Door County Navigator | Weekly Feature

Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay
Bridgeport Waterfront Resort

Activities : Fish Creek
Hands On Art Studio

Places to Stay : Egg Harbor
Bay Point Inn

Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay

Bridgeport Waterfront Resort
50 W Larch St
Sturgeon Bay
920-746-9919

Are you looking for a resort that caters to your every need? A resort located in one of Door County’s quaint and historic towns? How about a resort that offers unparalleled amenities and every possible modern convenience? In 2005, Bridgeport added an internet center, and wireless internet throughout the property; and in November of 2005, they redecorated with all new interiors! Wow - it keeps getting better!

At the Bridgeport Resort you will get all-of-the above mentioned - PLUS a waterfront location like no other in Door County. Located in the historic harbor town of Sturgeon Bay, the Bridgeport Resort is nestled on the shores of the Green Bay waters at the foot of Sturgeon Bay’s historic downtown bridge. The "old" bridge, as it is referred to by the locals (there is a "new bridge" that bypasses Sturgeon Bay), connects the town’s East and West sides that are separated by a channel that connects the waters of Green Bay and the waters of Lake Michigan.

The Bridgeport Resort is only a short stroll away from many quaint shops, coffeehouses, restaurants, public parks, beaches, marinas and the Maritime Museum. There are art galleries and usually a farmers’ market on the weekends in the summer months.

Here, you are in the heart of Sturgeon Bay’s historic buildings and friendly people, which make it a great place to site-see, shop, enjoy local restaurants or even experience a performance at the Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP). Located on Third Avenue, TAP is community performing arts facility located in a remodeled movie theatre (the old "Donna"). They perform in-house productions as well as other productions using local and professional talent. Ask the guest staff at the Bridgeport for details. We’ve seen the popular "Guys on Ice" at TAP and it was awesome!

SERVICE AND ACTIVITIES

The resort itself is absolutely wonderful. It has every modern convenience you could imagine. Whether vacationing with friends, family or on your honeymoon, the Bridgeport has the ability to cater to your needs. For a large waterfront resort, it really has a comfortable homelike atmosphere. We noticed that "very homey" and "polite, accommodating guest services" are popular themes in the guest comment registries.

You’ll find a friendly grand entrance where a smiling staff, with a sincere professional desire to make your stay a memorable one, is waiting to great you . In the entrance you will enjoy a large beverage bar area, where guests can enjoy cappuccino, juice and more day and night! The room has a fireplace and oversized furniture making it a great place to relax anytime.

Activities at this resort are fabulous. They have both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The outdoor pool has a waterfall that you can jump through. The kids love it! The indoor pool has a whirlpool and sauna, with plenty of space for lounging.

Another great place for the kids to hangout is Peabody’s Playpark. It is an indoor play area with free video games and lots of tubes, tunnels, and balls! But the uniqueness of Bridgeport lets you take a stroll down the waterfront walkway. This lighted sidewalk travels along the shore of the channel and offers great views of Sturgeon Bay at night. Lavish lawn areas, park benches, wildlife, sounds of the water and boat-watching, make this walkway a popular attraction among locals and guests alike. In addition, the Bridgeport has a game room, and a great exercise facility. Nearby activities include public beach, park, tennis courts, golf courses, charter fishing, jet skiing, water skiing, snowmobiling, boating, sailing, cross country skiing and lighthouses and state parks. Wow!

The Bridgeport Resort is a great place for groups of any size to meet for business or pleasure. It has three different conference rooms to accommodate the needs of just about any group. Perfect for family reunions, corporate retreats, service groups or church conferences. The facilities can hold groups up to 75. A variety of audio-visual equipment is available too!

ROOMS AND AMENITIES

There are nine different styles of suites at the Bridgeport Resort. Each is named after ships and vessels built across the channel at Sturgeon Bay’s own Bay Ship Building. These one, two and three bedroom suites with names like Badger, Firebird, Challenger and Utopia, are loaded with a variety of amenities to suit your needs.

Among the things you’ll find are fully-equipped kitchen or wet bar, living and dining areas, king sized beds, sleeper sofas, fireplace, double whirlpool, air conditioning, television and VCR with cable. You can get complimentary movies at the front desk.

Bathrooms are large, clean and are appointed with nice touches like hairdryers. Each room has rich wood trim and furniture providing a home-like feel. Most rooms have private decks with patio furniture. You can get rooms with a view of the courtyard or, of course, a room with a view of the water and surrounding harbor town.

Bridgeport Resort also offers several specialty suites for special occasions and romantic get-aways. These suites are distinctly decorated and feature extra large whirlpool tubs and at least one fireplace. Our favorite room that we toured is the Challenge Suite, which has a very bed-and-breakfast feel. The painted, oversized furniture gives it a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Traveling with Friends?

If you’re traveling with friends or family, check out the Utopia Suite. This suite is very impressive and offers a bounty of luxury for up to eight adults. Three bedrooms, three private baths, large living room with oversized furniture — you get the picture! This suite has a TV in every bedroom, and with a private patio and wet bar, is a great place to entertain.

