Visiting Door County with Kids

Kristy Pepping said:  If you want some water fun while you are visiting Door County, head out as a family on a 2-hour shipwreck tour. Take glass-bottomed kayaks out on Lake Michigan and see the many wrecked ships at the bottom of the lake. This is a guided tour and you are asked to bring items like sunscreen and bug spray. See website for a complete list of what to pack for your adventure.

Kate Wille Murray said:  Beaches are clean and wide. Great trail to get from parking lot to the beach. Beaches are no longer handicap accessible because of high Lake Michigan levels.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are on Washington Island (accessible by ferry), visit Mountain Park. This is a pretty park to go on a hike, but the best part is the lookout tower. If you have little ones, this may not be suitable for them because they will need to climb 186 steps to get to the top of the lookout tower. Once you are at the top, there are some great views of the island and Lake Michigan. On a personal note, my youngest was four when we did this and was able to handle this climb. There are some steps that bring you to a landing where you can rest and even sit at a picnic table before heading up the stairs of the tower.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you did not bring your car to Washington Island (via ferry), you may be surprised to learn that there are actually several roads there. So it's hard to get around without a mode of transportation. No car? No worries. Just jump on the Cherry Train! This train or really tram takes you around the island and stops at all the touristy places to see. Plus, you'll have a guide giving you background on each stop. Rides are two hours each and trams are open so make sure to dress accordingly.

Runs Mid-May - Late October

Kristy Pepping said:  Fragrantisle is a lavender farm located on Washington Island. In order to get there, you'll need to take the ferry over with your car or jump on the tram that tours the island once you are off the ferry. They are the largest lavender grower in the Midwest. Kids will love running through the fields, smelling the lavender and seeing how it's grown, and dried out to make products. Once you are done touring the farm, check out their large array of lavender products inside the shop, or enjoy lunch on the terrace.

Kristy Pepping said:  Door County is a peninsula and right off the tip, are two small islands, Washington and Block. Washington is the larger of the two islands and this quick ferry goes to just Washington Island. The Washington Island Ferry can accommodate cars as well, and that mind-blowing concept could honestly be the highlight of this short trip for your kids! You simply sit in the car, pay your entrance fee and drive your minivan or sedan directly onto the boat! Pets are welcome but must be leashed if brought outside of the car.

Kristy Pepping said:  The Ridges Sanctuary is a unique nature preserve with 30 acres to explore. There are over 500 plant species, breeding birds and endangered/threatened species. Kids can explore both the indoor Nature Center and hike the Ridges outdoors. The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center has exhibits, workshops and classes. Hiking you'll experience animals and plants on several well-marked trails. There are also 2-hour guided hikes where you'll learn more about the property for an additional fee.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you take the ferry to Washington Island, I highly recommend checking out School House Beach. Although there are a few beaches on the island, this one is truly unique. In fact, there are so few other beaches in the world like it. The beach is made up completely of medium-sized rocks. My kids loved to skip the rocks and pick them up and make different sculptures out of them. If you pack a lunch, there are picnic benches set up. You are also free to swim in the water as well. It makes for great photos too!

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are looking for ziplining in Door County, I highly recommend Lakeshore Adventures. They gave us a great safety lesson before we started, had two instructors with our family the entire time and all of our kids had fun. You need to be between 60 and 245 pounds to ride and you must bring closed-toed shoes.

Kristy Pepping said:  Wisconsin is known for several foods and one of these is cheese. But do your kids know how that cheese that goes into their sandwich or on their macaroni is made? Renards Cheese will show you how cheese is made and you even get some samples at the end of the tour! Tours are 30 minutes and advanced reservations are required, when operating.

Kristy Pepping said:  Toot toot all aboard! Do you have a train-loving child? While visiting Door County with kids, check out PC Junction - a restaurant that delivers your food via a model train car! Please note that the train delivers food around a circular track at the counter so if you want the train delivered food, this is the place to sit! Other than that, there is also other seating located around the restaurant and they have an outside patio too. While you wait or after your meal, make sure to walk the kids in the back of the property. They have pedal cars and playground equipment.

Open May - Late October; Lunch and Dinner

Kristy Pepping said:  Is your child horse-obsessed like mine? Then they will love Kurtz Corral! They offer horseback Western trail riding led by instructors. Make sure your family dresses in long pants and closed-toe shoes. Helmets are available for all riders. Trails vary in length and any age can ride. Reservations can be made online.

