AfarAug 20, 2025
State Parks, Cherry Orchards, Dark Skies: Door County Is One of the Midwest’s Best-Kept Secrets
Growing up in Poland, Krzysztof Krol loved pierogi. But he had no idea that the dumplings would be such a hit in Door County, in northeast Wisconsin. “There are 10 Polish speakers in the whole region, ...
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- Zeke's Village MarketMarketSells funky Wisconsin-themed apparel.
- Anchored RootsRestaurantWinery opened in 2022 with a tasting room.
- Earl's Sister Bay BowlRestaurantBar with six bowling alleys, serves fried perch.
- Dörr hotelHotelHotel with Scandinavian-minimalist interiors.
- Seaquist OrchardsSightOrchard with blooms.
- Elsewhere
- Prince of PierogiRestaurantEphraim, United StatesFood stand in Ephraim, now a restaurant in Sturgeon Bay.
- Peninsula State ParkNature reserveEphraim, United StatesPark on a promontory with a clifftop lookout, Eagle Tower.
- Eagle TowerSightEphraim, United StatesClifftop lookout with a recent rebuild and canopy walk.
- Anatolia Cuisine DCRestaurantEphraim, United StatesOffers falafel and kofta dishes.
- Rusty Dusty Vintage & RecordsPlaceEphraim, United StatesSells eclectic wares, T-shirts, vinyl, and VHS tapes.
- CulturedRestaurantFish Creek, United StatesSourdough bakery with bagels and focaccia.
- InlandRestaurantBaileys Harbor, United StatesPizza shop opened in September 2024.
- The Ridges SanctuaryNature reserveBaileys Harbor, United StatesNature reserve protecting Door County's sensitive ecosystem.
- Hotel WashingtonHotelWashington Island, United StatesEight-bedroom hotel with a farm-to-table restaurant.
- Gathering GroundPlaceWashington Island, United StatesNonprofit promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Folk Tree FarmPlaceWashington Island, United StatesManages an apple orchard for a mainland cidery.
- NewportSightEphraim, United StatesSecond Dark Sky Park designated in the Midwest.
- DrömhusRestaurantSturgeon Bay, United StatesEatery and wine bar converted from a 19th-century chapel.
- Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream ParlorRestaurantEphraim, United StatesAdvertises fountain service.
- Open Door PrideFestivalSturgeon Bay, United StatesRuns year-round events and a Pride Festival in June.
- Death's DoorSightWashington Island, United StatesNavigational passage where many ships wrecked.