Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay is a city in Door County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 9,646 at the 2020 census. Located at the bay of Sturgeon Bay for which it is named, it is the most populous city on the Door Peninsula, a popular Upper Midwest vacation destination. Wikipedia.
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Top attractions in Sturgeon Bay

Cave Point County Park
1. Cave Point County Park
4.9
(3812)
Park
Nature & Parks
Park featuring underwater caves, hiking trails & limestone cliffs along scenic Lake Michigan.
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8/22/25 - one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES to visit in all of Wisconsin! Last time we visited was in late Fall and the waves were really crashing into the bluffs. This time, the water was much calmer and kids were jumping off the bluffs into the water, many people were swimming, along with a number of kayakers and paddleboarders. The weather was perfect! So many fun picture opportunities and places to explore. We stopped for 30 minutes but barely got more than 5 minutes from the parking lot because of the incredible views and photo opps. This has been added to our "MUST STOP" list for whenever we come back to Door County, hopefully soon. Would love to stay for an entire morning or afternoon, to really enjoy the water and explore the park more.
This park is the perfect spot to watch the sunset! The view over the water is absolutely breathtaking, with the sky turning beautiful shades of orange, pink, and purple. It’s peaceful, relaxing, and a wonderful place to take a walk or just sit and enjoy the moment. Highly recommended for couples, families, or anyone looking for a scenic and calming experience by the sea.
This is an amazing place to visit! It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and it is free! The rocky shoreline is breathtaking and the waves hitting the rocks create a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. I highly recommend you visit this park is you have a chance to do so. It is dog-friendly. It can be very busy, so just be prepared for that. We love this park!
This is a must visit when going to Door County. The picnic area is nice & the rock beach off the picnic area is very picturesque. There is a trail along the shoreline that has holes where you can look down into caves where the waves are crashing. The scenery, sounds, & Lake Michigan shoreline are incredible.
My favorite experience visiting door county. The trail to Whitefish Dunes State Park is short but very beautiful. There are benches along the way for one to sit and admire the lake and its limestone shores.
Loved walking the trail along Lake Michigan in this beautiful county park. Nice parking lot, a pretty gazebo, and some outhouses. The walking path was well marked and had lots of scenic stopping points where you can see the waves crashing against the limestone bluffs and into the caves carved out by the constant pounding. You walk along the lakefront, but you're up in a forest, so you have the beauty of the fall leaves and the pines shielding you from the sun, and you can see the lake through the trees. The path on the County Park side is covered in leaves and pine needles and there are some rocks and roots to watch out for. Once you cross over into the connected Whitefish Dunes State Park, there's a gravel path that continues the journey, sometimes winding a bit farther away from the shore but still within view. You can walk all the way to the State Park beach on the connected path, which makes a really nice hike.
I enjoyed my time at Cave point County Park. The views were incredible. There were bathrooms, sufficient parking and spots for a picnic. Plan to stay a long time. It is such a beautiful park.
Nice little park sandwiched between the surrounding state park, so it's free to enter, park, and walk around the short trail along the coast. Waves look nasty if you accidentally fall so don't!
Door Peninsula Winery
2. Door Peninsula Winery
4.7
(755)
Winery
Food & Drink
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My family and I stopped by while on vacation and loved our experience. We enjoyed looking around the spacious gift shop areas, as well as doing the wine tasting. Their wines are so delicious, unique, and good quality. There are so many wines to choose from. We got a few bottles of wine, as well as some gift shop items, to bring back home. I would love to stop back again in the future!
We stopped here for the wine tasting. We were a little confused on where to go at first because there’s also a bar outside, which was playing loud music. Inside the main building, we were able to locate the wine tasting. There was an amazing selection, something for everyone and the prices were great as well.
Everything is fantastic. I don’t even live far away and I got so many things for me and more to send home to my family. Wonderful people, fantastic prices, and most of all the stuff here is so beautifully lovely and so special. Go!!! 5 free wine samples :) I actually only needed 3, I got a quick surprise favorite on #2 (Cranberry Mule—ingredients I never usually go for). Try the cherry and blueberry balsamic… the vanilla fig would be so good with ice cream… the fudge is incredible… well, I’m happy I don’t live too far, is all I have to say.
