"Be In the Know Before You Go . . . and When You Get There!™"
Be In the Know Before You Go . . . and When You Get There!™ Our suggestion is to spend time reading our reviews, and watching the videos we have produced. We have done the legwork, so you can find the best. Between the professional and accurate reviews, and our videos you can to get some great ideas on where to stay, dine and play.
1. Trolley Tour: Hop aboard the Door County Trolley that leaves from Orchard Country, about a half-mile south of Fish Creek! For 45 minutes, AJ and crew will entertain you, and show you some spectacular sites – some panoramas that are breathtaking anytime, but especially in the Fall! This is a must! Check their site for special Fall Getaway Outings! Give AJ a call (and tell him we sent you!) at 920-828-1100. They also run Ghost Tours, Lighthouse Tours, Wine Tours and more. Very cool! We love it and you will too.
2. Make Your Own Art! The Hands-On Art Studio offers a unique blend of gallery and art that you can create. You can paint ceramics, glass, shirts, ornaments, light switch plates, metal art and a lot more. We have done it a few times, and enjoyed each time a lot – the fun is not only in the doing, but also in the keepsake treasure you have created. Also, new this year in Egg Harbor (Main Street Shops) is Young at Heart, with similar offerings!. Kids of all ages (read: adults too) love this place! Create your art this Fall at:
Hands On Art Studio
3655 Peninsula Players Rd
Fish Creek
920-868-9311
Please tell Cy and Karon you read about them on our site!
Young at Heart Pottery Painting
7828 Hwy 42
(Main Street Shops)
Egg Harbor WI
920-868-5047
Tell Aaron we said hello!
3. Go Kayaking! Contact Bayshore Outdoor Store and you will have one spectacular time in the fall, seeing Door County like you have never seen it before! This is great fun on a crisp Fall day (or any day!)
4. Animal Farms / Petting Zoos! For the kids in all of us, visit a petting zoo or animal farm! This is great fun, and we have gone to both many times! Feed the goats, see dozens of animals up close, play, enjoy the fresh air! This is a ton of fun!
- The Farm
4285 Hwy 57
(4 Miles North of Sturgeon Bay)
920-743-6666 - Plum Loco Animal Farm
4431 Plum Bottom Road
Egg Harbor
920-743-1617
5. Winery Tour: While you’re at Orchard Country take a wine tour! On a cold Fall day, fall into Door Peninsula Winery, or Simon Creek Winery & Vineyard – spectacular! Watch our Winery Tour Video!
6. Driving Tour! This is fun! Do a driving tour through the center of the peninsula. Try to stay off Hwy 42 and Hwy 57 for as long as possible - the center is gorgeous with color, hills, and beautiful patches of trees and fields. Take a ride up County A and take a few turns here and there. Explore roads you were never on before, and the sites will reward you! If you are heading north of Fish Creek from Egg Harbor, head East on Hwy E to County A. Take a left on A (heading north) and follow it all the way to Hwy 42 – you will find yourself past all the Fish Creek traffic, north of town. Take a right and continue north of Hwy 42. It’s a short cut, and a beautiful one! Try lots of different interior roads – you won’t get too lost! Really, get in the car and drive through the middle of the peninsula – you will go down roads you have never been on before!
7. Festivals! The Fall of course is a great time for the Fall Festivals in Egg Harbor (Pumpkin Patch, October 8th – 9th ) and on Washington Island Cider Pressing & Fall Fest (October 8th-9h) and 65th Annual Sister Bay Fall Fest (October 14th – 16th). Check our Calendar of Events for more details. The Fests are a delight for all ages – we love Pumpkin Patch in Egg Harbor! HINT: There is now a parking lot up on Church Street in Egg Harbor! Park there early!
8. Like beer? Well, you must sit out on the patio on a nice crisp, fall day and have a pumpkin beer at Shipwrecked in Egg Harbor – it’s a nice treat. Shipwrecked is at 7791 Egg Harbor Rd, in the heart of Egg Harbor. A huge grayish/blue building with a large outdoor patio in front. We like the beer – they make a variety of 6 all together. 920-868-3036. See our Egg Harbor Look-Around Video!
