Fun things to do in Washington Island: 15 fun attractions and activities

Very unique beach. The water is crystal clear. One of 4 beaches which consist of flat rocks. For most folks, you'll still need sandals or water shoes to go about being on this beach even though the there are no sharp rocks. This place seems to always be busy with picnic goers.

This was a really cool beach and unlike any beach I have been to before. The rocks, though smooth, were difficult for my sissy feet to walk on but we managed and the swimming was great. The water was cold and so refreshing. The cedar forest that lines the beach was just as impressive as the beach itself. There were so many areas for a picnic and plenty of space to spread out. This is such a unique a beautiful part of Wisconsin. Well worth the journey.

Schoolhouse Beach Park on Washington Island is truly one-of-a-kind. The beach is made of smooth limestone rocks instead of sand, giving it a unique and beautiful look. The water is crystal-clear and perfect for wading or swimming on a sunny day. It’s also a great spot for picnics, relaxing by the shore, and taking scenic photos. The surrounding area is peaceful and well-maintained, making it ideal for families, couples, or anyone looking to enjoy nature and the lake’s serene beauty.

A beautiful beach with thousands upon thousands of smooth stones. (But don’t take any. There’s a $250 fine.)

Really neat beach, you're able to walk a long distance on the stones but if you want to avoid the ferry ride over you can go to Pebble Beach in Sister Bay to see the same type of stones on shore.

Such a cool beach! The rocks were so smooth and perfect, i sat and watched the waves come in for a few minutes. Barely anyone there at the time.

A very clean and unique beach! There is no sand, just stones. The water is pretty and clear. A ferry must be taken to this island to see this beach. The island itself is very different compared to the rest of Door County, in my opinion. Worth a visit!

The museum was closed when we visited, however there are many artifacts you can browse by and read about. Nice thing was not a lot of people, weather was nice. But would’ve really liked to enjoy the inside of the museum.

Our visit to the Jacobsen’s Museum was both inspiring and informative. The displays are thoughtfully arranged and beautifully curated, blending art, history, and storytelling in a way that captures the essence of Washington Island. The museum feels like a time capsule that honors the island’s people and its unique maritime and Scandinavian heritage. I especially appreciated the artistic touch throughout the exhibits—every corner seemed designed with intention, from the hand-crafted displays to the small, personal artifacts that connect you to the island’s past. It’s clear that a lot of love and creativity went into building and maintaining this little gem, and it’s well worth stopping in to get a deeper appreciation for the island’s history. That said, I do have to take one star off for the bathroom facilities, which were honestly beyond horrendous. They felt neglected and out of step with the otherwise well-cared-for museum experience. Still, the Jacobsen’s Museum is a must-see for anyone wanting to understand the artistic and historical soul of Washington Island. With just a bit of attention to the facilities, it could easily be a five-star attraction.

While visiting Washington Island came across this gem because I made a wrong turn. What a wonderful, fantastic addition to my day! This is a small museum filled with all kinds of artifacts and memorabilia of a time long gone by. I could have stayed for hours but alas I was out of time and could only visit briefly. If you have an opportunity to stop and visit by all means do. You won’t regret a moment of it.

The museum itself was chock full of amazing history! I would go back again just to look at the scrollwood carvings that they made with an old scroll saw! Truly amazing! I was just there in October and the gentleman there was very knowledgeable! He gave us all kinds of great information! So glad they got someone new!!

This is a cute little stopped to get a glimpse into the history of Washington Island. Be sure to seek it out!

We had the absolute BEST time in this museum—given the free nature of the museum and its location on Washington Island, we were so overjoyed to discover how many gems there were in this genuine, original construction of a Washington Island cabin. The guide working on-site was incredibly knowledgeable and more than happy to share information with us, including answering questions we had. Her love of history and the island was so clear it made the experience even more positive. Now, to be clear this is not a gigantic museum on par with MKE Public but what it is—is a gem on the shores of Little Lake rich in history. You’ll want to check it out while you’re on the island and see all the things you can. Put it on your Washington Island list!

