Highlights:
- Enjoying both the charming towns and rural beauty that coexist on this unique peninsula
- Biking the trails of Peninsula State Park
- Taking the ferry across to Washington Island
- Kayaking on sheltered bays
- Enjoying a traditional fish boil
With its exceptional diversity of cultural attractions and natural beauty, Door County has to be one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest. Blessed with 250 miles of shoreline, this 75-mile long peninsula is dotted with small towns that boast great restaurants, numerous art galleries, and fabulous shopping. Interspersed with these attractions are 5 magnificent state parks that beckon you to hike, bike, sea kayak, and sail.
This trip is for: any woman in basic good health. No previous paddling or biking experience is needed and women of any fitness level are welcome.
Accommodations:
- We'll be staying in condos at the Scandinavian Lodge. Situated right outside Sister Bay, its location is the perfect setting for all our activities. It's also a great place just to relax: amenities there include indoor and outdoor heated pools, a whirlpool/sauna, tennis court, and fitness center.
Maximum group size: 12
Trip price: $1625 (deduct $50 for registration prior to 4/17/08). There are six rooms with king or queen beds and two rooms with twin beds. Deduct $100 per person if you wish to share a room (let us know if you prefer to share a room with one or two beds).
Trip price includes:
- all meals from Sunday dinner through Saturday breakfast
- six nights single occupancy lodging
- all activities specified on the itinerary
- roundtrip transportation from Milwaukee, WI
- experienced guides
Trip starts: at 11 am August 17 at the airport in Milwaukee, WI (MKE) or 2:30 pm at the Door County Information Center in Sturgeon Bay (pick up times may be earlier depending on scheduled arrival times)
Trip ends: at 11 am August 23 or 3:00 pm at the Milwaukee airport
More information: a summary of all this information, packing list, and general information (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)
For pictures from the area, click here.
Register for this trip or Contact us for more information
Itinerary
This itinerary is meant to be illustrative. The final itinerary will depend on weather, group interests, and other factors. You might choose to do everything we offer or spend more time relaxing, swimming in the pool at the lodge, or sitting quietly with a book. Whichever you choose, this is the perfect place to do it.
Sunday- We'll meet at 11 am at the Milwaukee airport if you are flying in, or at the Door County Information Center in Sturgeon Bay if you are driving. We'll start with a visit to the Door County Historical Museum, named the best small museum in the Midwest by the Chicago Tribune. This is a great place to get a quick introduction to Door County's human and natural history so we'll have a better sense of place during our week. We'll then continue on to Sister Bay and the Scandinavian Lodge, our home for the next 6 nights. That night we'll have time to get acquainted and share a Welcome dinner.
Monday- Today's main activity is bicycling in nearby Peninsula State Park. One option is Sunset Trail, a graveled trail that traverses every major type of landscape along its 5.1-mile length including marshes, upland hardwoods, and conifer stands before connecting with a four-mile return route. It also passes the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse where we'll stop for a tour. The park offers many beautiful spots for our picnic lunch. In the afternoon you can choose between returning for down time to our condo or going into the town of Sister Bay, known for its excellent shopping opportunities. If shopping isn't your bag, however, Sister Bay's shoreline is nothing short of magnificent. There is a fine sand beach in the heart of downtown, as well as a wonderfully developed waterfront park system.
Tuesday: After a relaxed start to the day, we'll head to Fish Creek, another charming town and the site of our kayak tour. Although our specific tour will depend on wind and weather, one favorite is the Caves tour. After a lesson in how to kayak, we launch our boats and edge along the coast until we get to Cave Point with its thousand year old caves. We'll explore the caves and tunnels before kayak before returning to Whitefish Dunes State Park. Tonight we'll attend a traditional fish boil.
Wednesday: We head to the northern most tip of the peninsula today. Washington Island, the oldest Icelandic community in the United States, lies northeast of the peninsula just beyond the straits of Death's Door. We'll take the ferry across, enjoying views of spectacular bluffs and rocky shores. We'll visit the Art & Nature Center, where island artists and artisans display their work. In addition, the Center has exhibits depicting the natural and cultural history of the Island. We'll then take another ferry across to Rock Island State Park, the only Wisconsin park that doesn't allow cars or bikes. This island has marked hiking trails, a sand swimming beach, and picnic areas. It is also home to Potawatomie Light, built in 1837 and the oldest lighthouse on Lake Michigan. It's a beautiful place to spend time and its history is fascinating: most of it was privately owned by an Icelander who recreated some of the architecture of his native land.
Thursday: We'll start the day with another morning kayak, again depending on weather and wind for choosing our destination. We leave the afternoon open for you to pursue the activities you choose. Some options to consider are hiking in Newport State Park, the only park designated as wilderness on the Peninsula; visiting the Spa at Sacred grounds for some pampering; investigating some of the art galleries that are found throughout the peninsula; or perhaps checking out some of the local wineries. Regardless of which you choose, we'll reconvene for a sunset sailing cruise.
Friday: We'll get back on bikes today and go for a leisurely back roads bicycle tour. Our loop will take us across the peninsula to Bailey's Harbor. We'll spend time poking around this pretty town before continuing back along other roads. That night we'll go out for our farewell dinner at the White Gull Inn, often regarded as Door County's finest.
Saturday: We'll enjoy a relaxed morning, sharing a final breakfast and slowly packing up. We plan to leave our lodging by 11:00 am and we'll have you back to the Milwaukee Airport by 3 pm.
