Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
We love Al Johnson’s because it feels like a true Door County tradition, from the goats grazing on the grass-covered roof to the welcoming…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Kid Approved
- Live Music
- Veg options
the whole map
Everything
87 places
Analog Ice Cream & Coffee
Everyone loves an ice-cream-and-coffee combo, and Analog leans all the way in. Our warm-weather default.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Seasonal
Anatolia
Anatolia is one of those tucked-away Door County gems that delivers big, beautiful, deeply satisfying meals every time. Founded by a former J-1…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Barringer's
The steak house. Specially selected cuts, fresh seafood, generous sides, and craft cocktails in a historic dining room — the reliable…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Basecamp
Hidden behind Ecology Sports — the caffeine stop that feels like a local secret, because it mostly is.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Björklunden
Lawrence University’s lakeside campus — seminars, lectures, and a chapel hand-painted by its original owners. A quietly remarkable place.
Boathouse on the Bay
Get your seafood fix at Boathouse on the Bay in Sister Bay, where the food is as memorable as the view. Their lobster rolls are a favorite for many,…
- No dogs
- Sunset Spot
- Live Music
- Veg options
Cana Island Lighthouse
The walk across the causeway is half of it — a rocky spit of land with the lake on both sides of you, and then an island barely big enough for a…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Seasonal
- Kid Approved
Cappaert Contemporary Gallery
An 1873 log cabin full of contemporary work — including owner Ginnie Cappaert’s abstracted landscapes, painted right there in the working studio. A…
- No dogs
- Seasonal
Cave Point County Park
Limestone ledges the lake has been hollowing out for ten thousand years, and you can stand right on top of them. Come early — this is the one place…
- Dogs welcome
- Free
Clay Bay Pottery
Clay Bay Pottery in Ellison Bay has been creating beautiful hand-thrown pottery and tiles since 1976, founded by artists Jeanne and David Aurelius.…
- No dogs
Clay on Steele
The pottery stop that makes the drive up feel shorter — a working clay studio and gallery in Algoma. Leave trunk space.
- No dogs
Door Bluff Headlands County Park
One of our favorite hikes anywhere, and the best bluff-top water views on the peninsula. The first stretch is steep and rooty, then it settles into…
- Dogs welcome
- Free
- Sunset Spot
Door County Auditorium
The peninsula’s big stage — the place to check when you want a real show on a rainy night or a touring act you didn’t expect this far up Highway 42.
- No dogs
Door County Creamery
Local goat cheese, amazing gelato, and a solid local wine shelf in one stop. We never leave without something for the cottage fridge.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Door Shakespeare
Shakespeare outdoors under the trees, done seriously and done well. Pick the comedy or the tragedy — or make it both and argue about which was better.
- No dogs
- Seasonal
Edgewood Orchard Galleries
The best outdoor sculpture garden we have ever seen — a path that wanders the woods and gardens around a 1918 fruit barn. Even if you never buy a…
- No dogs
Ellison Bay Community Park & Beach
Still popular, but calmer than the marquee beaches — the one we pick when we want room to spread out. Playground and courts keep restless kids busy…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Free
- Kid Approved
Ephraim Yacht Club
The Ephraim Yacht Club is a wonderful place to experience sailing on beautiful Eagle Harbor. This family-oriented community sailing center offers…
- No dogs
Fine Line Designs Gallery
Paintings, wood, glass, and fiber deep in color and texture — but the two-acre sculpture garden is the reason to pull over. Give it a slow stroll.
- No dogs
Fourth of July Parade
Egg Harbor’s Fourth of July parade is one of our favorite family traditions. We’ve been coming for more than 10 years, and it always feels like a…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Free
- Kid Approved
- Seasonal
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm
In late July, something magical happens in northern Door County and on Washington Island: the lavender fields burst into bloom. Every year, it seems…
- No dogs
Hands On Art Studio
Art activities the whole family actually enjoys — pottery, metal, glass, spin art. When the forecast turns, this is the plan.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
- Rainy Day
Happy Coffee
The morning stop in Sister Bay. Get there before early afternoon, because when it’s gone, it’s gone.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Harbor Fish Market & Grille
Amazing seafood in Baileys Harbor, morning through night — and the patio welcomes the dog, which makes it the rare date-night spot that doesn’t…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Book Ahead
Henriksen’s Fish House
Door County has so many wonderful places to buy local fish, and our favorite close to home is Henriksen’s Fish House. It is centrally located,…
- No dogs
Hill House
Hill House is the kind of place where you pop in for a peek and find yourself wandering among cozy textiles, useful little things, old and new…
- No dogs
Husby’s
The great family-friendly bar: TVs when there’s a match on, a great patio, and live music spilling out of the garage on summer evenings. Everyone…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Kid Approved
- Live Music
- Veg options
Idea Gallery
Tucked into quiet countryside in the middle of the peninsula and absolutely worth finding. A visionary contemporary collection, a sculpture garden,…
- No dogs
Inland Pizza
Sourdough brick-oven pizza in Baileys Harbor — crisp, blistered, and exactly what you want after a day at The Ridges or the beach.
