Beach Vacations in Door County | Exploring the Midwest Podcast Episode 15

Last Updated on February 9, 2022 by Jody Halsted

When talking about beach getaways in the Midwest, Door County, Wisconsin deserves a spot at the top of the list! As a peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan you'll find quite a few beach options!

Guest Jon Jarosh, is Director of Communications & PR  at Destination Door County.

Sister_Bay_Beach_Door_County_Wisconsin_aerial_image
Sister Bay Beach Photo courtesy of Destination Door County
Click here to save this article to your Midwest travel board on Pinterest

Where is Door County, Wisconsin?

Door County is known as ‘Wisconsin's thumb' – if you look at Wisconsin and you kind of hold your left hand out in front of you, with your palm facing away, Door County is the thumb.

It is one of the few destinations that the folks up on the space station can see very easily as they're passing overhead, which is a fun little fact.

Boat on Lake Michigan viewed from Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin
A perfect Door County day!

Door County Beaches

Door County is surrounded by water and has 300 miles of shoreline, all Lake Michigan.

The bay of Green Bay is what locals call the body of water to the West and Lake Michigan proper lies off the east coast, but it's all Lake Michigan.

Each village in Door County is on the coast and has a public beach and a waterfront park.

evening_sunset_Waterfront_Park_Beach_Sister_Bay_Wisconsin
Evening at Waterfront Park Beach in Sister Bay

Visit Sister Bay for a ‘Beachy Vibe' in Door County

For a wide variety of things to do, visit Sister Bay. This community is in the northern part of the peninsula, along the West coast, aka the ‘sunset side'.

Waterfront Park Beach, right in downtown Sister Bay, has so much going on and yet it's a spot you can just hang out at and build a sand castle.

How to enjoy the Beach in Sister Bay

  • Rent a boat, jet skis, kayak, SUP
  • Wooden schooner cruise on the Edith M. Becker
  • Sunset boat cruise
  • Swim platform
  • Pier
  • Playground
  • Concerts or movies at the bandshell
  • Grab a meal or enjoy a beverage on an outdoor patio
  • Fun local shops
  • Enjoy the sunset
Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island

More Door County Beaches

There are 54 beaches in Door County.

Villages all along the peninsula have a beach.

Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island

You have to take a ferry to get to Washington Island. Take your car or bike or rent a bike, moped, or UTV on the island.

One of the most unique beaches in the world, Schoolhouse Beach is made up of millions of smooth white stones; no sand.

Whitefish Dunes State Park

Located on the ‘lake side' of the peninsula and home to the tallest sand dunes in Wisconsin.

The beach is a mile and a half long, so it's a great place for a beach walk.

Or follow the boardwalk to the top of the sand dunes. And be sure to visit the nature center.

More info on Door County beaches

See video featuring Door County beaches

An ‘All American' diner experience

Tips for Your Door County Vacation

Fun Facts About Door County (includes distances and driving times from Midwest cities!)

Door County Dining (tip: bring your appetite!)

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is one of 11 lighthouses in Door County

Door County Tours & Activities

  • Door County has 11 lighthouses. Visit them on your own or take a lighthouse tour.
  • Door County Adventure Rafting (high adrenaline!)
  • Ice cream at Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor in Eiphram
  • Parasiling
  • Ziplining
  • Off-road Segway tour (this is so much fun!)
  • Cherry picking (late summer/ early fall)
  • Hiking
  • Cycling
  • Fish Boil (a Door County tradition)

Door County Accommodations

You won't find many big chain hotels in Door County.

Plan Your Door County Vacation

Door County is a terrific, family friendly getaway, an exceptional romantic escape, or a fun destination for a girls getaway!

DoorCounty.com

Get inspiration on Door County's Instagram account

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.