by Lindy Kleivo
WE FOUND THE PERFECT SUMMER HOT SPOT
With more than 50 beaches, dozens of parks, and family-friendly activities and businesses around every corner, Door County is a perfect destination for a fun family weekend.
DAY 1
Shortly after rolling into the county be sure to stop at the Door County Visitor Bureau Welcome Center in Sturgeon Bay to get the latest on the weekend’s festivals, happenings and the inside scoop on the best spots for families.
From there, Eagle Harbor Inn is a great spot to base your family vacation in Door County.
Nestled across from the bay on Ephraim's main street, Eagle Harbor Inn has been providing accommodations to Door County visitors since 1937. The inn’s unique combination of suites and bed and breakfast rooms provide the perfect balance of B&B charm and resort amenities for couples and families alike.
Families love taking advantage of the great walkability of charming Ephraim. A short walk along the bay connects you to shopping, dining and famed Door County experiences, such as fish boils and art galleries. Down the street you’ll find a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy, such as the Ephraim Public Beach, boat rentals, bike tours and hiking in the beautiful Peninsula State Park.
The unique location not only provides guests with easy access to so much of what Door County has to offer, but Eagle Harbor Inn features many of its own activities, with an indoor pool, an onsite playground, or room to play games and puzzles next to the fireplace, where you can cozy up all year round.
Eagle Harbor Inn is the perfect place to disconnect, unwind and explore the beauty and culture of the peninsula.
With this as your home base, you can catch a sunset and dinner, then gear up for a day of adventure on Friday.
DAY 2
Morning
Rise early, grab a great breakfast in Ephraim, then head into Peninsula State Park to connect your kids with nature. The park features a nature center with a calendar full of nature programs and if you don’t catch one of those, there’s no shortage of trails, scenic overlooks, or places to skip rocks into the bay.
Afternoon
Head into Fish Creek to grab lunch at one of dozens of local eateries and take advantage of some of the great shopping here for kids and adults alike.
You may want to stop back at the Inn for a break, then check out the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s museum campus, including the famed Anderson Dock, where your family can add their names to the boards on the pier. Enjoy dinner in your suite before journeying back into the park for a one-of-a-kind theater experience.
Evening
Northern Sky Theater is building the next generation of theater-going audiences by fostering an inviting, cross-generational, family-friendly cultural experience. A place where theatre is still close enough you can touch it.
“I can’t tell you what a delight it is–witnessing joy ripple through our crowds in waves,” says actress Molly Rhode. “My favorite thing is to watch children and young people. The glee that ‘Lumberjacks in Love’ brings them is infectious.”
No doubt you’ll be in a good mood before you even sit down. The smiling and laughing at Northern Sky is infused in the place and the people, no matter the weather. Under the pines and starry sky, it's a place where a happy ending is pretty much guaranteed. A delightful cast delivers silly grins and belly laughs for you and after the show you’ll walk back through the woods with your spirits lifted, humming tunes that won’t soon get out of your heads.
Northern Sky's Summer Season includes four original musical comedies playing in rotating repertory from June 14th - August 26th at the outdoor amphitheater in Peninsula State Park. Featuring the world premiere of “Oklahoma in Wisconsin” described as a charming "doo-woppin', fish-boilin' good-time" homage to Door County in the 1950s, along with the return of last year's hit "Doctor! Doctor!" plus fan favorites "Victory Farm" and "Lumberjacks in Love."
DAY 3
Morning
After a good night’s sleep, you may want to take your kids on a fishing “expedition.” They’ll love fishing off the piers at one of the town marinas, or find a quieter scene and cast for rock bass off the causeway on Kangaroo Lake.
With a full day ahead of you, you might also want to spend a morning on the water by renting a pontoon boat or paddleboards out of Ephraim or Sister Bay. Ephraim is a great place to get the family introduced to human-powered watercraft on a calm summer day. A pontoon rental, on the other hand, allows you to go on an adventure to Horseshoe Island or Little Sister Harbor and see the peninsula from a whole new angle.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are plenty of other kid-friendly options like bowling alleys, movie theaters, petting zoos (perfect for family photo opps) and museums.
Afternoon
If you haven’t explored the southern part of the peninsula, Country Ovens offers a great excuse to dive in each July with their Cherry De-Lite Festivalin Forestville. If family fun, food and entertainment are your thing, then Cherry De-Lite Festival is the place to be. If you are a foodie, this is one festival you won’t want to miss.
Evening
Drive back north on along the shoreline, where you can watch the sun set slowly over the shore and through the trees on your way back to the inn, weaving through each little town. Maybe even stop for custard, gelato, or ice cream on the way.
DAY 4
Want to squeeze in one last memory on your way out of town? Take the kids to Cave Point County Park near Sturgeon Bay. This stunning geological wonder will wow them and you.
For more ideas for family fun in Door County, check out the Family Fun page.
For more fun-filled Door County visiting ideas, visit Door County Visitors Bureau today!
