We recently traveled to Door County, Wisconsin with 4 out-of-state couples. In anticipation of their visit, Ron and I created a travel itinerary to ensure we cover the highlights of the area in the 3.5 days of their visit. If you have never been to this beautiful peninsula of Wisconsin, you may find these travel tips and links helpful. The natural landscapes of Lake Michigan, plus scenic bluffs, farmland, orchards and hiking trails puts the heart at ease. In addition, delicious restaurants, many farm-to-table, plus trendy boutiques satisfy the foody and the fashionista. www.co.door.wi.gov/534/Ellison-Bluff-County-Park
We met these delightful friends on a pickleball court in Marco Island, Florida a few years ago. Thus it was no surprise that our lodging of choice included its own private pickle ball court. The weather was the first taste of fall, with temps in the 50's and strong winds. By Saturday afternoon however, the weather had improved and our Canadian friends insisted we retrieve our paddles and hit the courts. The house we rented was in Egg Harbor, Wi and found through VRBO. The views were breathtaking plus it easily accommodated all 5 couples with an extra bedroom plus a guest house to spare. If looking for a less pricey option for a smaller group, we have stayed at The Ashbrooke and The Church-Hill Inn over the years. ashbrooke.net/ churchhillinn.com/
We gathered at our house in West Bend, Wisconsin on Wednesday, couples from Illinois, Indiana, Canada and New Jersey. Thursday morning we proceeded in caravan fashion north toward Sheboygan and connected with Highway 42/151 around Manitowoc for a scenic drive up the coast. Our intention was to make it to Sister Bay by 1:30pm for lunch at the famous Swedish restaurant, Al Johnson's. This popular establishment is recognized for its sloped, grassy roofs in which goats commonly graze. On this particular day however, the weather was ushering in a cold front and the rainy conditions restricted the goats to their barn. We enjoyed the gift shop while awaiting our table for 10, and they accommodated us with a limited wait even at the height of a busy lunch hour. aljohnsons.com/
We had a bit of time to spare before our 4pm check-in at Egg Harbor, so we visited a popular men and women's clothing boutique, On Deck. This shop is located both in Sister Bay and Fish Creek and carries different brands and merchandise at each store. Full disclosure, I am not known for my wardrobe or clothing tastes. I have lived in Wisconsin for 25 years and my winter wardrobe is limited to about 4 sweaters and jeans. I hibernate in the winter. My good people come to me to do Pilates and I live in athletic wear. Two years ago however, we were hosting my family for Thanksgiving and on a weekend venture to Door County I bought 2 pairs of pants, 2 sweaters, and an autumn, gingham patterned shirt. This was by far the most shopping I had done in 20+ years and these outfits came in handy again on this fall getaway. On Deck also has a huge sale room if you are interested. ondeckclothing.com/
Following check-in on Mariner Road in Egg Harbor we relaxed until our 7:15pm reservation at Alexander's, a steak house and supper club. This was a new restaurant for us. The reviews and ratings were 5-stars and the food and service top-notch. In true Wisconsin style, you could dress up or dress down and be perfectly comfortable. I ordered the Thai Salmon, while others opted for the walleye and whitefish. Although this restaurant may be considered "pricey" in comparison to others, these $35-$50 entrees, are expertly prepared and the costs more reasonable than our friends customary experience in the northeast. The restaurant has such a friendly ambiance, we instantly bonded with the 4 women next to us who annually celebrate their 40 year friendship with a Door County getaway.alexandersofdoorcounty.com/
Weeks in advance we had scheduled a Spirits, Wine and Brewery Tour with Door County Trolley. The trolley hub is in Egg Harbor and its owner originally from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. They offer a variety of options including narrated scenic lighthouse and landscape tours, wine, chocolate and artisan cheese tours, and even a ghost and mayhem tour. Essentially something for everyone! When we arrived to the depot at 9:30a.m. it was packed with people departing for a range of tours at 10am. Our trolley was completely booked with only 1 seat to spare. The guide Todd immediately shared the lunch menu which was to be in Sonny's Waterside Restaurant in Sturgeon Bay. He took our orders so that our meals would be hot and ready for us at noon. The first stop was Door County Peninsula Winery. The beauty of this large establishment was they also offered fudge tasting, cheese tasting, and a variety of seasoned olive oils. For those of us not particularly interested in alcohol, the store offered an array of food and gift options. A number of my friends got a jump-start on their Christmas list! Todd our guide is originally from Door County and his family owns expansive farmland in the area. In addition, he was previously a high school athletic director. He had energy and passion for his job and his hometown. It was a lively ride and the 4.5 hours passed quickly. Originally we were a bit undecided as to whether this was the right tour for us, but thanks to our tour guide, we all agreed it was a highlight of our trip. doorcountytrolley.com/
Saturday was an open-ended day where we enjoyed traveling north to Gills Rock, the last point in the peninsula. It would be the equivalent of Key West to Floridians. Many people will take the ferry to Washington Island from this point, however we were content to stay on the mainland. We stopped at Ellison Bay Bluff for scenic pictures and then went to lunch at a sports bar, Husby's in Sister Bay for lunch. It was a football Saturday, after all! At this point, the weather was gorgeous and the town bustling with visitors. One of my favorite combinations are salads that include dried cherries, walnuts, fresh greens, and gorgonzola or bleu cheese. Door County is renowned for its cherries, fresh jams, and cherry salsas and these items are found in most restaurants. We visited multiple orchards including Wood Orchard Market and Lautenbach's Winery and Gifts where we stocked up on cherry preserves, cherry pies, artisan cheeses, and olive oils. Both Friday and Saturday night we prepped our meals and enjoyed eating together at the VRBO. Ron used many of the local products to create this incredible charcuterie board as an appetizer and tailgate fare!www.orchardcountry.com/ woodorchardmarket.com/
We all departed Sunday before noon for our respective homes, some flying and some driving. Our Canadian friends drove 2,222 miles round-trip to join us on this adventure while our Jersey friends committed to lengthy flights to connect in Wisconsin. Likewise, our Illinois and Indiana friends didn't complain about the prolonged driving and we all agreed the time together was worth the long hours by car and plane. Monday morning, in talking with my Pilates clients, I was surprised by the number of local residents who reported they had never visited Door County. I hope this synopsis provides a starting point should you decide to explore these quaint bays and villages located essentially at my backdoor! www.doorcounty.com/
Roots Inn (specialty lunch menu) www.rootsinnandkitchen.com/
Hill Street Restaurant (delicious cheeseburger) www.hillstreetdoorcounty.com/eat
Summer Kitchen
Hill Street Restaurant (delicious cheeseburger) www.hillstreetdoorcounty.com/eat
Summer Kitchen
P.S. Full disclosure: While Door County is great, we could have had just as much fun in West Bend dining at The Norbert, playing pickleball at Vortex, and hiking in Ridge Run Park. As always, it is the people that make life interesting. Friendships are a blessing.
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