There are lots of things to do in Door County in the Spring! Here are 20 of them!
Springtime is Quiet-time on the Door County Peninsula.  Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere the County has to offer, where travelers and residents are all at ease.  Though the busy season is just around the corner, this is still a nice time to soak up the County!
                          

1. Enjoy the quiet times, and take in some theater at the Third Street Theater in Sturgeon Bay – we have heard very positive things from people who have attended events here!  Or check other theater happenings now!

THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE - STURGEON BAY
Check their schedule of events and shows – this is a wonderful theater in downtown Sturgeon Bay!  This spring, shows like:

NOTE: Always check with the theater for updated schedules and ticket prices.

2. Take a Door County Trolley Tour!  Definitely check out seeing Door County by old-fashioned trolley from the Door County Trolley Company!  Check their website for specific times and tours – this is a great way to see Door County and to see some vistas you might otherwise miss!  Call them now or visit their website: 920-868-1100, and tell them we sent you!  They offer a variety of tours, including a creative Lighthouse tour.  Call AJ and tell him we sent you!

3. VISIT THE DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM
This is a wonderful museum located in Sturgeon Bay. 

PS: You can also check out the Gills Rock Maritime Museum at 12724 Hwy. 42,
Gills Rock – the Northern tip of the Peninsula.
920-854-1844

4. Driving Tours!  Get in the car and drive around the Peninsula – go down roads you have never been down before – get lost and explore.  The interior of the peninsula is dotted with art galleries, wineries, and other very cool things, like barns, shacks, rolling fields of grasses and trees, cherry and apple orchards and more.  There are so many hidden treasures in Door County, waiting for you to discover!  Take your camera, the interior offers some genuine Door County beauty and tranquility.

• Visit Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor on the Quiet Side (the Lake side of the peninsula).  We have reviewed some nice inns there as well.  Walk along Lake Michigan, visit Whitefish Dunes State Park, Cave Point.  Drive, park and walk.
• Drive north from Sturgeon Bay on County B, which you can pick up in downtown Sturgeon Bay, along the water. You can pick up 3rd Avenue (mostly one way going south) north of Jefferson and head north – this is B, and turns into Bay Shore Drive.  This is a lovely ride, and you will pass some of the very nicest B&Bs and resorts in Door County along the way!  Inn the Pines, Bay Shore Inn, Westwood Shores,  and more!  In addition, you will pass Stone Quarry Park, about 4 miles north of the Inn the Pines – where you can picnic and enjoy gorgeous Door County sunsets without a huge crowd – not too many people know about this one!  B will eventually merge with G and you will pop out in Egg Harbor, right by Harbor View Park and Shipwrecked!  Take a left to continue north on Hwy 42!
• Take a tour through the center of the peninsula on County A.  This is a very nice road that cuts north and south right through the center, from about Jacksonport all the way to Ephraim (going south to north)!    
• And, if you are in Egg Harbor and want to head north of Fish Creek, head East on E, then North on A (left at PC Junction and Pen Pub) – you will come out north of Fish Creek – take a right on Hwy 42 and continue north to Ephraim!  OR head up on Cottage Road, down by the Egg Harbor dock – take that road north, pass by some gorgeous homes on the waterfront, and pop out near Villaggio’s restaurant in Juddville – a nice change of pace.
• From Egg Harbor, go East on County T (towards Valmy).  Take it to Elm, and take a right, then another quick right on Hillside, and a quick left on Lost Lake Road (heading south – and yes, there’s a lake in there!).  Nice old barns, open fields, shacks….ahh!  Get lost!  Take a left on Plum Bottom Rd., and head to Ehler and turn left (north – you’re doing a loop) – you are now on the other side of Lost Lake .  At Hillside, take a right now, then a left on Memorial Drive (north) to EE.  If you want to go to Baileys Harbor, take a right.  Egg Harbor, take a left!  This is a nice little 8 – 10 minute drive.  Take your time.
• From Baileys Harbor, just keep driving up State Hwy 57.  You will pass the Ridges Sanctuary (8270 Hwy 57 – 920-839-2802) signs – a nature preserve of wonderful and rare plant life – you can stroll for a long time and enjoy this magnificent preserve, formed long ago by the effect of the Lake and years of waves, which created the ridges.  Stop and enjoy.  Don’t forget the camera. Keep heading north on Hwy 57, pass AC Tap (one of the oldest bars in the Peninsula) and you will pop out at the hill in Sister Bay.  Take a right and you are at Sister Bay Bowl (north); take a left, and head south.

