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.

Winter - I Have a Week

On the water

• Take in the astounding sights and sounds of massive Great Lakes freighters maneuvering through the ship canal on their way to winter layup

Attractions

• Learn about Door County history at the  Door County Maritime Museum  and Miller Art Museum
• Explore a favorite food  of Door County with a stop at award-winning cheesemaker Renards Cheese
• Indoor theater at Third Avenue Playhouse or Rogue Theater
• Explore Sturgeon Bay’s art offerings: galleries and districts stimulate your brain’s right side, and make for enlightening shopping and gifts
• 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 indoors

• Bowling, darts and old fashioned tavern games
• Hearty, warming food and drinks
• Local art galleries and districts feature art, jewelry and glass
• Holiday shopping season features unique 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
• Take a drive to Carlsville and check out the shops, eat delicious food, taste wine and spirits. Visit the country store  with a small petting zoo
• Take a stroll around the waterfront, watching the maritime hustle and bustle, and relaxing to the sounds of the water and waterfowl

Relax & Rejuvenate

• Snuggle up by a crackling fire
• Treat yourself at a day spa
• Stroll by the frozen bay under a full moon
• Bird watch by the canal, lake or bay
• Unwind in a bubbling Jacuzzi or sauna

In the great outdoors

• Snowshoe, cross-country ski or hike at area parks or nature preserves. Rentals available!
• Sled down the sledding hill
• Ice skate at the city rink
• Ice fish for perch, walleye or other freshwater favorites
• Learn to ice fish on a guided ice fishing charter
• Snowmobile along winding trails to discover another side of Door County

Traveling with children & teens

• Check out our "In the great outdoors" section
• Bowling, darts and old fashioned tavern games
• Learn about Door County history at the  Door County Maritime Museum   and Miller Art Museum
• Explore a flavor  of Door County with a stop and tour at award-winning cheesemaker Renards Cheese
• Tour and experience Sturgeon Bay and Door County on an authentic trolley tour
• Take a drive to Carlsville and visit the country store and dairy farm
• Bird watch by the canal, lake or bay
• Take a stroll around the waterfront, watch the winter freighter fleet hustle and bustle
• Outdoor activities are great for burning off energy
• Rent a boat – pontoon boats, jet skis, fishing boats, sail boats
• The Door County YMCA is a great place to hang out on a rainy day. Day passes available.

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 maneuvering through the ship canal on their way to winter layup
• Run off some energy (or your canine’s) at the dog park

Events

• Try your hand at ice carving during Fire & Ice
• Dance the night away at the Fire & Ice Dinner-Dance
• Christmas by the Bay (weekend before Thanksgiving)
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day)
• Walleyes Ice Fishing Derby