Michigan may be most famous for the mitten-like shape of its Lower Peninsula, but Wisconsin’s “thumb” deserves equal attention from travelers. Door County occupies a craggy peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan, boasting 300 miles of coastline, countless charming villages, an abundance of outdoor activities, and a flourishing food and beverage scene. Despite all these attractions, this idyllic slice has remained largely under the radar for visitors from outside the region.

Just a four-hour drive from Chicago and under a three-hour drive from Milwaukee, Door County is poised to become a hallowed vacation destination, earning its longtime nickname of “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”

Egg Harbor

Part of the area’s charm is that each hamlet offers a distinct personality, providing numerous bases from which to explore the county. Egg Harbor is an artsy haven, with spaces like the Cappaert Contemporary Gallery and Plum Bottom Gallery stealing the show. The MacReady Artisan Bread Company is a culinary delight and a top lunch spot in Door County. Madison-based One Barrel Brewing Company has an Egg Harbor Taproom; make sure to stop in for a cherry lager made from locally grown cherries. For a closer look at the beverage bounty here, the Door County Trolley offers a wine, spirits, and brew tour.

Fish Creek

Another mid-peninsula gem is Fish Creek, known as the shopping hub of Door County. Stop by Sister Golden, owned by a mother-daughter duo specializing in vintage rugs and foliage prints. There are many cute rentals in the area, but White Gull Inn and Thorpe House Inn & Cottages stand out. During your stay at the White Gull Inn, don’t miss a traditional fish boil — a culinary rite of passage. For fine dining, consider visiting Gusto at the Whistling Swan, followed by a sweet treat at Sara’s Artisan Gelato.

Ephraim

Founded by the Norwegian Moravians in 1853, the pristine bleached buildings of Ephraim create a picturesque coastal stop. The dockside Hardy Gallery, often stocked with works from local artists, symbolizes the town’s creative spirit. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Wilson’s, an ice cream shop and Door County stalwart for more than a century. Imbibe at the Pearl Wine Cottage, which offers an extensive wine list and inventive charcuterie pairings. For lodging, The Water Street Inn and Hillside Waterfront Hotel are welcoming options within walking distance of attractions.

Sister Bay

Northern Door County’s Sister Bay boasts arguably the best waterfront in the county, featuring outdoor concerts and events on the harbor shore. It is home to the delectable Door County Creamery, offering goat cheese and gelato at its shop. No visit is complete without a look at the famous goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s, a beloved Swedish restaurant and beer garden, complete with an online goat cam. Enjoy locally roasted coffee at Skip Stone Coffee Roasters, classic dining and bowling alley fun at Sister Bay Bowl, and English-style high tea at Tea Thyme. The Scandinavian-inspired Dörr hotel provides upscale overnight accommodations right in the heart of Sister Bay, offering easy access to most attractions.

Ellison Bay

Further up the peninsula, on the Green Bay side, lies the small town of Ellison Bay, known for its sustainable agriculture approach to fine dining at Wickman House. Another cool stop is Island Orchard Cider, which specializes in Normandy-style ciders crafted from locally grown ingredients; sample a cider flight to discover your favorite. The Clearing Folk School, founded by the famous landscape architect Jens Jensen in 1935, also calls Ellison Bay home, offering docent-led walks on weekends and educational programs to writers, artists, and creators throughout the year.

Washington Island

Only accessible by car or passenger ferry, Washington Island is another delightful Door County destination. It features Schoolhouse Beach, a pristine turquoise cove with a shoreline of smooth limestone rocks—one of only a handful of beaches like it in the world. Be sure to visit Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop, which offers hundreds of products made with lavender grown on-site (and some of the best croissants in the state). A great lunch option includes Jackson Harbor Soup, known for its rustic yet pleasing soup and sandwich offerings.

Baileys Harbor

The eastern part of the peninsula is quieter, as most of the population is focused on the Green Bay-facing portion of Door County. Baileys Harbor is a must-visit village on the Lake Michigan side. Grab a beverage at the kitschy Blue Ox. Stretch your legs at the nearby Ridges Sanctuary, the first land trust in Wisconsin. The Ridges is a year-round option featuring a nature center, boardwalk, and miles of hiking trails through the boreal forest. Architecture buffs will appreciate the 12th-century stylings of the Norwegian stave church, the Boynton Chapel, located at Lawrence University’s Door County campus.

Each of these main villages is connected by the Door County Coastal Byway, a newly designated National Scenic Byway. Road trippers will adore the winding beauty of this picturesque drive year-round, especially during autumn’s changing leaves.

Sturgeon Bay

While the mid to upper peninsula towns are lovely, the prominent gateway to Door County, Sturgeon Bay, should not be overlooked as a destination. This industrial shipbuilding hub offers plenty for visitors, with its Maritime Museum, featuring a colossal lighthouse with an observation deck and 10 floors of interactive exhibits. Local shops like Bliss, Novel Bay Booksellers, and Door County Candy make downtown a great spot for souvenirs. Bass fishing thrives in Sturgeon Bay, giving the city a national reputation among anglers. In terms of lodging, various condos and hotels are available, but charming options like The Scofield House, The Foxglove Inn, Chanticleer Guest House, and Inn at Cedar Crossing offer warm hospitality.

Outdoor Activities in Door County

Beyond the culinary and shopping delights of Door County, it excels as a nature lover’s paradise. Public lands preserve the area’s beauty, with five state and 19 county parks welcoming visitors year-round. Standouts include the nearly 4,000-acre Peninsula State Park, known as Wisconsin’s most complete state park with its wide variety of offerings. Don’t miss the view from the ADA-accessible Eagle Tower hundreds of feet up on Eagle Bluff.

The wilds of Newport State Park — the state’s first International Dark Sky Park — provide prime stargazing opportunities. Another exciting spot, especially for kayaking, is Cave Point County Park, noted for its dramatic, water-worn limestone ledges. For the highest sand dune in Wisconsin, the “Old Baldy,” look to Whitefish Dunes State Park. Potawatomi State Park is a hiker’s paradise, serving as the eastern terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For a less crowded option, consider one of the least-visited state parks in Wisconsin, Rock Island State Park, featuring an iconic Scandinavian-style boathouse, reachable only via passenger ferry from Washington Island during the summer.

Beyond the parks, Door County beckons visitors with hundreds of miles of shoreline, where paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating are regional pastimes. There are even 11 lighthouses in the county, a tribute to the region’s rich maritime history.

Clearly, the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” offers a stunning getaway, complete with coastal clapboard villages, preserved natural areas, farm-fresh food, and locally crafted beverages.