5. DOOR COUNTY FESTIVAL OF BLOSSOMS
Dates of event: 05/01/07 to 05/31/08
County-wide celebration of spring, featuring blossoming daffodils, wildflowers & blossoming cherry and apple orchards. Garden and wildflower hikes, trolley and boat tours, arts and crafts, and lighthouse walks. There are community celebrations every weekend.

6. 15TH ANNUAL DOOR COUNTY LIGHTHOUSE WALK
Dates of Event 5/17/2008 - 5/18/2008
If you are into lighthouses, get into to this!  And even if not, this is a fantastic trip into the rich history of Door County.  This is a self-guided, tour of 5 mainland lighthouses. You can walk around the grounds and get a great view of some of Door County’s wonderful lighthouses. You can also opt for a Boat Tour to and around island lighthouses: tickets and info: 920-743-5958. Or opt for a Trolley tour as well! Reservation required so call 920-868-1100 and tell them we sent you (see below).The lighthouses in Door County are magnificent to see, especially Cana Island (one of the most photographed features of Door County) and Eagle Bluff (in Peninsula State Park). You can try to tour the lighthouses on your own, or there are organized excursions, even by boat, to take in many of these beautiful lighthouses that helped guide many a ship through tough and rough waters. Even if you miss this weekend, be sure to schedule some time to visit a few of Door County’s best if you have an interest in these fascinating structures. They are super to photograph too! Don’t forget the camera! Try the Trolley tour (see below)!

Call Claire at the Door County Lighthouse Inn – she is extremely knowledgeable about Door County Lighthouses and has some special info on tours.  920-868-9088 – or stop in her place in the heart of Egg Harbor.

The lighthouses in Door County are magnificent to see, especially Cana Island (one of the most photographed features of Door County) and Eagle Bluff (in Peninsula State Park).  You can try to tour the lighthouses on your own, or there are organized excursions, even by boat, to take in many of these beautiful lighthouses that helped guide many a ship through tough and rough waters.  Take the time to enjoy this true Door County treasure.  Learn more about the Door County Lighthouses on our site!

7. Stay at a wonderful B&B, Inn or Resort!  It’s still quiet and you can still get a beautiful room or suite.  There are many beautiful inns in Door County, and we have reviewed quite a few on our website here.

Some of our highly recommended ones include (please make sure to tell them you saw them on DoorCountyNavigator.com - that helps keep the site fresh and viable!).  Read our in-person Reviews of all of these places and find exactly what you are looking for! And please, please tell them you found them on DoorCountyNavigator.com!  We’re finding great places for you!

• In Sturgeon Bay
• The White Lace Inn in Sturgeon Bay: Dennis or Bonnie at 920-743-1105 (Winner of DoorCountyNavigator.com’s User’s Choice Award for Best B&B in Door County, 2003!)
• Reynolds House:  Jan or Stan at 920-746-9771
• Scofield House: Carolyn or Mike at 920-743-7727
• The Barbican: Jim at 920-743-4854
• Inn the Pines: Bev or Bud at 920-743-9319
• Inn at Cedar Crossing: 920-743-4200/Lodging
• The Chanticleer Guest House: Darrin or Bryon: 920-746-0334
• Black Walnut Guest House: Jeff or Mary: 920-743-8892
• Pembrooke Inn: 920-746-9776
• Egg Harbor
• Cornerstone Suites: talk to Leif: 888-495-3005,
  920-868-3005
• Door County Lighthouse Inn: call Claire or Frank: 920-868-9088 (Claire’s the one who knows about the Lighthouses!)
• The Feathered Star: Sandy, 1-877-743-4066, 920-743-4066
• Fish Creek
• The White Gull Inn: Andy or Jan at 920-868-3517
• Thorp House: Christine at 920-868-2444
• The Juniper Inn: Call Mark at 920-839-2629
• The Whistling Swan: Bill: 920-868-3517
• Ephraim
• The Ephraim Inn: Tim at 920-854-4515
• Eagle Harbor Inn: call Natalie: 800-324-5427
• Trollhaugen Lodge: Norma: 920-854-2713
• Village Green Lodge: Sue & Steve: 1-888-471-8277
• Baileys Harbor
• New Yardley Inn: call Suzanne or Dillon: 920-839-9487
• Blacksmith Inn on the Shore: Joan or Bryon: 800-769-8619
• Inn at Windmill Farms: Ed at 920-868-9282

