We are excited to share our much requested “M & K’S Guide to Door County”. Door County holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a true gem in Wisconsin and a place we have grown to love. We both visit every summer to eat, drink, shop, and take in the amazing views that it has to offer. When we have shared photos from our favorite places, we have gotten a lot of questions. So we thought we would put everything into one master post – our Guide to Door County! This is by no means an exclusive list, but some of our favorites based on experience and research.
Melissa and Door County.
I grew up in Green Bay, so Door County was only a hop, skip, and jump from where we lived. It took us about an hour to get there, and I remember visiting as a young girl. My mom (who also grew up going there) and I would head up for the day to shop and get food. I have fond memories of Door County and the places we used to visit growing up. I’m also sad when we head up and see places close that we frequented often, The Cookery being the most recent.
Brett and I have also been going to Door County every summer for the past five or six years and Bed and Breakfast hopping. I’ll share all of our favorites in the lodging section, but we love to spend a weekend around our anniversary eating, drinking, biking, and doing all of the things Door County has to offer! We have only taken the girls twice, but it is also extremely kid friendly and we will highlight all of the fun things you can do with kids below. All of that to say, I’m excited to share our favorites with you.
Katie and Door County.
The first time we ever went to Door County was in 2015. Ellis was three and Lennon was just about one year old. We went with a few other families and stayed in a great little cabin a bit off the beaten path during off-season. We fell in love and have been back almost every year since. In fact, Logan and I celebrated our ten year anniversary in Door County sans kids and ever since, we’ve never been back with kids! Haha! In all honestly, it’s a great place with just your significant other, a group of couples, or families! There is really something for everyone. Every time we go, we find a new favorite! Like Melissa said above, we are so excited to share all of our favorites with you!
Bed and Breakfasts
Brett and I stayed at a bed and breakfast on our honeymoon and we got hooked! It’s such a different experience than staying in a hotel, and the best part is that Door County is full of them. We have stayed at quite a few and have enjoyed them all. We love how quaint they are and we love getting to know the other guests and visit over breakfast. Here are some of the ones we have stayed in.
The White Gull Inn in downtown Fish Creek is where we (M) stayed most recently in Door County for our anniversary trip and absolutely loved it! The room was small, like most bed and breakfast rooms, but spacious enough for the two of us. We stayed in a room in the Cliffhouse and each room had a nice balcony. There was fresh coffee delivered to our door each morning at 7 am, fresh cookies in the afternoons, and an amazing breakfast. The White Gull Inn is also a full restaurant and guests get to take advantage. You just let them know what time you want to eat and then when you get there, you can order anything off the menu. All you have to do is pay the tip! Their stuffed french toast is to die for (or so I hear.. I’m gf, but Brett loved it). They do have options as well if you are gluten free!
They are also well known for their fish boils, which you can sign up for when you check in. You have to pay for your meal, but as a guest you can for sure get a spot! We also loved the location. To one direction is downtown Fish Creek full of restaurants and shopping and to the other is the water with the best view of the sunset there is! One small downside is that this B&B does not have a common space for guests to hang out. But overall, this place is a gem and we would stay there again in a heartbeat!
The Whistling Swan is another charmer is downtown Fish Creek. Logan and I (K) just stayed there last month when we went for a little adults only getaway. It was absolutely adorable! We loved the restaurant on the main level with the perfect little spot for morning coffee. Speaking of coffee, they almost always have a fresh pot ready in the main entrance and if not, just ask and they will brew one for you! The staff is very welcoming and accommodating!
It is also right down the street from the Alibi Marina and a fantastic restaurant, Barringer’s. (More on Barringer’s in the Food section below.) We highly suggest a little walk down to the marina with a fresh cup of coffee if you are staying at the Whistling Swan.
We have both stayed in the Thorpe House and LOVED it! The house was built by the nephew of the founder of Fish Creek, and started to host guests in the early 1900s. It underwent extensive renovations in the 1980s, but holds much of the character and charm of the original building. You can read all about its history here.