- No dogs
- Veg options
Ironwood Yoga & Pilates
Ironwood Yoga & Pilates in Sister Bay is one of my favorite ways to start a Door County day—especially with a Reformer Pilates class. With only…
- No dogs
Island Orchard Cider
French Normandy-style hard cider made from apples grown on Washington Island and ferried across Death’s Door. Tastings and flights in the Ellison…
- Dogs, with caveats
Johnson’s Park
The mom-and-pop go-kart track: single and double karts, mini golf, batting cages, and an arcade. Zero polish, maximum grins.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
Juddville Contemporary Clay Studio Gallery
This special gallery is housed in the historic Juddville School and is filled with beautiful, thoughtfully made pottery and artwork. It is the kind…
- No dogs
June’s Farmhouse
Coffee and tea by morning, wine by evening, live music in the backyard most days — the front-porch half of the Peach Barn property.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Live Music
- Veg options
Kick Ash Coffee
Coffee roasted and poured in an old country church at the top of the peninsula — plus a gluten-free bakery and their own Door County Love granola to…
- Dogs welcome
- Veg options
Kind Goods
It is a true family affair, run by a mother and daughter—and, if you are lucky, you may catch Dad filling in too. Their philosophy is about making…
- No dogs
Kitty O'Reillys
We always stop at Kitty O’Reilly’s for lunch on our way up the peninsula. The outdoor patio is fabulous, the menu has something for everyone in the…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Kress Pavilion
The Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion is a beautiful Egg Harbor community hub—home to the Egg Harbor Library as well as wellness classes, yoga, local…
- No dogs
Lake Fire Winery
We discovered Lake Fire Winery last summer, and it has quickly become a favorite annual girls’ outing. This charming Baileys Harbor spot is Door…
- Dogs, with caveats
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country (Shop & Cherry Picking)
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market has always been one of our family’s favorite Door County stops—especially during cherry-picking season.…
- Dogs welcome
Martinez Studio
A living, working studio — Wence Martinez’s hand-spun wool tapestries and bold geometric patterns alongside pared-down, symbol-driven paintings.…
- No dogs
Maxwell’s House
Less a shop than a curated gallery of color — wall art, eclectic objects, and furnishings that function like artwork. Our stop for finding Door…
- No dogs
Mighty Wind Farms
Mighty Wind Farms is one of those wonderful Door County stops where sustainability and local food come together. Drop off your kitchen compost at…
- Dogs, with caveats
Mink River Basin
The casual Ellison Bay standby — steaks, local whitefish, burgers, and a Friday fish fry, with a giant arcade room that buys the grown-ups a second…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Kid Approved
- Veg options
Mountain Park Lookout Tower
If you find yourself on Washington Island and love climbing Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park, add the Mountain Park Lookout Tower to your list.…
- No dogs
Newport State Beach
Rustic, off the beaten path, and gorgeous. The beach we choose for a slow picnic afternoon — and the dog gets to come.
- Dogs welcome
Newport State Park
Where we go to lose the crowds. Quiet forest trails, miles of empty shoreline, and skies dark enough that the park is certified for stargazing. Fern…
- Dogs welcome
Nicolet Beach
Busy but fun — the beach you make a whole day of. Swim, rent a paddleboard, get something from the concession stand, then ride bikes through the…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Kid Approved
Northern Sky Theater
Original musicals under the stars in Peninsula State Park — a Door County summer ritual — with an indoor stage for the shoulder seasons.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
Novel Bay Books
Novel Bay Books takes me back to the bookstore I loved as a child. We’d walk down the bluff into Sister Bay and spend ages browsing, feeling welcome…
- No dogs
One Barrel Brewing Co. & Pizza Bros
One Barrel Brewing Company and Pizza Bros are such a fun Egg Harbor stop. Enjoy wood-fired pizza and a local beer, cider, seltzer, or soda on the…
- Dogs, with caveats
PC Junction
A miniature train delivers your burger to the counter. That’s it, that’s the review — the kids will talk about it all week. Casual classics, a play…
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery
Casual in the best way: a great barn, a big yard, live music every afternoon, and all ages welcome. Throw the lawn chairs in the trunk and settle in.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Live Music
- Kid Approved
Pearl Wine Cottage
Ephraim’s little wine bar. Hours are limited, so check first — but when it’s open, it’s a lovely stop.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Seasonal
Peninsula Players Theatre
America’s oldest resident summer theater, born from “two planks and a passion,” in a garden setting on the water. Go once and it becomes a tradition.
- No dogs
Peninsula School of Art
Workshops and classes across every medium, for every level. The place to finally take that class you keep talking about on the drive up.
