The many amazing Door County attractions make this slice of Wisconsin one of the most popular places to visit in the Midwest!
This beautiful county is found on a peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan in Eastern Wisconsin.
Some of the best things to do in Door County include visiting cute towns, relaxing at the beach, exploring orchards and farms, and drinking local wine.
With so many things to see and do in Wisconsin’s Door County, you will for sure want to add it to your bucket list!
I love vacationing in Door County! It is very quaint and charming!
You could not ask for a more idyllic weekend getaway in Wisconsin! This destination is perfect for a family vacation or a couples retreat.
Make sure to check out the best resorts in Door County for your trip!
Let’s look at the top attractions in Door County, WI!
Door County Attractions: Top 10 Not to Miss
Exploring The Door County Wine Trail Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Door County
The Door County Wine Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Door County for adults.
The trail is comprised of nine wineries. Some of these include Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery, Stone’s Throw Winery, Door Peninsula Winery, and Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery.
Take a self-guided tour to as many of these Wisconsin wineries as you can. Enjoy a tasting of local wine made with not just grapes but also cherries and other fruit.
Many of the wineries offer tours of their facilities too.
One of the best events in Wisconsin is the annual Door County Wine Fest which takes place each June.
Where to Stay in Door County:
Affordable Resort with Pools: Newport Resort. Check Rates: Booking.com
Cana Island Lighthouse
Since it is a peninsula, you will find some of the best lighthouses in Wisconsin in Door County. They are all very pretty and historic.
Possibly the most scenic lighthouse is the Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor. The white structure was built in 1869 and stands 89 feet tall. Climb 97 steps to find beautiful lake views.
Cana Island is open to visitors from May through October. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway that goes underwater when water levels are high.
You can walk to the island but be prepared to get your feet wet. Another option is to ride in a haywagon pulled by a tractor. Kids will love this!
This landmark is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin for anyone looking for something fun to do!
Where to Stay in Baileys Harbor:
Mid-range Hotel on the Water: Beachfront Inn. Check Rates: Booking.com
Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park on Green Bay is one of the best state parks in Wisconsin! The 3,776-acre park is full of fun outdoor Door County activities!
There are 20 total miles of hiking trails most of which are easy or moderate. This is one of the prettiest places for hiking in Wisconsin.
The Eagle Trail is a bit more difficult but is so worth it! The 2-mile loop features 150-foot cliffs, springs, and colorful berry bushes.
There are also a couple of mountain biking trails. The 9.6-mile Sunset Bike Route is gravel and flat. For more of a challenge, there are rugged, off-road bike trails too.
The park has 8 miles of shoreline. Swim at Nicolet Beach and watch sailboats out on the water. Rent a kayak to explore the bay yourself.
Tour the 1868 Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, climb the Eagle Tower for amazing views, or watch an open-air show at the Northern Sky Theater.
For camping in Wisconsin, there are five campgrounds in the park with a total of 468 sites.
If you visit Door County in winter, you can also go cross-country skiing here.
Where to Stay Near Peninsula State Park:
Affordable Hotel with Pool: Bay Breeze Resort. Check Rates: Booking.com
Visiting Cherry Orchards Is One Of The Delicious Door County Attractions
Door County is known for its delicious cherries. The peninsula has a total of 2,500 acres of cherry orchards!
The cherry-picking season in Door County is from about mid-July through mid-August, making it one of the best summer things to do in Door County for couples.
If you visit in May, though, you can admire the cherry blossoms!
Many of the orchards offer u-pick cherries or you can grab some that have been pre-picked. Some orchards have other berries and fruit too.
While you are at it, buy some locally-made cherry products including jams, sauces, wines, and baked goods. Cherry pie, anyone?
A few orchards I suggest to check out include Choice Orchards, Kielar Akers Orchard, Seaquist Orchards Farm Market, Soren’s Valhalla Orchards, and Alexander’s Cherry Orchard.
These are some of the prettiest sights to see in Wisconsin!
Where to Stay in Door County:
Mid-Range Resort with Pool: Parkwood Lodge. Check Rates: Booking.com
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik
To me, one of the most unique restaurants in Door County is Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay.
This is a top tourist attraction in Door County because of the goats on the roof. Yes, you read that right!
Cute goats stand on the restaurant’s sod roof and munch on the grass. You can see them up there from May through October.
After photographing the goats, you will want to grab a bite to eat. Order classic Swedish food including Swedish pancakes and meatballs. There is also an assortment of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and seafood.
There is also an outdoor bar with an extensive list of draft beer, wine, shots, and cocktails. Order a drink, relax in the sunshine, and play some lawn games.
