<p>H has a long weekend coming up. He has to be in Milwaukee Thursday afternoon and then he is free for the rest of the weekend. We thought we would go on up to Door County for a couple days and then come home on Sunday. Anybody have any ideas of where to stay and or eat in Door County? Milwaukee? We are looking at the Little Harbor Inn, anyone know it?</p>
<p>^ I thought you said Door Country…hmmm…do they make a lot of doors up there?</p>
<p>Al Johnson’s goats on the roof.
White Gull Inn</p>
<p>My H worked out of Stugeon Bay before we married. I loved visiting him especially in the fall. I hope the weather and color holds up for you. I haven’t been there in a decade at least so can’t make a recommendation, but Sister Bay always had a variety of places to eat.</p>
<p>In between is Kohler, which has The American Club. Fantastic spa, great food, but quite a splurge. In Milwaukee the Pfister is nice but their restaurant is uneven. The art museum is lovely and their restaurant is pretty good</p>
<p>lololu - </p>
<p>If you don’t have reservations at a place to stay now, I’d book it right now, if you can find anything. This weekend and next weekend are peak fall colors and accommodations in Door County are hard to come by. People book for these weeks months and months ahead of time.</p>
<p>Good point teriwtt</p>
<p>Be sure to go to Wilson’s in Ephraim! Take a walk in Peninsula State Park and over to the lake side and Whitefish Dunes. I also like the White Gull Inn, especially for breakfast.</p>
<p>In Milwaukee, the County Clare Irish Pub and Inn is a great place to stay and a great place to eat.</p>
<p>I stayed out the Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay this past summer. Lots of quality restaurants within walking distance. Egg Harbor looked very cute as a place to stay. I was impressed with Door County.</p>
<p>PS. I saw the goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s but didn’t eat there. But they are munching away during the day.</p>
<p>Also, <a href=“http://www.stonesthrowwinery.com/home.html[/url]”>http://www.stonesthrowwinery.com/home.html</a> I enjoyed some of their wine.</p>
<p>We’ve always stayed in Ephraim. It’s kind of centrally located, quiet, and seemed to have the nicest beach. Gourmetmom is right about walking in Peninsula Park, it’s really beautiful in all seasons. There’s cute shops in Fish Creek, and the ride around the peninsula this time of year should be spectacular. There’s also a really good bakery, I think it’s east of Sister Bay. That said, if I were you, I would allow time for visiting the Milwaukee art museum either first or last, it’s truly a fabulous collection and the museum building itself is an exceptional work of art.</p>
<p>Actually, we have to be a the Milwaukee Museum Thursday afternoon, that’s where my husband’s meeting is. We went ahead and made a reservation at the Little Harbor Inn, on the Green Bay side just north of Sturgeon Bay. Any great places to eat?</p>
<p>Scaturo’s Baking Co. and Cafe in Sturgeon Bay. Breakfast/lunch. And Dinner. They catered my son’s wedding weekend this past summer. That is why I know about this area first hand.</p>
<p>Julie’s Cafe right outside the entrance to Peninsula State Park is fantastic for breakfast and lunch. You can also rent bikes next door to ride around the park.</p>
<p>Try to make it to Koepsel’s Market on Highway 57 between Bailey’s Harbor and Sister Bay. They have wonderful preserves, pickles, pies, and old-fashioned farm market items. It’s been there for over 50 years - the pies are memorable with local fruit and homemade crust. Another great place is Renard’s Cheese in Sturgeon Bay (old Highway 57) for cheese curds (you have to try) and Wisconsin cheddar.</p>
<p>If you love art, there are many noteworthy galleries in Door County. You should be able to pick up a gallery directory at your hotel.</p>
<p>I second Julie’s Cafe next to Peninsula State Park. Excellent Whitefish (I find Whitefish to be as mild but less dry than Walleye- a good bet at any place)- either lunch sandwich or dinner filet, also vegetarian dishes. Years ago we stayed at the Landmark during the off season (then bought a condo which we have since sold once kid was in HS). The fish boils are good- we did Pelletiers- done thru Oct 18th there.</p>
<p>We almost went up there this weekend but couldn’t pass up the warmer weather at home (mid 70’s!)- the annual pumpkin fest was in Egg Harbor. Egg Harbor’s Main St Market is probably the best place for groceries and wines north of Sturgeon Bay (on the right just inside town). If you can, stop at the Door County Visitor’s Center just south of Sturgeon Bay- just after the speed limit is lowered to 45 and before the first traffic light for all sorts of info pamphlets if you are there when open. Otherwise many stores have all sorts of info- including the Main St Market.</p>
<p>In WI remember to keep within 10 miles above the speed limit on highways to avoid a ticket. The Lake and Bay sides are so different- nice to see both. Whitefish Dunes SP and Peninsula SP easily done in one day. Climb the Eagle tower at Peninsula. There’s a great used book store- Caxton’s- in Ellison Bay. The last Peninsula Players play date is Oct 17th-“Panic”- see their website.</p>
<p>We often go up the busy Green Bay side and return on the quiet Lake Michigan side north of Sturgeon Bay. There is a smaller bunch of shops in Egg Harbor but much more for browsing in Fish Creek. I’m sitting here with my numerous booklets. Ypou should stop at the WI Welcome Center at the state line if you can for a state map and brochures. Feel free to PM me for more info.</p>
<p>Bring your camera, camcorder and binoculars.</p>
<p>Take the scenic route to Door County: exit I43 at Waldo Boulevard (10/42) in Manitowoc and take Hwy 42 north to Algoma, then County S to Sturgeon Bay where you’ll intersect with Hwy 42/57. You’ll be driving along the lake a good part of the way.
Stop at the Flying Pig Gallery and Greenspace (on Hwy 42 just south of Algoma) and Cafe Tlazzo on 4th Street (Hwy 42) in downtown Algoma. Stop at any farm/orchard market you see for a bag of Honey Crisp apples! Buy a pie (or a slice or two) at Sweetie Pie’s (on Hwy 42 between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek.
Visit Cave Point County Park <a href=“http://www.door-county-wisconsin.net/cave-point-door-county.htm[/url]”>http://www.door-county-wisconsin.net/cave-point-door-county.htm</a> just north of Whitefish Dunes State Park. </p>
<p>Next weekend is Sister Bay’s Fall Fest-if you are not looking for mobs of people, avoid at all costs.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips, sounds like white fish is the way to go – and I was confused, we will be up there the weekend of the 22-23 so we will miss Fall Fest.</p>
<p>Good information, I drive by much of this on my yearly trip though Door County for the semi wilderness camping on Rock Island, 2 ferry rides from the mainland. But there are a few places I stop en route. My yearly walleye lunch is at the Sandpiper in Bailey’s Harbor. Good basic food, and they do a fish boil in the evening. </p>
<p>Some years I bring my bike and ride the trails in Penninsula State Park. Beautiful, through the woods and right by Green Bay in places. You can rent bikes outside the park. </p>
<p>At the end of Door County, I buy smoked whitefish and sometimes salmon in Gil’s Rock. The whitefish is the best, though not healthy to eat more than occasionally. </p>
<p>The Ridges, on the Lake Michigan side is a good place to learn about the natural history of the area, and is peaceful and lovely. </p>
<p>Taking the ferry to Washington Island brings you to a slower pace and more of a rural scene. I have friends who love to stay here, but no personal experience. Another great place for biking. Driving across that island will bring you to the Karfi, and the short ferry ride to Rock Island, which allows no cars and is a peaceful place for hiking and seeing the imposing stone boathouse built by an Icelandic industrialist.</p>