Molly Weber said:  If you're in Door County with kids, plan a pit stop at Al Johnson's to check out the goats grazing on the restaurant's grassy roof. Visit when you're hungry to enjoy Swedish favorites served by employees dressed in traditional garb.

Goats late May-mid October

Kristy Pepping said:  Birchwood Lodge is a fun place to stay in Door County with kids. First of all, they have several different room arrangements from regular hotel rooms to entire houses for up to 10 people including kitchens. In the lobby, they offer breakfast each morning and DVDs to watch in the rooms. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, grills on site, game room, laundry facility, bike rentals and more. Plus, this hotel is close enough to walk into downtown Sister Bay and there is a grocery store behind the property for those kid-friendly snacks.

Kristy Pepping said:  Sister Bay Bowl is a bowling alley located right downtown in Sister Bay. It's a great family outing for a rainy afternoon or an evening before bedtime routines. If you decide to eat while you are there, kid's get a free game with the purchase of a meal. Check out their food menu for detailed options. Also, they have typically host special events throughout the year, which can be a lot of fun if you are in town during one of them.

Kristy Pepping said:  We stayed in Sister Bay so we decided to try Door County Boats for a tour that left from the Sister Bay Marina. They have several tours to choose from all lasting an hour or so. We chose the sunset cruise and it was beautiful. The boat is a double-decker ship with a bar and snack area below for purchase. There is plenty of seating and takes you around the Door County area.

Kristy Pepping said:  Candy and fudge anyone? Do not miss this opportunity to indulge when visiting Door County with kids! Door County Confectionery fudge is homemade and in some stores, you can actually see bakers preparing it in front of your eyes. Candy includes everything from suckers to gummies to chocolate. Plus, they have several stuffed animals in case your child is searching for a new friend. I personally love their English Toffee and my kids always grab a handful of candy from one of their several bins. Yum!

Kristy Pepping said:  The Farm offers up close and personal visits with farm animals. They have a large barn area and then several farm animals who also roam the property freely like goats and kittens. All animals are friendly, but if you have a family member a bit scared of animals, take this into consideration. You can even feed the animals like goats some milk from a bottle! Besides the animals, there are smaller buildings in the back of the property that gives you a history lesson into various farming methods.

Summer/Fall

Kristy Pepping said:  A trip to Door County with kids is not complete without a stop at a farm stand. These farm stands are large buildings full of fresh and local products - and Door County is known for is locally grown cherries! Our favorite place to stop is at Seaquist Orchards for these cherry products and more. Not only do they have products like dips, apples, and sweet treat mixes like cherry brownies, they have kid-friendly play options as well. While you shop, kids can occupy themselves outdoors at the playground, play in the sandbox, sit in several wagons, and more. Plus, kids always enjoy sampling their way through the store! Check out their events and canning tours, too.

Summer/ Fall

Kristy Pepping said:  Northern Grill & Pizza is a great place for a family dinner! This American-style restaurant offers sandwiches and pizza. They also have a kid's menu available. If the weather is nice, I highly recommend sitting outside on their back patio. Here you'll find a ping pong table as well as a playground. While the kids wait for the food, the whole family can play! I should also mention they do carry out in case the little ones are too tired to sit down.

Lunch/Dinner

Kristy Pepping said:  Bay Shore Outfitters offers unique Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga classes every week. This fun class is run in shallow water and they use a milk jug with sand in it to keep everyone's board in place. No experience necessary. I will add Bay Shore Outfitters also features paddleboard rentals, classes and even daily kids' camps, which is especially ideal for short-term visitors.

Kristy Pepping said:  Johnsons Park is an amusement park featuring go-carts, mini golf, a bounce house, an arcade and more. We have basically tried every activity at this park and everything was great. The golf course is super compact so it's easy for little ones to walk between holes. My mom took my daughter on a go-kart since they conveniently have two-seater versions. And in case you are like my family and love mini golf, this place is next door to Pirate's Cove another mini golf spot!

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are looking for a fun game of mini golf, Pirate's Cove is a great stop! It offers scenic waterfalls, some water holes and lots of winding hills to aim for that hole in one. I like that they offer several sizes of clubs perfect for all kids. Plus, they give kids a goody bag at the end with a pirate's flag, eye mask and other pirate themed loot! And if you get a hole in one on one of two holes for the day, you win a free game! (Good thing we go back each year so we can redeem the one my daughter won last time!)

