Door Country: Cape Cod of the Midwest - Sturgeon Bay WI Weekend Getaway

Preview: You can easily spend a month in Door County, the finger of land that juts out from Wisconsin into Lake Michigan and Green Bay, so trying to distill the experience into a weekend is a formidable task. With some 250 miles of shoreline (ranging from smooth beaches to rugged limestone), five state parks, and more antiques shops and gift boutiques than you could ever visit, it’s no surprise that this has been one of the most popular spots in the Midwest for more than a century. After all, how many counties have not one maritime museum, but two? That’s but one indication of just how strongly Door County has always depended on water for its livelihood— from fishing to shipbuilding. Such geography has always been a magnet for artists, eager to capture its serene beauty on canvas. Then came the galleries and vacationers, and before you knew it, traffic was bumper-to-bumper on Highway 42 every weekend from June until Labor Day. Yet Door County has somehow managed to retain its small-town charm. From Chicago, it’s a lot of driving (about 220 miles), so if you don’t want to spend your entire weekend behind the wheel, save this trip for a three-day weekend. One good way to pick up an extra day at no additional cost is to come during the off-season, when bargains abound. Door County has a wealth of wonderful little inns that seem especially cozy when the weather turns chilly. Nordic skiers can take advantage of more than 100 miles of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. While there is a lot to see and do, the peninsula is only 18 miles across at its widest point, which makes getting around easy. The string of towns that run along the thumb each has its own personality, from Sturgeon Bay, the entry point for the county, to Washington Island, America’s first permanent Icelandic settlement, accessible only by ferry. Highlights include: Biking, boating, hiking, galleries, shopping, theater, concerts, fishing, and an artists' colony. The detailed itinerary in this chapter is a driving tour that features extensive recommendations for sightseeing attractions, recreational activities, lodging, restaurants, shopping, and more.
© Copyright Bonnie Miller Rubin, Marcy Mason published by The Globe Pequot Press all rights reserved.


Duration: 3 Nights
Best Time to Go: Year-round
This travel guide comes from:
Quick Escapes: Chicago Guide Book