The breakfast here is also amazing. They serve freshly baked quiche, a variety of warm breakfast sandwiches and muffins created by Blue Horse Cafe, fresh fruit, granola, a selection of yogurts, hard-boiled eggs, juice, and coffee or tea. They also offer gluten free options if you let them know you are gf ahead of time!
Roots Inn is a beautiful historic building located in the heart of downtown Sister Bay. Neither of us have actually stayed here, but it came highly recommended by a follower, so we had to check it out. Needless to say, it’s now on our list for our next stay! They serve a rotating fresh breakfast, taking into consideration individual dietary restrictions! (yay!) The full breakfast is included in the price of your stay, and offered between 8:30 – 9:30 every morning! Roots is just more than a kitchen though, it’s a restaurant as well! Roots Kitchen strives to produce quality, creative & healthy ‘pub style’ food with the support of our local farmers & community entrepreneurs.
Blacksmith Inn on the Shore in Baileys Harbor was one of our favorite places to stay. Each room offers a fireplace, in-room whirlpool, private balcony, and a captivating harbor view. A simple breakfast is delivered to your door each morning and includes fresh baked goods along with seasonal fruit, their homemade granola, oatmeal, yogurts, smoothies, juices, coffee, teas, milk and hot cocoa. They also have bikes (this is where we rode our first tandem bike!), kayaks, and paddle boards for guests to use, which is a huge bonus in my opinion.
Baileys Harbor is underrated in my opinion. The towns on the other side of Door County get more publicity, but I really love Baileys Harbor. It is located on the Lake Michigan side. It’s maybe not as quaint as Ephraim or Sister Bay, but it’s quiet and has a lot to offer.
Family Lodging (hotels, air bnb, resorts)
Luna’s Retreat is a beautiful new build rental and perfect for a family get together. Just a short walk from downtown Sister Bay, this gorgeous house has 5 bedrooms, can sleep up to 12 people, a covered porch, and fire pit. Neither of us have stayed here (YET), but the owners are from Madison and are so sweet! This is an amazing option for a whole family gathering!
We are so excited to introduce you to 302 with a View! 302 with a View is a luxury 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo (sleeps 6) in Sister Bay with amazing water views! You all know how much we love Door County, so we are excited to be sharing a new place to stay with you all!
Megan, the owner, is originally from Middleton, WI but has lived in the Milwaukee area for 15 years now! She lives in Fox Point (just north of Milwaukee) with her husband and 3 little ones. (Ages 6.5, almost 4 years old and almost 2 years old). Both Megan and her husband grew up going to Door County. It holds such a special place in their hearts and their families’. They love that their kids now share the same love for the area and look forward to sharing Door County with all of you!
Baileys Harbor Yacht Club is where we stayed most recently. We are took my mom here with the girls for her birthday. So we wanted something that felt spacious and was also kid friendly. The room had a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a pull out sleeper sofa. It also had a heated indoor and outdoor pool, a playground, bikes to use, and grills which are all available for free to guests! We love Baileys Harbor because it’s far enough away from all of the buzz, but close enough to drive over for the day if you want to hit up the other small towns. This is a great option for families!
Pheasant Park in Sister Bay is a very family friendly resort and they offer a variety of rooms just a short drive from downtown Sister Bay. We stayed here a few years ago when we went with Brett’s entire family. This isn’t the nicest or fanciest place, but they offer two or three bedroom suites and the prices are good. They also have an indoor and outdoor pool, game room, and playground for the kids! This is another good options for families.
Family Friendly Options
I’m pretty sure we go to Wild Tomato every time we go. We love it! They have two locations – one in Fish Creek and a newer location in Sister Bay. I have eaten at both, but prefer the Sister Bay location as it’s right on the water. They do have gluten free crust, but do not claim to be a gluten free environment! So if you are celiac, I would probably skip this. I’m gluten sensitive, and have done just fine here. They also have great salads and a good drink menu. I have had the cherry cider the last few times and it is awesome!