8/21/25 - My wife and I have visited several of the wineries in Door County but this one is our favorite! We always start with the free wine tasting (usually 3-5 flavors) and then find something new that we want to buy a bottle of while also grabbing some old favorites. They also have free tours throughout the day. There's also a distillery attached, where you can try the spirits for $2 each. They also have a section of the store where you can sample Fat Louie's infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. On the outside, there is a large covered patio to hang out on - with a smaller bar area
Free wine tastings, quantity discounts and great wines. Chocolate cherry was an outside favorite as was the lighthouse white! I could have done a lot of damage but showed restraint. Loved the fudge and cheese as well! SIL came for the Bat Shit Bourbon!. If it hadn't been raining, I would have looked for for chairs and a table outside and spent a while!
A wonderful spot to learn more about the winemaking process and sample some innovative wines. I really enjoyed the free tour of the facilities and learning more about the winemaking process. As someone who usually prefers bourbon, I was pleasantly surprised that there was a bourbon barrel wine to sample. It had a stellar and familiar flavor. The staff here are very friendly and approachable, especially the tour guide I had. I enjoyed talking to them over free samples of wine, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fruit butters, and various dips. I ended up spending about three hours here and it was one of my favorite parts of a two-week road trip. Graham and Louis will take good care of you at the bar, they made great, well-informed recommendations for me to try while being personable and fun to hang out with for a while. The distillery and winery here are exceptional, but the staff here somehow elevated my experience 10 times as much. Kudos to all of you and keep up the great work, I am happy to recommend Door Peninsula Winery!
This is a must stop place to visit in Door County. They must have fifty different flavors of wine, including quite a few interesting combinations. The Blackberry Merlot is an example. Merlot flavor, but unexpectedly has a very light body. They offer five complimentary samples (very generous portions) & suggest other samples based on what you like. This leads to new flavors you may not have considered. They also have a gift shop in the old schoolhouse area with fudge, popcorn, cherry salsa, different hot sauces, & a bunch of kitchen knickknacks. They have really built it up into an nice, upscale place.
Great time ! Not crowded,good weather. Stayed at Somerset Inn and Suites in Ephraim. Nice ,clean great beds,nice outdoor pool area and indoor pool too. Nice fire pit and grill area,play area for kids.Front desk people were friendly and helpful. Great location. Reasonably priced, would definitely stay there again.
Door County Maritime Museum
3. Door County Maritime Museum
4.6
(1168)
Museum
Local history museum
Waterfront museum with exhibits exploring the area’s maritime history & a restored tug boat.
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We love maritime museums and this one was so unique. The staff was very friendly and informative. You start by seeing a beautifully done movie that tells you about Door County. The elevator takes you to the tip of the lighthouse style museum. The upper deck was open when we were there and the views were amazing. You can either walk down the stairs to each floor or take the elevator. Each floor has a unique topic they cover. Our family enjoyed the exhibits and interactive displays. You exit into the gift shop and then there are two more exhibit rooms to visit. We were not able to do the tug boat tour but have heard great things about it. Highly recommend and enjoyed this museum.
10 stories of fun interactive exhibits to learn about the history of shipping in Door County and the instrumental role it played in the founding of Sturgeon Bay. After purchasing admission, you are given a time slot to watch a quick 5-10 minute video before going up the elevator to the observation deck for the amazing view. Then, you work your way down the stories and each floor has a specific theme for the exhibits. I won't spoil anything but I would highly recommend to any local or tourists just visiting.
This museum has a lot of exhibits and a lighthouse tower with stunning views of sturgeon bay. The tug boat tour is like a museum in itself. Plan ahead, as the tug boat tour occurs only a handful of times each day and takes about 45 minutes. Gift shop has a vast and diverse amount of items for sale. Ample parking lot.
I could spend all day up on that tower with the beautiful views. Highly recommend a tour of the tugboat if you haven't done it yet. Our tour guide was the sweetest old man who was very knowledgeable and answered every question. Amazing piece of history there, and this museum has amazing staff that take great pride in what they do.
