Door County is known for being a perfect spot for a getaway with your significant other, family, or even a fun girls trip! During the summer months, it’s filled with locals and tourist taking in the beautiful views, and enjoying everything the peninsula has to offer. Recently, Brian and I decided to head up for a romantic winter weekend and we found that it was also the perfect place for a quaint and cozy retreat during the cooler months.

When the winter comes around, Door County slows down and many local shops and attractions close. This usually means less tourists, which can be great if you are looking for a quiet weekend! Because some shops and hotels aren’t open year-round, it’s always best to do some research before heading up for a winter weekend. So I wanted to share my tips on travel during the off-season.

Where to Stay

When I think of quintessential Door County, I think of Fish Creek and Ephraim. These towns are the perfect spot to hunker down for a snowy winter weekend. There are plenty of shops, sites and restaurants to explore. We stayed at the Homestead Suites, but there are many hotels that are open in the winter, as well as Airbnb properties.

Outdoor Activities

Even though winter can be chilly in Wisconsin, you can still enjoy the great outdoors with the right gear! I love going hiking or snowshoeing, but you can also rent cross country skis and fat tire bikes. The parks around Door County are stunning, and you can truly spend all day exploring. We snowshoed through Peninsula State Park and fed some adorable chickadees at the nature center.

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We also stopped by Cave Point County Park to take in the stunning views of frozen Lake Michigan.

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Other than wandering through the gorgeous parks, you can also explore the towns and walk along the water to stop by the famous Anderson’s Dock to snap some fun photos.

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At the end of the day, you can never go wrong with watching the sunset across the bay (outside, or in the comfort of your heated car).

Indoor Activities

Exploring the great outdoors may not be for everyone. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to pass the time indoors as well! Along with relaxing a local coffee shops and warming up by a fire, Door County has multiple wineries and distilleries. Check out Hatch Distillery for some great craft cocktails, and Door Peninsula Winery for wine tastings and tours.

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Dining

When in Door County, making a trip to The White Gull Inn for breakfast is a must. It’s home to some amazing breakfast items, and their famous cherry stuffed French toast. You can also stop there for dinner for a famous Door County fish boil, if you’re so inclined. Some other great places to check out for dinner include Alexander’s, Mr. Helsinki, and the very Instagramable, Trixie’s.

Looking for more fun places to visit? Check out all of my travel tips and guides!