The Great American Family Road Trip… through Door County.  Going on vacation with the family is a daunting task for even the seasoned set of parents.  But with kid-friendly places and plenty of activities to run off some energy, the peninsula is a parents' dream vacation.
While the road to Sturgeon Bay may be littered with the kids whining, "Are we there yet?!" and "He's touching me!" take comfort in the fact there are many waysides, rest areas and convenience stores located along the way. 
Upon entering Sturgeon Bay, confirm your lodging plans at one of our convenient hotels with swimming pools: Super 8, Best Western Maritime Inn, Comfort Inn or Americinn.  Don't overlook those accommodations that specialize in hotel suites (Don't underestimate the value of a quiet adjacent room when the kids are watching a movie for the fourth time in a row!): Westwood Shores, Bridgeport Waterfront Resort, Bay Shore Inn, or Stone Harbor. 
While lodging is covered, the second most important thing is feeding the herd of kids; with many establishments to choose from, your most finicky eater is likely to be satisfied.  Try the family restaurants that cater to children's needs, especially: the Galley Cafι, Hardee's, McDonalds, Perry's Cherry Diner, Scaturo's Restaurant & Bakery, and Sonny's Pizzeria, among others.  Most restaurants & bars will have children's menus, as well.
Keeping kids and adults both entertained is another matter entirely.  With festivals located throughout the Door Peninsula almost every weekend you can always find something to do on our Calendar of Festivities.  When there isn't a festival to preoccupy little hands, you might visit our animal attractions.  The Farm lets you feed fowl, goats and lambs, watch chicks hatch and see authentic farm tools and buildings.  Kurtz Corral Riding Stables allows old and young alike to live out their Derby fantasies.  For those of you with more leisurely interests and an interest in Sturgeon Bay's equine offerings, try a carriage ride from Mayberry's Carriages. 
When educational is what you're going for on your vacation be sure to try out some of Sturgeon Bay's museums.  And when all else fails for expending their limitless energy, Sturgeon Bay boasts a dozen city parks, where the kids can release some of that pent up energy.
Cool factor: the elusive "This is cool, Mom!" rates among the best experiences on a family vacation.  Try out some of the following to coax the ultimate compliment out of your kids.
• Door County Cruises – Enjoy a water tour of Sturgeon Bay aboard a retired Chicago Fire Boat.  A great opportunity to see both lighthouses!
• Door County Historical Museum – with free admission, a vintage fire engine to pose on, and dioramas of settler and wild life of Sturgeon Bay, this is one museum you should not pass up.
• Climb to the top of the Potawatomi Park tower – 255' feet above Sawyer Harbor is where parents' knees start shaking and the kids' spitting contests begin!  Challenge the kids to count how many stairs there are; ask them if they are sure they counted right for an early nap time.
• Swim in Sturgeon Bay, Lake Michigan and Green Bay in the same day!  With Frank E. Murphy County Park – 20 miles north of town on the waters of Green Bay, Otumba and Sunset City Parks located in town on Sturgeon Bay, and Whitefish Dunes State Park located on Lake Michigan, it can be done with lots of PB&J and sand buckets.
• Visit a Nature Center.  With tons of bugs, birds, creek-dwellers, small mammals and wildlife, Crossroads at Big Creek, (located on the corner of Highway 42/57, Michigan Street and County Highway TT) provides an excellent environment for kids to learn about wild animals, especially when the kids are acting like them.