hipster70

HI Everyone,
We were thinking of going to Door County this August. Is it a nice place? Is it cheesy like the Dells? Any advise, suggestions on places to stay would help as well.

Thanks!

smokey

Go to doorcounty.com Great site-very helpful. Going with or without kids? We have gone up in September after the tourists are gone and have had wonderful times. Nothing cheesy about it. Great place to get away and relax. Stayed at the Edgewater in Ephraim and Country House in Sister Bay. Both very nice. Took tour boat over to Washington Island, went sailing, hiked in Peninsula State Park. Nice shops, good restaurants. Check out the website.

Cerlaurie

I have been to Door County a few times and really liked it. I don't think it is at all cheesy. I have stayed in Ellison Bay, Fish Creek and Ephraim. I am also curious if you will have children with you. If you will have children, Fish Creek is a nice area because the kids (depending on age, of course) can walk around town, to the beach and even Peninsula State Park. Sister Bay is probably the next busiest town. In Fish Creek, we rented a cottage from the Thorp House. The Thorp House is a B&B with cottages behind it. They also own a couple of condo units. I thought it was good location and the B&B looked very nice, too. There are many good restaurants from expensive to reasonable. Let me know what you like if you would like recommendations. Last time I was there we went to the Penisula Players which is a theater right on the Lake - it was very nice. Reminded me a little of Ravinia in Chicago but smaller.

hipster70

HI!
Thanks for the info..keep it coming..
We do not have children and we were looking for somewhere relaxing yet fun! We went 2 summers ago to Saugatuck, MI which is wonderful.
Smokey: We were actually looking at The Edgwater..details please!

Cerlaurieeninsual Players sounds like fun..we are from Chicago and try to hit Ravinia at least once every year.

How many towns can you hit in 3 days?

Thanks!!

hipster70

Oops..didnt mean to make a silly face..i meant to type Penisula players...

smokey

If relaxation is what you are looking for, Door County is a wonderful getaway. We had a mini-suite at Edgewater overlooking the pool and water. The water is right across the street and the town of Ephraim is very small. The old time ice cream parlor that has been featured on the Food Network is there. The Edgewater was just remodeled about 2 yrs ago - rooms new and spacious. Like the other poster said Sister Bay is one of the larger towns. That's were the restaurant (Andersons? Johnsons?-some Scandanavian name) with the goats on the roof is. Feel free to email me: [email protected] and I'll look thru my stuff for more info.

Cerlaurie

I have never stayed at the Edgewater but know people that have and heard it was nice (we usually rent a cottage). As far as restaurants, a couple of our favorites are the Inn at Kristofer's and Hotel Du Nord (both in Sister Bay and a little pricey). We also really like Trio a moderatly priced Italian restaurant in Egg Harbor. For breakfast, the Old Post Office in Ephraim and the Cookery in Fish Creek are very good. We also like Al Johnson's (this is where the goats are on the roof in Sister Bay) but it does get very crowded. There is a place on the north end of Sister Bay called JJ's/La Puerta - they have Mexican food, burgers and such - good and cheap.

Cerlaurie

As far as how many towns you can hit in 3 days, depends on what you want to do and if you really have 3 full days. We have been to the Lake Michigan side and none of those towns impressed me. Also, eventhough we stayed in a cottage in Ellison Bay there isn't much to do there nor on Washington Island. If I was only going for 3 days, I would concentrate on Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay. I would hike and/or bike Peninsula State Park - you can rent bikes at the entrance in Fish Creek. I would also try to get tickets to Peninsula Players. One thing that is very popular in Door County is their Fish Boils. However, I have never tried it.

Cerlaurie

check this out: http://peninsulaplayers.com/

sschaub

Hi There, I am from Appleton and worked in Door County for years. There is no place you would not enjoy up there, and most people(in the summer and fall are mostly from Chicago. it is a beautiful friendly relaxing place. I know you will love it. The Edgewater is very nice. I love taking the ferry from Gills Rock ( at the very top point ) and going over to Washington Island for the day. No cars, you bike or walk(very fun)/. You can cover most of the county in 3 days as all the towns are right next to each other. You must visit. Feel free to E-mail me with any questions. The Dell's don't compare. Good Luck
[email protected]

hopalong

There is a small county park on the Lake Michigan side next to Whitefish Bay State Park that has a place called cave point. Spectacular! Find it, the waves make you think you are by the ocean. White Gull Inn in Fish Creek has incredible food. The corn beef hash is the best you will find. And Door County is cherry tree county so if you are lucky, you will find fresh cherry pie. I second the recommendation for Washington Island. Wonderful experience.

smokey

I forgot about Cave Point - awesome!

hipster70

Wow!
Thanks everyone! This is really helping me plan our little trip....I will try to email anyone who was nice enough to give me emails..i know i have tons of questions!

Is anyone else from Chicago? Is it a 4 hour drive?

Thanks!

patg

It's a four and a half to five hour drive from the north side of Chiago, about 280 miles. August is high season there - don't wait to make reservations, especially for a weekend, or your choices may be limited. If you can go at the very end of August, the crowds will thin out. We like staying at the Homestead in Fish Creek.

hipster70

Patg,
Yes, we are planning to go at the end of August..Probally the weeeknd of the 22nd..It looks like the rates are coming down around that time..

I didnt realize it was almost 5 hours! Well, driving there is half the fun!!

What is the Homestead like? I think I prefere something on the beach.

Cerlaurie

I am in the southwest suburbs and it takes us about 5 hours to get to Door County. If I can answer any more questions, you can email me at [email protected].

patg

The Homestead is right outside of Peninsula State Park, with lots of activities and bike trails. It has an indoor pool, in case the weather is bad, also suites with a small kitchen and free breakfast.

The public beaches in Door County are a mixed bag. Most of the northernmost beaches are stoney, not sandy. The towns with harbors (Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay) have small patches of sand; mostly of the beaches are private, and the water is murky from motorboats. Peninsula Park has a nice sand beach but the water is getting very shallow and it was closed for several days due to high bacteria counts the last time we were there. Whitefish Dunes is a terrific beach; the problem there is that the water stays much colder than in the bay.

If it's a nice beach you want, look at the recommendations for resorts.

Depending on how far you drive onto the peninsula, your driving time will vary. It's about 50 minutes from Green Bay to Peninsula Park, longer on the weekend.

DanB

We like to stay at a refurnished barn called the cornerstone suites. The suites are very large and each has a jacuzzi and upstaires and downstairs area.

Sadly, I was there on September 11th and I felt a little guilty being in such a beautiful setting on a such a tragic day.

Here's a review of the inn.
http://www.doorcountynavigator.com/h...rnerstone.html

Kat6688

It's been years since I've been to Door County but my sister's husbands family own a gorgeous mansion on Kangaroo Lake - I think they own the lake as well. My memories of the town was that it was quaint, lots of wooden ducks for sale, fishing, just plain Wisconsin. I'm originally from Chicago and miss the Wisc lakes. I think it's definitely worth going - so have fun and stay in an A/C room.

chaz2316

Just a note of clarification to one of the above posts from someone spending a lot of time on Washington Island: no car is required if you take the "Cherry Train" or "Viking Train" tour when you get to the island. They're fun and a great way to see the island -- but if you're just going walking you're going to be disappointed, things are spread out on the island, and you're not likely to reach many in the time you have.

We'd love to see you there!