Winery? Did you say Winery?

You mean there are more than 2 winery's within driving distance and I did not know this????

Damn it. I'm really gonna need that GPS system. Seriously. Talk about great day trips!

Of course there is always Green Bay! Maybe it's not in Door County, but you have to pass through it to get there! It has the best team in the NFL, and I know all the good places to eat there.

Hmm... Well I can't say anything about that side of Wisconsin, but there is this great little resort that nobody seems to know about: here in western Wisconsin.
Unfortunately they've started to sell off some of the cabins as condos, though :( This makes me sad.

Anyhoo, we own property on the lake that connects to that one. Beautiful country.

I was there a while back...don't remember very much...

SIster Bay

Sent by Harvey -- when were you thinking of going? (changes the suggestions) I'll assume generic summertime...

Confession: I haven't been to the Door ISLAND (heck, if you have to cross a bridge over a canal that bisects a "peninsula", doesn't it become an island?) in at least seven years -- used to stay at an ex's tiny family cabin on Gills Rock.

Do a fish boil at night (kinda cool to throw a half gallon of kerosene or #2 diesel at your ginormous pot-o-dinner to clean off the crud) -- I used to go to the Viking Grill off 42 in Ellison Bay but I think the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek was OK, too. Google "door county fish boil" and go with one close to your location. Warning: bland, often salty fish, but it's fresh caught that day -- new potatoes are usually tasty and the cherry pie chunks can be addictive -- max your portion the first time through, seconds aren't an option without another ticket. Oh, if you eat outside, eat fast or the skeeters will carry you away!

Swedish breakfast at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay used to be tasty & sometimes the goat is on the grass roof (saw some harsh reviews online and they might be right, the place was looking old the last time I was there). Lingonberries are good (on pancakes, better on ice cream) when fresh from the jar, but Al Johnson's is the only place in the midwest that I've seen Cloudberries for sale -- similar but yellow and much better flavor.

Fish Creek (locals used to say crick) at the edge of the Peninsula State Park had some interesting places to shop, including a kite shop -- only kites -- with a big sweet Leonberger dog that shames Harvey's "Jake the horse-dog". The park is pretty to drive through, interesting hikes if that's your style -- there's a golf course in the park, too. Never bothered to go to Washington Island on the ferry, though it woke me up in the morning, so I can't help you there.

Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim was always a treat on a hot day -- for the atmosphere, you perverts, not the scantily clad lasses on the boats! Sit inside, on the porch or go for a walk with your cone... it's right on the bay.

I'm the first to admit, it's all a tourist trap -- enjoy the scenery and pace, don't buy the crap! Never did a booze-cruise / pub crawl up there because they overcharge for everything else, why not alcohol, too. Fuel prices up there are usually the highest in the state.

Holy shit, after the last comment, I feel like I been there now... It was what you asked for though aint it?

I confess. I asked for T1G's help and I really appreciate that he would put together a post about the request. Big thanks to you, T1G. Thanks for all the suggestions, and I promise not to buy any trinkets from the natives.

Lisa

Lisa, don't worry, the natives are friendly -- they like your money! Not sure which way you are coming through, but consider stopping at a small cheese factory for fresh (squeeky) cheese curds. Enjoy your trip!

Redneck, thought if somebody was asking and I had a few answers, it'd be the neighborly thing to answer them. And, being the dairy state, we now have to store that shit before we can spread it. The boss' nephew makes good money hauling and spreading shit.

Tammi, there are a bunch of winery's in WI -- a friend is attempting to fill his new wine cellar and yaks about the mailings announcing tastings and whatnot... Unfortunately, I'm not a wino, nor a wine snob so I can't list them off.

Oh, couple of (jumbled thoughts on) things I forgot to mention: Watch out (if you are Don Imus), they have "Ho-made Pie" advertised on fences -- and make a little time to stop in at a kitschy country market / orchard and browse, they might still have some of last year's cherries in the cooler (frozen, of course). Don't ask me why, either, but a glass of Door County Cherry Juice everyday makes my knees not crunch and crackle -- now I just need something to remind me to buy it and drink it! If you are an artsy-fartsy type, you might like the Peninsula Players http://peninsulaplayers.com/ and Folklore Theatre group http://www.folkloretheatre.com/park.html

Seasonal considerations: Spring cherry blossoms / Fall "color" and cherry picking. The lake is cold year round, but the bay warms up, as long as you aren't too close to the tip. Winter is wonderful, if you ski, but most places are 3 season and close up.

A little linky love (courtesy of Google) from my last comment, in the order mentioned...
http://www.thevikinggrill.com/
http://www.whitegullinn.com/
http://www.aljohnsons.com/
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/peninsula/
http://www.fishcreekkites.com/
http://www.wisferry.com/
http://www.wilsonsicecream.com/

Mike the EE: Great suggestions. And trust me - I'm an equal opportunity wine drinker. No snobin' about it. ;-)

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