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Door County, Wisconsin is quickly becoming one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Midwest, and with so many fun things to do it’s really no surprise. While a vacation to Wisconsin is likely to be more budget-friendly than trips to many other destinations, maximizing your time with as many free attractions as possible will help keep your vacation costs down. The great news is that Door County, Wisconsin has a ton of different things to do completely for free. From exploring pristine beaches and gorgeous parks, to free museums to explore, to local shops and wineries offering free samples, there is so much free fun to be had on the Door Peninsula. Come along with me as I share my list of top things to do for free when visiting Door County!
Before You Go:
- Consider buying a Wisconsin State Parks pass before you visit. Door County is home to (5) state parks-Potawatomi, Newport, Whitefish Dunes, Rock Island and Peninsula and a state park pass will get you into those parks as well as any of the other (66) Wisconsin state parks for one low fee for an entire year.
- PLAN EARLY. Door County is becoming a popular destination and accommodations book up quickly. Consider booking 6-9 months in advance when possible. Waiting until the last minute to book will result in higher lodging costs and limited selection.
- Door County is an outdoor lover’s paradise and perfect for outdoor picnics. Consider bringing a blanket and cooler so you’re all set to hit the local markets for snacks to enjoy a picnic or beach day at any time.
One of the most iconic things to do in Door County is to come see the adorable goats grazing on the roof of Al Johnson’s restaurant. Anyone can come ogle the adorable goats for free, but let’s be honest – it’s better enjoyed with a beer from the Stabbur Beer Garden or after a stack of Al’s Swedish pancakes.
Seaquist is a great place for adults and kids alike to spend time in Door County. Adults can relax while kids enjoy the rope maze, pedal track, sandbox, playground or play lawn games. The adults can nosh on the many tasty free samples offered in the store and stock up on local goods.
3. Enjoy a day at the beach.
Door County has several great beaches for kids to enjoy a low-key day playing at the beach. Egg Harbor Public Beach is one of our favorites as it includes a pavilion, bathrooms, showers and a playground. Otumba Beach in Sturgeon Bay is a perfect small beach for kids with a playground that can be enjoyed for free. The Door County state parks also have incredible beaches but there is an admission charge for anyone without a state park sticker.
4. Play at an area playground.
If you’ve got kids, Door County has many playgrounds to keep them entertained. Sister Bay Beach and Harbor View Park have some of the best playgrounds around.
The little red John Purves Tugboat is an iconic sight in Sturgeon Bay and is worth checking out. For a detailed view, purchase a ticket for a guided tugboat tour, or just check out the exterior of the tugboat for free.
Be adventurous and wade your way across the causeway waters to the lighthouse for free. Otherwise, there is a fee to take the tractor to the lighthouse and to explore the island. (Going by foot is more fun, but watch the water levels to be safe.)
This bright red lighthouse is one of the most gorgeous and identifiable structures in Door County and is entirely free to view. Park at the nearby U.S Coast Guard station and it’s a super short walk to view this stunner.
Smooth stones lay in place of sand at this unique beach. Bring water shoes for yourself and the kids as the stones can be a little tricky to navigate. Pro tip: don’t take the rocks with you. It’s actually illegal. Seriously.
Cliff jumping is super fun but always a little dangerous and quite the thrill. Make sure the water level is high enough for a safe jump. Also only recommended for strong swimmers who can pull themselves back up to the cliffs.
It’s a Door County tradition, so bring a sharpie, and make your mark!
11. Enjoy a picnic.
No reservation needed! While the view is free, you’ll want to stock up a cooler and head to one of Door County’s beautiful free parks for the perfect picnic. Sister Bay Beach is one of my favorite picnic spots. Hit up one of the many Door County markets for local goods like homemade jellies, mustards, cheeses and salsas, pair with some crackers or chips and enjoy!
The main building has a nature center for kids to explore and go for an easy nature walk along the boardwalk. Be sure to check out the Bailey’s Harbor Range Lights which have been restored and moved to Ridges after helping to guide ships home for more than 100 years.
14. Explore the specialty shops in Fish Creek.
Door County has great shops that are perfect for a day of browsing, especially in Fish Creek. Stop into The Barrel Room in Fish Creek for free tastings of salsas, dips, oils and wines…and don’t be surprised when you can’t help but stock up on your new favorites.
15. Enjoy a cheese tasting.
The Wisconsin Cheese Masters offers a wide variety of artisan cheeses from roughly 60 Wisconsin-based cheese masters. Samples are offered to visitors daily along with a lesson in cheese from their knowledgeable staff. Want to try something from the menu? Just ask. Do yourself a favor and purchase some of their amazing cheeses if you can, to help support Wisconsin cheese!
From lavender slushies to lavender infused chocolate, ice cream, macaroons, caramel corn and honey, there are so many neat lavender themed foods to browse. There are also many lavender-lavished lotions and perfumes to sample. The store is open and browsing is free, but you are welcome to purchase goods or entry to the lavender farm grounds.
17. Visit Door County’s libraries.
There are multiple libraries across Door County, all free to visit, but a couple of the best are in Egg Harbor and Sturgeon Bay.
Visit the Sturgeon Bay Library for a free taste of some gorgeous artwork . The Miller Art Museum is the only fine art museum in Door County, housing a number of rotating collections as well as a permanent collection dedicated to 20th century Wisconsin art.
The Hardy Gallery features exhibits from artists of the Door Peninsula at Eagle Harbor.
20. Take a self-guided walking tour of Door County Downtown areas.
Multiple towns in Door County have walking tours but one of the best is in Sturgeon Bay. Learn more information about the Sturgeon Bay walking tours here.
21. Groove and move to live music!
During the summer, Door County has live music and free concerts offered across the peninsula, in addition to the many local eateries, breweries and wineries offering live music shows as well. Learn more about offerings here.
22. See a magical Door County sunrise over Lake Michigan.
The best spots to catch a beautiful sunrise are on the lake side of the peninsula. For especially beautiful sunrise viewing, head to Bailey’s Harbor and Cave Point County Park.
23. Go fishing.
Looking for a few hours of fishing without a boat? There are some great spots for fishing around Door County including the Sister Bay Marina, Anderson Dock, Fish Creek Municipal Dock or Egg Harbor Dock as just a few examples. This is, of course, assuming you already have a fishing license.
24. Enjoy a classic bayside Door County sunset.
Find a spot to watch the sun go down over the waters of Green Bay. A few favorite locations to check out include Eagle Harbor in Ephraim, Peninsula State Park and Sunset Park in Fish Creek.
25. Drive the most picturesque winding road in Door County.
The 1.5 mile zig-zag stretch of road on Highway 42 in Gills Rock is gorgeous at any time but is especially worth a visit in fall with the richly colored trees.
The preserve is one of the few freshwater estuaries left in North America, a critical habitat for the breeding and migration of birds and other wildlife.
Watch the boats and explore the picturesque Sturgeon Bay area.
Several favorites at Door Peninsula Winery include the fruity flavors of blackberry, peach and of course, cherry.
Previously named one of Chicago Tribune’s “Best Small Museums in the Midwest” – come see why.
Geocaching is a GPS-based treasure hunting activity that allows you to explore new places and discover hidden treasures in the great outdoors. Think of it as a free boost of excitement to your Door County travels.
The Stavkirke is a handsome Norweigan-inspired church hidden in the woods of Washington Island.
This museum houses an amazing collection of local artifacts. Outside of the museum, see larger items salvaged from several shipwrecks.
Where will your Door County adventure take you?