A Guide to Door County, Wisconsin
Cars streaming north on HWY 57 early Saturday morning, some with campers in tow, some with bicycles hitching a ride atop the roof of the car, all with smiling passengers filled with excitement and anticipation of what their journey promises. Where is said destination? Door County, Wisconsin, the vacation haven for upper Midwesterners.
Artist galleries, casual and fine restaurants, water sports, music, theater, orchards, festivals, ice cream so tasty that eating it becomes a highlight of your trip, sunsets that are the evening’s entertainment, and unspoiled natural beauty. All this area has to offer, located along 300 miles of rugged Lake Michigan shoreline, encompass what makes Door County a year-round travel destination so unique, and so popular.
An equally quick and scenic 150 mile drive from Milwaukee, WI, or 230 mile drive from Chicago, IL, will allow entrance to this other-worldly location. Small town charm awaits visitors in any one of the many towns that are located along the long “thumb” peninsula in upper Wisconsin. Eclectic stores, great lake views, and cozy restaurants dot the road side, all calling out to those who pass.
Leave the calorie counters at home when on vacation in Door County. Culinary treats of every kind tempt visitors along each mile. Wilson’s Restaurant, an institution in and of itself, certainly warrants a visit. Established in 1906 as a soda fountain, the red, white and blue booths and counter seats today hold families and people of all ages anxiously awaiting the notoriously delicious “American” food- namely burgers, fries, home-brewed root beer, and ice cream. Traditional Swedish meals can be found at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. The dining experience becomes all the more authentic as the meals are served inside a Scandinavian log building with goats perched atop grass roofs. Creative fare will be enjoyed at the Mission Grille (http://www.missiongrille.com) in a beautifully remodeled turn-of-the-century church or outdoors on the charming terraced patio. Named by Gourmet Magazine as one of the top twelve restaurants in Wisconsin, and six time Wine Spectator Award recipient, Mission Grille is sure to please.
No stay in Door County would be complete without attending one of the famed fish boils, an outdoor tradition which dates back to Scandinavian settlers and lumberjacks. Whitefish, onions and potatoes are cut into chunks, placed in a huge pot, and boiled in salt water over a large fire. The dramatic climax to this experience occurs once the food has been fully cooked and is ready to be served. The master boiler throws some kerosene on the fire creating a burst of flames which causes the fish oils to boil over the sides of the pot, accompanied by a lot of “ooh”s and “aah”s from the crowd.
Many styles of music can be enjoyed throughout the summer at any one of the casual free park concerts, or more formally at Birch Creek Music Performance Center (http://birchcreek.org). Also, each August the Peninsula Music Festival (http://www.musicfestival.com), in it’s 53rd season as of 2005, presents nine different concerts over a period of three weeks which are held at the state-of-the-art Door Community Auditorium.
Theater is also enjoyed by tourists as part of the Door County experience. There are several theaters from which to choose. The American Folklore Theater (http://www.folkloretheatre.com), located in Peninsula State Park, offers theater goers a unique and cozy outdoor theater experience under the stars and among the pines. Door Off Broadway Dinner Theater (http://www.dooroffbroadway.com) is one of the nation’s only theaters combining wait-staff served dinners and theater. Finally, the Peninsula Players, America’s oldest professional resident summer theater (http://peninsulaplayers.com/thetheatre.html), delights visitors with professional productions of contemporary and classic literature in a garden setting.
Accommodations can be as luxurious or as “basic” as is desired. Bed and breakfasts, romantic hotels for adults only, welcoming family inns, and a variety of different campsites, both within and outside of the 5 state parks, can meet the
various lodging needs of tourists.
Although the peninsula itself has remained virtually commercial free, with no chain restaurants or retail stores, it is possible to find an even more remote setting. Hop aboard either the Washington Island Ferry or the Island Clipper and travel to the 30 square miles of Washington Island (www.washingtonisland.com). With a year-round population of approximately only 700 people, this island offers opportunities to savor a slower pace of life, tranquility and relaxation.
Several great websites and books are available to meet the Door County tourist’s information needs. One site, http://www.doorcounty-wi.com, serves as a portal to several pertinent and helpful Door County sites. Here you will find links to the Door County Chamber of Commerce, the Door County Dining Guide, an online version of the popular free publication, The Door County Advocate, and several other useful sites. The Door County Compass (http://www.doorcountycompass.com) offers news of the area and a tourist guide. Several books can also be useful, including Acorn Guide to Door County: An Enchanted Meeting of Land and Water, by Kristin Visser, and Exploring Door County by Craig Charles.
