Door County

A peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan with fishing villages, state parks and more than ten lighthouses; summer cherry orchards and traditional fish boils make it a classic Midwestern getaway.

Door County, in northeastern Wisconsin, is a long, narrow peninsula reaching into Lake Michigan, with Green Bay to the west and the main body of Lake Michigan to the east. About 120 km long, it's often called the "Cape Cod of the Midwest." The peninsula is divided by its two shores into the "Quiet Side" (the east shore, on Lake Michigan) and the busier west shore on Green Bay. On the west side, the villages of Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay are packed with galleries, restaurants and harbors for watching the sunset, and Peninsula State Park is the main outdoor hub. The east side, with the sea caves of Cave Point, Whitefish Dunes, Cana Island Lighthouse and The Ridges Sanctuary, feels wilder. From the tip of the peninsula, ferries cross the Death's Door strait to Washington Island and car-free Rock Island.

The best season is Jun–Aug for escaping the heat (daytime highs of 20–27°C), and mid-to-late July is tart cherry picking season; mid-October fall color is just as popular. Winters are cold, and many shops and ferries shut down. A traditional fish boil and cherry pie are must-tries, and the peninsula is dotted with wineries and orchards.

Getting there: the nearest airport is Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB), about 70 km from Sturgeon Bay; it's about a 4–5 hour drive from Chicago and about 2.5 hours from Milwaukee. There's no practical public transportation on the peninsula, so you'll basically need a car, though cycling is an option around Fish Creek. Plan on 2–4 days: one day for the west-shore villages and Peninsula State Park, one for the east-shore lighthouses and Cave Point, and one for Washington Island. In peak season (Jul–Aug and October weekends) lodging fills up, so book months ahead; state parks require a daily or annual vehicle pass.

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