Tips from a local
About Door County
Known for its picturesque coastal towns, specialty shops, fish boils, cherry and apple orchards and scenic beauty, Door County, Wisconsin is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”
With the waters of Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other, the Door Peninsula offers spectacular waterfront views, with more than 300 miles of shoreline featuring towering limestone bluffs, rugged rock formations and pristine beaches.
Door County offers more miles of shoreline, one of the highest concentrations of lighthouses and more state parks – a total of five – than any other county in the state. The Door County area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation and is also known for its art galleries and performing arts. - Travel Wisconsin
Tips from a local
So - you want to fit in like a local. Sturgeon Bay is a small town and since you didn’t go to high school with the person serving you nor are you related to them, they’ll know you aren’t a local. But that’s okay, because during the summer neither are the other 75% of people in the county. Here are a few tips to be less conspicuous…
Don’t order a mixed drink with bourbon or whiskey - in Wisconsin it’s brandy. The Brandy Old Fashion is the official state drink. And if the bartender asks what type of brandy - ask for Korbel.
Rather have a beer than an old fashioned? You have to have at least one Spotted Cow. It’s a great farmhouse ale sold only in Wisconsin. For folks who remember when Coors was not sold east of the Mississippi River - it’s the same thing. If you are flying in for the event and take a liking to Spotted Cow, most Wisconsin airports now have it available for sale after security checkpoints.
Try cheese curds both ways - as regular mild cheese or make it really unhealthy and get it deep fried! You’re only in town for a couple of days after all :)
What is a butter burger? Wisconsin is America’s Diaryland and many fast food restaurants will add a nice pad of Wisconsin butter to their hamburger. It’s as delicious as it sounds. If you have a cholesterol check scheduled for July, reschedule it for September.