9. Mini-Go: You can still mini-golf on the weekends, so have a nice cup of coffee and head out to one of four nice courses: Egg Harbor Fun Park (excellent course, with go-karts, Bounce Zone, Paint Ball, and a huge indoor arcade too; click link for video too!), Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf or Johnson’s Park in Sister Bay (go-karts, golf, batting cages, arcade, and more – video here too), or The Red Putter!
10. Carriage Ride Anyone? Who doesn’t like a carriage ride? Take a romantic carriage ride with John Mayberry! You can find John in Ephraim in the evenings, or catch him at one of the festivals where he does wagon rides, or set one up! You can always call John to set up a carriage ride ahead of time, or at least find out his schedule, at 920-743-2352. We have taken many, many rides aboard his wagons, sleighs (in winter – awesome) and carriages – picture perfect!
11. Spa! Massage! Treat yourself to luxury at the Lavender Spa ~ Fish Creek – from facials, therapeutic body massages, wonderful skin products and more! Or try The Spa at Sacred Grounds in Ephraim Check them out – you will enjoy! We always do! This is one great addition to any Door County vacation!
12. Charter Fish And Cruises! You can take a fall excursion and catch some salmon! A great family adventure, and great for the serious fisherman. Check for special times/outings in Fall - call ahead! Try
Sail Door County
Sister Bay Marina
920-495-SAIL (7245)
Stiletto Sailing Cruises
at South Shore Pier
9993 Hwy 42
Ephraim
920-854-7245
9993 Hwy 42
Ephraim
920-854-4324
Waverunners, Paddleboats, Pontoon boats
Wisconsin Water Wings
South Shore Pier
9993 Hwy 42
Ephraim
920-854-9000
Parasailing! Video too!
Shoreline Charters / Scenic Cruises
Departing from Sister Bay Village Marina ($3 off!)
PO Box 946
Sister Bay, WI. 54234
920- 854-4707
Andy’s Silver Strike Charter Fishing
At the Baileys Harbor Municipal Marina
Baileys Harbor
920-854-6069
Hitman Charters
At the Leathem Smith Lodge & Marina
Sturgeon Bay
920-609-7788
920-609-3940
Hooked Up Sportfishing Charters
6512 County C
Sturgeon Bay
920-495-5586
13. Fresh Pies! Well, you’re in the right place – go to Sweetie Pies in Fish Creek for some of the best pies around – lots of varieties. Read our review – we love this place! Tell Dave and the gang we sent you! You can watch a short video too in the review section!
14. Horse Back Riding: What better time to take a ride down a beautiful trail on horse back than in the fall, in one of the most beautiful places on earth! Call ahead to check schedules and times they are open, but here are some riding places sure to please:
Kurtz Corral
5712 Howard Lane
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-6742
1-800-444-0469
Watch a beautiful video within the review!
Ahnapee Ranch
6875 Tagge Rd
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-2715
Field Wood Farm Ltd.
RR 1, Box 225, West Harbor Rd
Washington Island
920-847-2490
15. Shops! Visit a few key shops for things from holiday items to great clothing, fine art and other unusual things!
Try these shops for sure:
q How about some wonderful clothing?
o Wilkins & Olander in Fish Creek and Sturgeon Bay has wonderful clothing and accessories for women. Great lines, like Vera Bradley(tm) Pandora(tm) jewelry, fill the shops. We have personally shopped here many times. Friendly staff and great selection of fine things for you! Make this a stop for sure! Read Our Review and Watch The Video!
Main St, Founder’s Square
Fish Creek
920-868-3168
120 N 3rd
Sturgeon Bay
800-926-3610
On Deck – this is one fabulous shop for men and women! Actually. It’s several fabulous shops! Read our Review for some outstanding clothing! Put this one on your ‘things-to-do list” – you’ll be happy you did.
On Deck Clothing Company
In Downtown Fish Creek
4168 Main St. (Hwy 42)
Fish Creek
920-868-9091 x 1
On Deck Clothing Company
At the corner of 3rd and Jefferson
265 North 3rd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-8778
On Deck Clothing Company
Across from the Sister Bay Bowl
10635 N. Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, WI 54234
920-854-2607
9413 Hwy 42, Fish Creek, WI, 54212
www.hideside.com
Telephone920-868-2333
To Your Health!
