Door County

 

Located on a peninsula in eastern Wisconsin, Door County makes everyday life feel like a getaway. This region is comprised of small, maritime communities including Baileys Harbor, Brussels, Carlsville, Egg Harbor, Ellison Bay, Ephraim, Fish Creek, Forestville, Gills Rock, Jacksonport, Juddville, Rowleys Bay, Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and Washington Island.

 

Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” for its sandy beaches and scenic views, Door County residents enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer while straying from the architectural norm of its eastern equivalent. Scandinavian architecture plays an important role in the area’s history, but residents will also find spacious Victorians, lakefront vistas, and other styles along the peninsula.

 

• Door County living feels like a lakeside retreat 
• Rich, maritime culture 
• Delicious eateries and historic shopping districts 
• Beautiful, natural landscapes at every turn 
• A relaxed, easygoing atmosphere 
• Convenient, close proximity to the bustling city life of Green Bay

 

Door County residents get the best of both worlds: lavish lakefront properties and the tranquil, free-and-easy ambiance of small-town communities. Maritime traditions give this region its vibrant personality, and its locals can be found appreciating the scenic, lake views that make this area one of Wisconsin’s most highly-acclaimed waterfront havens.

 

Local favorites can be found throughout the peninsula and offer its residents ample restaurants, entertainment venues, and shopping destinations. In quaint Ellison Bay, fine dining restaurant Wickman House offers a detailed menu comprised of scrumptious shareables and entrees during warm, seasonal months. Sister Bay locals love Chop, an American steakhouse offering high-quality steak, seafood, and an impressive beverage menu, and AJ Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, a log cabin eatery serving popular Swedish cuisine with live goats living on its roof! Shoppers will love Door County’s local boutiques and specialty stores. Fish Creek’s Sister Golden offers a curated collection of women’s apparel and unique, handcrafted pieces from artisans while Sister Bay’s Blue Willow Shop sells vintage English and French home accents.

 

Door County offers a vast assortment of activities for families, couples, and singles. Spend the day at one of the area’s most natural wonders, Cave Point County Park. Nestled against Lake Michigan with enormous cliffsides and wooded trails, this park is great for swimming, boating, hiking, and photography. Rent a kayak to view the caverns invisible by land or scuba dive to explore nearby historical shipwrecks. Take the Washinton Island Ferry to Washington Island and bike through scenic views or birdwatch at the island’s sanctuaries and natural preserves. Taste award-winning wine at Harbor Ridge Winery, located in Door County’s Egg Harbor, or explore Door County’s rich nautical history at Door County Maritime Museum. There are plenty of annual, family-friendly festivals hosted throughout the year. The Door County Plein Air Festival, Independence Day celebration, Harvest Fest, Christmas by the Bay, and Christmas in the Village are just a few of the community events available.

 

Several exceptional school districts serve Door County, including Gibraltar Area School District, Sturgeon Bay School District, Washington School District, Sevastopol School District, and Southern Door County School District. Noteworthy institutions include:

 

• Gibraltar Elementary School, a public, kindergarten through fifth-grade primary school with a list of accolades, including a 2018 National Blue Ribbon Award for exemplary academic achievement. Gibraltar Elementary School was also named in U.S. News’ “Best Elementary Schools” in 2022.