Kristy Pepping said:  Plum Loco is a fun stop for kids when in Door County! You can get a bucket of carrots and grain to feed the animals. Some animals include horses, pigs, goats, sheep and other barnyard friends. After you are done feeding, there is a fun play area in the middle of the property. Kids will love the little play houses large enough to go in and out of, the pedal cars and the several games to play like checkers at the tables that surround this area.

Kristy Pepping said:  For a place to sit outside for dinner and enjoy a lake view, Fred & Fuzzy's fits the ticket. This casual restaurant is located in front of the lake and offers a full food menu plus kid-approved desserts. And, if you have antsy kids like mine, you can place their order and then watch them throw rocks into the water from the shoreline, play in the small sandy beach or take a walk down the little pier.

Open Late May - Mid-October; Lunch and Dinner

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are looking for a pizza place when in Door County, head to Joe Jo's. You can dine in or carry it back to your hotel. Besides pizza, they offer gelato. The fruit flavors of the gelato are dairy-free so family with lactose restrictions can enjoy. While the kids are waiting and if the weather is nice, there is a field next to this restaurant. In this field are lawn games and a jungle gym. Kids can burn off some energy, if they have any left from the day! Plus, this restaurant is next door to The Red Putter for a game of mini golf before or after dinner.

Lunch and Dinner

Kristy Pepping said:  The Red Putter is a miniature golf course in Door County. If you have early risers like my kids, you'll love that they open earlier than the other mini golf courses in the area. This course has fun water features and rock obstacles to complete. They also have benches between holes for little ones to take a break.

Kristy Pepping said:  Every year we go to Hands On Art Studio. When you drive up, you'll see horses and chickens out front. Once you enter the property, you'll notice several little houses all with a different craft to make. Kids can work on glass mosaics, jewelry, ceramics, painting, metalworking and more. You really can't go wrong! After you are finished, there are snacks and drinks located at checkout. Plus, a playground outside for some fresh air. Just note that projects need time to dry and are typically available for pick-up next day afternoon so plan accordingly.

Kristy Pepping said:  Another great place to grab lunch, dinner, or just ice cream, is Wilson's when visiting Door County with kids. It's located across the street from the lake so a perfect spot to carry out and watch the waves. If you are eating onsite, they have an outdoor patio and Jukebox inside. While you are waiting for your food, kids will love selecting a song from this old-fashioned music player.

Food consists of traditional American food like hamburgers, salads, milkshakes, and sandwiches. For ice cream, try one of more than 20 flavors or if you're feeling adventurous, a super sundae!

Summer

Kristy Pepping said:  A trip to Door County would not be complete without attending a fish boil at the Old Post Office Restaurant. Although there are several spots around town that hold these, the Old Post Office Restaurant stands out. Why? They offer the fresh fish plus fish alternatives if you have kids who are picky eaters. The whole family will love the boil process! Whitefish is caught by local fisherman and then all can watch as they boil the fish in a large pot. The grand finale is when kerosene is poured on the pot creating large flames and the oil spilling out. Dinner is served at this point! See website for the menu.

Kristy Pepping said:  The Door County Historical Museum offers several hands-on exhibits and the building dates back to 1939, hence the historical name. Kids can learn about the history of Door County both from a nature perspective and a manufacturing one. Some of these smaller yet interesting exhibits for kids include a fire truck you can climb on, a small play jail, and a nature area. Great place to visit anytime, or for a rainy day activity!

Kristy Pepping said:  Dancing Bear is a family-owned toy store. We decided to head downtown Sturgeon Bay and stopped in this toy store during our Door County trip. The shop owner had a sweet cat and a dog in the toy store which was an added bonus for my daughter! As for toys, you will find unique books, games, puzzles, and more. For such a small shop, they sure pack a lot of toys in!

Kristy Pepping said:  There are not too many drive-in movie theatres left in the country, but Door County has a great one! Their theatre features two awesome family-friendly movies a night! In case you are not familiar with how a drive-in works, you simply drive your car in and tune the radio to a certain station to listen to the movies. This theatre also has a snack area if you wish to purchase drinks or food to bring back to your car. Please note they do not take credit or debit cards, but they do have an ATM onsite. Double features show for the price of one.

Seasonal hours

Kristy Pepping said:  Parkwood Lodge offers everything from traditional hotel rooms to suites to even rooms with bunk beds. For kids, there is a pool, playground, tennis court, pool table and game room. If you wish to make food on your own, Parkwood Lodge has room options with kitchens, grills onsite and even picnic tables outside.

