Here’s a list of Door County things to do in summer to enjoy with family or friends!
From fishing to wine tasting, there are plenty of Door County things to do in summer for all types of travelers.
Whether you prefer outdoor activities in Door County WI, or you want to immerse yourself in the county’s rich history, you’ll be spoiled by endless Door County summer activities during its peak season.
In this post, I will share the best things to do in Door County, especially if you plan for a visit next summer!
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Psssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Door County? Have a look at my other posts:
- Things to do in Door County in Winter
- Resorts in Door County on the Water
- Door County cabins on Lake Michigan
Table of Contents
Overview: Top 3 Door County Things to Do in Summer
1. Explore Peninsula State Park
Nestled along the Green Bay shoreline, Peninsula State Park is especially popular during the summer for outdoor enthusiasts.
It’s home to some of the best Door County bike trails and offers scenic viewpoints that have become some of the best spots in Wisconsin to enjoy sunsets.
When exploring Peninsula State Park, you can stop by Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
During the warmer season, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse tours the lighthouse, which is one of the best things to do in summer in Door County!
Alternatively, you can book a Segway tour around Peninsula State Park to glide through the park and explore the forest and nearby villages, including the historical town of Ephraim.
If you plan a DIY trip to Peninsula State Park, I recommend this cozy studio in Door County.
Situated between Sturgeon Bay and Ephraim, it’s also one of the best dog-friendly accommodations in Door County!
Book a Peninsula State Park segway tour.
2. Visit Washington Island
Washington Island is one of the most scenic Door County attractions. You’ll need to take a ferry across Death’s Door from Door County’s mainland to get there.
You’ll get a glimpse of Washington Island if you book this North Shore to Death’s Door Crossing cruise excursion.
But, I recommend staying for a couple of nights to immerse yourself in a scenic island getaway from Door County.
Looking for the best cabins in Door County? Consider booking this Great Sunrise Cottage in the eastern part of Washington Island to make the most of your stay.
The island offers many fun things to do in Door County, from swimming on the pebbled Schoolhouse Beach to a trip to the Fragrant Isle lavender field.
When you’re there, go to the locals’ favorite pub, Nelsen’s Hall Bitters, and sign up for their famous bitters challenge.
Many visitors to the island add this challenge to their bucket list, as doing it allows you to get the fun membership status of Washington Island’s Bitters Club!
Check Washington Island boat excursions.
3. Experience Door County’s Lighthouses
Visiting Door County is only complete with learning more about the rich maritime history around the Great Lakes in Wisconsin.
It’s easy to decide what to do in Door County in July, as almost all the must-visit attractions are open to the public—including some of the best lighthouses in Wisconsin.
Examples are the Cana Island Lighthouse, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, and Potawatomi State Park Lighthouse.
During the summer, these lighthouses offer visitors tours, allowing you to learn more about each lighthouse and its role in Door County’s maritime history.
Even if you’re not interested in the guided tours around the lighthouses, visiting one of these historical buildings also offers some photo opportunities in front of Wisconsin’s best Door County landmarks.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is my personal favorite, and I recommend this West Islands cruise, where you can get a glimpse of the lighthouse from afar and take the best shot of this majestic tower!
Check West Islands cruises here.
4. Take a Sunset Cruise
What to do in Door County with the beautiful nature around and the gentle breeze in the warm summer?
Well, taking a sunset cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Door County during this time of the year.
ou can take some scenic cruise options from various areas in Door County. This boat cruise with live music is one of the most popular things to do in Sturgeon Bay.
You can sit back and relax while enjoying the magnificent sunset of Door County with a scenic view of Peninsula State Park and beyond.
Alternatively, you can book a sunset cruise with Sail Door County from Sister Bay as your departure point or Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours from Fish Creek.
5. Enjoy Cherry Picking
If cherry blossoms are famous during spring in Door County, cherry-picking is one of the best Door County things to do in summer.
There are plenty of Door County’s cherry orchards where you can pick cherries and sample some of the best cherry products in town.
Some of the best cherry orchards in Door County include Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market in Fresh Creek and Choice Orchards in Sturgeon Bay.
In addition to cherries, you can also go there to pick apples in the summer!
My favorite Door County’s cherry orchard is Seaquist Orchards. Situated north of Sister Bay, Seaquist Orchards also hosts annual Cherry Festivals in Door County.
You can sign up for many cherry-related contests, from children’s games to pie-eating or pie-baking competitions.
6. Discover Cave Point County Park
Cave Point County Park is one of the best places to visit in Door County during the summer, no matter what kind of outdoor activities you like.
With its limestone cliffs combined with the stunning view of Lake Michigan, it’s a paradise for nature lovers.
On top of that, it offers free admission for visitors to Cave Point County Park – making it one of the top Door County things to do in summer!
It’s a great place to visit on a day trip to Door County, but I recommend staying around the park for a night or two.
This quaint cottage is perfect for a short weekend getaway for you and your family.
