Things to do

If you’re looking for a half-day activity…

Walk around Sturgeon Bay (30 minutes to 2 hours):  The town is split by a narrow bay with two bridges spanning the water in the downtown area (Michigan St. bridge and Oregon St. bridge).  Walk along the water, check out Third Ave and Jefferson St on the east side and Madison Ave on the west side. You can walk across either bridge. They open every 30-min and it’s fun to watch the bridges draw!

Sturgeon Bay map HERE

Bike around town or to Potawatomi State Park (1-3 hours):  Bayshore Outfitters (by the base of the Michigan St. bridge) has both traditional and e-bike rentals.  Potawatomi State Park is a 10-15 minute ride and you can spend a good amount of time biking and hiking in the park.  If you ride to the park, ask for directions to follow the water entering the park near ‘Waterfront Mary’s’ vs the less scenic and longer main entrance to the park.  

Kayak on the bay (1-2 hours):  Bayshore Outfitters has kayaks available for rent and they launch approximately ¼ mile from their store.

Visit Cave Point County Park (1-2 hours):   A short drive up Highway 57 is Cave Point County Park.  This is one of the most photographed parts of the county. 

Visit The Farm (1-2 hours):  A cute combination of petting zoo and farm history museum.

Here are some additional ideas!

If you’re up for a full-day adventure…

If you want to take a little more time and are up for a longer adventure, head north on the peninsula.

I recommend going up one side and down the other - Highway 42 follows the western/bay side while Highway 57 is on the lake/eastern side.

Along Highway 42 (as you are traveling north) you will pass through:

  • Carlsville - Door County Coffee for a caffeine jolt or packaged goods to take home

  • Egg Harbor - Cute shops and restaurants

  • Fish Creek - Nice shops, restaurants and waterfront park

  • Ephriam - Nice waterfront park and iconic Wilson's Ice Cream shop

  • Sister Bay - Good shops and restaurants with most famous restaurant in Door County - Al Johnsons’s Swedish Restaurant.  

    My favorite towns are Ephriam and Sister Bay.  Ephriam has limited shopping, but great views.  Sister Bay has a fun vibe and good views.  If you want to experience Al Johnsons you can have a great meal of Swedish pancakes in the restaurant (be prepared to wait - over an hour is not unusual) or grab some Swedish sangria in their outdoor lawn area.  If you plan to eat at Al Johnson’s, put your name in as soon as you arrive in town then explore the shops while you wait.  

If you travel north in the county I highly encourage a stop at Peninsula State Park. Walk up the observation tower and/or do a hike down along the water.  The tower has an amazing view and is ADA accessible.  Eagle trail is a great 2-mile hike. You will need to purchase a daily state park pass for $10 (if your car has WI plates) or $13 (if out of state plates).

Along highway 57 (as you are traveling north) you will pass by The Farm (mentioned previously!) and then drive through Jacksonport and Bailey’s Harbor (lakeside towns with nice city parks along the water).  Bailey’s Harbor has a few more restaurant and shopping options.  Try the Chives Food Trucks for a bite in a casual, fun setting.  Temperatures along Highway 57 and the east/lake side of the peninsula are generally a bit cooler than the west/bay side along Highway 42.