Best Things To Do In Door County in the Spring

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Although Door County won’t have as many doors as you think, it is stunning. People call it the Cape Cod of the Midwest. With stunning views of Lake Michigan and picturesque lighthouses, Door County Wisconsin should definitely be on your travel bucket list this year. Here is a list of the best things to do in Door County Wisconsin.

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When Should you Visit Door County

Door county can be visited all year round. Depending on your interests, in winter you can go cross country skiing, during the spring you can witness the cherry blossoms, during the summer you can jump into Lake Michigan and during the fall you can view all the fall colors in Door County.

Best Things to do in Door County in Spring

The best time to visit Door County for spring is April or May. You will have warmer weather, less tourists, moments of peace and quiet and the most beautiful cherry blossoms.

TLDR: Enjoy the drive through the small towns. Find the famous curvy road. Enjoy the sunset on the bay side and the sunrise on the lake side. Do some stargazing. Eat the cheese from heaven. Avoid going home any sooner than you must 🙂 and avoid working, arguing and any negative feelings.

See the Cherry Blossoms

Did you know that Door County is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms?

When the winter season ends and the spring season begins, these stunning blossoms cover the trees throughout Door County.

The best time to see cherry blossoms is in the spring and they usually bloom around the week of May 24. Door County Trolley offers a Spring Blossom Tour which is such a neat experience.

Pro-Tip: This interactive Map is super helpful when planning your vacation in Door County

Go on a Peninsula Park Boat Tour

View from Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park

Visit the largest state park in Door County, Peninsula State Park. To make the most of exploring the park, go on a boat tour. A boat tour will take you around the park’s 7 mile shoreline and cruise past the 145 year-old Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. If you can catch a sunset tour, that would be super cool.

See Sturgeon Bay Red Lighthouse

If you are into lighthouses like I am, you will want to check out the Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse. It is perfect for instagram photos and for your own memories. This lighthouse is located at the U.S. Coast Guard station.

You can park your car in the dirt lot outside of the station. There are many warning signs which can make you wonder if you are even allowed to visit! Just park and stay on the walkway. The end of the pier can be very windy and may get slippery, so wear shoes with traction. The beautiful red lighthouse is worth a short visit.

Visit Potawatomi State Park

Potawatomi State Park is not to be missed. The views from the lookout tower are incredible. The park has many trails, a lookout tower, and views of Lake Michigan throughout. There are even picnic tables available! There is an $8 entrance fee.

Pro-Tip: I recommend you get a Wisconsin State Park Pass for $38. Each entrance fee will be at least $10, so a $38 pass makes total sense.

Kayak at Cave Point County Park

best things to do in door county in the spring — Cave Point County Park

Visiting Cave Point Park is very much worth it for the dramatic views of the cliffs against the lake and the woodsy nature preserve. This place is seriously quite the gem of Wisconsin. It is an all around winner. There is a free admission, three parking lots with free parking, restrooms and park benches. What more could you want? There were several brave cliff-jumpers when we went last time.

At the park you can rent a bike, kayak, hike or just enjoy the beaches.

Explore the Small Town of Egg Harbor

I loved walking around Egg Harbor. There are so many boutique shops to browse, and I could easily spend all day here. You could also just stroll along the waterfront and admire the harbor views. If you go in spring, it won’t be nearly as crowded, so you will maybe have the waterfront to yourself.

Indulge in the Creamiest Ice Cream

Make a full stop at Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim, which has been in business since 1906! Each scoop of ice cream will have your taste buds at your knees. So rich, so creamy and one of the best ice cream i have had in the US. The parlor also has incredible lake views.

Take a Drive on the Most Photographed Road in Door County

Gills Rock Winding Road filled with curves. It was designed so one has to slow-down and take-in the surroundings. If one is the driver, however, the curves force one to pay even more attention to the road, versus the scenery. The curvy road is less than one mile. It is kind of fun to traverse a “postcard” road. At the end of the road, you’ll arrive at Northport Pier where the ferry leaves for Washington Island or Plum Island, both of which I recommend to see.

Pro-Tip: Door County Windy Road: bring a vomit bucket, gum or any anti nausea medication for someone that might get carsick, also let them take the front seat. The curvy part of the road is only one mile long.

Visit the Northern Tip of Door County

Isle View Park: photo credit- Door County North

For some seclusion in Door County, and to get away from the tourists go to Isle View Park on the northern tip of Door County. A picnic table and park grill are available to sit and enjoy the view. A short walk down the bluff opens up to a long strip of beach that offers amazing views of Washington Island and Lake Michigan.

Stargaze at Newport State Park

If you are into stargazing, Newport State Park is a designated Dark Sky Park with beautiful trails and even better stargazing. During the day enjoy the many trails the park has to offer and then at nights find the stars. On a clear night, you can see Jupiter rising in the east and shining on the waters of Lake Michigan and the Northern Lights pulse in greens and reds above.

Consider camping overnight at Newport State Park to fully immerse yourself in the wilderness experience.

Savor a Wood-fired Pizza at Wild Tomato

A local favorite pizza spot is Wild Tomato in Sister Bay. While I personally have not tried it, I have heard that it’s quite tasty.

Indulge in a Slice of Homemade Cherry Pie

For all my foodies out there, I have got you covered. Indulge in a slice of homemade pie at Beas, a beloved bakery known for its delectable treats. And don’t forget to grab a juicy burger and fries at the iconic Mink River Basin. You can thank me later. 🙂

Eat your Heart Out in Goat Cheese

Did you even visit Wisconsin if you did not try their cheese? Make a stop at Door County Creamery in Sister Bay. Their goat cheese is what dreams are made of. Get a charcuterie board, and indulge in their artisanal cheeses, creamy gelato, and freshly made sandwiches. I am sorry for all my lactose intolerance followers.

Hit up a Beach

Clark Lake Beach: photo credit- Mrs. Northerner

There are lots of nice beaches in Door County. Some nice beaches are Egg Harbor Beach, Fish Creek Beach, Sister Bay Beach, and Clark Lake Beach. They also all either have bathrooms or are really close to public restrooms, which might be especially convenient with kids. If you wanted to frequent any of those beaches during your trip and minimize driving, staying in any of those towns would work well.

Go to an Old School Drive in Movie Theatre

The Skyway Drive-in is an old school drive-in movie theater near Ephraim that opens in May. They’ve kept a great 1950s feel- it’s a great unique experience in Door County.

They usually run double features in the summer, with the first movie being more family friendly. It has all the feels of an old-time drive-in (complete with the BEST old timey commercials!). It has a concession stand with obligatory buckets of popcorn and snacks. It runs new release movies – double features. It’s affordable and fun to sit outside your car with your family watching movies under the stars. Bring chairs, blankets and radio and bug spray if desired.

Get there early! There’s a playground and plenty of space to run around or play some games while you wait.

Visit the Farm in Egg Harbor

The Farm is enjoyable for all ages. Seriously, my cousins who are in their 20s still have lots of fun at the farm. The best way I can describe The Farm at Egg Harbor is it is a combination petting zoo and living history museum in Rural Door Co. It is a very active farm, where you can feed baby goats a bottle of milk, you can feed sheep and cows and just even have one on one time with many of the animals. It’s an all around good time.