Looking for a great fall vacation? There is no better time to visit than fall in Door County, Wisconsin. Door County has over 300 miles of scenic shoreline, five state parks, and a rich arts and culture community. The hustle of summer tourist season has wrapped up and things are a bit more relaxed for a long weekend trip. With some of the best fall foliage color in the Midwest, fall festivals and so much to explore, Door County is a great fall destination.
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20 Amazing Things to do in Door County in the Fall
#1 Scenic Drive to Explore Door County Fall Colors
The leaf color change along the Door County peninsula is some of the best in the Midwest. There are a couple great drives not to miss in the fall.
The Door County Coastal Byway is a 66-mile scenic loop that includes breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, the Bay of Green Bay, and quaint small towns and villages along the way.
One portion of this byway that is particularly good for fall leaf color is from Sister Bay to Northport, on Highway 42. This scenic drive includes the Jens Jensen’s winding road found about 1.5 miles past Gills Rock. The famous “winding road in Door County” is frequently photographed in the fall for stunning leaf color.
The leaves begin to change in the southern portion of the peninsula in late September and change heading north, typically peaking by mid-October. The timing for fall color in Door County is different every year so it’s good to check Travel Wisconsin for current updates.
#2 Take the Ferry to Washington Island
Make your way up to the tip of Door County in the Northeast corner and you’ll find the ferry to Washington Island. This is a passenger and auto ferry and is an especially great way to view all the coastal fall colors from the ferry boat.
If you don’t bring a vehicle, once on the island there are moped (Annie’s rentals) or bike/UTV rentals (Island Adventure), although plan ahead as the island is quite hilly. Another great option is the Cherry Train which is an open-air two-hour narrated tram that begins and ends at the ferry dock. There are four stops along the route each allowing 10-15 minutes of time. Note: the tram does not stop at the lavender farms.
#3 Stavkirke Church on Washington Island
This is a beautiful wooden chapel built to resemble an ancient Norwegian Borgund chapel of 1100 A.D. and pays tribute to the island’s Scandinavian roots. A visit in the fall provides a stunning site with the fall colors that frame this chapel with a meditation and prayer trail surrounding it.
If you have extra time consider checking out Rock Island which is another ferry ride from Jackson Harbor on the northeastern corner of Washington Island. It’s only a passenger ferry as vehicles or bikes are not allowed on the island.
#4 Door County’s Apple and Cherry Picking Orchards
Door County is best known for its cherries and everywhere you go you’ll find goods made with cherries. The cherry-picking season is typically mid-July through early August but you can still find markets filled with excellent baked goods and wines made with cherries when visiting in the fall.
Door County also has beautiful apple orchards and the region grows more apples than anywhere else in the state. You can find you-pick apples often available mid-September to early October but timing varies by season and orchard.
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country in Fish Creek is a great stop that offers you-pick options, a full market, and a winery with tastings. Challenge someone to a friendly competition at the cherry pit spit and see if you can break the record. It’s a great stop to pick up a cherry pie on the way home or sit and enjoy the winery with a stunning backdrop of the orchard. There are many other great orchards to check out in the area.
#5 Fall Festivals and Events in Door County
To get the quintessential fall experience in Door County check out one of the many festivals in the area. Door County in the fall brings many festivals and events so there is never a shortage of things to do and no trip is the same. Check for the latest events and festivals based on the month of your visit. Many festivals feature live music, arts and crafts fairs, games and activities for kids, and amazing street food.
These are some popular fall festivals in Door County
- Sister Bay Fall Festival and Parade is the oldest and largest festival in Door County
- Harvest Festival and Street Art Auction, Sturgeon Bay
- Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party on Washington Island
#6 Find a Pumpkin Patch or Corn Maze
Fall is such a fun time in Door County that brings out the community. Grab some cider and explore the area’s pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
Here are a few favorites
- Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival includes live music, crafts, pumpkin and scarecrow displays, food and kids activities.
- Jack O’ Lantern Days in Fish Creek has kids’ activities, a haunted trail, and a costume contest.
- Also, check out the Red Barn Corn Maze and farm that is just south of Sturgeon Bay for more family fun.
