In a peninsula surrounded by Lake Michigan, Door County draws tourists throughout the year to fish, hike, ski, shop and enjoy the unadulterated beauty of nature.
The Pembrooke Inn Bed & Breakfast/Photo Courtesy of Bridgette M. Redman
Door County, Wisconsin, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and charming hospitality. Whether you are looking for lighthouses and sandy beaches or remote forest trails and dark parks, the peninsula beckons nature-lovers. Artists gather there and display their works in galleries and museums, sometimes performing live demonstrations. Foodies know it is a place for outstanding coffee, cherry treats, fish fries and boils and some of the finest of Wisconsin cheeses. Travelers seeking a serene getaway can check into cozy bed-and-breakfasts tucked into charming downtown neighborhoods or upscale waterfront resorts with panoramic views. Whether you’re drawn to outdoor adventures like kayaking along limestone cliffs or indulging in local beers and freshly caught seafood, Door County promises an unforgettable escape for those seeking tranquility and rejuvenation.
The Pembrooke Inn B&B
When it comes to historic charm, it’s hard to beat The Pembrooke Inn Bed & Breakfast. In a home built by one of the founders of Sturgeon Bay’s shipyard in 1886, the luxurious home with its oak-paneled reception area hearkens back to a bygone era. Newly reopened as a bed and breakfast in 2020, the new owners have filled the home with modern amenities while keeping its historic charm. All guestrooms in this three-story home come with a spacious hot tub, fireplace and unique decor. A wrap-around porch on the second floor overlooks a garden and contains comfortable patio furniture and a hammock. Guests can enjoy delicious, home-cooked breakfasts every morning, an evening reception, or visit the bourbon room. Plenty of common areas provide space for guests to lounge in a day room, dining room or library. From $265 per night.
White Lace Inn
White Lace Inn/Photo Courtesy of Booking.com
Four homes make up the turn-of-the-century White Lace Inn, a bed and breakfast set within a Sturgeon Bay neighborhood. The Inn is filled with antiques, Victorian beds and large whirlpools. Some rooms have gas or wood-burning fireplaces. Connecting the homes are pathways winding through a garden and gazebo. The owners purchased the 1903 Queen Anne home and completely renovated it in 1982, eventually purchasing other properties and moving them to the complex. The four houses are the Main House, Garden House, Washburn House and Hadley House. Each room has individually controlled heat and air conditioning and a full breakfast is included. From $77 a night.
Holiday Music Motel
Holiday Music Motel/Photo Courtesy of Booking.com
Those looking for a one-of-a-kind stay will want to reserve a room at the Holiday Music Motel. This retro property takes guests back to the 1950s with its diner-like vibe and rotary phones in each guestroom. They lay claim to being the only fully operational motel in the world that features “live music, collaborative songwriting retreats and a radio station exclusively broadcasting the music created within its own walls.” More than 1,500 songs have been written and recorded at the motel. The guestrooms, which guest claim are beyond clean, feature the original Simmons metal furniture and bathroom tiling. From $98 a night.
The Nordic Lodge
Nordic Lodge/Photo Courtesy of Booking.com
Door County’s Sister Bay is home to the The Nordic Lodge, a peaceful hotel that draws upon the area’s cultural heritage and provides a resting place for leisure travelers whether they are arriving as a couple, a family or with a large friend group. Rooms configurations include guestrooms with one or two beds and a Lodge Suite with a full kitchen, dining table and separate living area. All guestrooms are provided complimentary popcorn and water bottles. And while local Sister Bay lures visitors to its many natural attractions, the two-story lodge itself offers a heated indoor pool, a sun deck and gas grill and picnic area. There is a daily continental breakfast included in the stay and coffee available in the lobby ll day long. From $173 a night.
Stone Harbor Resort
Stone Harbor Resort/Photo courtesy of Stone Harbor Resort
Sturgeon Bay’s largest resort and conference center, Stone Harbor Resort is a full-service hotel complete with restaurants, outdoor tiki bars, a pool and a marina. With ample meeting space, the resort often hosts community events such as concerts, holiday buffets and Bingo. The warmly painted rooms offer a variety of choices from a studio suite to lofts to king- and queen-size suites. Some rooms boast an attached balcony and many rooms have oversized whirlpool tubs and gas fireplaces. The Stone Harbor Restaurant and Pub serves lunch and dinner where you can get such local favorites as the Stone Harbor Burger, Door County Cherry Salad or Pan-Fried Walleye. From $195 a night.
The Landing Resort
The Landing Resort/Photo Courtesy of Booking.com
Egg Harbor’s The Landing Resort wants you to know that they have discovered “the perfect balance between small-town charm and worldly adventure.” Surrounded by woods and adjacent to a public beach and marina, they create that up-north vacation environment that so many travelers to the area seek. Each room is uniquely decorated and guests can choose from king- or queen-sized lofts and studios with one to three bedrooms and beds. Each room comes with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette. The property offers an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Door County coffee in the lobby, laundry, playground, gas grills, basketball and ladder golf courts and parking for cars, boats and RVs. From $85 a night.
The Inn at Little Sister Hill
Nestled on a wooded lot between Ephraim and Sister Bay, The Inn at Little Sister Hill is a resort that captures the spirit of Door County– a place where people go to enjoy the outdoors, hang out around campfires, go fishing and hike through the outdoors. Or maybe you want to lounge in their hammock or two-person swing. The property offers both a pool and firepit for those who want to hang out outside, along with a playground in the sand for the kids. Their one- and two-bedroom suites have separate bedroom, living room, dining spaces and full kitchens. They even include coffee in the rooms and the living room sofas have queen sleepers for extra guests. From $131 a night.