Door County Towns You Should Visit

Door County’s recipe for success has several ingredients: Picturesque farmland, rugged coastline, waterways, ferry boats, islands, and cherries. In addition to the vast natural beauty every direction you look, the whimsical Door County towns bring tremendous allure to the region.

The largest of the towns is Sturgeon Bay. It’s a fine place to visit, but pretty far south and larger than the quaint hamlets for which the county is known.

Here is a MAP of the Door County Towns.

Gills Rock and Ellison Bay are smaller towns at the north end of the peninsula. They are nice little villages, but there’s not much is going on in either one.

We believe the character of Door County is personified best within the triangle of Sister Bay, Bailey’s Harbor, and Egg Harbor. Inside the triangle are two additional towns, Ephraim and Fish Creek. These five towns are located in the middle of the peninsula — the more lovely part of Door County.

If you are coming to this region, its a foregone conclusion you will end up in a few of these places. We hope you enjoy learning about what to do in Door County Towns.

Five Charming Door County Towns to Visit:

WARNING: Youthful adults in athletic condition have been known to behave like grandparents while sniffing these pastoral towns and markets. You may feel the impulse to purchase honey products, lawn ornaments, and kitchen decor with cute sayings.

This is what happens when we age. The Hoffmann’s would encourage you to accept your inner fogey. We did, the children mocked us, and everyone had some fun.

1. Sister Bay — Door County Towns

Located on the Green Bay side of the peninsula, Sister Bay is the most visited town in Door County WI. This gorgeous, seaside community presents abundant shopping and restaurants on a long, strollable strip, as well as a sandy beach and large marina. Still, perhaps Sister Bay is best known best for the rooftop goats that live at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and Butik. That’s “boutique,” not “buttlick,” in case you misunderstood. There is a lesson to be learned here: If you want to be king of your town put goats on your roof.

2. Fish Creek

Fish Creek is the other best town for shopping and strolling the strip. Here you will find an assortment of gift shops, candy stores, art galleries, and charismatic restaurants. Be sure to stop at Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard! We plan on staying here on our next visit because of the town’s charm and central location. If you’re looking for something less touristy than Sister Bay, Fish Creek offers great access for all the things to do in Door County.

3. Egg Harbor — Door County Towns

The town has an assortment of shops, good restaurants, and a large grocery store (the best we found). Egg Harbor tends to sprawl, which makes it feel less organized than the first two towns. We consider it to be in the same tier, nonetheless, and consider it a premium spot to base your vacay. Harbor View Park lends big views of the marina. A hyperactive restaurant, One Barrel Brewing, is a great place to eat.

If you would like to learn about all the amazing things to do in Door County, check out our Complete Guide to Door County.

4. Bailey’s Harbor

Bailey’s Harbor is smaller than the first three towns, and it is located on the other side of the peninsula. It has a locals feel with a half-dozen restaurants, scattered shops, and a beautiful lakeside presence. Good proximity to Whitefish Dunes S.P., Cana Island Lighthouse, and a trio of popular RV Parks: Bailey’s Woods, Bailey’s Grove, and Beantown (MAP). We stayed here. It got a little old driving to the other side of the peninsula every day, but it was fine.

5. Ephraim — Door County Towns

Ephraim is one of those towns that you will pass through again and again as you drive around Door County WI. The town rests on a beautiful bay and is wonderful for active tourists who like to get their steps in while they see the sights. Peninsula State Park is next door, also, which is a boon. Wilson’s is a well-established restaurant/goodie parlor that draws a crowd in the warm months.

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An Honest Conclusion for Door County Towns

Door County Towns are easy to love. The quaint nature of the streets and ubiquitous market clutter is impossible for any non-teenager to resist. Backdrop the whole thing in Nordic farmland, toss in a drive-in movie theater, and a family holiday is inevitable.

If you would like to learn about all the amazing things to do in Door County, check out our Complete Guide to Door County.

Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!