brady might have designed it before he was busy with three boys of his own. The bar area is a sight to behold. It's a well-maintained space to relax, imbibe drinks and good food, and enjoy mid-century elegance.
Shopping
Shopping in Door County North
https://doorcountynorth.org/door-county-north-shops/
There are numerous stores around Ellison Bay to check out.
Uncle Tom's Candy Store
703 Europe Bay Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
http://www.uncletomscandy.com/
This candy store is named for a local legend, Tom Collis, who everyone knew as Uncle Tom, and whom author Norbert Blei described as "Socrates at Newport". His personal motto was "Gratitude is Attitude". Uncle Tom bought the Newport Schoolhouse in 1962, and some time afterwards, he moved from the Chicago area, where he had built an astounding backstory, and turned the school into a candy shop. Uncle Tom's is also known for its pancake flour, which he invented and perfected in Chicago. He passed away in 1990, but the products and recipes live on with the shop's current owners.
Island Orchard Cider
12040 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 | 920-854-3344
https://www.islandorchardcider.com/
Island Orchard started making hard ciders in 2005, which range from 6.5% to 17% ABV and are made from fruit grown on their orchards. They focus on varieties of apples typically found at the mother ship of cider, Brittany, France. They have a taproom where you can taste and buy their ciders. They offer non-alcoholic sweet cider from a local orchard for those who prefer NA cider. They have competed for and won many awards over the years.
Henriksen Fisheries
920-421-2911 | 11640 Old Stage Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
https://henriksenfisheries.com/
This is a real, honest-to-goodness, lake-to-table, family-owned commercial fishery. Their fishermen catch year-round (except November), and their store offers fresh, boneless Whitefish fillets. Try their Whitefish spread, Whitefish cakes, or their fish soup, all of which are local delicacies. In addition, their shop sells items from local artisans.
Entertainment
Entertainment in Door County North
https://doorcountynorth.org/door-county-north-shops/
Entertainment options in Ellison Bay are limited, but that does not mean the area is not entertaining.
Events
Annual Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade
https://www.facebook.com/groundhogdayellisonbaydoorcounty
Ellison Bay's Annual Groundhog Day Parade is the social event of the season in Door County. Held February 2nd each year, the Groundhog Day Parade and after-party celebrate the last 6 weeks of winter!
Ellison Bay Arts - Spring Art Crawl
https://doorcountynorth.org/event/ellison-bay-arts-spring-art-crawl/
Typically held in mid-May since 2005, Ellison Bay hosts an art crawl with a number of the local artist studios/galleries.