A glimpse into the past on Little Lake. Many artifacts in an extremely aged building, many period items and those related to Wisconsin. If you're sensitive to smells you may want to skip this building. Donations accepted, otherwise free to the public.

Stopped to see the art. $1 entry and they had some live educational displays for nature etc. they had some outdoor book sale and variety of artwork for sale. Reasonable prices for some art supplies or other kids things like that.

Amazing!!! $1 per person was absolutely worth it! They had toads, snakes, fish, bees and more! Lots of kids activities and the guy who worked there was very nice & knowledgeable! The art was great too but we mostly came for the nature part.

Wasn't interested in the slightest by the Art section of the building, but the Nature part had some interesting exhibits (they had snapping turtles, crayfish, gobies, antlions, and bees on display). The exhibits do seem to be more orientated for the young folk, but I still got a kick out of it

A great place to take your little ones & pretty much anyone who wants to dive into the nature and culture of the Island.

The Art and Nature center is an old school house that is now used to display local art and native animals. It is a fun place for adults and children. You can learn about Washington Island natural history and hold snakes and see many other creatures. The center is open from mid June to mid September. There are many art and nature classes and hikes. If you come to Washington Island, don't miss the Art and Nature center.

Good for kids with the nature displays.

Mostly centered around art and nature

No tickets, but donations are appreciated. Stop in each building where you will find implements of the era. Weaving machines, farming implements, washing implements and there’s a video in one of the buildings made by a descendent. You can wander over to the back area to see chickens and goats.

Very nice place with lots of cool items everywhere. It’s fascinating seeing things from back then so we really enjoyed going and spending time there. Lots of buildings to walk through and even some animals to feed. It’s free and open to donations

When we were there it was closed but there is still plenty to see outside. Don't forget your quarters. The sheep that were there loved getting fed. We enjoyed the farm equipment from eras long gone.

Visited during the fall harvest festival and had a great time. In addition to the museum and exhibits, we enjoyed the local bands live music, local vendors stands (delicious bread and donuts), and watching live apple pressing to make apple cider. Great day to visit.

Fantastic place to take children to learn about farming. Lots of stuff to see and information to take in. There is a quarter machine to get feed to feed the goats and chickens.

Just an amazing peice of island history, and a great way too spend an hour or so looking at past farming techniques, love the weaving room. And they do farm based activities throughout the year. Also the only place I've seen a 3 horned sheep and he was awesome

If you are in Door County this island should be one of your stops! Take the cherry train for a fun guided tour of the hotspots. Or take your own car across the fairy and do a self-guided tour.

Beautiful evening outdoor music of gifted local artists 🎶🎤

Excellent place to take in a show or come for Sunday church, the facility is great and not a bad seat in the place. Look for different things to do with the schedule each year and it's very impressive the options that the Island gets!

Great way to spend Saturday night. As a visitor to the island, great history of the island and fisherman's life stories.

A gem of an arts center on this lovely island. The venue is intimate and accoustics lovely. I have attended a number of events from theater to classical and contemporary music and enjoyed both the professional quality as well as the frequent opportunity to interact with the performers.

Wonderful place, I've only had happy memories here. Host some wonderful shows of I might add

Sat outside for a wonderful concert as part of the Festival so can't speak to the auditorium amenities.

Great show. I had so much fun watching the kids.

What a great place to stop for a picnic! Park benches are provided! We didn’t walk on the rocks, looked like it would be painful. There were families playing I the water, skipping stones, and just enjoying the sunlight. Definitely check this park out when visiting Washington Island. Forget the ferry; take the next one.

This beach is so beautiful and unique. There are restrooms, picnic tables and a few grills for cooking. There are signs everywhere to leave the rocks in their home on the beach. Both ends have private ownership but there are signs and a fence to keep you out.

Beautiful beach! Clearest water I've seen in awhile. But don't take any of the Beautiful rocks. There is a fine. Keep the beach Beautiful

7/26/25 White rock beach is very unique but today was sooo busy parking was crazy throughout the woods there.. last time we came was 10 or so years ago and I think we may have been the only ones there.

Washington Island's Schoolhouse Beach Picnic Spot is a hidden gem! The tranquil beach, stunning views, and historic charm make it the perfect spot to relax and unwind with family and friends.