Other really nice places to stay are:

• Sister Bay
• Country House Resort: 800-424-0041 – See Their Video!
• Scandinavian Lodge: 920-854-7123, 888-645-6343
• Birchwood Lodge: 866-854-7195
• Pheasant Park: 920-854-7287 800-392-3921
• Little Sister Resort: 920-854-4013
• Coachlite Inn: 920-854-5503
• Nordic Lodge: 920-854-5432
• Open Hearth Lodge: 920-854-4890
• Inn at Little Sister Hill:800-768-6317
• Church Hill Inn: 920-854-4885
• Village View: 920-854-2813
• Egg Harbor
• The Ashbrooke: talk with Fred: 920-868-3113
• The Alpine Resort : 920-868-3000
• The Shallows: 920-868-3458 - See Video!
• Egg Harbor Lodge: 920-868-3115 See the View!
• Newport Resort: 920-868-9900, 800-468-6160
• The Mariner: 920-868-3131 – See Mariner Video!
• Lull-Abi Inn: 920-868-3135
• Bay Point Inn: 800-707-6660
• Cape Cod Motel: 920-868-3271 OR 1-877-590-0286

• Ephraim
• The Edgewater Resort: 920-854-2734
• Ephraim Shores Motel and Restaurant: 920-854-2371
• Bay Breeze Resort: 920-854-9066 See Video!
• The Ephraim Guest House: call Joe: 800-589-8423
• Harbor View Resort: 920-854-2425
• High Point Inn: 920-854-9773
• Somerset Inn and Suites: 920-854-1819
• Lodgings at Pioneer Lane: 800-588-3565
• Park’s Edge Lakeshore Homes & Cottages: 414-481-2654 See Video!
• Sturgeon Bay
• Bay Shore Inn in Sturgeon Bay: call 800-556-4551
• Leathem Smith Lodge and Marina in Sturgeon Bay: call Chuck: 800-366-7947 and watch their video!
• Westwood Shores in Sturgeon Bay: 920-746-4057
• Bridgeport in Sturgeon Bay: 920-746-9919 Watch Video!
• Glidden Lodge Beach Resort in Sturgeon Bay: 920-746-3900
• Snug Harbor: 920-743-2337, 1-800-231-5767
• Stone Harbor Resort: 920-746-0700, 877-746-0700
• Beach Harbor Resort: 920-743-3191
• Baileys Harbor
• Baileys Harbor Yacht Club in Baileys Harbor: 920-839-2336
• Kangaroo Lake Resort in Baileys Harbor: 920-839-2341 – Watch Video Now!
• Baileys Harbor Ridges Resort: 920-839-2127
• Beachfront Inn at Baileys Harbor866-251-0750 OR 920-839-2345
• Fish Creek
• Homestead Suites in Fish Creek: 800-686-6621 – See Video!
• By-The-Bay Motel in Fish Creek: Mary at 920-868-3456
• Main Street Motel in Fish Creek: Nedra at 920-868-2201 – Watch Their Video!
• The Hilltop Inn: Kelly: 888-868-3556
• Apple Creek Resort: 800-569-0059 – Watch AppleCreek Video Now!
• Jacksonport
• Square Rigger Lodge: 920-823-2404
• Washington Island
•  Findlay’s Holiday Inn (on Washington Island): call Jim: 800-522-5469

We have reviewed many more places too!  So read the reviews first!

