Plan Your Stay

Whether you’re here for an afternoon, a weekend, a week, or you decide to never leave, our handy planning guide can give you the best tips and suggestions for how to spend your time while you’re here.

Summer - I Have a Week

On the water

Kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding
Sailboat rides and Sunset cruises
Fishing off the docks and fishing charters
Jet-skiing and boat charters

Attractions

Explore Sturgeon Bay’s history at Heritage Village at Big Creek
Indoor theater at Third Avenue Playhouse or Rogue Theater
Free music in the park, Wednesdays @ 7 p.m., Martin Park, mid-June through end of August
Dine indoors or out, at fine restaurants and casual eateries
Explore a favorite food of Door County with a stop at award-winning cheesemaker Renards Cheese
Shop at specialty gift shops and boutiques
Explore Sturgeon Bay’s art offerings: galleries and districts stimulate your brain’s right side, and make for enlightening shopping and gifts
Local artist galleries and districts feature openings, classes and gift shops
Feed the animals at The Farm
Skaters and BMXers will dig the rails at Door County’s only Skate Park
Enjoy a beverage at a cafe, brewery, distillery or winery
Partake in Sturgeon Bay history and enjoy a Fish Boil, or Friday night fish fry
Tour and experience Sturgeon Bay and Door County on an authentic trolley tour
Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Canal Station lighthouses and stop at lookout points for views of the canal

In the great outdoors

Enjoy the fruits of the fields at weekly Farmer’s Markets
Sweet and tart cherries ripen, waiting to be picked
Bike around town or off-road on trails in Potawatomi State Park, or a rustic county park
Stroll the sand dunes, or bask in the spring sunshine at Whitefish Dunes State Park
Enjoy a picnic at one of the beautiful beaches of Otumba or Sunset Parks, or Whitefish State Park
Putt-er around the golf course, take a ride on a Segway or zip through the trees on a zip line
Camp under the trees and twinkling stars
Fish the canal, bay or lake. Guides and charters available to help hook the big ones.
Take in a youth baseball or soccer game
Run off some energy at any of the parks with courts, cages, disc golf, outdoor fitness equipment, and the dog park
Take a drive to Carlsville and check out the shops, eat delicious food, taste wine and spirits.
Take a stroll around the waterfront, watching the maritime hustle and bustle, and relaxing to the sounds of the water and waterfowl
Check out our historic walking tour

Traveling with children & teens

Check out our “In the great outdoors” section
Free music in the park, Harmony by the Bay on Wednesdays @ 7 p.m., Martin Park, mid-June through end of August
Learn about Door County history at the Door County Historical Museum & Archives, Door County Maritime Museum, and Miller Art Museum
Explore a favorite food of Door County with a stop and tour at award-winning cheesemaker Renards Cheese
Pick and eat cherries, ripe from the trees
Tour and experience Sturgeon Bay and Door County on an authentic trolley tour
Take a drive to Carlsville and visit the country store with a small petting zoo
Bird watch by the canal, lake or bay
Take a stroll around the waterfront, watch the maritime hustle and bustle
Feed the animals at The Farm
Skaters and BMXers will dig the rails at Door County’s only Skate Park
Outdoor activities are great for burning off energy
Visit Cherry Lanes for bowling, arcade games, darts and air hockey
Traveling with big or small children? The Farm is a great stop for exploration and education
Do some shore fishing with kids
Sunset Park is a great park for kids, offering a sandy beach, playground, restrooms and acres of green space with picnic amenities

Traveling with pets

Check out our "In the great outdoors" section
Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Canal Station lighthouses and stop at lookout points for views of the canal
Bird watch by the canal, lake or bay
Take in the astounding sights and sounds of massive Great Lakes freighters
Run off some energy (or your canine’s) at the dog park

Events

Lighthouse Festival (second weekend of June)
Harmony by the Bay -Free music in the park, Wednesdays @ 7 p.m., Martin Park, mid-June through end of August
Sturgeon Bay Celebrates, July 4
Sail Through the Avenues Sidewalk Sale (last Thursday of July)
Maritime Week (first week of August)
Maritime on Madison (second Saturday of August)