Door County Never Disappoints as a Vacation Destination

the scenic thumb on Wisconsin’s hand is worth the drive

Laura Carew

The village of Ephraim in Door County.
The village of Ephraim in Door County. (Photo by Gobucks2 / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Growing up in Northeast Wisconsin was (thankfully) never boring when my parents loaded up the car for my siblings and I to take a trip to our favorite place: Door County. The very tip-top point of our hand-shaped state is, for me, the one spot that allows you to do just about anything you want.

I was lucky enough to live only two hours from my favorite vacation spot, but the drive is a bit longer from the Chippewa Valley. And yet it’s all worth it for the endless activities that you can enjoy once you arrive.

On the way there, you might need a quick caffeine boost from Door County Coffee & Tea Co. in Sturgeon Bay. With a gift shop inside this country-style cafe, you can stretch your legs, soak up some sun with their outdoor seating, or even watch as the popular Door County Coffee gets brewed right before your eyes! If that’s not your cup of tea (pun very much intended), you can always visit the many wineries that Door County is known for.

For the particularly outdoorsy folks, Peninsula State Park is by far one of the most beautiful spots in all of Wisconsin, filled with countless hiking trails.

For the particularly outdoorsy folks, Peninsula State Park is by far one of the most beautiful spots in all of Wisconsin, filled with countless hiking trails – I personally recommend the Eagle Bluff Trail – and campsites wherever you might want them. Want to swim or rent kayaks? Go to the beach! Want to watch some live productions? Check out the amphitheater! It’s a unique and visually stunning spot no one should miss out on.

As for finding the best spots to eat, you can never go wrong with Sonny’s in Sturgeon Bay for a delicious pizza buffet or the Summer Kitchen Family Restaurant in Ephraim. Of course, there’s always Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay, where the stories you hear about goats on the roof are true (and adorable).

One spot I refuse to miss on a Door County trip, no matter what, is Dippy’s Ice Cream in Fish Creek. It’s right in the middle of a historic site with a confectionery next door, and it’s just a block away from Sunset Beach Park, the perfect place to watch the sun melting down. It’s truly the best way to round out your trip to Door County. But hey, take your own trip to Door County, and make your own perfect itinerary – there are endless ways to make the trip memorable.

Learn more about visiting Door County at doorcounty.com.