Al Johnson’s is a Swedish restaurant is known for its goats! Yes, goats. With a grass roof, the goats roam during the day, and are brought down at night! They even have a “goat cam” on their website. Al Johnsons is known for its breakfasts and pancakes with lingonberries, hot chocolates, and more recently they opened Stabbur Beer Garden which often has live music in the summer!
Wilson’s is iconic and a must stop for ice cream! They also serve a full menu of burgers, hot dogs, and other “kid friendly” foods if you’re looking for a lunch or dinner spot. They even brew their own root beer which you can buy to go in half gallons or try as a root beer float. But it’s the ice cream for me. We always grab ice cream and then go sit across the street by the water.
The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek was our most recent stay and the breakfast was awesome. Obviously, if you stay at White Gull Inn, breakfast is included, but non guests are also welcome to dine in! You may have a wait as it’s a pretty popular place, but the breakfast is well worth it. Get your name in and then walk around Fish Creek while you wait. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and also do fish boils. We can only speak to breakfast but I imagine all of the food is good. Try the stuffed french toast, homemade cherry jam, and fresh pastries! (gluten free bread also available by request) YUM!
Summer Kitchen is Door County’s Garden Restaurant! All of the mismatched, bright décor and fiesta dishes remind me of my Grandma and I just love it so much! The Summer Kitchen is renowned for its homemade soups, fresh bread and yummy desserts. At least five different soups are available daily. We went their for breakfast and loved it! The ambiance just made me happy! – K
The Door County Brewing Co. and Music Hall has great indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a drink from the taproom to enjoy with the DCBC Eats located right outside. Our family loves going here to enjoy the outdoor space or listen to live music. The DCBC Eats have something for everyone, pulled pork, mac and cheese, sausage, nachos, and more! Fun atmosphere to enjoy with your family!
Date Night Options
Chop is a steakhouse. We first ate there many years ago when it was more in town. Chop now has an amazing view of the water and is right downtown. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking for steak, fish, seafood, and good wine/drinks! They still have “early dining” between 5:00 and 5:30. It’s a 3 course meal for $25! If you’re up for eating a little earlier, it’s an awesome deal. Brett and I laughed that we were the youngest couple there, but we had an amazing dinner – worth it!
Chives is a restaurant that we first ate at in Green Bay. We did a Chef’s table there over Christmas a few years ago with my family and when we saw they had opened a location in Baileys Harbor, we knew we needed to go! It is the farm to table concept and definitely on the fancier side, but the food is outstanding! Gluten free options available.
The Wickman House in Ellison Bay is one of my (K’s) absolute favorite restaurants in Door County. They serve Upmarket New American meals & craft cocktails in a quaint, rambling home with outdoor seating. We have been going here for years, and have actually brought our kids here before, but wouldn’t necessarily suggest it. We try and go every time we go to Door County, but unfortunately, last time we couldn’t get a reservation. The food is amazing and the ambiance is fabulous. We celebrated our 10 year anniversary here! If you plan on going here on your trip to Door County, make a reservation ahead of time!
Loft was one of our stops on our last trip up there, but we loved the environment. Located in downtown Fish Creek, this place has a great atmosphere and delicious food! All of their tables are open air but covered. We ate upstairs. Brett and I got salads and split the balsamic brussel sprouts, but everything on the menu looked good!
Harbor Fish Market and Grill in Bailey’s Harbor is a great place to experience a lobster boil and craft cocktails with a beautiful lakefront view! I would highly recommend the lobster mac and cheese and the lobster roll if you don’t go full in on the lobster boil meal.
Melissa has been to Barringer’s many years ago, but I, Katie, have not. It is on my list for our next trip. From outside looking in, it is so darn cute! I love the aesthetic and the menu looks amazing. We have some friends who have been there as well and have said it’s absolutely fabulous!