- No dogs
Peninsula State Park
The classic for a reason. Bike paths through the trees, a busy-but-fun beach, and the Eagle Trail — our favorite hike in the park, down along the…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Kid Approved
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
The big theatrical mini-golf — caves, waterfalls, the works. The one the kids beg for from the back seat.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
Roots Inn & Kitchen
Roots Kitchen was an absolutely delicious Sister Bay option this year. Rather than operating on a regular daily dining schedule, they offered meals…
- No dogs
- Veg & vegan
Sand Bay Town Park
The quiet one. Beautiful, more private, and so shallow that kids can walk out forever. Pack a picnic and your own floaties; there are no rentals and…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Free
- Kid Approved
Schartner’s Farm Market
Schartner’s Farm Market is my favorite farm stand near the bottom of the Door County Peninsula. Family-run south of Egg Harbor since 1985, it is one…
- No dogs
Shoreline
Come for the view, stay for the food — dinner at the tip of the peninsula looking out over Green Bay. Modern cooking with a deep local pantry, and a…
- No dogs
- Sunset Spot
- Veg options
Sip
Half café, half homegoods shop, all dangerous for the wallet. Come for breakfast, stay for a browse, come back for trivia night.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg & vegan
Sister Bay Beach
Our home beach. A pier built for jumping off, rentals when you want to paddle, and one of the best sunsets on the peninsula — some nights with a…
- No dogs
- Sunset Spot
- Live Music
- Kid Approved
Sister Bay Bowl
The best fish fry in Door County and the best perch you will ever have, full stop. Bowl a few frames while you wait, catch live music some nights,…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Live Music
- Veg options
Skyway Drive-In Theatre
Super old-school fun: a double feature under the stars with a playground beneath the screen. The kids burn off energy before sundown and fall asleep…
- Dogs welcome
- Kid Approved
Stone’s Throw Winery
A great little winery on the quiet road between Egg Harbor and Baileys Harbor — an easy pull-over on the drive across the peninsula.
- Dogs, with caveats
Sway Brewing + Blending
Sway Brewing + Blending is more than a brewery—it is a wonderful Baileys Harbor stop for small-batch beer, scratch-made pastries, coffee, and…
- Dogs, with caveats
The Cherry Drop
The New Year’s Eve Cherry Drop in Sister Bay has been such a treasured family tradition for us. We have loved bundling up, gathering with the…
- No dogs
The Clearing Folk School
A folk school in the woods above Green Bay, teaching writing, woodworking, painting, and more the slow way. Even a walk through the grounds resets…
- No dogs
The Ginger House
Just outside Fish Creek, The Ginger House is a charming little boutique filled with picnic essentials, wine, gourmet treats, local goods, and…
- No dogs
The Hardy Gallery
The Hardy Gallery at historic Anderson Dock has been a Door County art community staple since 1962. Housed in the old Anderson Warehouse in Ephraim,…
- No dogs
The Red Putter
Classic old-school mini golf, perfect for a family tournament — loser buys Wilson’s afterward. Cheaper than the pirate place and, we’d argue, more fun.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
The Ridges Sanctuary
A string of unusual habitats between old beach ridges, holding some of the rarest wildflowers in the Midwest. Go slow — this one rewards looking…
- No dogs
The Secret Garden of Door County
The Secret Garden of Door County is a peaceful, beautiful escape in Ephraim—an inviting place to slow down, enjoy the garden, and spend time…
- No dogs
The Well Nest
The Well Nest in Egg Harbor is a wonderful place to focus on feeling your best, whether that means moving your body, building strength, or simply…
- No dogs
Three Springs Nature Preserve
If you are looking for a little off-the-beaten-path hike near Sister Bay, Harold C. Wilson Three Springs Nature Preserve is a beautiful choice.…
- Dogs welcome
Thyme
Farm-to-table without the fuss, from two decades of Door County restaurant know-how. Casual enough for a weeknight, good enough for the last night…
- Dogs, with caveats
- Veg options
Turtle Ridge Gallery Boutique
Turtle Ridge Gallery-Boutique turns 40 this year! 🐢✨ This unique Ellison Bay gallery has been part of my life since childhood, and several members…
- Dogs, with caveats
Twelve Eleven Wine Bar + Provisions
A destination wine bar right in Sister Bay. Fire pits, blankets on cool nights, a glass of something good — the evening plan that requires no planning.
- Dogs, with caveats
- Live Music
Washington Island Ferry
The Washington Island Ferry is more than transportation—it is the beginning of the adventure. The beautiful 30-minute ride across Death’s Door…
- Dogs welcome
White Gull Inn
The great big breakfast: nationally famous cherry-stuffed French toast, and in the cold months, hot chocolate worth the drive by itself. Great for…
- No dogs
- Veg options
White Pine at The Ellison Inn
Where nostalgic Door County supper-club charm meets Nordic cooking: clean flavors, seasonal ingredients, comforting and refined at once. The…
- No dogs
- Veg options
Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
The old-time ice cream parlor every trip requires. Burgers, homemade root beer, and a soda fountain that has been making kids’ eyes go wide since 1906.
- No dogs
- Kid Approved
- Veg & vegan
Woodwalk Gallery
A gallery in a century-old dairy barn on ten quiet acres — paintings, ceramics, wood, and jewelry from dozens of artists, with music drifting…
- No dogs
Write On, Door County
A writing center with workshops, readings, and quiet trails — proof that the peninsula takes its off-season seriously.
- No dogs
Nothing matches that combination (yet) — the peninsula is long but not infinite.