Head to Greens N Grains in Egg Harbor for all your healthful, natural eating needs! And now they have a raw foods deli and juice bar which is awesome, and a Green Goods store selling natural fabric clothing. Tell Kathy and the crew we sent you - we love this shop!
Just fun stuff!
□ Gomy’s Goodies – reopened in South Egg Harbor, near The Rusty Tractor
□ Double Delites – stop in, in Egg Harbor for authentic Gelato (just like in Italy) – awesome!
□ The Dancing Bear – full of fun things for adults and kids – books, puzzles, ceramics and more!
13 N 3rd Av
Sturgeon Bay
920-746-5223
□ Door County Candy in Sturgeon Bay – Yes – homemade gourmet fudge, chocolates, and caramel corns in lots of varieties. See Review for discount coupons! Tell Terry we said Hi!
16. Art! You are in the right place for art! Take the time to visit the many art galleries in the towns. There are so many high-quality galleries, each is like visiting an art museum. See the festivals too for special showings!
- Beautiful watercolors at Ed Fenendael Watercolor Excitement at 3829 Fairview Road in Bailey's Harbor -
920-868-9282.
- Dovetail Gallery – in Egg Harbor great art, wonderful folks (Kathy and Tom), and egg art like you would not believe! Wow! Look for the big Egg mailbox on the west side of Hwy 42, near E! Tell Kathy we said Hi!
- One of our favorites in Hanseatic Art Gallery in Ephraim. Spectacular work by Karsten Topelmann and his wife Ellen Sprogo-Topelmann. What a team! Call for hours, but you can find them at:
3060 Hwy Q
P.O. Box 13
Ephraim
920-854-4312
- In Sturgeon Bay, AMO Gallery & Framery also has a wonderful collection of art, and Audrey herself is an artist. They do custom framing too, and also sell the Habour House collection of lighthouses and figurines. Tell Audrey DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!
Check our Gallery page for many other listings.
Be sure to check the line up for Fall Art Festivals, like the Townline Art Fair, October 7th in Ephraim.
17. Museums! See our listings of museums, but try to stop by
Door County Historical Museum
18 N 4th Ave
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-5809
This is such a nice history of Door County, presented through artifacts and effective displays. Knowledgeable and friendly people are on hand too. Truly a little delight! The Chicago Tribune once rated it one of the best little museums in the Midwest. We do too!
Try also
The Miller Art Museum
107 S 4th Ave
Sturgeon Bay
920-746-0707
Noble House Museum
Hwy 42 and Spruce St.
Fish Creek
920-868-2091
18. B&B Anyone? Door County has some of the best B&Bs and B&B-type inns in the Midwest, and probably the entire country. We have reviewed virtually all of these, so check them out! We like every one of them. These are all truly wonderful places – see which one you like best, and call right now to see if you can get a room!
Sturgeon Bay: White Lace Inn, Inn at Cedar Crossing, Scofield House, Reynolds House, Chanticleer Guest House. Read our Reviews of all of these inns at: Sturgeon Bay B&B Reviews.
Egg Harbor: Cornerstone Suites, The Ashbrooke (B&B-like), and Door County Lighthouse B&B, The Feathered Star. Read our Egg Harbor B&B Reviews!
Fish Creek: Thorp House Inn (see Video too). Also see White Gull Inn. Read our Fish Creek B&B Reviews!
Ephraim: try The Ephraim Inn, Eagle Harbor Inn, Lodgings at Pioneer Lane (B&B-like). Read our Ephraim B&B Reviews!
Baileys Harbor: try the beautiful Blacksmith Inn on the Shore, Inn at Windmill Farm; Read our Baileys Harbor B&B Reviews!
Food & Wine!
Top Shelf Gourmet and Café! Get cozy on a cool Fall day, curl up with a book in front of a fireplace, have some Door County or other wine that you can pick up for Top Shelf Gourmet and Café in Sister Bay – great gourmet items and sandwiches too (Country Walk Shops) – this is a GREAT shop with gourmet cheeses, wines, sauces, and a lot more! Read our Review! You can even get gourmet sandwiches to go!
Also, you will find a huge selection of wines and foods at Main Street Market in Egg Harbor – great folks and great selection! Visit their website!
