Door County Must-Dos?

June 18, 2007 9:38 AM

Door County must-dos?

The SO and I will be spending five days/nights in Door County, Wisconsin from the end of June until July 4th. We've never been before, and want to make the most of this trip.

We love tacky tourist attractions, yard sales, thrift and antique stores, and trappings of the good life. We're somewhat active, and will probably rent scooters and a paddleboat while we're there. Kids aren't an issue and, fortunately, money isn't either, within reason.

Aside from the pointers in this thread, what else should a male couple see/do/eat to ensure we have the most bestest summer vacation ever?

posted by Work to Live to sports, hobbies, & recreation (10 comments total)

There are only two (delicious) things you need to know about Door County: fish boils and cherry pie. The rest are just details.

one detail worth mentioning: watch for bones in the fish. your tongue will thank you.
posted by phatkitten at 9:54 AM on June 18, 2007

I have two suggestions that aren't listed on that other thread:

Ice cream at Wilson's in Ephraim. It's like a slice right out the 1950's. Haven't been there in years but the picture on the website makes me think it hasn't changed much.

I also love Whitefish Sand Dunes State Park. It's not tacky, thrifty or the like, but it's beautiful and not to be missed. They also do a lot of fun programming -- my family has particularly loved watching meteors with the guide of an astronomer.
posted by jk252b at 10:41 AM on June 18, 2007

Two of my best friends spent a summer working in Door County, and four years later they still won't shut up about Sweetie Pies. Apparently the pies there are good.
posted by cilantro at 10:50 AM on June 18, 2007

I'm the OP from the thread you link to. My now-wife and I had a wonderful weekend up there. In addition to the things mentioned there, here are a couple suggestions, straight from our experience.

Take the ferry out to Washington Island and spend a couple hours biking around there. Be sure to visit the Stavkirk.

Stop at Stones Throw Winery and sample some of their wares.

Go to the Northcore Clock and Stein Shop and buy... steins and cuckoo clocks. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a wierd and wonderful place to visit, and the owners are a chaming and eccentric couple.

Have a great time! :)
posted by jammer at 10:55 AM on June 18, 2007

sorry, here's the correct Sweetie Pies link!
posted by cilantro at 10:55 AM on June 18, 2007

Oh yes, Washington Island is great. So beautiful. I'm pretty sure that you can rent bikes, etc. out there.

If you do end up going there, the Washington Hotel is a wonderful place which operates both the hotel and restaurant/cooking school according to sustainable principles. Not your typical b&b.
posted by Madamina at 11:01 AM on June 18, 2007

Cherry pie. Yes.
posted by oaf at 11:56 AM on June 18, 2007

Romantic and upscale: The American Club in Kohler, WI
Outdoorsy: The Wagon Trail Campground in Rowley Bay (sparkling-clean bathrooms)
Secluded and not-as-touristy-as-the-mainland: Washington Island
Fun: Go-karts and mini-golf on Route 42, somewhere between Ellison Bay and Sister Bay. There's also a kayak rental place nearby.
posted by desjardins at 12:42 PM on June 18, 2007

By the way, Summerfest is going on in Milwaukee during those dates, so traffic through downtown is going to SUCK. Unfortunately, there's no equivalent to I-294 to get you around all the mess.
posted by desjardins at 12:45 PM on June 18, 2007

Washington Island - yes you can rent bikes and scoots, etc. Note that there are no places on the peninsula or the island that will let you rent a single scooter for two people.

Wilson's is ~100 years old. There's a protocol unless you want to sit and eat. If you just want ice cream you'll want to go in, get a number and wait. The line is usually out the door. It's worth the wait.

There's lots of touristy things for you to do. Take the time to pull over wherever you find something interesting.

Egg Harbor Cafe has great breakfast. Some of the best eggs I've ever had.

Shipwreck's isn't all that great these days.

If you haven't already booked a place to stay consider the Harbor House Inn. I've stayed there a couple of times - each time in the Troll Hole/Nautical Cottage they have out back. It changed hands a year or two ago and the previous owners still live next door. It's way at the tip of the peninsula.

Enjoy your time.
posted by FlamingBore at 3:14 PM on June 18, 2007