Door County, the 'Thumb of Wisconsin', is a peninsula that juts eighty miles out into Lake Michigan and is one of the loveliest areas not only in the Mid-West, but in the entire U.S. It has attracted people from all over, with its artistic and cultural atmosphere, its seafaring industries and pleasures, and the charming small towns and rustic atmospheres
Here, along with gorgeous country vistas and a cornucopia of outdoor and sports activities, you'll find cultural events to satisfy any urban soul. Door County offers the ultimate amalgamation of city life and country. There are even Broadway plays performed in a wooded glen.
Door County is full of superlatives and firsts. It's the largest shipbuilding port on the Great Lakes; it has more lighthouses per mile than most places in the world; and its waters are the cleanest in the Great Lakes. It has more miles of shoreline than any other county in the States; and its boasts both the oldest Icelandic and Belgian settlements in America. Aside from all these statistics, Door County is just plain beautiful!
Door County is composed of a number of small towns with winter populations of 200 and 300 that are swelled by the "summer people", towns with names like Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Gills Rock, Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay, Sister Bay, and Sturgeon Bay.
At all times it's a delight to explore the 300 mile coastline with its ever changing faces, varying from steep limestone bluffs and plunging cliffs and attendant exploding surf, to placid sand beaches framed by pine forest.
Water buffs can enjoy the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan in a variety of ways. The waters are warm enough for swimming and water skiing. There are docks for private boats, but if you don't own one you can rent both sail and motor boats. There are also cruises, kayaking, para-sailing, and sailing. There's instruction in most water sports.
Scuba aficionados will find hundreds of shipwrecks to explore at the bottom of Death's Door Straights, at the tip of the Peninsula.
With all that water around Door County is a paradise for fishermen. The area offers both shoreline and deep water fishing.
Door County is a fish eater's delight. No stay here will be complete without partaking of its famous "Fish Boil". Historically the "Fish Boil" originated with the lumbermen of the area over a hundred years ago.. Part of the enjoyment of the "Boil" is watching the fish being stirred in its huge pot over an open outdoor fire until the water starts to boil over.
Among outdoor sports are horseback riding, biking, and hiking. There are a multitude of picturesque trails to hike on, including those in the scenic Peninsula Park, which is located right on the water.
Nature has been good to the area which is abundant with its nationally famous cherry trees, as well as apple, pear, and plum trees. Strawberries, raspberries, and potatoes are other plentiful crops.
Door County's spectacular scenery has long been a magnet to creative souls of all kinds, from potters to thespians. Artists here work in every media. It's a great place to browse around and look for originals to purchase.
Art isn't just for spectators here. You can join in and be one of the creative crowd too. There are several schools to help bring out your creativity, like the Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek. You can study the fiber arts on Washington Island or in Sister Bay. One of the most unusual crafts you can learn, and something that will definitely be different to tell your friends about, is learning the art of sheep shearing on the peninsula.
Antiques are part of the Door County culture scene and you can spend hours browsing through the many shops. Drama and music are a large part of the arts scene and one of the biggest attractions is the Peninsula Players, America's oldest professional resident theater company. Actors come from all over to be part of the productions. The company offers its fare in the midst of a twenty-two acre forested glen in an all weather pavilion.
Dance is important here too. The Peninsula Dance Program includes classes, films, and performances.
Door County is certainly a great place to enjoy a first or second home.
For Lakeshoredreams.com, the counties grouped in Door County include;
Door County WI, Kewaunee County WI