One of our favorite last minute stops of our vacation and an absolute favorite. We did not do the tug tour but if you do, you get to go on one of the boats outside which looked neat. Do not miss going up into the tower though! You are assigned a time when you buy tickets. We lost track of time while outside and the lovely ladies at the register still let us participate with a different group. The views from the tower and all the exhibits on the 10 floors was very cool along with the museum as a whole. One of our favorites for souvenirs as they had a ton of options and pricing was on the better side surprisingly.
It's a must to do if you go to Sturgeon Bay. 10th floor observatory to view Sturgeon Bay. Prior to going up a brief video of the history of Sturgeon Bay and surrounding areas. As you come down from the 10th floor each floor follow the video with exhibits. Friendly staff and knowledgeable. Great time.
A nice museum, great information and pretty views from the tower. Only sad part was they didn't have room for us to join the tugboat tour.
Great Museum, 10 floors of items and interactive displays. We'll worth the visit it you are in the area.
Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery
4. Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery
4.0
(226)
Winery
Food & Drink
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Nice place to do tasting, have some glasses of wine and snacks (have cheeses etc) on the deck with view of vines or down the hill, pretty garden area next to the creek. Saw herons on the creek, very peaceful. Less crazy busy than other wineries in Door County.
I’ve been there several years now and it is by fair my favorite winery. They have a great selection of wine and each one has a wonderful flavor. Their building and grounds are just picturesque. We enjoy sitting out on the deck and taking in the scenery. Always so happy to be here. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I always appreciate being here with the great people, flavorful wine, and the beautiful scenery. We’ll be back next year and look forward to seeing it again:-)
Stopped by for the first time! Staff very friendly, wines delicious and reasonably priced tasting! They have a wide range of selection for every wine palate. The back porch is beautiful, great for sharing a glass (or bottle!) while looking out over the beautiful grounds. You can build your own charcuterie board! Stop by you won’t regret it!
Winery in name but gift shop has quality glassware. And now there is an automated quality whiskey dispenser. So do not search for just cheese and cherries, among the wines may be a find for Old Fashion, after all it’s Wisconsin.
We had a blast with the hostess who gave our tasting. We live in Texas, have our own vineyard, and even though Simon Creek scored their grapes from elsewhere, their American Chardonnay had to be one of the best ever. Their Viogner was awesome. Would definitely visit again and experience what they offer.
Simon Creek is three miles outside of Carlsville down a side country road in beautiful farm country. The atmosphere is nice, though the place is starting to show its age. For example, the driveway is now a washboard gravel road & the bathrooms really need to be refreshed; the wood needs major refinishing. There used to be a vineyard out front when you drove in, but now that's gone. Their wine is excellent. The Door County Cherry and Untouchable Red wines are unmatched by any other winery. The staff is pretty friendly overall. The really odd thing they started doing, which really spoiled the visit, is they now require everyone to register and get a pass at the front desk upon entry. The pass is used at every step of the way & is closed when purchasing & checking out. Who wants to have to register & get a pass just to look around, sample their wine, & purchase some wine. Who wants to have every step of the visit tracked? Very weird. A completely different experience from the big winery just down the road in town. We've visited several times in the past & have never had to register; then it was very casual. We refused to register & were able to buy some wine anonymously, but we weren't able to sample any wine. It was weird enough that I truly doubt we will go back.
This is by far our favorite winery! They have now added Whiskey and Bourbon pour tastings via credit card. Staff is so friendly and we will be back every year! Their prices are very reasonable. Top of the shelf for all.
My favorite winery in Door County. They don't allow trolleys any more. So it's quiet, and you get a more personal tasting of wines. Employees are so welcoming and helpful.
The Farm
5. The Farm
4.8
(1058)
Temporarily Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Farm
Visitor center to see & feed baby farm animals, with exhibits on rural farming & heritage.
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This was our favorite activity in Door County! Prices are reasonable and all of us had an amazing time - from 10 to 67 years old. We got to feed baby goats, milk a goat, hold baby kittens and a goat and feed the rest of the animals corn. At $0.25 a bag for corn, it’s so affordable!
Wonder experience at The Farm with our kids and grandkids. The place was teaming with goats checking everyone for bottles of milk. The place was well kept and the staff were attentive. We spent a couple of hours there. The joy in our grandchildren’s eyes will keep us coming back.
