Door County Vacation Rental Guide

If you haven’t visited Door County, Wisconsin, you’re going to want to put it on your to-do list now. Often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Door County features over 300 miles of shoreline along Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Door County provides hours of family fun on hiking trails, animal petting farms, and pristine beaches. If it’s an adult getaway you’re after, enjoy art galleries, boutiques, orchards and wineries, and the performing arts.

Door County lies within Door Peninsula, a strip of land that lies between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. It’s about 80 miles long and 25 miles wide at its base, and crossed by Sturgeon Bay. Door County is a particularly popular vacation area known for its beautiful landscape, fish boils, cherry growing industry, dairy farming, and tourism. 

No matter the season or reason for your visit, Door County’s coastal towns and quaint lifestyle will impress you, de-stress you, and leave you wanting more.  

Things to Do

Whether you’re visiting for a couple’s retreat to relax and recharge or to make family memories that last a lifetime, you’ll never want for things to do in Door County. Outdoor activities abound, no matter what time of the year. Spend your days any way you choose.

·       In the great out-of-doors, hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, skiing, or soaking up the sun at one of Door County’s beautiful beaches or lakefront properties. You may even want partake in some fun competition and join the 13,000 other athletes who participate in local 5k runs or bikes!

·       Continuing the fun at family-friendly venues like farmers’ markets, petting zoos, ice cream and fudge shops, and mini golf courses. There are also 11 lighthouses within Door County, many of which are open to the public.

·       Slowing the pace down a bit at local art galleries, vineyards, wineries, and performance arts. Fun fact: Door County is home to seven wineries, four breweries, two distilleries, and one cidery. Not too shabby, considering Ephraim, a small town in Door County, was a dry town up until 2016 – the last one in Wisconsin!

Wherever you decide to venture in Door County, be sure to have your camera at hand. From the crashing waves in Lake Michigan to the rocky bluffs, beauty is easy to find and yours for the capturing. Many vacation homes come equipped with fully functioning wifi so you can still stay connected to the world. We also have pet friendly options available.

Getting Here

There’s no wrong way to travel to Door County. Whether you arrive by air, water, or land, you’ll be surprised at how easy and convenient the journey will be.

By air, Door County is one of the more convenient vacation destinations in the U.S. With light traffic between the closest international airport (Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay) and the heart of Sturgeon Bay, it’s an easy (and short – just under an hour!) drive with breathtaking views along the way. Two additional airports (Appleton Airport and General Mitchell Airport) require longer drive times, but all arrive at the same beautiful location. Conveniently, car rentals are available at all three airports.

Water travel gives visitors the chance to experience a car ferry ride from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This four-hour ferry ride across Lake Michigan saves about 450 miles in drive time. Once across the lake, it’s an easy 75-minute drive to Sturgeon Bay. And for those who are captain of their own ship, local marinas in Door County offer boat slips well-suited for multiday sailors.  

If you’re making the drive to Door County, plan on just over four hours from Chicago and around five hours from Minneapolis. But no worries – those hours on the road will pass by quickly as you take in the beauty of Wisconsin’s dairies, rich farmland, and rolling countryside.

Weather

No matter the season, you’ll find plenty of reasons to make Door County your vacation spot. Breathtaking views abound all year long, with each season as enjoyable as the next. While summer tends to be the busiest season for tourism, the other months of the year offer a slower pace with just as much enjoyment.

·       Summer tends to be the most popular season to visit Door County and rent a vacation home. Visitors are enchanted by mile after mile of sandy beach, picturesque waterfalls, lighthouses, hiking trails, and quaint outdoor eateries. They enjoy warm weather without the need for 24/7 air conditioning (typically in the upper 70s) that gives way to summertime daylight that lasts until well after 8 p.m. These summer nights are perfect for gathering around a campfire or fire pit and toasting some marshmallows! 

·       Fall brings a more relaxed atmosphere to real estate in Door County, with stunning fall foliage on full display. Autumn leaf colors are at their peak around mid-October, with temperatures typically in the mid-50s. It’s a perfect time to throw on a sweater and take in the vibrant beauty of fall or take a dip in the hot tub jacuzzi. Better yet, venture out on a park trail and see nature’s beauty up close.

·       Winter months bring majestic snowfall throughout Door County. Temps in the mid-30s and plentiful sunshine most days create the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, or winter walks. It’s also a great time out to cozy up by a roaring fire and rejuvenate your spirit. But be sure to bring your warm coat. Winds off Lake Michigan create a windchill that can make the air seem downright nippy!

·       Spring lends itself to the rebirth of the outdoors as apple and cherry trees begin to blossom amid sunshine and daytime high temperatures swell into the 50s. As wildflowers and local wildlife reemerge from hibernation, spring is a beautiful time to take in the beauty and relaxed pace of the season. It’s also time for local gardeners to begin planting to ensure bountiful harvests for their farmers markets in the months to come. 

Popular Areas

Door County features notable areas perfect to center your vacation around. The beauty of the landscape and quaint feel of the local area does not disappoint. A few of the most popular areas to vacation include:

·       Sturgeon Bay is perhaps the most popular destination in Door County. Located there, Cave Point County Park draws vacationers in from near and far to admire the beauty that is captured in this rugged rock landscape adjacent to the glistening blue waters of Lake Michigan.  

·       Sister Bay is considered a foodie’s dream! Stroll the 1,900 feet of waterfront and tantalize your taste buds on the plethora of dining options within walking distance along the way. Sister Bay is a tasty place to stay and is the place for food and drink in Door County.

·       Fish Creek serves as the home for Peninsula State Park, best known for its 3,776 acres of beauty. With sandy beaches, tall bluffs, and an 1860s lighthouse, it’s an ideal place to spend the day hiking, biking, or simply taking in the panoramic view.

·       Egg Harbor is a tiny village in Door County and home to just over 200 year-round residents. It’s also home to Egg Harbor Beach, a breathtaking place to kayak and swim the day away. Wrap up the experience by watching the gorgeous sunset over the lake.

·       Baileys Harbor stakes a claim to the not-yet-famous Stone’s Throw Winery. Nestled in the beauty of Door County, this winery features fine wines made one barrel at a time from premium California grapes, most often grown right in Door County. It’s a premier place to sample a taste of Door County.

Whether you choose to stay at one of these towns or somewhere else in Door County, your experience is bound to be memorable.

Door County Property Management

We also offer property management services if you are considering renting out your door county home. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you with your vacation home rentals.