Thyme Restaurant right outside Sister Bay is a beautiful spot featuring amazing food! The atmosphere outside and inside is gorgeous! It is located right next to Twelve Eleven Wine + Provisions. Highly recommend starting or ending your visit at the winery and a enjoying a meal at Thyme. You can bring your wine to the restaurant as well! Make sure to check out their website for Summer Pop Ups for the best grilled cheese sandwiches!
We have both made a stop to One Barrel Brewing in Egg Harbor this past summer. It’s a great spot to grab a drink, some food (they serve Wild Tomato pizza and other appetizers), listen to music, and play some yard games! It is also dog friendly if you’re bringing your pup up to Door County with you!
Husbys in Sister Bay is such a fun place to grab a drink, sit outside, and listen to music. They have live music every night in the summer at their Garage Bar. They also serve food and do a fish fry on Fridays! Definitely worth checking out.
The guys were huge fans of the Hatch Distillery! Us girls did a little shopping at Spot across the street and then joined them where we had the most wonderful drink – The Lavender Lemonade, made with limoncello, gin, lemonade, and lavender spritz. We also brought home for good Gin for Logan’s brother and wife who were watching our kids for the weekend! 🙂
Boathouse On the Bay is a great option for drinks! I LOVE their upstairs inside/outside bar overlooking the water! We had a drink there one night while watching the sun set. The bartenders were super fun and the drinks were great. It’s all about the ambiance and location and this place has them both.
This past time we were in Door County on out little ‘adults only’ getaway was actually my first time doing the whole winery tour thing. Lucky, we were with seasoned pros. 🙂 Our friends Adam and Carissa knew just where to go. We basically hit up wineries on the way in – before even checking into our hotel. As you can see these are in Sturgeon Bay, basically the bottom of the thumb as you drive into Door County. Door 44 Winery & Vineyard was a great little winery with fantastic wine. We all got flights where we got to try four winers for $7! We sat outside on their cute patio, listened to live music, and sampled wine. It was a great way to kick off our little getaway!
Our Next stop on our way in to Door County was Door Peninsula Winery and it was such a fun little spot! Door Peninsula Winery produces the largest selection of wines in Wisconsin. There are so many options. We sat outside in their great covered patio (recently added) and sampled some fun wines. They also served beer and cocktails there, so there was something for everyone! I got a lavender martini which really kicked me into high gear. Ha!
This is a favorite stop while in Door County. I love their wine, space, apparel, and snacks! Twelve Eleven Wine + Provisions is a true gem! Surrounded by green space, with a beautiful patio, fire pits, and also shade from the sun, it is a great place to relax and enjoy wine with your significant other or group of friends. They have a lot of Madison and Wisconsin snacks to create a cheese board featuring Underground Meats, Carr Cheese, Potters Crackers, and more.
The Peach Barn is a beautiful farmhouse and brewery located just south of downtown Sister Bay, but still within walking distance. It’s a beautifully landscaped property with pergolas, a fire pit, and lots of outdoor space. They also have relaxed seating areas both inside and out and a new indoor taproom! They have live music often in the summer and it is a must stop!
There is SO much to do in Peninsula State Park. I mean you could camp and spend your entire vacation there, or just spend part of the day, but either way, it’s a must see! $10 for a day pass. Some of my favorite activities… climb the lookout tour for beautiful views. Rent bikes (specifically a tandem at Nor Door Sports) and ride through the park. Rent a kayak or paddle board. Go to the beach. Mountain bike or hike! The options are endless!
Cave Point is another must see in Door County! It has beautiful carved rock faces on Lake Michigan. This is also where people do cliff jumping – at your own risk of course! Brett did it a few years ago. I decided not to, probably because I was little scared and I didn’t want to get my hair wet. Ha! Either way, cave jumping or not.. a great place to stop and visit!
Whitefish Dune State Park is another spot that is worth a visit. You can hike, head to the beach, swim, fish, and even snowshoe in the winter!