Great fun (as long as you like animals). We fed and pet the animals. Cute gift shop. Friendly staff. Some short trails to walk. Little stops inside the property with information and interesting antique farm equipment. Beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens to walk through and can even pick some - they weigh it for price. Not sure of the cost as we did not take any vegetables. Lots of families with kids of all ages running around. Not very shady except on the short trails so if the sun is shining prep accordingly. Worth the trip.
This place is for kids, and those that are kids at heart. There is a well defined walking path that cuts through several areas that feature goats, sheep, cows, equines,.and more, all of which are more than happy to get scratched behind the ear, and most (do not feed the horses) a mouthful of corn. There are also patches garden featuring local flora, as well as corn, gourds, and other vegetables. Intermingled are also historical tou he's from farm.imolements, vehicles, tools for previous day to.day living, and products that would have been farmed or made. There are also paths a little less manicured than take you along wooded areas, and a waterfowl pond. Be sure to set aside at least an hour, and be ready to get your hands a little dusty petting the animals, and don't forget to bottle feed a few baby goats! I wish I had taken more photos of the animals but I was having too much fun petting petting them. If you have kids or like me, are just a big kid make this a part of your stop while in the area.
We've been here twice and both times it was the best place and the best experience we had in Door County. I also like a lot Cana island, but a second visit not as exiting as the first one. But any visit to The Farm is special and unforgettable ❤️ I was milking a goat first time in my life!!! 😊
So much fun had by big and little kids. Feeding the goats a bottle was definitely a highlight. Walking the paths and seeing the old buildings and 2 peacocks fanned out was great. Went mon of memorial day, and it was busy but not crazy.
A must do activity in Door County! This is a highlight of all of our trips — cuddling the kittens, feeding the baby goats, beautiful walks, and so much to learn!
The Farm is one of our must-do places on vacation to Door County. The entry fee is reasonable, and you can buy bottles for the baby goats and corn to feed to very cheap. A great excursion for all ages in Door County.
Door County Adventure Center at Whitefish Dunes State Park
6. Door County Adventure Center at Whitefish Dunes State Park
4.7
(717)
Canoe & kayak tour agency
Nature & Parks
Park on Lake Michigan featuring hiking through dunes, forest & wetlands plus a nature center.
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We did the cave tour that launched right off the beach and it was sooo much fun. Got to explore the caves and also see a shipwreck as well. Amazing your guide that gave a nice safety briefing before we started. Amazing time!
Didn't go on tour, but, saw a group of kayakers going into sea caves without any helmet protection?? Thought helmets were always required...lake was rough and windy with big waves????
Park was nice, but the welcome center was closed that day, our fault for not checking. Personally don't think this park is as welcoming to bikers as some of the others.
Very fun kayak tour with jake our tour guide. We did the sunken ship and cave tour. Jake even took pictures of us in our kayak and sent them to us. Highly recommend!
You HAVE to do this!!! The weather was perfect and our pics don't do this adventure any justice. Simply amazing and I can't wait to go again. Ask for Chris H. He was our kayak guide. He was fantastic!!!! With his information and history, he took us on an Awesome journey. You will not be disappointed! 5 STARS!
Go here! I can't express this enough! Take your dog and be prepared to walk almost a mile to the dog portion of the beach though. Loved the super soft sand, the water swim notices and the safety station with the life jackets. Spend a day here with your family and cook out! There are other walking trails and a ranger station that is minimally attended. Lots of good information and exhibits there as well. I just loved this too!
Had a great kayaking tour. Chris was a fantastic guide, lots of fun, little bit of a workout, but worth it.
My favorite park in DC ❤️ AMAZING views and great biking paths.
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Other notable attractions

Door County Museum and Archives
History museum
Museums
Red Oak Winery and Bourbon Bar
Winery
Food & Drink
The Garden Door
Garden
Nature & Parks
Third Avenue PlayWorks (TAP)
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
Starboard Brewing Company
Brewery
Food & Drink
Popelka Trenchard Gallery & Glass Studio
Glass blower
Museums
Destination Door County
Tourist information center
Travel agency
Sully's Produce LLC
Greenhouse
Food & Drink
George K. Pinney County Park
Park
Nature & Parks
Choice Orchards
Farmers' market
Sights & Landmarks

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