Especially if you want to enjoy your stay with outdoor activities around Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door County.
The cliffside trails around Cave Point County Park are great for exploring the area while enjoying the stunning view of the Great Lakes.
While hiking through the trails is more affordable, you can also consider joining this Cave Point fat tire e-bike tour to stroll the forest and see the stunning sea caves from afar.
If you’re more into watersports, you can also book a kayaking tour to explore the waterways and see the sea caves up close.
7. Visit Fish Creek
Fish Creek is a charming waterfront village that offers fun things to do in Door County, whether you prefer outdoor or indoor activities.
One of the most popular attractions is Fish Creek Beach, a sandy beach in the downtown area where you can enjoy various outdoor activities.
You can find a lot of lodging options near the beach, including this Fish Creek condo that’s only a 15-minute walk from the beach.
To make the most of your visit to Fish Creek, you can also join this Fish Creek tour with an electric scooter where you can explore some of Door County’s hidden gems around the village.
As the county’s hub for arts and culture, Fish Creek also offers various Door County things to do in summer – especially if you prefer indoor activities.
You can sign up for a workshop at Peninsula School of Art, where they have a lot of arts programs suitable for both kids and adults.
Whether you want to learn to draw or sculpt, PenArt is the best place to go!
Check out this Fish Creek tour.
8. Attend a Door County Festival
Door County is home to many annual festivals, so you should include one in your summer activities.
The options are endless, from the Door County Lighthouse Festival to the Beer Festival!
The Door County Lighthouse Festival occurs one weekend in the summer when you can visit some of the lighthouses in Door County.
These include some that aren’t open to the public, like those on Chamber Island and Plum Island.
No visit to Wisconsin is complete without tasting the best local delicacy: beer.
Door County Beer Festival is not only a must-visit to sample some of the finest local beers, but you can also enjoy live music and try the local cuisine.
The Door County Folk Festival is another summer event you should attend in Door County.
You can enjoy folk music throughout the event and sign up for a dance workshop to learn Midwest folk dance from the experts!
9. Explore Washington Island Stavkirke
If you’re visiting Washington Island on a day trip, Starvkirke Norwegian Church is a must-see.
The church’s striking design is based on the ancient Norwegian church, honoring the significant influence of the Scandinavian immigrants in Door County.
Owned by the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island, WI.
I can’t believe that the church was only built in 1983 as the church building gives off some ancient and mysterious vibes for the first impression.
Whether you’re religious or not, surrounded by beautiful gardens, Washington Island Stavkirke won’t disappoint.
The church also holds evening services every Wednesday in the summer for religious folks, making it one of the most unique things to do in Door County!
10. Relax at Whitefish Dunes State Park
Whitefish Dunes State Park is the perfect tranquil beach destination for swimming and sunbathing in the summer.
Compared to the other beaches in Door County, you may need to be more cautious about swimming at Whitefish Dunes Beach because of its occasional strong waves – especially on a windy day.
Over 800 acres of forest and dunes along the Great Lakes shoreline make the Dunes Trail, one of the best hikes in Door County. One section connects Cave Point County Park.
This Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point Kayak Tour allows you to explore the waterways between the two parks.
It’s the best option to discover the best of Door County at once, especially if you have a short time to explore the area!
Join this Whitefish Dunes kayak tour.
11. Visit Door County Wineries
In addition to the breweries, Door County has a thriving wine industry that’s still pretty small – but worth exploring!
If wine tastings or vineyard tours appeal to you, you should add wineries in Door County to your itinerary in the summer.
Starting with Door Peninsula Winery, the oldest winery in Door County, they’re open for wine tasting daily.
There are over 70 wines and ciders to sample, and you can get five for the free wine tasting at Door Peninsula Winery.
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market and Stone’s Throw Winery are great options for Door County wine tastings and vineyard tours.
For the best food pairings with the local wines, you can also join this Door County cheese curd tour, where you can sample some local artisan cheesy delights combined with some good wine in Sister Bay.
Check Sister Bay cheese curd tour.
12. Explore Maritime Museums
Exploring Door County is incomplete without understanding its maritime heritage, and the Door County Maritime Museum is the best place to do that.
Situated in Sturgeon Bay, the Door County Maritime Museum will introduce you to some of the pivotal roles that make up the county’s maritime life—from skilled craftsmen to lighthouse keepers.
When you’re there, the ticket also includes a guided tour of the restored 1919 John Purves tug boat and Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower.
If you have more time to explore Door County, I also recommend visiting the additional sites at Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor and Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock.
My final thoughts on Door County things to do in Summer
Summer is the best time to go to Door County, as there are so many activities to do during this time of the year.
You can visit the Door County lighthouses in the summer, which you can’t do if you visit Door County any other time of the year. Not only that, Door County also offers a lot of outdoor and indoor activities – from hiking to art workshops!
So, what are your favorite Door County things to do in summer? Share it in the comments section below!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