Whatever suite you choose, the Bridgeport is a great place to stay and you’ll find plenty to do to make your visit at the Bridgeport in Sturgeon Bay a memorable one. Prices range from $79 - $195 off-season and $130 - $285 during prime season, but always check with the innkeeper for current and accurate pricing! Check out all the details at their website at www.bridgeportresort.net and have a great time!

Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay
Bridgeport Waterfront Resort

Activities : Fish Creek
Hands On Art Studio

Places to Stay : Egg Harbor
Bay Point Inn

Hands On Studio in Door County Activities : Fish Creek

Hands On Art Studio
3655 Peninsula Players Rd.
Fish Creek, WI 54212
info@handsonartstudio.com
920-868-9311

At Hands On Art Studio, people roll up their sleeves and get a sense of what the Door Peninsula’s artistic and rural lifestyle is all about.

This is a wonderful country setting, where families, couples, girlfriends and singles can come and try their hand at creating art projects they may not have time and inclination to do at home.

We have done many an art project at Hands On, and have enjoyed the experience every single time. It is unique, wonderful, and, well, artsy!

People may also wander the grounds and pet the animals—goats, llamas as well as chickens and ducks. Look for Schmoo, too. You can’t miss this big gray and white cat, who just kind of keeps everyone company.

Hands On is also a venue for live entertainment and has its own café. Make your own pizza or pile up ingredients for a veggie sandwich, and pay by what it weighs.

So whether you want to keep the kids busy during vacation or are seeking something truly different to do yourself, make Hands On Art Studio a part of your Peninsula itinerary.

“We are an absolutely one-of-a-kind destination. Once people come in, they want to come back every time they come to Door County. That is my mission,” says Cy Turnbladh, the owner and an artist, who works with metal, paint and glass.

Getting to Hands On

Hands On can be discovered by traveling north on Hwy. 42 to Peninsula Players Rd; then head about two miles east. Check out the colorful sign and funky mailbox with a metal hand embellishment (crafted by Cy) as you pull onto this campus, 3655 Peninsula Players Rd

This was an abandoned 65-acre farm before it was purchased by Cy in 1996.

There’s plenty of parking. Then, head for the Art Barn with a big “entrance” sign. Inside, you can chat with Cy or his staff about the types of art projects available to you.

Hands On provides the studio space, staff assistance and tools--you pay a fee for studio time and select materials.

Making art

Here, people create with clay, glass, metal and wood. You can fashion your own metal sculpture for indoor or outdoor use or paint on ceramics, glassware and wood.

Experiment with glass blowing and fused glass or make a mosaic. Try throwing pots on a wheel or making coffee mugs with your own bare hands.

“People leave with their projects. But I also hope they take away a confidence that they can make something they wanted to make and that they are proud of it and really enjoyed the process,” Cy says. “That is really important—that you enjoy being here.”

And how can you not enjoy yourself? Hands On offers up bright and inspirational studio space in its two-story Art Barn. Everything you need is, well, at hand.

New outbuildings provide expanded studio space

In fact, a highlight in May 2007 is the opening of the 1,000 square foot outbuilding for metal sculpture. Cy calls it the Metal Studio Buffet, which has 10 welding stations for people to work on diverse metal projects.

Coming soon to Hands On is a new glass arts building, where people can do glass fusing, lamping work (a hot glass technique) and glass blowing.

Be sure to take a break at the Marketplace; this is the café, located near the Art Barn. It has volume ceilings, brightly colored walls and wildly painted round tables. There are large bathrooms for guests, too.

Seating is also available outdoors for people who just want to take in the artistic ambiance and country view as they have a light meal. Speaking of views, the decorated silo is directly in front of diners. You can make a donation of a small, specified amount (all proceeds benefit All Creatures Home for Animals, a local animal shelter). And the Hands On staff mosaics a tile to the silo.

“It’s a way to give back,” says Cy, who also participates in an outreach program with Wisconsin schools.

Finally, check out the Hands On’s Web site for details on art camps for kids, the art nights for adults and details about special workshops and events.

We have been to Hands On many times, and we have always enjoyed our experience here. We have crafted our art in ceramics (servicing dishes, switch plates, Christmas ornaments), glass (nice cocktail glasses), kids items like ice cream comes and lots more. This is just a grand experience, rain or shine. Don’t miss it! We get lots of emails from our DoorCountynavigator.com users who have found Hands On on our site, went there and return over and over again!

So come to Hands On Art Studio for the art, come for the show or bring the kids to art camp. This is a place where you are destined to discover the creative side of you. And tell them DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you on this artistic journey.

Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay
Bridgeport Waterfront Resort

Activities : Fish Creek
Hands On Art Studio

Places to Stay : Egg Harbor
Bay Point Inn

Places to Stay : Egg Harbor

Bay Point Inn in Door County Bay Point Inn
7933 Highway 42
Egg Harbor
800-707-6660
stay@baypointinn.com

Looking for a romantic getaway, in a wonderful suite overlooking the shimmering waters of Egg Harbor? Well, read on!