8. Cave Point!  Must see!  While you're in the outdoorsy mood, head over to Cave Point, another very much photographed site in Door County.  It's over on the Quiet Side (the Lake Michigan side), near Jacksonport and Whitefish Dunes State Park - head south on Hwy 57 from Bailey's Harbor.  This is a bluff of rock overlooking the waters that produce wonderful sprays of splashing waters in spring and summer as the waves crash the rocks below.  It’s a beautiful vista – don’t miss it in the springtime! It is quite a place!  See Our Cave Point Video!

9. Restaurants!  Well, you might want to dine out, and the restaurants for the most part are still on the Winter hour schedule.  So here are some restaurants that will be open, mostly weekends, some from Thurs – Sun, some opening in early May.

• Alexander’s, Fish Creek – fine dining: 920-868-3532
• Inn at Kristofer’s , Sister Bay- fine Dining: 920-854-9419
• The Waterfront, Sister Bay – fine dining: 920-854-5491
• Stone Harbor Restaurant & Pub, in Sturgeon Bay: 920-746-9004
• Casey’s Inn Supper Club, Egg harbor: 920-868-3038
• Hof Restaurant at Alpine Resort, Egg Harbor: 920-868-3000
• Harbor Fish Market & Grille, Baileys Harbor: 920-839-9999 (See our Review)
• Greenwood Supper Club, Fish Creek at Hwys A and F (open F - Sun) 920-839-2451 (See our Review)
• Inn at Cedar Crossing, Sturgeon Bay: 920-743-4249
• The Cookery, Fish Creek - 920-868-2372
• Mission Grille, Sister Bay: 920-854-9070
• Fred & Fuzzy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill: 920-854-6699 (check opening day), see our Review!
• Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay: 920-743-5555
• Door County Coffee & Tea – café in Carlsville: 920-743-8808
  800-366-7947
• Coyote Roadhouse, Baileys Harbor at Kangaroo Lake: 920-839-9192 (See our Review)
• Mink River Basin, Ellison Bay: 920-854-2250
• Perry's Cherry Diner, Sturgeon Bay: 920-743-9910 (See our Review) 
• Idlewild Solarium Bar and Grill, Sturgeon Bay: 920-743-3334
• Restaurant Sage, Sturgeon Bay: 920-743-1100 (See our Review)
• The Sandpiper, Baileys Harbor: 920-839-2528

If you are staying in a resort with kitchen facilities and want to dine in, then pick up some food at the wonderful Main Street Market in Egg Harbor, or some gourmet delights at Top Shelf Gourmet and Café in Sister Bay (Country Walk Shops).

10. Tour Door County – like never before!

Door County Living Classrooms
5880 Cedar Creek Place
Sturgeon Bay
920-493-3000
They will take you on a personalized trip through the natural wonders of the Peninsula!  They are the only “eco-tour” we know of in Door County. This is not just a walk in the woods!

Bayshore Outdoor Store
655 Bay Shore Dr
Sister Bay
920-854-7598
Rent kayaks, canoes, and more.  Sail, take lessons, paddleboat or hydrobike!  Very cool!!

11. Visit some bars and talk to the locals. Another good thing about Spring is that it is still slow enough where  people have the time to chat and relax – this is a real luxury for all.  Visit some local bars, and enjoy the conversation!  Some good talking places: (see our reviews of bars, taverns and saloons on the website); read about them, then visit!

• The Hitching Post in Sturgeon Bay: See Hughy: 920-743-5735 (we love this place: you can’t get more local than this!)
• Nautical Inn in Sturgeon Bay (cool, local hang-out): See: 920-743-3399
• Karley’s Bar on Washington Island: 920-847-2655
• Casey's Inn in Egg Harbor, right on Hwy 42: 920-868-3038 (check hours, usually Thurs- Sun in winter/spring)
• Coyote Roadhouse in Bailey's Harbor, right on Kangaroo Lake, 920-839-9192 (great old roadhouse)
• Bayside Tavern in Fish Creek, right on Hwy 42: 920-868-3441 (very local, very cool, very good burgers too!) – one of our favorites!
• Husby's in Sister Bay (an all-round classic and local hang-out), 920-854-2624
• Sister Bay Bowl, the bar section, right across from Husby's, 920-854-2841
• JJ.s/La Puerta in Sister Bay: 920-854-4513-
• The Blue Ox in Bailey's Harbor, on Hwy 57, 920-839-2771
• AC Tap in Bailey's Harbor, between Sister Bay and Baileys Harbor 920-839-2426
• Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor, micro-brew, 920-868-3036 (check hours)

12. Fishing!  If you like fishing, well, you can fish in Door County! Here is what you can expect for more fishing, if you want walleye, salmon, trout and perch!  Check to see about license requirements, best times, charters.