Beautiful limestone rock beach. Great for swimming or having a picnic. It’s an annual stop for us. Bring a chair or blanket, seating is limited.

Interesting geological phenomenon, this beach houses many smooth stones. In the past the beach extended into the cedar forest, unfortunately many stones have found homes in other places as they have been taken in the past by beach goers and such. There is a fine for removing rocks to preserve this beach.

The Washington Island Stavkirke, built in connection with Trinity Lutheran Church, is one of the most remarkable and peaceful landmarks on the island. Tucked away among tall evergreens, this hand-crafted Norwegian-style stave church feels like stepping back in time. The attention to detail is extraordinary — from the carefully joined timbers to the steep rooflines and intricate carvings that reflect centuries of Scandinavian craftsmanship and faith. The surrounding grounds, lovingly maintained by Trinity Lutheran, are beautifully landscaped and serene. A quiet wooded path leads to the church, offering a sense of calm and reverence even before you reach it. Once there, the scent of fresh wood, the filtered light, and the stillness create an atmosphere that invites reflection and gratitude. Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or faith, the Stavkirke is a true gem of Washington Island. It’s a place that connects heritage and devotion in a meaningful, unforgettable way — a timeless expression of artistry and spirit nestled in the heart of Door County.

When visiting Washington Island, this is a centuries-old church worth a stop. It is not a long walk; easy-ish for seniors, 80+. The photos I’ve taken recently are similar to existing offerings. I’ll just add to the group. Just immerse yourself in the architecture from the 1800s. Outstanding to stand where our ancestors have stood. No tickets are necessary. It is free to visitors.

Worth the stop if you’re going to the island. Might be worth going to the island in the first place if you were thinking about it. While a small structure, it is breath taking in person. The darkness of the wood exterior and amazing hand carved interior are truly something to behold.

Stunning. What a beautiful serene place to visit. The craftsmanship of this place is incredible. Highly recommend you stop and visit. It’s free!

This place was one of our stops on our Cherry Train Tour we went on to visit Washington Island. An interesting fact about this place is that there was no nails used in the construction of this church. Amazing capentry and details inside and out.

Beautiful old church with amazing history. There is also a prayer trail in the woods.

Quite an intriguing church building with such fascinating architecture. The dense forest surrounding the wooden structure adds to the splendor of this church. The interior is also an excellent place to marvel at the architecture and take photos. I was surprised to learn that this church was not only a replica of a Norwegian Stavkirke, but that it was built much more recently than I thought it was (1990’s). Regardless, this small but beautiful structure is a destination that you must visit if you’re ever on Washington Island. Also, check out some of the trails and paths that wind through the forest behind the church. During my visit this past week in mid-May, wild daffodils with dazzling bright yellow blooms carpeted the forest floor. Besides that, the trails provide a peaceful environment to meditate in the woods.

What a sweet little Historic Museum. Robert, the resident historian fit the place like he was born there. I encourage anyone to go to this quaint place and I assure you the conversation will be worth your time!

Kinda of a small quaint little place, but the location and the views are second to none.

My wife and I stopped in during our vacation. At first, it didn't seem like much, but when i met Butch, that all changed. He is very personable, and has a wealth of knowledge about the harbor and the early days of fishing in the harbor. It was a real treat to talk to him and Charlie( who was working on boat whistles). Thanks again, guys! Charlie Boyd

It’s a nice little collection of old boats and history. It’s very small and didn’t take much time to complete the tour.

For a merry time we come To the maritime museum

Wonderful place to learn about the history of Washington Island. Great exhibit.

Outside, nice fisherman's house, a few old boats

Nice park, on the water, small beach area. Low traffic on road.

The park is cute but we really expected a nicer sandy beach to explore. It was not too busy and it was nice to be able to park right next to the shore.

Has playground area for the kiddos and 2 wooden swinging benches across the street over looking the lake.

Great little beach. Water a bit mucky if you don't like that on bottom of beach area. Otherwise great spot to grill out.

Park on the beach. The grounds are clean and well maintained. The restrooms are mom flushing outhouse style though.

