SOrry to say your plans may come to nothing. That is HIGH season in Door County, and most places are completely booked.

Secondly, I think you are trying to do too much. Wisconsin Dells is a 5 hour drive from Door County - unless it is on the way, I would forget the Dells. But get in touch with a hotel referral service in Door County ASAP or you won't have a place to stay.

Our family visited the Dells last weekend and stayed at the River Inn. It is downtown and on the Wisconsin River. We paid $114 for the room and got a full breakfast. Toll free #800/659-5935. The dining room and bar have a nice view of the Wisconsin River. The hotel also has a very nice deck overlooking the river. We have stayed here on two different occasions and we were very pleased. There are definitely cheaper places, but this hotel has all we need. As far as water parks are concerned, if you want the best go to "Noah's Ark". Our family consists of 5 adult children and we all have the time of our lives there. If you want a nice scenic ride on the river there are lots of boat tours at the Dells. It is a very beautiful river. The tours we have been on have been narrated and the slow leisurely type. I prefer the Upper Dells boat ride over the Lower Dells. It is a two hour ride, but stops at two different places to view the rock formations. P.S. There were actually people who had fishing poles set up on the deck of our hotel. I can't remember what kind of fish they were catching. Good luck on your venture.

I'd skip the Dells also---if you've been to Pigeon Forge Tennessee, you've seen the Dells. (wax museums, bungee jumping, mini-golf, cotton candy,fudge and cheap souvenir shops. Altho......Noah's Ark is a GREAT water park if you're into that. But you'd be better just staying in one place, and I'd probably pick Door Co. over the Dells.
I think you can probably still find some lodging in Door Co. We usually book ahead, but even when we've done the "free-to-be" thing, we've always gotten something. I don't know your budget or your preference on B&Bs vs. motels, but a couple of places we've liked are: Church Hill Inn $$$$(Sister Bay, pool), White Gull Inn$$$$ (B&B in Fish Creek), Village Green $$ (Ephraim---very reasonable rates, motel but includes a wonderful breakfast every a.m.), the Nordic $$$ (Sister Bay, pool), The Voyageur $$ (Sister Bay, whirlpool only), Grand View $$$(Ellison Bay), Parkside $$$(Ellison Bay). Can't remember Door Cty's area code, but information can help you with that. Bike-riding is also nice in Door County----lots of rental places. Biking outside of the little towns is very quaint and beautiful. Lots of lighthouses in Door County-----can't remember the name of the one south of Bailey's Harbor---Cana Island I think-----the walkway to the lighthouse is covered with water at high tide, kinda fun to get to it. Rent a catamaran out of Ephraim----the "Stiletto" is a nice vessel---forgot the Captain's name, but he's a fun guy. Peninsula State Park is beautiful for bike riding. Peninsula S.P. also has a beautiful golf course overlooking the water if you're into that. Do a fish boil while you're there. It's a Door County tradition. Try Pelletiers in Fish Creek, or The Square Rigger in Bailey's Harbor. The White Gull has a great fish boil also, but it's probably pretty booked. I'll watch for your post if you need more help.

I don't think you'll have trouble finding lodging in Door County. Friends went there this week and said it was no problem. We stayed at Scandinavian Lodge, Sister Bay, last year. Loved it, indoor/outdoor pool, and great rate. Don't forget to see Al Johnson's in Sister Bay. Goats on the grass roof!!! Washington Island is pretty interesting too. You can also see a play under a huge tent by the Pennisula Players (I think that is the name, ask around). Also, eat at the PC Junction, sit around the bar (made from old doors) and your beverages and meal come around on a train! It's cool no matter your age!! Swimming in the lake is probably pretty cold. Plus, last year there was a bacteria problem so don't count on it. Door County is really beautiful.
Noah's Ark is fun, see about getting a discount ticket from the booths all around the Dells. We were there two weeks ago and stayed all day. No need to reserve a place there, tons of places to choose from and tourism #s are down. Taking a boat ride is fun but the Ducks are great. They take you on both land and water!! We had a great tour guide last year, always makes the trip better.
Have a great time!