• Middle of April: Lots of brown trout fishing going on not far from the Stone Quarry.
• End of April: this is rainbow, brown and brook trout season!  Catch like crazy all along the shore.  Smelt and perch too!
• Beginning of May: here come the bass, some walleye.  Even the lakes internal to the peninsula (Kangaroo, Europe, and Clarks Lake) have some good fishing now.
• End of May: walleye, small mouth bass, jumbo perch, and lake trout – all kinds of fish waiting for you!
• 18th ANNUAL OPEN BASS TOURNAMENT - STURGEON BAY
  Dates of event: 5/16/08 – 5/18/078
  This three day event is held at Sawyer Park. Family events all day Saturday. Dock dance from 2 PM - 6 PM in the pavilion.  Prizes awarded Sunday after 4 PM.   For more info, details and entry forms, visit: http://www.sbobt.org/ or call 920-499-3988.
• Fishing Hot Line: 920-743-7046

NOTE: Check with some of our favorite Charter Fishing organizations for times when they might be heading out for the season – make your plans:

• Andy’s Silver Strike Charter Fishing
  At the Baileys Harbor Municipal Marina
  Baileys Harbor
  920-854-6069
  
  
• First Choice Charter
  Baileys Harbor Town Marina
  (first slip on main pier)
  920- 839-1409

• The Salmon Depot Charter Fishing
  Baileys Harbor
  920-839-2272
  1-800-345-6701

• Hitman Charters
  At the Leathem Smith Lodge & Marina
  Sturgeon Bay
  920-609-7788
  920-609-3940
  

13. Plan a Family Reunion Or Corporate Retreat!  Take a real Spring-Break!  You can find inns and resorts that can accommodate a large family for a spring get-away reunion, or if you are in the corporate world, a memorable and inspiring business retreat.  There are many resorts that can accommodate groups of just about any size and meet all your needs: Check out Stone Harbor Resort or Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay, for example.  Plan your memorable event right now!  More and more folks are doing this for a wonderful get-together or retreat away from the hustle and bustle – come to Door County!  See our Resort and Lodging places that have meeting rooms, etc.

14. SWIM!   If you are not staying at an inn with an indoor pool, and you missed the Polar Bear Swim in Jacksonport on January 1st, try the YMCAs

• YMCA
  1900  Michigan Street
  Sturgeon Bay
  920-743-4949  OR
  1-800-287-4949

• YMCA – Northern Center
  3866 Gibraltar Rd
  Fish Creek
  920-868-3660

15. Hike!  Hiking in Door County is special and Spring is a wonderful time to hike the county - whether you are just taking a nice long stroll on your own, or taking in the natural wonders and beauty of the State Parks!  Walk and enjoy the warming Spring air and tranquil scenery!

State Parks: they are beautiful year-round!

• Whitefish Dunes State Park: 920-823-2400, 3701 Clark Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay
• Peninsula State Park info: 920-868-3258, in Fish Creek
• Newport State Park: 920-854-2500, 475 County Hwy NP, Ellison Bay
• Potawatomi Park:  920-743-7033, 3740 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay

Or try Ridges Sanctuary (see video) in Baileys Harbor: 8270 Hwy 57 – 920-839-2802

16. Museums/Galleries!  Springtime is a great time to take in some of the

 local museums and galleries.  This will get you started:

• Door County Maritime Museum
  120 N. Madison Ave
  Sturgeon Bay
  920-743-5958
• Door County Historical Museum
  18 N 4th Ave
  Sturgeon Bay
  920-743-5809  - This is a great little museum, with very friendly and knowledgeable folks!
• The Miller Art Museum
  107 S 4th Ave
  Sturgeon Bay
  920-746-0707