#7 Catch a ghost tour of haunted spots in Door County
Themed trolley tours are such a fun way to experience Door County in every season. The ghost tour is a unique and fun way to see Door County in a new light and get in the Halloween spirit. They have many different tours but it is best to book in advance as they can fill up.
Learn more at Door County Trolley.
#8 Arts and Culture in Door County
Door County has such a unique artistic spirit that is embraced through its art galleries, theater, live music and so much more. There are hands-on art experiences, concerts, and over 100 art galleries throughout the county. It’s so much fun to gallery hop to get a feel for each unique community throughout the area while enjoying the beautiful fall colors. There is a Fall Art Crawl to check out in Ellison Bay. There are also craft and art vendors that frequent the fall festivals throughout the season. Find more info on arts and culture in Door County.
#9 Explore the Hiking Trails of Door County in the Fall
With five state parks and 19 county parks, wherever you go there are recreation areas to take in a beautiful fall day. Hiking is a great way to experience Door County’s fall foliage. Our favorite is Peninsula State Park but there are so many other great options.
Some of our favorite hikes in the area
- Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park (2 miles) – is in Ephraim in the heart of Door County. This hike goes along Green Bay providing great views of the water as well as Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
- Visitors may also climb to the top of Eagle Tower, a newly restored observation tower that is perfect to take in the fall leaf colors.
- Yellow Trail, Whitefish Dunes State Park (3.7 miles)
- Cave Point Lakeside Trail – 1.6 mile out-and-back easy trail near Sturgeon Bay that runs along Lake Michigan for great views. This hike connects with Whitefish Dunes.
- Newport State Park also has great hikes if you want to escape the crowds.
Note: to visit state parks you will need a WI State Park day use or annual pass. If there is no gate attendant it helps to have cash to leave in the envelope.
#10 Bike ride on the Door County Coastal Trail
From the state park trails to the coastal byway, there are great ways to explore Door County on two wheels. And, don’t forget the back country roads like Old Stage Road and Q for a quieter experience but don’t expect to get between towns very fast this way. The busy roads between towns can be less ideal for biking as they are narrow and crowded. Check out all the bike trail options in Door County.
#11 Kayaking in Door County
Door County is also known for its shipwrecks and kayaking is a great way to see them. The strait linking Lake Michigan and Green Bay, between the top of the peninsula and Washington Island, was once known as a treacherous stretch that included many shipwrecks.
Door County also has lots of kayaking opportunities. Here are a few tour guide options in the area:
Lakeshore Adventures in Bailey Harbor – we enjoyed the shipwreck tour with this group.
#12 Scenic boat cruise to view fall colors
Fish Creek scenic boat tours is a great way to see the surrounding areas of Door County you can’t see easily by land while taking in all the fall colors. They offer a 60+ passenger partially covered boat with narrated tours to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Peninsula State Park, Millionaire’s Row, Eagle Cave, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Sister Bay, and the surrounding bluffs and islands surrounding Door County. There are a variety of tours and they typically run through October. Find more info on the scenic boat tours.
#13 Explore the Lighthouses of Door County
Door County is home to 11 lighthouses in the area and all have a unique look and story behind them.
There are many great hikes and tours to view them but a few of our favorites are:
- Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Lighthouse
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is in Peninsula State Park
- Cana Island Lighthouse – you take a tractor across some shallow water to view it.
Check out the lighthouse trolley tour or the Door County maritime museum’s fall lighthouse festival is held at lighthouses across the county typically at the end of September. There are two Door County Lighthouse Festivals a year held in the spring and fall. For more information on the Lighthouse festivals of Door County here.
#14 Door County Maritime Museum
There are three different locations for this museum. The location in Sturgeon Bay has interactive exhibits, and offers tours of the restored tugboat John Purves, along with the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower. The other locations are at the Cana Island Lighthouse in Bailey’s Harbor and Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock.
#15 Sip Wine in Door County
Check out one of the many great wineries in Door County. Most have indoor and outdoor tasting spaces along with food, activities, and other market goods. The wineries are often decorated in the fall and it’s a great time to visit when there are fewer crowds. Also, check out the winery Trolley Tours in Door County.
Here are some favorite wineries in Door County
- Stone’s Throw Winery in Egg Harbor
- Door Peninsula Winery in Sturgeon Bay
- Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery in Sturgeon Bay
- Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek
And if you prefer a cider check out Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay they have handcrafted hard ciders.