Is a very quiet & romantic place special for a honey moon!!

Don't bother visiting Gislason Beach. It's not clean and maintained very well. Extremely small. Right next to a restaurant on a pier.

First time at the Pottawatomie Lighthouse and it was awesome! You will have to take the ferry to Washington Island to take the ferry to Rock Island, then walk about 1.3 miles from the dock to the lighthouse on a beautiful trail across the island. The staff at the lighthouse were so friendly and knowledgeable! Military personnel and their families can tour for free. Get a Lighthouse Passport so you can get your Pottawatomie Lighthouse stamp! Overall, this was a must-see!

Mild hike to the lighthouse but can get buggy so be sure to douse yourself with DEET before hitting the trail. The hike and tour are well worth the effort. We took the earliest morning ferries and made it back to Washington Island by 12:30 after hiking to the lighthouse and completing the tour. We had more than enough time to see and do everything we wanted to on Washington Island in time to be boarded on a Ferry leaving Washington Island by 2pm. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

If you decide to take the ferry to Washington Island add Rock Island and do some hiking and visit the light house. No cars or bikes are allowed on the island, so you will leave your car on Washington Island and spend a couple hours hiking. The volunteer guides at the light house are friendly and knowledgeable. They had great stories making it worth the short ferry ride over.

It's a neat little lighthouse and the tour guides are very friendly/knowledgeable. Took about 30 minutes to hike there from the ferry landing. The first few minutes are very scenic and out in the open along the shore. The rest of the trail is shaded through the forest. The only downsides are that the trail can be very muddy, and once you reach the lighthouse, you can't get to the shoreline because there are trees and a fence surrounding the area

A must visit to the lighthouse / museum if you are day tripping from Washington Island — that said, HIGHLY recommend camping here as there are some incredible sizable campsites with varied water views in every direction - Green Bay, Lake MI, WI and across to Michigan!! My son and I visited last year and had an incredible camping experience, and during our lighthouse visit, spoke to the docents and then decided to volunteer to ‘host docent’ ourselves this year. A week long commitment to learn the history of this incredible landmark, tend to visitors, but wow - we should have PAID THEM to stay here IMO!!! Highly recommend checking it out, having an incredible 1:1 off the grid week together while hosting amazing visitors from around the country who are soaking in this landmark from 1836. Check it out and more on being a docent at FORI (Friends of Rock Island) if interested.

The hike up to the lighthouse is beautiful and if you go, make sure you go when the lighthouse is open for tours. The information and stories of this are awesome! Beautiful scenic views and keep an eye on your phone’s clock, this is the line where central and eastern time meet.

You can tell that the guides really like to care for the lighthouse and share its history. It is meticulously restored and a wonderful visit!

Beautiful spot to watch sunrise. However, below the sandy beach surface is oily muck. Don't know if there might be some illegal dumping going on. I had to bathe my dog after visiting.

Nice place to view the sunset. Very small park.

Forested micropark with limited parking in a mostly residential area. Beautiful sunset view. No beach access.

It is a small park with a huge view. Overlooking the west side of the island very beautiful view and a nice place for a picnic with tables and fire pit/grill. But no water access more of a scenic overlook. But if you stop here make sure to walk down the road to the Jacobsons museum.also where public bathrooms are

Beautiful spot to take a break and soak in the view.

Nice view all around. Great place to chill and watch the sunset

Great quiet spot on the island

Secluded and scenic beach and dunes. Saw eagles, garter snakes, crawdads, and other critters.

Nice little beach to check out with some rare plants and a old fisherman's house set up as a museum close by to check out. It's also only a road away from the ferry so if you're looking for a public bathroom or something to do for a little bit while waiting for the ferry its definitely worth checking out to burn some time.

Nice quiet walk until a group came with a dog.

Best beach in Wisconsin but beware of the rattle snakes along the path in. Only enter with pants and a anti venom kit.

Wonderful park area with nice views of the harbor. We walked the trail in a light rain.

Very nice trail, and some of the views were so beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful!!!

Karri us very small boat taking people to the island.

It gets me to my favorite place, so yes I love it!

Awesome park

There is no Rock Island marina