This is my second post from our trip to Door County, Wisconsin. We stayed in a little tiny cabin right next to the Fish Creek hotel and just steps from the bay. You could see the yachts and sailboats from our screen porch. I was a bit tardy in making reservations, so we took the last available cabin.
It only had one bed, so my gracious teenage daughter agreed to sleep on the inflatable mattress. I love staying right in town because you can walk everywhere. We went star gazing on the pier one night and then to Malibu Moo's the next for cold-slab style ice cream.
If you've never been to Door County, I'll give you a little visual tour. I love the noncommercial nature of the peninsula. It is a haven for artists, musicians, and theater-people. You can eat and shop your way through the peninsula that is anchored by a gorgeous State Park.
Small towns dot the peninsula: Sturgeon Bay (at the base) is the largest - but don't stop there. They follow quickly: Carlsville, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay and upward. At the very tip is Gills Rock where you can take a ferry boat to Washington Island, passing through Death's Door.
My daughter and I love to shop. Here, in Fish Creek, is the Confectionary where I have taken her since she was a little girl - and Founder's Square with wood chip pathways, fudge shops and more. Another favorite, in Ephraim, is Wilson's, a Door County favorite that has been around forever. Stop in for an old fashioned soda or my favorite - the Dusty Road (three flavors of chocolate ice cream dusted with malt powder).
There are many reasons I love this vacation spot. It is only five hours from Chicago - an easy drive. People are casual - water and shoreline are everywhere. The food is amazing and the air is at least 10 degrees cooler. Breathe deep. Kick your shoes off. Enjoy a Door County vacation!
Just a few of my favorite spots:
Egg Harbor:
Alpine Resort (classic Door County lodge with an amazing screened porch overlooking the bay).
Egg Harbor Antique Mall (just south of town).
Trio Italian restaurant - lovely atmosphere and excellent northern Italian cuisine.
Between towns:
Edgewood Orchard Gallery - lovely sculpture garden in the woods.
Hands-On Art Studio - Make your own jewelry, pottery - even weld! Art nights for adults, too.
Fish Creek:
Brilliant Stranger - Say hi to our friend Dawn Patel who crafts clothing and exudes bohemian flair.
The Summertime - I worked there as a waitress, but its unique architecture will charm you.
Bayside Tavern - Order the cheese curds and the pork chop sandwich.
The White Gull Inn - Classic cape cod style inn - amazing corned beef hash and coffee cake. Fish Boils are excellent as well.
Greenwood Supper Club - see my last post for more details.
Skyway Drive Inn - In between Fish Creek and Ephraim. Classic 1950s drive in theatre - complete with the dancing hot dog commercials.
Ephraim:
Wilson's for Ice Cream.
Rent a sailboat or pontoon boat at the shore.
Beach People is a cute shop offering beach style gifts.
Sister Bay:
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - grass topped roofs with goats!
JJs La Puerta Restaurant - The JJ Burger and Mojo fries in a funky, surfer dude atmosphere with a touch of Mexican flair.
Ellison Bay:
Pasta Vino - Pete D'Amico opened up his growing Italian restaurant business in this spectacular dining room space - worth the drive!
There are many more places I love to visit, but these will get you started. If you haven't been, make your reservations now at www.doorcounty.com.
It only had one bed, so my gracious teenage daughter agreed to sleep on the inflatable mattress. I love staying right in town because you can walk everywhere. We went star gazing on the pier one night and then to Malibu Moo's the next for cold-slab style ice cream.
If you've never been to Door County, I'll give you a little visual tour. I love the noncommercial nature of the peninsula. It is a haven for artists, musicians, and theater-people. You can eat and shop your way through the peninsula that is anchored by a gorgeous State Park.
Small towns dot the peninsula: Sturgeon Bay (at the base) is the largest - but don't stop there. They follow quickly: Carlsville, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay and upward. At the very tip is Gills Rock where you can take a ferry boat to Washington Island, passing through Death's Door.
My daughter and I love to shop. Here, in Fish Creek, is the Confectionary where I have taken her since she was a little girl - and Founder's Square with wood chip pathways, fudge shops and more. Another favorite, in Ephraim, is Wilson's, a Door County favorite that has been around forever. Stop in for an old fashioned soda or my favorite - the Dusty Road (three flavors of chocolate ice cream dusted with malt powder).
There are many reasons I love this vacation spot. It is only five hours from Chicago - an easy drive. People are casual - water and shoreline are everywhere. The food is amazing and the air is at least 10 degrees cooler. Breathe deep. Kick your shoes off. Enjoy a Door County vacation!
Just a few of my favorite spots:
Egg Harbor:
Alpine Resort (classic Door County lodge with an amazing screened porch overlooking the bay).
Egg Harbor Antique Mall (just south of town).
Trio Italian restaurant - lovely atmosphere and excellent northern Italian cuisine.
Between towns:
Edgewood Orchard Gallery - lovely sculpture garden in the woods.
Hands-On Art Studio - Make your own jewelry, pottery - even weld! Art nights for adults, too.
Fish Creek:
Brilliant Stranger - Say hi to our friend Dawn Patel who crafts clothing and exudes bohemian flair.
The Summertime - I worked there as a waitress, but its unique architecture will charm you.
Bayside Tavern - Order the cheese curds and the pork chop sandwich.
The White Gull Inn - Classic cape cod style inn - amazing corned beef hash and coffee cake. Fish Boils are excellent as well.
Greenwood Supper Club - see my last post for more details.
Skyway Drive Inn - In between Fish Creek and Ephraim. Classic 1950s drive in theatre - complete with the dancing hot dog commercials.
Ephraim:
Wilson's for Ice Cream.
Rent a sailboat or pontoon boat at the shore.
Beach People is a cute shop offering beach style gifts.
Sister Bay:
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - grass topped roofs with goats!
JJs La Puerta Restaurant - The JJ Burger and Mojo fries in a funky, surfer dude atmosphere with a touch of Mexican flair.
Ellison Bay:
Pasta Vino - Pete D'Amico opened up his growing Italian restaurant business in this spectacular dining room space - worth the drive!
There are many more places I love to visit, but these will get you started. If you haven't been, make your reservations now at www.doorcounty.com.
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