#16 Attend a fish boil
If you visit Door County you need to check out a traditional fish boil. Fish boils are a Scandinavian tradition brought to Door County by the Nordic settlers dating back to the 1800’s but only became a popular tourist attraction since the 1960s. Each restaurant has its own take but most meals include fresh-caught Lake Michigan whitefish with potatoes, onions, and corn with a slice of Door County cherry pie for dessert. Fish boils are typically held on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from May through October and on Friday evenings throughout the year. Find a full listing of fish boils here.
#17 Photo op at Anderson’s Dock
No trip to Door County is complete without a stop at the iconic Anderson’s Dock in Ephraim.
A beautiful red building is home to the Francis Hardy Gallery, which includes some of the most popular gallery exhibitions in Door County. The outside of the building is covered in “good graffiti” with painted names and marked milestones making it a colorful backdrop for photos. The tradition is thought to have started when sailors between 1910 and 1950s started to write on the warehouse to express their relief and gratitude for a safe passage through the notorious Death’s Door waters.
#18 Camp in the off-season
Autumn is a great time to get in some end-of-season camping when the air is crisp and there are fewer people. There can be more availability for state park camping sites and the weather can still be great. It’s a great way to enjoy the fall colors in the outdoors while getting in some adventure. Check out more tips for how to stay warm while camping.
#19 Catch a movie at Skyway Drive-In
This is a long-time, seasonal drive-in theatre on one-screen in Fish Creek. This is a community favorite that can be such a unique way to enjoy a fall night. It varies year-to-year but often stays open through October but check before visiting. More info on Skyway Drive-in.
#20 Wisconsin Supper Club and Sunset
After all the activity and sightseeing relax over a meal and a brandy old-fashioned cocktail at a traditional Wisconsin supper club. Cap off the night by catching the sunset at Sister Bay Beach and ice cream from Door County Creamery.
Other Fun Things to Do in Door County
- Check out the goats on the roof on top of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
- Sister Bay Bowl
- Pirates Cove Mini Golf and Johnson’s Go Carts
- Run (or watch) the Door County Fall 50 ultra-marathon done as a team or solo
Plan a trip to Door County in the Fall
How to get to Door County
The nearest commercial airport is in Green Bay (GRB) which is one hour south of Sturgeon Bay.
Driving distance from these nearby cities to Sturgeon Bay (considered the start of Door County):
- Milwaukee, WI – 2.5 hours
- Madison, WI – 3 hours
- Chicago, IL – 4 hours 15min
- Minneapolis, MN – 5 hours
Where to stay in Door County
Each of the villages has its own unique vibe and some are more walkable than others but you really can’t go wrong picking a spot to stay.
Goose and Twigs in Sister Bay is one of our favorites for a boutique hotel that has a coffee shop and is walkable to shops, restaurants and the beach. They also offer electric vehicle charging onsite. The Dorr Hotel across the street is new and beautifully done using Scandinavian design.
For vacation rentals, The Flats on Church Street in Egg Harbor and Shore View 101 in Sister Bay are both great options with larger spaces for families.
What to pack for Door County in the Fall
Weather in the midwest during the fall can vary greatly so packing in layers and checking the forecast before your trip is key. A puffer jacket and winter hat are almost always on the list.
Check out some of our other gear reviews
Ultimate Hiking Gear for Kids Guide
Men’s Hiking Pants — Tried & Tested
Best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather
Native Land Acknowledgment
The Potawatomi were among the best-known first settlers in the area. Other tribes such as the Menominee, Winnebago, and Ojibwe among others passed through or settled in the area for significant time periods. One way for visitors to pay tribute to those who came before is to learn about these tribes and respect the land we live and recreate on.
Lastly, whether it’s a weekend away for relaxing or adventure, Door County in the fall offers so much to do. Enjoy a fall festival, a ferry ride to Washington Island, or a hike in one of the state parks. Door County in the fall has so much to offer.
We’ve been to Door County many times but saved a recent trip to Instagram story highlights if you want more trip details. Give us a follow so you don’t miss future trip itineraries. Anything we missed in Door County? Let us know your favorite fall activity in Door County. If you’re looking for more places to visit in Wisconsin check out our things to do in Bayfield.