Open May - October

Kristy Pepping said:  Edgewood Orchard Galleries is a place where you'll find unique jewelry, sculptures and interesting lawn art. Everything is handmade by artists from the area and beyond. For kids, they have this fun walking trail around the property, This short trail makes a loop in front of the property and you'll find several boxes of flat rocks along the way. Kids love to pile these rocks on each other making their own sculptures. They also have several rocking chairs which are a favorite activity for kids as well while you shop indoors.

May - October

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are looking for fun in Door County, Egg Harbor Fun Park says it all. This place has go-carts, mini golf, batting cases, an arcade, bounce houses and more! Kids can easily spend an afternoon at this place. Also, they have a restaurant onsite serving up pizza, hot dogs and other snack items. Personally, we have played mini golf, gone on the bounce houses and went gem mining (another fun activity!) Oh and I relived my softball days in the batting cages, which were great!

Kristy Pepping said:  We really like this beach when visiting Door County. This is a small beach with plenty of parking nearby and they also have a parking lot at the beach. There is also a playground for added fun. Kids can bring small rafts into the water and there is a nice roped off section for swimming. Plus there is plenty of sand for that signature sandcastle! Note there are no lifeguards on duty and they only have port-a-potties. But this beach is right downtown Fish Creek so there are plenty of restaurants nearby for a bite to eat and use of a regular bathroom.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are visiting Door County with kids and need a fun indoor activity, try candle dipping! Door County Candle Company makes their own scented candles and is the only one in Door County like this. It's a fun place to buy these candles, but kids will love the process of making them. Kids will receive a plain candle and can add various colors by dipping them in different waxes.

Kristy Pepping said:  Gibraltar Grill is an American-style cuisine restaurant. It has a nice indoor section, but the best place is actually the patio and lawn. While you wait for your food, play a game of cornhole, try your hand at the giant Jenga or test out your Ladder Ball skills. Kids will have more than enough to stay entertained while they wait for dinner to be served. If you have your four-legged friend with you, they are also dog-friendly!

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are coming to Door County with kids, you want to take full advantage of nature! A great stop to get some fresh air is Peninsula State Park. This park offers several marked trails for walking or biking, a sandy shoreline beach and a lighthouse to climb up. Make sure to stop by White Cedar Nature Center for other park activities like crafts and workshops. Plus, they offer the "Like to Hike" program in which kids participate in park activities and earn pins (for purchase). Kids 3+ can receive a Wisconsin Explorer booklet and earn a patch once complete.

Kristy Pepping said:  Wisconsin makes amazing custard! I would describe their frozen custard as a more dense version of frozen yogurt and creamier than soft serve ice cream. A great place to enjoy custard in Door County is at Not Licked Yet. Every day, they offer a different flavor to sample, along with favorite traditional flavors. They also have an outdoor playground and a scenic trail that runs behind the property with plenty of ducks floating by.

Lisa R said:  Lautenbach's Orchard makes for a relaxing stop where you can taste the best of what Door County has to offer and even pick some apples and cherries in season. The upscale farm market sells a wide variety of baked goods, specialty food products and gifts and offers complimentary wine and product tastings daily. Seasonal activities include on-site fruit picking, festivals, and sleigh rides. When the weather is nice, families can buy lunch from the farm store and carry it outside to the playground, where kids can burn off energy while enjoying the wonderful scenery.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are looking to commemorate your trip with a souvenir, head to Fun Stuff, in downtown Fish Creek. Unassuming from the outside, this store is full of interesting products from lip gloss to socks to magnets. They also have a dedicated kid's section, which is always stocked with the latest trending toys. Please note that this store does have a set of stairs so if you are traveling with a stroller, you'll need to carry it up the short flight.

Tim Ponisciak said:  Kids who are die hard football fans will love this museum, located next to historic Lambeau Field. You can see the Packers' 13 world championship trophies, a replica of iconic head coach Vince Lombardi's office and numerous interactive exhibits. Depending on the day, you can also schedule a tour of Lambeau Field!

Amy S. said:  If your (probably older) child is into theatre, Door County has some great options. Door Shakespeare presents the Bard’s plays in a beautiful outdoor space—imagine watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the stars, surrounded by the deep dark of the North Woods. The Peninsula Players, America’s oldest resident summer theater, stages a variety of classical and contemporary works, including comedies, murder mysteries, and amusing regional fare. I remember seeing—and loving—a silly musical called “Lumberjacks in Love” there when I was a kid.