Everyone traveling to my fave places today. And I'm onboarding to a new client and have little to do yet.
So we've done DC four times now, about to book our fifth. Caveat, we've always gone with young kids so restaurant experience is mostly carryout.
We've always stayed in or very near Fish Creek.
Peninsula State Park -
Hikes - Eagle Trail is the best but definitely a little iffy in spots. Though the 4yr old has made it twice and I've done it with a baby in a pack. But have needed spouse's help a few times.
Biking the 10 mile loop in Peninsula park is really fun. We always rent from Edge of Park literally at the entrance. If you go when it's warm, stop for a picnic at Nicolet Beach. They do have food trucks now as well.
The new tower is great, definitely do that. There are other hikes as well and lots of lookout points.
Whitefish/Caves - so I'd recommend going on a windy day to see Caves at their best but it might make Whitefish unenjoyable because it gets SO windy on the lake side. The beach itself is gorgeous. We've done the longer Whitefish hikes in the fall on calm days and that was very peaceful.
Bailey's Harbor food - Chives and ...think it's called the Market something.
Newport is the dark sky park and we've hiked once through to a little cove which was neat - probably very buggy in summer. Bea's Ho-Made is up there and worth a stop.
Ferry gets full and I'd try to get to Gill's Rock before 10 to get in line. But we also did that for the first time last August when it was peak visiting time. But lavender fields were in full bloom and that was cool. I was coming down sick that day so I didn't have as much fun - but we hit up Schoolhouse beach with the cool rocks and then Sand Dunes beach which was so beautiful. I felt like **** though and mostly napped on the beach.
Hiking at the county parks is good too - especially liked Door Bluff. Ellison has a great lookout and stairs out closer to the water.
The Ridges Sanctuary was very cool to hike as well and has a lighthouse you can tour. We haven't done Cana yet because it's been closed for reno.
Sister Bay in the summer is really nice - the main beach had food carts, music, and very shallow water, good sand. We haven't been to the Pebble Beach yet. Chop and Lure are great for food. Door County Creamery with all the goat stuff was good for cheese and ice cream. One Barrel is a fun spot in the summer.
Fish Creek - I hate sharing this but Fika is the very best bakery ever in the entire world. So good and delicious so only go when I'm not there! Cinnamon rolls are to die for. Restaurants are changing lately with staffing - Blue Horse is another great breakfast spot as is Julie's. White Gull is famous for their stuffed cherry french toast but imo Julie's is just as good. Fish boils are popular but we haven't done because little kids. Thyme was pretty good for dinner as well but we have new places I want to try this summer.
The amazing ice cream/pie spot is getting new ownership but last fall we stayed down the street from Not Licked Yet's last week open and we went every night. I think their cherry pie is the best. Custard is great too.
The ice cream place in Sister Bay - something factory is also great. Wilson's in Ephraim is skippable, imo. I know that's sacrilege but it's Cedar Crest Ice Cream, it's nothing fancy.
Egg Harbor - skip Mezzanine for food. We had really good food at a place that did kind of southern brunch - Big Easy I think. Spouse really liked that.
A lot of places are closed Mon/Tues night so that's usually when we get Wild Tomato but just check around because staffing has been a big issue so it can be hit or miss if places are doing carry out, taking reservations, etc.
Wickman House and Trixie's are both super popular fancy restaurants - we'd like to go but not with kids. If I were doing an adult only trip I'd go and you'll want reservations for Wickman way in advance.
