Bring your favorite four-legged travel companion to this dog-friendly destination.
Some of the best people I know are dogs. When I heard that Door County bills itself as a dog-friendly destination I knew it was time for a proper road trip. With my own adorable rescue pup, Casey – the world’s happiest terrier mix, along for the ride, I set out to explore the Midwest’s celebrated cape.
Just a few hours north of our Chicago North Shore home, Door County beckons with 300 miles of Great Lakes coastline, 11 lighthouses (I love lighthouses!), picturesque farms and villages. The experience begins as you cross into Sturgeon Bay. This town retains much of its industrial cred with a busy shipping harbor serving vessels bound for Great Lakes ports and beyond. But look closely and coastal charm is everywhere. Locals, who seem to understand that living at the gateway to a noted tourist destination comes with a certain responsibility, outfit their charming homes with brightly painted shutters and bountiful perennial gardens. As we cross the bridge over the Sturgeon Bay Ship Channel, that familiar relaxed vacation feeling begins to settle upon us. Well, for me anyway. Casey gets carsick on winding roads so the next 100 miles might be a bit sketchy.
We begin on Route 42 along the north shore of the county. Door County’s low, coastal landscape only a few miles wide on the peninsula, affords broad views of farm fields and orchards and an occasional glimpse of Green Bay to our left. Farm stands and markets dot the roadside and offer a bounty of the region’s specialty – cherries. In the early spring rows of cherry trees burst into color with soft pink blossoms. By mid-summer the sweetly tart berries are waiting to be picked, eaten by the handful and baked into every imaginable application from the obvious – pies, tarts, cobblers – to the only-in-Wisconsin obscure – beer, cider, cocktails, salad dressing, and cheese. Oh Wisconsin, you’re adorable!
Follow route 42 along the north shore of the cape through lovely villages, each brimming with boutiques, cafes and ample opportunities to slow down and take in the scenery. The first stop, Egg Harbor, is home to the venerable Shipwrecked Brew Pub and its dog-friendly outdoor deck. Tragically, the pub was destroyed by fire in August of 2017, but after long months of re-construction, it’s nearly ready to welcome guests to relax and enjoy great burgers and Door County’s favorite brews in a familiar but completely new space.
Next on the route, Fish Creek is my personal favorite. In this perfect coastal town window boxes and hanging porch planters spill over with trailing petunias in such abundance they seem to be a feat of engineering. Locals and visitors enjoy picnic lunches and afternoon music on the town green and charming shops offer an array of accessories for lakeside homes. For nautical gifts and attire, I felt right at home in On Deck Clothing where a dreamy mahogany runabout enjoys a place of honor in the center of the store. O’Mera’s Irish House called me to stop in and pay tribute to my heritage. Don’t miss a chance to get out on the water for a history lesson and the best view of the landscape. I recommend the Millionaire’s Row and West Islands Cruise where you’ll see the most coveted lakeside cottages in the area and learn about Green Bay’s most famous seasonal visitors – a flock of white pelicans that return to the west islands each summer. Pelicans in the Great Lakes!
After the cruise, there is time for one more stop at the end of the day. The town of Ephraim is home to Wilson’s, a Door County classic, for casual lakeside dining and ice cream and a perfect spot to catch the sunset.
After a restful night, the next day brings a coast hike in one of Door County’s five state parks, a visit to an out-of-this-world Christmas shop, and completion of the loop road along the southern coast of the peninsula. With attractions for the outdoorsy set including camping, rock-climbing, biking and sailing, as wells as options for those of us, like Casey and myself, who just want to sit in a deck chair and breathe in the experience, Door County is an ideal summer destination.
Stay
Door County welcomes dogs and their humans with a great variety of comfortable and (sometimes) canine-accessible lodging and dining options. With many options available, it’s best to have an idea of the type of accommodations you seek – hotels, inns, B & Bs and cottages are available in every town on the peninsula. If traveling with your dog, always call ahead and be sure that pets are welcome. Some places allow dog only in certain rooms, so it’s important to ensure that your dog is included in the reservation. Here are a few recommendations.
White Gull Inn | Fish Creek
This classic, colonial style inn has served the region for more than a century. The rooms and suites are beautifully appointed and the location is ideal to enjoy all of the area’s attractions. Sadly, pets are not welcome, but Door County has many other equally appealing options.
Settlement Courtyard Inn & Lavender Spa | Fish Creek
This comfortable inn features 33 rooms and two rental houses with convenient access to Fish Creek, Peninsula State Park and the Peninsula Players Theater. A lovely breakfast is included daily and dogs are welcome in the Garden House.
Find other pet-friendly accommodations HERE. And if your planned activities don’t suit your canine friend’s tastes, consider day boarding at Door County Kennels in Egg Harbor. Casey enjoyed an afternoon reliving her farm dog origins at this spot and was perfectly happy to take a pass on the boat tour.
Eat
Wickman House
For the dedicated localvore, the choice is Wickman house. Located in picturesque Elison Bay, Wickman House offers the best of the area’s agricultural bounty. Ingredients are grown right on the property or sourced from local producers throughout Door County.
Gibraltar Grill
This Fish Creek favorite claims the best outdoor patio in Door County and invites dogs to enjoy an evening of great food, lawn games and music with their two-legged, bill-paying companions. If you’re staying in Fish Creek they’ll even pick you in their courtesy shuttle, a six-passenger electric vehicle.
Fish Boils
This is the classic Door County dining experience and options to partake can be found everywhere. Comparable to an old-fashioned clam bake, the Door County Fish Boil is equal parts nourishment and theater. Local whitefish are simmered along with potatoes and onions. Master purveyors stoke the carefully maintained fire into a dramatic boil over creating a sensational photo op. The simple meal is served with plenty of local butter, Wisconsin beer and finished with, of course, cherry pie. Perhaps the best-known fish boils are found at Pellitier’s Restaurant or The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. Reservations are necessary.
Supper Clubs
Another not to be missed Wisconsin dining experience, the quintessential supper club is well represented in the area. Although each family own establishment is unique in its own way, the feeling of dining among family is a hallmark of the experience. Stick with a classic like the Greenwood Supper Club in Fish Creek or the Florian II in Bailey’s Harbor which offers a sweeping view of Lake Michigan to enhance the experience. Start with a brandy old fashioned and save room for boozy ice cream desserts.
Evening Entertainment
I can’t miss an opportunity to combine two of my favorite experiences – summer evenings spent outdoors and musical theater. In Door County and I can enjoy both along with my best dog friend, Casey. (Truthfully, theater is not her bag, but like my husband, she has learned that, in my home, it comes with the territory.) Door County boasts two outdoor pavilions offering live stage productions and, get this, an old-school drive-in movie theater. Classic. For information and to see what’s currently playing, visit:
Northern Sky Theater
Peninsula Players
Sky Way Drive In Theater
Enjoy More Local Adventures in Wisconsin!
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