Surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County is a charming Wisconsin destination that attracts not just locals but a steady stream of tourists every year.
Here, the days are quieter and feel a little longer, giving you plenty of time and opportunity to unwind and explore as your heart desires. The small-town charm of cities such as Ephraim and Sister Bay offer all the comfort you need and easy access to a variety of fun activities throughout the area. Whether you're looking to visit the beaches or interested in grabbing an ice-cream cone on a sunny day, Door County has a little of everything to make your Wisconsin vacation unforgettable.
1. Lighthouses
Door County is home to eleven beautiful lighthouses along its 300 miles of rugged shorelines, one of the highest concentration of lighthouses in any county in the entire United States. These lighthouses guided 19th-century sailors through the rough Door County waters and are now open to tours by trolley, boat or kayak. The incredible water views and the rich history surrounding these historic lighthouses make for truly exceptional day-trips on your Door County getaway. Visit the Cana Island Lighthouse which rests on its own island, or the 35-foot Sherwood Point Light attached to a charming red brick home. Each summer, an annual Lighthouse Walk takes travelers along on tours to explore six of these magnificent lighthouses!
2. Wilson’s
A stop in Door County isn’t complete without visiting Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor. Since 1906, this Ephraim restaurant has been a local favorite, offering a comfortable place to spend time with friends and family. Featuring a classic lunch counter and soda fountain with jukeboxes at every booth, this is a unique dining experience you can’t miss!
3. Door County Maritime Museum
Door County’s history is explicitly linked to its maritime roots; it’s location between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island was a dangerous passage for early French explorers and local Native Americans. The French named the area of the Door County strait where the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan meet the “Porte des Morts,” or “Death’s Door.” Today, the deep waters are home to many scattered shipwrecks and many of this historic past is open to discover at the Door County Maritime Museum. Located between the bridges on Sturgeon Bay’s waterfront, you can view an impressive ship model collection, learn all about the history of shipbuilding, and even visit an exhibit called “Pirates--Ship to Shore!”
4. Wineries
The beautiful Door County area features a variety of wineries that make for a relaxing afternoon adventure on your Wisconsin trip. The Door County Wine Trail between Lake Michigan and Green Bay 
offers not only stunning views of the waters and lush scenery, but access to eight incredible wineries that let you experience and taste some of Door County’s speciality wines. The area’s especially well-known for cherry and apple wines. Whether you’re exploring the Door Peninsula Winery in Carlsville of the Red Oak Vineyard in Sturgeon Bay, you’re sure to discover something exceptional.
As the most popular day-park in Wisconsin rests along the shores of Lake Michigan. Whitefish Dunes offers 1.5 miles of sandy beaches and 1.5 miles of rocky shoreline, offering nature-lovers a great destination for exploring. You’ll discover plenty of sandy dunes and dune grasses; the tallest of them all rises some 90 feet above lake level and called “Old Baldy.” Climb up to the top, spend a day hiking the park’s many trails, or enjoy the views from the boardwalks!