In this article, I will walk you through the best towns in Door County and suggest which of these Wisconsin towns to visit.
Door County is a beautiful vacation destination
. Situated on a peninsula often called the thumb of Wisconsin, it has 300 miles of shoreline to explore.
Surrounded by Lake Michigan to the east and Green Bay to the west, it’s an outdoors enthusiast’s paradise.
It’s also incredibly quaint with some unique small towns, numerous lighthouses in Door County, and five state parks.
When it comes to things to do in Door County,
Pull up a chair, grab a drink and let me walk you through the towns in Door County.
12 Picturesque Villages And Towns In Door County WI
Ephraim For New England Vibes
This tiny bayside town is as picturesque as they come and looks absolutely stunning in autumn.
It’s tucked into a hill on the east side of Eagle Harbor and is surrounded by church steeples and white clapboard houses.
Bring your camera with you; not only is the setting stunning, but the sunsets are incredible!
Ephraim is also a perfect base to enjoy the nearby Peninsula State Park.
Small towns in Wisconsin don’t come much more beautiful than Ephraim.
And the restaurants in this Harbour Town are well worth a mention too.
Stay at the Bay Breeze Resort for perfect views.
Egg Harbor For Convenience
Egg Harbor, Door County, is one of the busier towns in Wisconsin.
It is alive with shops, restaurants, and places to stay and makes a great base for exploring.
Every Friday, they have a Farmer’s Market at Harbor View Park, which is worth a visit.
This Door County village is also where you will find the Door County Trolley.
A red vintage trolley bus that does tours to lighthouses, wineries, and scenic tours.
These trolley tours are a great way to get around, receive local knowledge, and make sure you see everything.
Egg Harbour makes the perfect base if you want to make use of all the tourist amenities.
Book Here: Newport Resort in Egg Harbor.
Sister Bay For Shoreline
A weekend in Door County, Wisconsin, wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Sister Bay.
Not only does it have the largest expanse of public shoreline in Door County, but it’s also home to a very famous Door County restaurant you won’t want to miss.
Yes, Sister Bay is home to Al Johnson’s, a restaurant not only famous for its pancakes but also for the goats that eat grass off the roof.
You did hear me right, and the goats really pull in the crowds.
It’s a busy area that draws in families and couples alike.
You can rent outdoor gear here for most outdoor/water adventures.
It is also the closest town to the dark sky Newport State Park, one of the best state parks in Wisconsin.
This is one of the best towns in Door County, particularly if you love watersports.
Look Here: The Inn at Little Sister Hill
Fish Creek For The State Park Is One Of The Pretty Towns In Door County WI
This town in Door County is sometimes known as the gateway to Peninsula State Park.
It sits on the south side of the state park and caters well to tourists with plenty of bars, restaurants, and boutiques.
Expect this place to get busy at weekends and holidays as there is a lot to do here.
As well as a lighthouse, and numerous hiking and walking trails it also has one of the best Door County beaches.
When it comes to Fish Creek restaurants, they have the original Wild Tomato Pizza here, and the White Gull Inn is famous for fish boils.
Stay Here: Homestead Suites – Fish Creek
Towns In Door County: Essentials Packing List
Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.
These RFID sleeves are another solution.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.
Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.
It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.
These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.
These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.
For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.
Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.
This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.
These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.
If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from your qualifying purchases.
Baileys Harbor For Wineries And Breweries
If you want to visit Door County but want to be in a slightly quieter area, then Baileys Harbor might be perfect for you.
This Door County village is perfect for those who like things low-key.
It sits on the east side of the peninsula, so you swap sunsets over Green Bay for sunrises over Lake Michigan.
It’s the biggest town on the east side so there are bars, restaurants, and shops,
But far fewer than in some of the other tourist towns.
When it comes to things to do in Door County, Baileys Harbor delivers.
It is home to the Door County Brewing Company and within easy reach of some wineries.
Bailey Harbor is also within easy reach of the Whitdunes State Park, Cave Point Country Park, and the Cana Island Lighthouse.
This is one of the best towns in Door County.
Washington Island For Peace And Quiet
If you are really looking to get away from it then Washington Island might be perfect for you.
It’s one of the best Islands in the Great Lakes and is beautiful.
You can only get there by ferry and is why it tends to be a little quieter.
Once there are lots to see and do.
Schoolhouse Beach is a definite visit, as is the Lavender Farm.
The ferry runs from Newport to the island, about five miles off the northern tip of the peninsula.
The island measures 5 miles across and 6 miles long so you might want to take bikes with you.
You can take your car on the ferry.
Book Here: Steffen’s Cedar Lodge
Sturgeon Bay For That City Feel
Known as the Door to the Door, this Door County town has more of a city feel and certainly has a lot to offer.
Sturgeon Bay is the largest town in Door County and always has something going on.
That’s why this is the perfect place to visit during winter in Wisconsin.
The Sturgeon Bay lighthouse draws in visitors, but it is home to three of the lighthouses in Door County.
It is also home to Potawatomi State Park, containing the eastern terminus of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Stay Here: Snug Harbor Inn
Ellison Bay Is A Pretty Village In Door County With A Touch Of Class
This village in Door County is home to Wickman House which is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the region.
It is also home to one of Wisconsin’s largest and most expensive homes, called Sur la Baie.
A Door county weekend here will be more peaceful than some of the other towns.
It’s removed from the crowds and has a certain vibe that makes it very different.
Ellison Bay Bluff County Park provides an incredible overlook of the limestone bluffs and Door County scenery.
The nearby Door Bluff Headlands provide a more undeveloped view of the area.
Book Here: Parkside Inn
Gills Rock For Wisconsin Small-Town Tradition
If you are looking for a Door County village that is pretty untouched by tourism, this is it.
Gills Rock is a tiny commercial fishing hub that has all the charm you could wish for.
Take a boat ride on the Shoreline Scenic Cruises and Charter, which offers themed excursions.
And while you are here, take a trip to Charlie’s Smokehouse.
This family business has been running since 1932 and sells some of the best-smoked fish around.
Jacksonport Is A Small Town In Wisconson For Relaxing And Exploring
This is one of the small towns in Wisconsin that sits on the shores of Lake Michigan.
It’s a town that manages to offer relaxation and exploration in equal amounts; it’s up to you which track you take.
You can relax on the back, go kayaking, and explore the area on foot.
What most come here for is to visit Cave Point County Park, just 10 minutes away.
No visit to Door County would be complete without a trip to this incredible park.
Stay Here: Square Rigger Lodge
Liberty Grove Is A Cute Town In Door County With Natural Beauty
If you look at a map of Door County, Liberty Grove is at the very tip. It’s quiet, quaint, and away from the tourist trail.
When it comes to things to do in Door County, Liberty Grove delivers in the natural beauty category.
With 45 miles of shoreline to explore and more than 11 parks, there is something to see around every corner.
You can even explore some beautiful scenic trails for hiking in Wisconsin.
Northport For Scenic Drives
This village in Door County is known mostly as the place you get a ferry to Washington Island, but it has more to offer.
Firstly the famous Door County curvy road is close by.
Highway 15 was designed to slow people down to take in the scenery with 15 curves.
It is one of the best places to experience fall in Wisconsin.
It has become somewhat of a tourist attraction and photo opportunity.
Sand Bay Town Park is also worth a visit, it’s a great beach frequented by the locals.
The waters here are great for swimming, and the picnic areas are perfect for a summer brunch.
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