Door County itineraries
Trip plans you can follow verbatim — or steal the good parts from.
3 Days in Door County: The Full Peninsula Loop
This is the full peninsula loop for a longer trip: up the bay side on Highway 42 to Peninsula State Park and a fish boil in Ephraim, out to the tip on Day 2 for Swedish pancakes, Newport State Park, smoked whitefish in Gills Rock, and sunset at Ellison Bluff, then back down the lake side on Highway 57 past Cana Island Lighthouse to Whitefish Dunes and Cave Point. It's built for three full days in the warm months; several stops close or cut hours from November through April.
Door County with Kids: A 2-Day Itinerary
Two days built around a family's energy levels: a big morning at Peninsula State Park, Sister Bay's downtown beach for the afternoon lull, and sundaes at Wilson's at sunset, then a beach day at Whitefish Dunes and baby goats at The Farm on the drive home. If Day 2 turns rainy, swap the Maritime Museum in for the beach, same slot, no re-planning required.
A Perfect Weekend in Door County
Base yourself along the Fish Creek–Sister Bay stretch: Friday's candlelight fish boil at the White Gull Inn, Saturday split between Peninsula State Park and Cave Point, Sunday's Swedish pancakes at Al Johnson's before the drive home. Nothing on this route is more than 30 minutes away. Book the fish boil and your Saturday dinner ahead in summer — both fill up.