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 Favorite Recipes from Door County Inns |
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25 Winter Things to Do in Door County! Want to capture some winter magic, like you see in movies or read about in books? You must try Door County in the Winter, because once you have been here in the Winter, you will indeed return! There’s plenty to do and nothing to do, all at the same time. Winter is truly the “quiet season”, so plan to enjoy the tranquil times the Door County Peninsula has to offer, where both traveler and resident are at ease, have time to relax and talk, and have fun! So here are some of the things you should try out this Winter in Door County 1. Winter Breakfast! One of our favorite things-to-do! Is there anything cozier that a nice warm winter breakfast at an old inn? You remember pictures from story books, or Currier and Ives prints? Well, imagine no more and live it! Get yourself to the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek – there simply is no better place for a Winter breakfast! The Inn was built in 1896, and is a wonderful country experience as the snow is falling and drifting outside while you watch through the windowpanes from a warm and cozy inside with great people, great food, super atmosphere, and a roaring fire! Best table in the house for this: as you enter the dining room, the corner table by the windows to the left! Don't miss this Winter experience - you will love it! We love this place!
2. How about a Winter Wonderland Tour? Check out Door County Trolley for lots of winter fun! Like a WINTER WONDERLAND TOUR Trolley guests will tour two award winning wineries, followed by a cozy sleigh ride through the Door’s most wintery landscape. Top it all off with a fireside lunch at the wonderful White Gull Inn. Departs from Sturgeon Bay hotels and B&Bs 9:30-10am and Carlsville Markets at 10am. Duration: 5 hours. Cost: $55 per person. Limited seating. Call 920-868-1100 for reservations. 2009-2010 Dates
3. Stay at a wonderful B&B or Inn! There are many beautiful inns in Door County, and we have reviewed quite a few on our website here including all of these below (or go to our page where you can Read our Reviews of all of these inns). Some of our highly recommended inns include (please make sure to tell them you saw them on DoorCountyNavigator.com - that helps keep the site fresh and viable!):
Other really nice places to stay are:
Read all our reviews on these Inns and Resorts on our Review Page. 4. Cross-country ski! Door County has gorgeous cross-country ski trails throughout the State Parks! Try Peninsula State Park for sure - they even have candlelight runs sometimes just for fun (snow permitting of course)! Sometimes hiking will be substituted for skiing if no snow. Note vehicle stickers required. Check our calendar of events. Parks:
Rentals
5. Snowmobile - there are miles and miles of snowmobile trails in Door County that wind through the Peninsula! If you like snowmobiling, or want to try it, there aren't too many better places than Door County! Bring your own snowmobile – but here are a couple of places that service them, just in case!
And yes, there are a few dealers up here where you can purchase your very own! 6. Snowshoe! There are even more places to hike and snowshoe! So bring your own snowshoes for a romantic little outing, or rent them when you are up here - but call ahead to reserve just to make sure. Do something different!
7. Sleighride! This is your chance to stop by the snowy woods! Want something right out of Robert Frost? Take a sleigh ride in Door County, through the snow-puffed woods on a two-horse open sleigh! We have done it a few times - take a camera because you will want to remember every moment - it is just awesome and awe-inspiring! Do yourself a favor and take a sleigh ride – there is nothing else quite like it!
If you sleigh through the woods at Orchard Country Winery & Market (GREAT PLACE) , John can even give you a lesson in the many varieties of cherries grown in Door County. 8. Ice Fishing! Brrrr! Yes - you too can ice fish, and actually thousands of people do. This is a very cold thing to do, and you have to be very careful of the ice conditions, etc. You can get the best information about ice fishing from the local bait and tackle shops, inns and other local towns folk. Fishing Hotline: 920-743-7046 9. Door County Trolley’s Progressive Dinner - Trolley guests will experience unique stops for hors d’ oeuvres/cocktails at a surprise location, an elegant dinner at "The Inn at Kristofers and a decadent dessert at a Romantic Inn". Selected Saturday’s only in January thru June.( $73/person.) Call 920-868-1100 for details/reservations. (Trolleys are heated). Pickup at 5pm at Orchard Country Winery. 2010 Dates
10. Visit some bars and talk to the locals. Winter is great for people having and taking the time to chat and relax after the busy summer season. Visit some local bars, and enjoy the conversation! Some good talking places: (see our reviews of bars, taverns and saloons on our website and read about them, then visit!). NOTE: some have limited hours in Winter, like Thursdays – Sundays, or some just weekends.
