Door County, Wisconsin, is a popular family vacation destination in Northeastern Wisconsin on the peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Door County is known for its charming small towns, outdoor recreation, natural beauty, festivals, and lighthouses.  Whether you like beaches, boating, hiking,  or shopping, Door County has something for everyone! 

Before You Go

• You should consider purchasing a yearly pass to Wisconsin State Parks.  Your yearly pass will admit your car to Whitefish Dunes, Newport State Park, and Penninsula State Park.  There are 66 state parks throughout Wisconsin you can visit all of them with your pass.
• I recommend traveling with a cooler and picnic supplies. Door County has many local food products to try.  Many of these items make great picnic lunches and dinners.
• If you are staying in a lodging with a kitchen, I suggest stopping on the way up for food.  There are only a few grocery stores in Door County,  and they can be crowded, overpriced, and often run out of things during vacation season!
• Pay attention to what town each attraction is located in.  It can take over an hour to get from one side of Door County to the other, so plan your day trips accordingly!

Kid-Friendly Restaurants and Ice Cream

Al Johnson’s  Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay

Wild Tomato Pizza in both Sister Bay and Fish Creek

Old Post Office Restaurant – the best place for a famous Door County Fish Boil located in Ephraim

Sister Bay Bowl- Old Fashioned Supper Club with a bowling alley.  Sister Bay. 

Rusty Tractor- located in Egg Harbor 

PC Junction– a train-themed restaurant – Baileys Harbor 

Sip- an adorable coffee and sandwich shop with outdoor seating and board games- Ephraim 

Wilson’s restaurant and ice cream parlor. – Old fashioned soda fountain, ice cream, and burgers- Ephraim

Door County Ice Cream Factory– Best homemade ice cream in Door County!- Sister Bay

Door County Creamery- the best goat cheese sandwiches, salads, and gelato. – Sister Bay

Dippy’s Ice Cream Schoppe– Fish Creek

The Vault – Ice Cream and Candy Shop- Ellison Bay

Seaquest Cherry Orchard and Shop- You can get the best cherrypie, fudge, apples, and cheese; during the summer, they are open for cherry picking! – Sister Bay

Grumpy’s Ice Cream– Egg Harbor

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard– Fish Creek

 Door County Candy- Sturgeon Bay

Door County Confectionary – Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Ephraim, and Sturgeon Bay

Analog Ice Cream and Coffee– Sister Bay

The Chocolate Chicken- Bailey’s Harbor

Tours, Museums, Zoos, and Nature Centers

Door County Trolly Tours – Egg Harbor

Washington Island Ferry– Gills Rock 

Cherry Train Tours– Washington Island 

Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours- Sister Bay

Door County Zipline– Baileys Harbor 

Plum Loco Animal Farm– feed baby goats and other animals- Egg Harbor

The Zoo- Sturgeon Bay

Cana Island Lighthouse– Bailey’s Harbor 

Door County Maritime Museum– Sturgeon Bay

Skyway drive-in movie theater– Fish Creek

State and County Parks 

Peninsula State Park– filled with hiking trails, bike trails, campsites Nicolet Bay Beach,  Eagle Tower, and Nothern Sky Theater.  You can easily spend an entire day in this park.

Newport State Park –  Hiking Trails, campsites and Beach

Whitefish Dunes State Park– Hiking trails and Beach

Potawatomi State Park – Campsites,  hiking trails, and biking

Rock Island State Park, campsites, and hiking trails- You can only get to Rock Island State Park from a Ferry.

Elison Bluff County Park

Door Bluff Headlands 

Bailey’s Harbor Ridges Sanctuary

Liberty Grove Town Park– beach

Frank. E. Murphy Park 

Ellison Bay Community Park

Sandy Bay Town Park – beach and kayak launch

Sister Bay Marina Park – beach, playground, and boat rental for paddle boarding and kayaking.  Also, the best location to watch a sunset.

Europe Bay Lake– Boat Launch

Mini Golf

Red Putter – Ephraim

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf- Sister Bay

Johnson’s Park – mini golf,  arcade,  batting cages, and go-karts- Sister Bay

Egg Harbor Fun Park- Egg Harbor

Salty Seagull Mini Golf- Sturgeon Bay

Evergreen Miniature Golf- Fish Creek

Peninsula State Park 6-hole course – Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park driving range

Kid-Friendly Shops

Door County Kids- Egg Harbor

Dancing Bear- Sturgeon Bay

Elison Bay Pottery Studio- Ellison Bay

Island Lavender- Ephraim