We already posted an update about our time in Wisconsin, but there’s one more outing that didn’t make it onto that list—a day-trip to Door County. This place is truly lovely any time of year and there’s so much to do that it deserves its own post. If you’re not from the Midwest and you ask a Wisconsinite where specifically they’re from, they might hold up their hand (in that retro “talk-to-the-hand” kind of way) and point to it. They’re not being rude, I promise. Wisconsin’s shaped like a glove so this is a fast and fairly accurate way to show someone locations. At least that’s what I tell myself when I use this method of geographical description.😉

Door County is Wisconsin’s “thumb”. See, isn’t that more fun than saying, “Door County is the Peninsula?” You can day-trip there from the eastern and some central parts of the state. We lucked out with an unusually warm winter day. I think it was a balmy 43° F. Seriously, I was so excited about the spring-like weather that at one point I tore my coat off and ran down the road. Here’s how to spend a day in Door County, snow or shine.

Cave Point County Park

This place was the inspiration for our visit to Door County. It’s an area of the Lake Michigan shoreline with limestone cliffs and underwater sea caves. In winter, spray from the relentless crashing waves freezes on the trees, rocks, and dormant plant-life creating a mystical ice-world. Trails take you along the cliff-tops and through the nearby forest connecting to our next stop on the Door County tour.

Whitefish Dunes State Park

This park is adjacent to Cave Point. You can hike the trails from one park to the next. Whitefish Dunes Park has a mile-long sandy beach and two miles of rocky shoreline. We didn’t spend much time here on our visit because it started pouring rain when we arrived. While we’re getting used to the snow, apparently our PNW hiking/camping/disc golfing/whatevering in the rain abilities are going soft.

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant

This is a fun place to grab lunch or brunch. They have authentic Swedish food, plus goats! Not on the menu. The goats graze on the grassy roof (in summer only, that’d just be mean in winter). We actually didn’t eat here this visit because we packed a picnic lunch, but we have in the past and it’s definitely an entertaining experience.

Door Peninsula Winery & Door County Distillery

A winery and distillery all in one? This seems more like our kind of list! You can do tastings at both places which are housed in the same building. There’s also olive oil and vinegar tasting in the winery store and tours offered every hour.

Red Oak Winery

Finding the Red Oak Winery was a happy accident for us. We tried another winery first, but they were closing early for the day so instead we stopped here. We ended up staying for a while and listening to a live band in their airy barrel room. We recommend trying their reds, which were all quite delectable.

We want to re-visit the Door County Thumb (so much more fun than peninsula) again in the summer months. What places do you like to visit year-round?

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More Winter Destinations:

• Off-Season on Orcas Island, WA
• Things to do in Wisconsin in the Winter