OK, we've decided to skip the Dells and spent the entire trip in Door county. This is partly because the River Inn that Marva recommended (which looks really nice) is booked for the weekend.

I have narrowed my choice of hotels in Door county to two: Scandinavian Lodge, and Birchwood Lodge. The location and price for these two places are almost the same. Which one should I stay at?

Can't help you with either of the places to stay, but there is a drive in theater between Fish Creek and Sister Bay. Be sure to have breakfast one morning at the White Gull Inn, they have the best cherry stuffed frech toast. They have a great fish boil too.
http://www.whitegullinn.com

I don't know about the Birchwood----but the Scandinavian Lodge is really nice----huge log structure, 2 pools. I've had that cherry stuffed french toast at the WGInn and it was "to die for". Mmmm.
I forgot about Al Johnson's (goats on the roof)---- a great place for breakfast. Also, a great Italian restaurant in Egg Harbor is "Trios". Open, airy, lots of flowers, kind of "California" Italian cuisine.

If you haven't found this web site already, it is a good one for Door County planning. My husband and I have stayed at the two inns. Birchwood is newer and more like a hotel than Scandinavian which seemed more a condo community, from my recollection. I think Birchwood would appeal more to a younger couple like you.

http://www.DoorCountyNavigator.com/html/home.html

Kurtz Corral has horses but we have never gone, so can't offer details. There are several cherry orchards if you get there before the season ends. Door County Winery offers tours and makes its own cherry wine. You can taste their products. Other wineries in the county blend wines they buy from other wineries. Not authenic Door County!

Driving on Highway 42 along Lake Michigan to Door, the most scenic route, you would pass through Two Rivers, a fishing village and Kewaunee. There is the Karsten Inn, with resident ghosts, if you are brave!

My sister from Indiana went to the Dells and on to Door county. She was disappointed with the commercialism of the Dells and enjoyed the Door. In Sturgeon Bay, you can take a cruise throught the shipping canal on a retired fire boat.

There is a B & B in Bailey's Harbor called the Blacksmith Inn. We stayed there about 4 years ago and they had a canoe for guests to use.
It is just up the road from Sister Bay, on the"Quiet Side" of Door. For your first visit, you'd probably like to be in the middle of things, but this was very romantic! Good luck. Enjoy!

Another vote for the White Gull Inn fishboil. A unique, quintessentially Door County experience.

Cana Island is an interesting lighthouse (and being Lake Michigan, there is no 'tide'...the lake level is just very, very low - as are all the Great Lakes, unfortunately). But there is no 'tour' per se, just the opportunity to look around at some exhibits. Even more interesting is Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula Park, which is fully restored and furnished with antiques. The tour they offer ($4)takes you all through the house and offers a look at the Fresnel lens. It also includes interesting maritime history and information about the lighthouse family with 7 sons who grew up there. A couple of other interesting historical things to do - Noble House in Fish Creek (circa 1875) is filled with antiques, all original to the house. Bjorklunden Chapel, just south of Baileys Harbor on hwy. 57, is DC's hidden jewel. A tiny little Norwegian prayer chapel that was a labor of love for the woman who built it in the WWII years...she did the carving and fresco painting and everything else. It's only open on Monday and Weds afternoons, from 1-4 and very worth a visit. There are also a number of historical buildings in Ephraim to visit.

Sorry, but I have to cast my NO vote on the fish boil at White Gull. Guess I'm spoiled when we have boils back home the bones are taken out. Plus, we use red potatoes, carrots, and onions. The WG doesn't. Plus, if you don't know how to "de-bone" a fish the waitress takes a bit before she comes over and does it. We were told about one on the "other" side of Door County that was better. Just thought it was too much $$$ for what we got. Nice looking place though! Loved the Scadinavian Lodge, my vote for there! Comfy big beds and so clean. Gotta do Al Johnson's. Have fun!