Exciting Summer Vacation Experiences in Door County, Wisconsin

May 29, 2025

You may know Door County as the premiere leaf-peeping destination in Wisconsin, but did you know it’s prime real estate for the perfect summer vacation getaway? Today, we’re sharing our favorite places to go and things to do in the Door County region of Wisconsin. Our neighbors up north offer so much fun, excitement and entertainment just a short drive away, even if you’re just seeking a weekend getaway to Door County! There are more than 50 public beaches, plenty of gorgeous historic lighthouses, lots of art galleries and shopping, charming wineries, state parks and hiking trails, and then some. We guarantee you’ll have an amazing summer vacation experience in Door County, Wisconsin! Let’s check out all there is to offer, starting with the perfect places to enjoy a beach day.

While we can’t cover all 50 beaches in the county, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our top favorites to get you started. First up is Sister Bay Beach in Sister Bay, the largest beach and beachfront park in the whole county; with 1,900 linear feet of continuous waterfront, and 600 feet of sandy beaches, this is the spot to be for classic summer fun. Here you may enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, tanning on the shore, as well as picnicking and barbecuing.

Next up is Nicolet Bay Beach in Fish Creek; this beach is located within the boundaries of Peninsula State Park and offers 944 feet of sandy shorelines. This beach offers a snack bar, camp store, bicycle and boat rentals, a playground, paddleboard rentals, sand volleyball courts, and picnic facilities, making it a perfect place for families to spend a few days!

Ephraim Beach in Ephraim offers 175 feet of sandy shoreline, with a much quieter and peaceful vibe; this is the place to be if you’re looking for that “private island” experience without the hefty price tag. The beach is also just a short drive or bike ride away from the quaint downtown area of Ephraim, home to some of the most delicious eateries!

Ridges Beach in Baileys Harbor is located within Ridges County Park, and is a top destination for families in the area. There are plenty of sand bars and more shallow waters, perfect for kiddos to learn the ropes of swimming and get comfortable in the water. A little further out from teh shoreline and sandbars, you’ll find a perfect lakeside retreat to enjoy plenty of watersports such as kiteboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. There’s plenty of parking, convenient picnicking areas, and restrooms on site.

Whitefish Dunes Beach in Sturgeon Bay is a mile-long sandy beach along the shores of Lake Michigan, and is located within Whitefish Dunes State Park. The picturesque shoreline is bordered by every-changing sand dunes, and they’re just perfect for a beach day trek. The beach also offers a boardwalk, nature center, fishing pier, playground, volleyball courts, and picnic areas, making it one-stop-shopping for summer vacation excitement! Plus, there is an ADA Accessible beach access point, as well as offering dog-friendly beach facilities in a designated pet-friendly area.

Explore the area with a unique perspective of the Peninsula and islands with Door County Kayak Tours. Enjoy an afternoon of paddle boarding, parasailing, kayaking, or jetskiing for some extra excitement on the waves. Rent a boat and go tubing or waterskiing off of Washington Island or Rock Island. Get the family together and put on your best hiking shoes and go on a geocaching treasure hunt. Take a tour on the Washington Island Ferry Line from Ellison Bay. Book a private campsite and sleep under the stars for some extra fresh air and nature in one of the state parks or local campgrounds. Or create unforgettable memories with a once-in-a-lifetime Shipwreck Diving Tour, and take a scuba or snorkeling excursion of the more than 275 shipwrecks hidden in local waters.

Looking to stretch your legs after getting a little waterlogged at the beach? Head to dry land and check out these amazing hiking spots! Horseshoe Island can be reached by kayaks or boats from the Nicolet Bay Beach, offering a “two-for-one” outdoor experience. The 1 mile trail is set two miles in from the mainland and encircles the entire 38 acre island.

Whitefish Dunes State Park has nearly 15 miles of hiking trails to enjoy including: 1.5 miles of sandy beach shoreline; the second longest trail, the Black Trail loop through the hardwood forest; Brachiopod Trail which offers a fun fact-filled trail through multiple environments; Green Trail which treads along a lowland area of the forest and along the dune; Red Trail which brings visitors past “Old Baldy”, the park’s tallest dune at 93 feet above lake level; the Yellow Trail which is the area’s longest trail that leads through a red pine plantation and back through the dunes.

Peninsula Park has 20 miles of trails to enjoy which offer various views of the park’s terrain, environments, and wildlife. The park also offers the opinion for an outdoor track wheelchair on certain days depending on availability, which you can do through the Friends of Peninsula Website. Eagle Trail is a local favorite, and one of the more challenging options, but it’s worth it for the 2 mile trek along the water and over stunning rocks and past the caves to a scenic overlook. Nicolet Bay Trail is a good moderate choice for intermediate skilled hikers and a wonderful choice for nature enthusiasts and birders. Ahnapee State Trail is 48 miles long and offers an 8-10 foot wide hard-pack gravel surfaces perfect for biking, hiking, trail running, and even horseback riding. This scenic trail spans from Sturgeon Bay to the Door/Kewaunee County lines, and features forest landscapes and gorgeous views of the water.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t direct you to checking out the 11 incredible historic lighthouses of Door County! These lighthouse locations make the perfect photo op for your summer vacation snaps, as well as giving you a chance to learn more about the local history and architecture of maritime structures.

Sherwood Point Lighthouse is only open to the public in the second weekend of June, as the rest of the year it is an active rental for members of the US Military. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light is located at a fully operational US Coast Guard Station, and visitors can explore the lower-level walkway. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Light is accessed in the same area, and the grounds are open to the public during Lighthouse Walk weekend, the 2nd weekend in June. Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse is known for its unique bird-cage lantern room, and is now privately owned. Baileys Harbor Range Lights grounds are open to the public, but the structures are closed. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is located in Peninsula Park. Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in all of Door County. It’s now operated as a museum by the Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society. Chambers Island Lighthouse is accessible only by boat, and located on Chambers Island. Pilot Island Lighthouse is only visible by water as its owned and operated by the Coast Guard. Plum Island Lighthouse can be seen from the Washington Island Ferry. Pottawatomie Lighthouse is located in Rock Island State Park, and is the first established lighthouse in Door County. It’ll be open daily during the summer season.

Door County is also known for its incredible galleries and local boutique shops with unique and artisan goods and fine gifts! Explore the local towns in between beach days, and you’ll find a rich culture of fine arts, creativity, and unmatched potential for unique souvenir gifts! You’ll have even the chance to get up close and personal with local artists in their studios, learn more about the creative process, and support local farms and businesses all at the same time. Edgewood Orchard Galleries offers a gallery experience with shoppable items, as well as boasting a spectacular sculpture garden. Popelka Trenchard Glass offers bespoke glass artworks, and often has demonstrations of the artist at work. Off the Wheel Pottery offesr multiple local artists’ work on display. Lily Bay Pottery is a beautiful gallery of custom pottery nestled on the impeccably kept grounds maintained by a Master Gardener. There are truly just too many to list in one blog post, so you’ll just have to go see and explore for yourselves!