11. Door County Coffee! No better time to warm up than now, and with one of the greatest cups of coffee in the world! Visit the Door County Coffee & Tea Company about 3 or so miles south of Egg Harbor in the town of Carlsville! Owner Vicki Wilson roasts her own beans and has a tremendous assortment of flavors, like Door County Christmas (one of our very favorites), White Christmas, Southern Pecan and more. She also has straight, unflavored roasts, like Sumatra and more. Take the time to stop in and smell the coffee . . . and take some home too! This place is a real find! They also sell jams, light lunches, and other country items! This is GREAT stuff! You can put together some wonderful holiday gifts for the coffee-lovers on your list!
12. Historic Sturgeon Bay! Over the last 10 or 11 years, they have revitalized the downtown area of Sturgeon Bay, and did a magnificent job! Stroll down 3rd St and enjoy the many quaint shops in near turn-of-the-century buildings, like The Dancing Bear, coffee houses, Perry's Cherry Diner (a 1950's diner), restaurants and inns. Sturgeon Bay really IS part of Door County, and at least you should take the 16-mile drive south of Egg Harbor into town and enjoy it! Or even stay in Sturgeon Bay. And check the calendar for special events.
13. SWIM! Are we crazy? Well, some people will think that the members of the Door County Polar Bear Club are as they dive into the icy waters of Lake Michigan, off Jacksonport Lakeside Park at noon on January 1st! They've been doing it for 20 years already! Call 920-823-2231 for info! Brrrrrrr. OR you can check out the winter hours at one of Door County's YMCAs! A whole lot warmer!
Or try heading up to Ephraim and watching the sun set from there – right from the beach – truly wonderful! Or try the Egg Harbor down around the dock area! 15. Cave Point! 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 Green Bay waters, and it produces wonderful sprays of splashing waters in summer as the waves crash the rocks below, and it takes on an icy chilly, mysterious cloak in winter! Be careful, watch for ice - don't slip. And bring the camera for sure – you will want to frame a shot or two! This is one awesome spot year round! See our Cave Point video! Tour Door County By Air! Yes, you can tour the County by air when you go on a tour conducted by Orion Flight Services! Here is the contact info - call ahead of course to see when they are flying! P.O. Box 845, 3418 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235-0845 - Phone: 920-743-6952 or 1-888-743-6952, or Fax: 920-743-7874 17. Photo Opportunities! Don't forget the camera! The icy water scenes, and the tranquility of the interior peninsula with its beautiful old barns, rolling field and trees all make a wonderful backdrop for people picture, or just plane landscape pictures that you will cherish for a long time.
18. Visit a Gallery! Many of the galleries have some winter hours especially on weekends, or by appointment – so why not take this quiet time to enjoy some art, and maybe even select a special piece. Especially visit: See our Gallery page! Call to make sure they can see you when you are there.
19 Restaurants! Well, you'll probably want to dine out, so here are some restaurants that will maintain some winter hours as far as we know, mostly weekends, some from Thurs - Sun. Call ahead and Read our Reviews: and please tell them that DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!
20. SHOP TILL YOU . . . well, get too cold? Not too many years ago, even on the weekends, you would not find many shops open in Winter. Well, there are a bunch of and galleries open on the weekends in Winter! So, you will find plenty to do if you like shopping, and probably be able to come home with a treasure or two! So have some fun and shop the winter blues away in Door County! 21. Fish Creek Winter Festival! You never know what to expect at the Fish Creek Winter Festival! Sleigh rides, Kites over the Bay, food, music, fun! It’s really fun event, February 5 -7 2010. We have enjoyed it year after year. Kids love it (big kids too!). And see our Calendar of Events for more info. Come to our annual celebration of winter fun featuring a goofy parade, free trolley rides, Kites Over the Bay, the Door County Idol, dog sled rides, live music, horse-drawn sleigh rides, family-friendly games and activities, great food, raffle prizes and so much more. Call 920-868-2316 for info. 22. New Years Eve Candlelight Ride – Sturgeon Bay 23. New Year’s Day Parade in Egg Harbor Well, OK, here’s another one! This is a fun parade on New Year’s Day in Egg Harbor, and yes, YOU can be in it! Just show up! 1PM no matter what the weather is like! Fun event and a great way to kick off the New Year!! 24. Chill at a great Spa! With the snow flying outside, be cozy on the inside as you get a special spa treatment, massage and more at one of Door County's premiere spas! We love going to Lavendar Spa ~ Egg Harbor and Spa at Sacred Grounds in Ephraim. You deserve it! 25. Fire and Ice EXTRA BONUSES!
Always check with establishments ahead of time to make sure of schedule, cancellations etc. Things can change without notice.
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