Also check the Door County Deli at Liberty Square in Egg Harbor - great selection of beers and wines, cheeses and more! See their website!
Or visit a fine winery too!
Other Unique Places to Stay:
A super, completely different motel awaits you at Main Street Motel, 4209 Main St., Fish Creek 920-868-2201, or By-The-Bay Motel or Cedar Court Inn also in Fish Creek. Also try the Ephraim Shores Motel and Restaurant Watch the video from the review too!) in Ephraim! Or try the Lull-Abi Inn in Egg Harbor, or even the Egg Harbor Lodge (one of the best water views in Door County – see it in the review video). In Ellison Bay, try the Parkside Inn. Try Journey's End Motel & Cabins in Baileys Harbor.
Or try Homestead Suites in Fish Creek for a unique experience, or AppleCreek Resort Motel & Suites also in Fish Creek!
Want a gorgeous cottage in Ephraim? More nice cottages are found at Pioneer Acre Cottages!
Great Cabins! And here are some great cabins, far from the madding crowd: check out Cole’s Rowleys Bay Cabins.
Some great value places too Nordic Lodge, and Coachlite Inn all in Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor Sunset Motel & Cottages (in Baileys Harbor) or Baileys Harbor Ridges Resort.
Camping Anyone? The State Parks (like Peninsula) are awesome. So is Door County Camping Retreat in Egg Harbor, where you can get campsites, or camping cabins! Very cool! Read our Review! Or try Beantown Campground in Baileys Harbor, or Wagon Trail Campground in Rowleys Bay. Also check out the Frontier Wilderness Campground Check out our reviews of these camp grounds!
19. Resort Life for you? Try any of these resorts/inns that we have reviewed – you will not be disappointed! Call for hours of operation, winter hours if any, and availability.
Sturgeon Bay: Bridgeport (video), Glidden Lodge, Westwood Shores (video), Bay Shore Inn or Stone Harbor Resort.
Egg Harbor: The Shallows (video) , The Alpine Resort
Fish Creek: By-The-Bay Motel, White Gull Inn, Homestead Suites (video), Hilltop Inn, AppleCreek Resort (video), Cedar Court Inn
Ephraim: Bay Breeze Resort, Eagle Harbor Inn, the Ephraim Guest House. Try the High Point Inn, Harbor View Resort, or Somerset Inn and Suites too – great places. Or the Ephraim Motel - tell Julie hi!
Baileys Harbor: Baileys Harbor Yacht Club or Baileys Harbor Beachfront Inn, and Baileys Harbor Ridges Resort!
Sister Bay: Country House Resort, Scandinavian Lodge, Open Hearth Lodge, Little Sister Resort (video here too), Pheasant Park Resort, Inn at Little Sister Hill, or Birchwood Lodge.
Washington Island: Findlay’s Holiday Inn
20. Look for Your Dream Property! Fall and Winter are a good time to take the time to look for that right piece of land, or that right house or condo in Door County. Some of the best real estate agencies and property opportunities are right here, so if you are interested in spend a half a day or so this Fall looking into a dream, check out these fine real estate opportunities:
Coldwell Banker - The Real Estate Group
7734 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
920-868-2002
Coldwell Banker - The Real Estate Group
Door County Horizons
4086 Main St
Fish Creek
920-868-2373
Also at:
30 N 18th Avenue
Building #9
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-8881
Action Realty - Cindy Koutnik
4050 Hwy 42/57
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-6906
920-493-4500 (Mobile)
Action Realty Group -Betty Tipler
4859 S. Cave Point Dr
920-743-7327
888-743-7327
Sturgeon Bay
Leif Lautenbach/Sarkis & Associates Realtors
5051 Horseshoe Bay Rd
Egg Harbor
920-493 8845
21. Performing Arts!
Take in the last of the Peninsula Players works (Closes October 17th this year) at
Peninsula Players Theatre
Peninsula Players Rd (off Hwy 42, on bay side)
Fish Creek
920-868-3287
Fabulous, on the water, garden theater (bring a sweater in Fall!) – always wonderful performances and just a plain great theater experience. Check with them for schedules and final performances. If you miss the final Fall performance, keep this in mind next summer. Wonderful in the Fall!