If you are visiting Door County with the little kids, The Farm is such a fun experience for kids! The Farm is a historic living museum to interact with all kinds of farm animals and explore the farm animals in natural surroundings. Bottle feed goat kids, lambs, and piglets. Milk a goat, see chicks hatch. Pioneer log buildings, farm tools and implements, gardens and field crops. Enjoy nature trails and exhibits!
Think Daniel Tiger. Ha! Only kind of kidding. There is a trolly ride for everyone – wine tour, scenic tour, historic tour, family tour, and even a GHOST tour and haunted pub crawl! This would be a great way to spend an afternoon!
Door 44 right outside of Sturgeon Bay and Lautenbach’s outside of Fish Creek are two of our favorites, but there are SO many! Here is a list to get you started. You can take a tour and do tastings at most of them. It’s fun to see how to they make the wine and use freshly grown ingredients. If you also want to hit up a good cheese shop while wine tasting, head over to Harbor Ridge Winery in Egg Harbor. Wisconsin Cheese masters is right next door with amazing cheese that you can sample! It was such a fun little stop!
There are SO many to choose from, but our favorites are in Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, and Peninsula State Park. Destination Door County put a full list together! Just pack some towels, beach toys, and snacks and you’re set!
Get a different view of Door County by doing a boat tour! I’m sure most of the small towns offer these, but we have specifically done the one out of Sister Bay. We did it a few years ago when the girls were younger and we were in Door County with Brett’s family. Everyone enjoyed it!
One boat rental company we both love is the Northern Door County Boat Rental. They offers a special experience to get on the water in Door County. Their rentals in Sister Bay and Gills Rock are top of the line and maintain only the highest quality boats around. Their fleet of pontoon rentals give you comfort, style, and speed while cruising Green Bay, Lake Michigan.
The Hardy Gallery is an iconic spot in Door County that is located on Ephraim’s historic Anderson Dock. The Francis Hardy Gallery is home to some of the most creative and popular gallery exhibitions in Door County, and once you visit, it is easy to see why established and emerging artists alike love to show their work in a simple wooden warehouse.
Two words – CHERRY SALSA! Wood Orchard Market in Egg Harbor is one of our favorite stops. They have salsas, dressings, fresh donuts, fudge, and so much more. Normally the shop is full of samples, but they have stopped because of Covid. They do however, have free apple cider pops for the kids! This place is a must visit!
Fun Stuff is located right downtown Fish Creek and is a super fun shop for kids and adults. My kids went crazy! They have those pop it toys, charm bracelets, slime, and so much more. It’s just a fun shop to stop in and visit if you’re looking to browse or even grab something for the kids if you left them behind.
Ladies, if you want some really cute clothing items, you have to check out The Spot! It’s a great little boutique with unique finds! They have clothing, shoes, accessories, and the location in Sister Bay is connected to the Space which has super fun home decor!
Beach People is the store we (Katie and Logan) go to every year to get little gifts to bring back for the kids! They have so many fun things! One year we even got Havana sandals on sale for me and both kids! haha!
Sister Golden was founded in 2014 by Mother-Daughter team, Vicki & Brooke. It began as an online-based shop, headquartered in San Diego, CA, and quickly planted roots as a brick & mortar store in Fish Creek. It offers a thoughtfully curated collection of one-of-a-kind and vintage pieces from creative artisans around the world. They have some fabulous jewelry, flower art, home goods, and the Turkish rugs are absolutely gorgeous!
Fred and Co. is a fabulous little boutique in Fish Creek! Very similar to Spot, they carry some really fun and unique fashion finds for women!
Wrapping it up – M & K’s Guide to Door County
We know that we didn’t include everything that Door County has to offer, but we wanted this to truly be OUR guide. While we have spent a lot of time there, we haven’t tried everything. We wanted to speak to our personal favorites – tried and true. This post will be ever evolving as we continue to visit Door County, but for now… these are our favorites. We hope you will find this post helpful. We both truly love visiting Door County and hope that you will too!
Oh, and if you’re from the Madison area and are looking for date night options here in town (don’t get us wrong.. Door County would be better, but…..), don’t forget to check out our date night post!