Butik means “store,” and Al’s Butik offers a ton of traditional Scandinavian clothing, food, and other merchandise.
This stop is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Door County, WI!
Where to Stay in Sister Bay:
Luxury Resort with Great Amenities: Pheasant Park Resort. Check Rates: Booking.com
Cave Point County Park
Another of the best nature Door County attractions is Cave Point County Park next to Whitefish Bay.
This park features some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Door County, Wisconsin. It is a hidden gem revered by locals but often missed by tourists.
The park is popular for kayakers, hikers, photographers, and scuba divers. Visitors are amazed by the rugged rock formations, underwater caves, and crashing waves that reach over 30 feet.
One of the best ways to explore Cave Point County Park is by booking a kayak tour with a local guide. You can also launch your own kayak.
If you are scuba certified, you will have fun exploring shipwrecks. There are actually about 240 known shipwrecks around Door County, making it one of the best places for scuba diving in the Midwest!
Right next door to Cave Point County Park is Whitefish Dunes State Park which features a 1.5-mile-long beach. This is another of the best attractions of Wisconsin!
Where to Stay Near Cave Point County Park:
Afforadble Motel: Innlet Motel. Check Rates: Booking.com
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm
Found on Washington Island, Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm is one of the most Instagram-worthy Door County attractions!
From July to August, the 30,000 lavender plants paint the landscape purple! Not only are they pretty, but the flowers smell lovely too.
Wander the rows of plants and snap some epic pictures. I suggest you keep an eye out for fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees.
Then, visit the shop where you can find a variety of lavender-scented and flavored products. These include essential oils, candles, soaps, lotions, honey, jam, syrup, and so much more.
At Le Café, you can grab a tasty snack, sandwich, salad, or drink. Lavender is an ingredient, of course!
Breathe in the lavender and relax at one of the coolest places to see in Wisconsin!
Where to Stay Near Washington Island:
Affordable Hotel in Ellison Bay: Hillside Inn. Check Rates: Booking.com
Door County Maritime Museum
One of the best Sturgeon Bay attractions is the Door County Maritime Museum. Anyone interested in history will want to check out this cool museum.
Learn about fishermen, lighthouse keepers, and local maritime history through interactive exhibits and galleries.
The museum is set on the waterfront and also includes the restored John Purves tugboat and Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower.
A 40-minute guided tour of the 1919 tugboat will show visitors what it was like working as part of the crew. You’ll see the engine room, crew cabins, galley, and wheelhouse.
From atop the 118-foot lighthouse tower, there is an awesome view of the harbor and waterfront.
Sturgeon Bay is one of the cutest towns in Door County so you will want to wander around after visiting the museum.
Where to Stay in Sturgeon Bay:
Affordable Historic Bed and Breakfast: The Scofield House B&B. Check Rates: Booking.com
Schoolhouse Beach
There are a bunch of wonderful beaches in Door County. One of the most popular is Schoolhouse Beach. This is one of the top attractions on Washington Island.
Set in a protective harbor, this is a great place for swimming. The water is some of the clearest in the U.S. Offshore, there are a couple of diving rafts.
You won’t find sand here. Instead, the beach is made of white, limestone rocks.
I suggest you bring along a picnic and enjoy this beautiful stretch of pebble beach on a sunny summer day in Door County.
Where to Stay Near Washington Island:
Affordable Hotel in Ellison Bay: Hillside Inn. Check Rates: Booking.com
Renard’s Cheese Shop
You can’t go to Wisconsin without trying some local cheese!
Renard’s Cheese Shop is a few minutes southwest of downtown Sturgeon Bay and is a popular stop on a Wisconsin road trip.
They produce over 100 varieties of cheese made with milk from local farms. Make sure to pick up some of their squeaky cheese curds which are made daily.
Take advantage of the complimentary cheese and wine tastings too.
The Melt Bistro is a full-service deli where you can order yummy sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, and more. Everything is made to order with fresh ingredients.
Where to Stay in Sturgeon Bay:
Affordable Hotel: AmericInn by Wyndham Sturgeon Bay. Check Rates: Booking.com
Packing List When Visiting Attractions In Door County
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Door County, here are some of my best tips on how to pack lightly.
It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.
This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.
If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone as I have. And wow is it fast!
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.
It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking photos during your London activities.
You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.
The replaceable carbon filter ensures clean drinking water when you want it.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc…. No matter the time of day or evening.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.
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There really are so many amazing Door County attractions for all ages and interests! You will not be bored as you explore the region’s best beaches, parks, small towns, wineries, and orchards.
Next, check out more of the best places to visit in Wisconsin!
Wisconsin Dells Attractions: Top 10 Not to Miss