See what’s happening at TAP (Third Avenue Playhouse)
239 N. 3rd. Ave
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-1760
Check our Performing Arts section for more listings and links!
22. Go Antiquing! There are many fine antique shops and antique malls in Door County, and Fall is a perfect time for antiquing! We have shopped and purchased antiques from several dealers here, with complete satisfaction. Bay Trading, Olde Orchard and Peninsula Antique center are all indoor “mall” type places – great – lots of treasure. Cornerstone has tons of primitives. So, check out these places! More are listed on our Antiques page!
A Summer Cottage
7445 Hwy 57
Baileys Harbor
Call for Hours/Appointment:
920-868-2430
Bailey's Barn Antiques & Gifts
10079 Hwy 57
Baileys Harbor
920-854-2412
The Bay Trading Company
7376 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor (South of Downtown)
920-868-2648
Chelsea Antiques
10002 Hwy 57
Sister Bay
920-854-4828
City Farmer
(used to be The Red Barn)
10432 Hwy 42
Ephraim
920-854-7501
Cornerstone Antiques
6960 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
888-495-3005
920-868-3005
Jefferson Street Antiques
709 Jefferson St.
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-7242
LaMere House Antiques
6329 Hwy 57
Jacksonport
920-823-2150
Olde Orchard Antique Mall
7381 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
(about 1 mi South of Downtown)
920-868-3685
Peninsula Antique Center
7150 Hwy 42
Egg Harbor
(South of Downtown)
920-868-3360
23. Something for your home? We have found a few really nice, and something special kind of shops in Door County where you can find a treasure or two for your Door County home, or your home-home! Nice to do on a chilly or rainy Fall day. So when you are passing through these towns, stop in and check out these shops of interest, with lots of intriguing things!
Hide Side Corner Store
9413 Hwy 42, Fish Creek 54212
(920) 868-2333 Vx
(920) 868-1816 Fx
See video too (Click Read our Review)
Door County Nature Works
7798 Hwy 42 (Granary Shops)
Egg harbor
920-868-2651
Door County Nature Works is another great place with lots of cabin and lodge type items, great furniture and accent pieces – very woodsy. Look for the big wooden carved bear out in front!
Champeau
945 S Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay
920-854-2842
Paint center, floor & wall tile, etc.
24. Eating Out - Restaurants – OK, we have to say something about restaurants. You’re up here in the Fall and you want to know where you might dine and have a very nice meal. Here are a few suggestions where you might find us! Watch our Fish Creek Dining Destination Video!
Casual Dining
Fred & Fuzzy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill – awesome setting, on the water – perfect! And part of a great resort, Little Sister Resort. Watch The Video!
Birmingham’s (in Sturgeon Bay) – great burgers in this historic old place.
Trio in Egg Harbor. If you leave Door County without dining at the Trio, you are missing out. A great place for dinner. Tell Jerry, Ron and Mark that we sent you!
While you are in Egg Harbor, also try these favorites of ours:
Hof Restaurant at Alpine Resort (Read our Review)
Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse – always a treat!
Liberty Square Read our Review, Watch the Video!
Fun for the kids at PC Junction (at routes A & E)! Watch the Video!
Inn at Cedar Crossing (Sturgeon Bay): part of the B&B, it is a wonderful cozy restaurant with very good food!
JJ's in Jacksonport! Fun, good food!
Upscale and Fine Dining
Stone Harbor Restaurant & Pub (at Stone Harbor Resort) – fine dining, excellent food. Read our Review.
Alexander’s in Fish Creek – fine dining, great food. Read our Review.
White Gull Inn – always great – perfect for breakfasts, lunches, candlelit dinners or fish boils.
Mission Grille in Sister Bay – wonderful food, Wine Spectator Award wining wine list!
The Waterfront – fine dining in Sister Bay
o In Baileys Harbor, fine dining at Harbor Fish Market & Grille! Wonderful!
25. Take A Cooking Class! Check out Savory Spoon in Ellison Bay or classes at the Inn at Kristofer’s! Check our Cooking Lessons page! Tell Janice DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!
This is a start – there are lots more things to do! Like Bike, Hike, take a tour by air and a whole lot more! Have a great time this Fall, in Door County. So enjoy A Door County Fall For All on the Door County Peninsula