• AMO Gallery
• 40 N. 3RD AVE.
  Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

FAX 920-746 8719
PHONE 920-743 2259
Custom framing, great gallery of Door County and national artists

• Hands On Art Studio
  3655 Peninsula Players Road
  (head west from Hwy 42, about 1 ¾ miles)
  Fish Creek
  920-868-9311

• Liberty Square Art & Decoration Center
  7755 Hwy 42
  Egg Harbor
  920-868-4800
  

• Dovetail Gallery & Studio
  7901 Hwy 42
  Egg Harbor
  920-868-3987
  

• Ed Fenendael
  Watercolor Excitement
  3829 Fairview Road
  Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin 54202
  920-868-9282

17. Get Artistic!   Take an art class, or do an art project on your own!  Fun for  all!  Check into these cool places:

• You can take any number of classes in art at the Peninsula Art School!   From photography to ceramics to watercolor painting!  Check our their tremendous schedule!  And tell them you found them here please!

Peninsula Art School
3906 County Rd F
Fish Creek
920-868-3455

• For the Do-It-Yourself Artist in us all!  Check out Hands-On Art Studio where you can paint ceramics, glass, metal art, t-shirts!  Fun projects for any age.  Call them at 920-868-9311.  Tell Cy that we sent you, please!

Hands On Art Studio
3655 Peninsula Players Road
(head west from Hwy 42, about 1 ¾ miles)
Fish Creek
920-868-9311

18. Search for your Dream Home!  If you have always thought about owning your own home, land or cottage (even a business!) in Door County, Spring is a great time to look around and get comfortable with all that is available.  And here are some of our favorite real estate agencies to do it with!

• Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons
  4086 Main St
  Fish Creek
  920-868-2373
  

• Century 21 Door Properties
  7734 Hwy 42
  Egg Harbor
  920-868-2002
  

• Century 21 Action Realty Group
  Betty Tipler
  4859 S. Cave Point Dr
  920-743-7327
  888-743-7327
  Sturgeon Bay
  

• Wilson-Shaffer Inc. Realtors
  P.O. Box 102
  Hwy 42
  Ephraim
  920-854-2363
  Toll Free: 877-883-8810
  

19. Visit a Farm Market, Gourmet or Coffee Shop!   There are so many farm markets in Door County, and neat gourmet shops for coffee, fudge and more!  Try some of our favorites!

Door County Coffee and Tea Company!  Great shop!  And they roast and flavor their own coffee so you can buy many varieties (75) whole bean, or ground.  And enjoy their café too!  And yes!  They have a deal too in the Door Deals™ discount book!

Door County Coffee and Tea
5773 Hwy 42
Carlsville
920-743-8930
800-856-6613

Copper Kettle Confections – home made gourmet popcorns (caramel, cashew, more) and home made fudge!  Some of the best we have ever had!

Copper Kettle Confections
24 N. 3rd Ave
Sturgeon Bay WI
920-746-0924

Door County Confectionery – wonderful candies!
140 N 3rd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay
920-746-0699
Other locations too!

Gourmet Food, Wine & Spirits at Liberty Square
7755 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
920-868-4800

FARM MARKETS/Tours AND COOL SHOPS

Dairy View Country Store – take a tour, and learn how a real dairy farm works!  Get some fresh, home made ice creams!

Dairy View Country Store
5169 County I
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-9779

The Shops at Liberty Square
7755 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
920-868-4800

Sweetie Pies 
In The Settlement Shops
91106 State Rd 42
Fish Creek
920-868-2743

20. Luxuriate at a Spa!

Lucia Luxury Day Spa
7821 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
920-868-1597

The Spa at Sacred Grounds
10453 Townline Rd
Ephraim
920-854-4733

And if you a  guest at the Settlement Courtyard Inn, then you can head to their guest-only Lavender Spa!

There are many arts and craft shows, carriage rides, art classes and more happening this Spring.  Check our Calendar Of Events for more details.