At Bay Point Inn, open year-round, children are also welcomed! This is a special place, offering lots of amenities and optional services, including romantic packages that can include dinner served to you in your room, course by course, in-room massages, rose petals sprinkled around the floor and more.

Every villa in this 10 room inn, with 5 upstairs and 5 downstairs, is a bedroom suite, with 2 person ultra-thermal whirlpools (by Bain – a French company), a fireplace, TV, cable and wireless internet, DVD & tape players, free movies to view, king beds with down quilts and pillows, and queen sleeper sofas.

The villas come in two varieties:

The Romantic Villa (6 of these).
And The Premier Romantic Villa (there are 4 of these) - the primary differences between the two are that the Premiere offers a larger fireplace, surround sound (even piped into the bathroom), heated bathroom floors, and a walk-in shower with double shower heads. Wow!

With an outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, breakfast room, and lots of optional amenities – this can be one super getaway for couples or small families.

We toured samples of each, and walked the beautiful grounds as well.

Romantic Villa # 12

Walk into the foyer, with the bathroom to your right and private bedroom to your left. Ahead you will find a small, L-shaped kitchen with sealed burner stove, convection/microwave oven, coffeemaker, dishwasher, fridge, and wood oak cabinets. All dishes and utensils are available as well.

Still ahead is the living room, which sports a queen sleeper sofa, coffee table with reading lamp, side chairs, and a table with 3 chairs near the window. A TV is in the corner, with a small fireplace beneath it. A private patio (or balcony if you are upstairs) is off to the left. There is a warm and comfortable feeling in the villa – like you belong.

The bedroom has a king bed, which is flanked by nightstands and sconces. There’s an alarm clock, ceiling fan and tasteful artwork at the head of the bed. The artwork throughout is sophisticated yet comfortable, and includes prints of pieces done by local Door County artists like Karsten Topelmann.

The bathroom is large, has a tiled floor, sculpted sink and matching commode by Kohler™, the two-person whirlpool, towel rack, hairdryer and plenty of space for storage. Very nice.

Premiere Romantic Villa # 24

Here, the living room of this upstairs suite has Pergo™ floors, a taupe queen sleeper sofa and a floral easy chair - all sitting atop a complementary are rug. There is a rectangular fireplace in the corner, with a TV, table and chairs, and a private balcony. The view is spectacular – nothing less! You cannot help but to love it and picture yourself enjoying a romantic dinner on the balcony, watching the sun set on a pleasant summer evening. Very nice indeed!

The kitchen is similar to the one in #12, but here we have painted wooden cabinets. The bedroom is similar to # 12 also, but has a full-mirrored door and closet.

Breakfast – Who’s Hungry?

Each morning, from about 8:00 AM on, a breakfast is offered in the room upstairs off the lobby, which overlooks the indoor hot tub. There are a couple of waffle irons (you can make you own!), coffee, tea, cereals, fruit and fresh bakery. There are also bookshelves housing videos, books and more for your enjoyment. I asked Myles, the innkeeper, how late breakfast is served and he said, “People are on vacation – so we have it available as long as they want!” Nice touch. And in the afternoon, head up here and find coffee and cookies too!

Outdoors

You can access all the rooms from outside. Head out the front and follow the brick path to the swimming pool out back. Where you will find a nice pool area, complete with lounge chairs, a couple of umbrella-ed tables, some grills, a sunset deck where folks gather to take in the glorious Door County sunsets, and spectacular views of the waters of the bay. The landscaping is beautiful adding to a feeling of quiet seclusion in your private getaway. What more can you ask?!

Extras! Extras! Read All About Them!

Well, if you are into romance, Bay Point Inn offers just about everything you could possible need! There are special packages just for you! You want to add more romance to your getaway? Then select the “Seclusion” package. You can have a wait person bring you a wonderful dinner, course by course, served on your patio or balcony or indoors in your villa (arrange at least a day ahead)! You can arrange for an in-room massage (arrange at least a 2 – 3 days ahead of time), rose petals sprinkled about your villa and a whole lot more! Bay Point Inn makes it easy for you to be a hero or heroine! Call for more information or visit their website now!

We paged through the guest comments book, and they seem to love this place as much as we do!

“We’ve been coming to Door County for 25 years, and this was wonderful, gracious, private and so comfortable- wonderful spot!”
“The view & rooms are incredible. We can’t wait to come back.”

We agree – Bay Point Inn is a special place, tucked away on the waters of Egg Harbor, with wonderful views and vistas, great suites, and so many amenities and options that you can customize a very special stay. Visit their website for rates (daily or weekly), options and availability. When you book your villa, please mention you found them on DoorCountyNavigator.com!

Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay
Bridgeport Waterfront Resort

Activities : Fish Creek
Hands On Art Studio

Places to Stay : Egg Harbor
Bay Point Inn