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Baraboo, Wisconsin
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Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin

Door County

From wildflowers to wineries to beaches, Door County is the Midwest’s answer to Cape Cod — a quaint, welcoming peninsula with 300 miles of shoreline and a long history of showing visitors a good time. Whether you’re looking to relax at a quiet sunset spot, tour local wineries and cherry orchards or take to the sea in a watersports adventure, you’ll find it all among the unique communities that make up one of the Badger State’s most popular tourist destinations.

Wild in Wisconsin

Though Whitefish Dunes State Park on the peninsula’s eastern shore is one of the most popular parks in the state, it still feels untamed. Surrounded by beech forests and wetlands, the shoreline alternates between sandy beaches and rocky coves and boasts dunes that rise as high as 90 feet above the waterline. Hiking trails and a beachside boardwalk make it easy to explore the terrain at your leisure. For sweeping lake scenery, check out the eastern shore’s Peninsula State Park highlighted by Svens Buff.

Paddle Pastimes

For an even closer glimpse of life on the water, the Mink River Estuary at Door County’s northern tip is regarded as one of the finest places for paddling in the Midwest. Canoeing or kayaking the serene waters is the perfect way to observe the more than 200 migratory birds that pass through the untapped wilderness each season. Anglers looking to land the big one should head straight to Sturgeon Bay, which was recently named one of the best bass fishing spots in the entire country. The numerous charters and boat launches along the bay’s shore make it easy to enjoy the famed bounty. Go casting in Green Bay and Lake Michigan, too, which are known for their record salmon, trout and walleye catches. Be sure to visit the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse on Lake Michigan.

Scandinavian Cookouts

Fish boils, brought to the region by Scandinavian settlers, are popular ways to celebrate the maritime mentality of Door County. Huge pots of whitefish, potatoes and onions boiled over wood fires make for both delicious and picturesque meals, and many local restaurants like the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek hold traditional boils throughout the summer. Of course, what would a Door County meal be without cherry pie for dessert? The peninsula is home to more than 2,500 acres of cherry orchards, where you can pick your own or enjoy pies, tarts and jams for sale.

For More Information

Door County Visitor Bureau

800-527-3529

www.doorcounty.com

Wisconsin Department of Tourism

800-432-8747

www.travelwisconsin.com