Entertainment on the Peninsula

In a blog a few months back we explored camping and outdoor activities in Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin. While it is one of the most beautiful state parks we have ever seen, and one I have been visiting since I was a child, the park is not the only draw attracting visitors to the area. No matter the weather, families, couples and individuals will find much to do on Wisconsin’s thumb.

One of the biggest draws is The Peninsula Players Theatre. Celebrating their 75^th year in 2010, Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater. Their season typically runs from mid-June through mid-October and encompasses five different productions. Drawing actors and theatre professionals from companies in Chicago, New York and California, we have never been disappointed by a production at the “Theatre in a Garden”.

The Players have recently opened their newly remodeled garden theatre, situated on the shores of Green Bay, and featuring heated floors for colder evenings. Visitors may sip a cocktail or cup of hot cider on the shore to view a peaceful sunset from one of the multitude of lounge chairs strategically placed there while awaiting the production. On chilly evenings, the waiting group gathers around a massive fire pit, exchanging stories and singing songs, so the pre-production moments are nearly as entertaining as those inside the theatre. The grounds are also beautifully landscaped, so if you are just in the mood for a quiet walk, you will find a serene spot for that as well.

After the theatre, there are a multitude of restaurants that stay open to cater to the desire for coffee and dessert or a light meal after the play. Restaurants in the area offer everything from light sandwiches and casual atmosphere to gourmet dining. One Door County trademark not to be missed is the traditional fish boil, offered at a variety of restaurants on the peninsula. Potatoes and other vegetables are boiled in a massive pot or cauldron at an outdoor fire pit along with large quantities of locally caught whitefish. Initially a collection of largely Norwegian fishing villages, the Door County area, the fish boil was a way to feed large quantities of hungry fishermen and their families inexpensively.

Fishing is no longer the primary industry in the area, however. The towns of Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay have developed into tourist and artist communities drawing visitors from across the country, making it Wisconsin’s premier vacation destination. Shopping is also plentiful and canoes, kayaks and sailboats are available for rental for an hour or a day along the shores of the peninsula.

For those preferring to be ferried, sailboat cruises are also easy to come by. There is much to see and do for visitors of any age on the thumb of Wisconsin. For more information about camping opportunities and activities, read more about Wisconsin camping and things to do in Wisconsin.