Reviews & Testimonials

One of the many unique elements about Door County is all the locally owned and operated wineries. For a cold-weather climate, who knew that growing grapes to make wine would even be an option? While there are countless wineries for you to choose from, the Door County Trolley Tours provide you with the opportunity to visit and try some wine all within a few hours.

I have had the opportunity to partake in many Door County Trolley Tours over the years and needless to say, it’s a great way to see and experience what Door County has to offer. The Door County Trolley offers an array of tours including scenic (lighthouses, spring blossom), ghost, wine, spirits and brunch tours (just to name a few).

Things I love about the Door County Trolley Tours

The Trolley Drivers
Sitting on a trolley with a bunch of strangers for a few hours can seem overwhelming and boring sometimes, but the trolley drivers break the ice and make it fun! Not only do they play great tunes throughout the journey (shoutout to Alex for letting us control the jukebox once), but they also give insight and history to the area during the drive (with a little humor of course). They make the drive between stops engaging and fun, but most of all they keep everyone on track (and on time!) so that you get the most of out of your trolley experience.

Variety of wineries, pubs & brewhouses
I have partaken in a lot of tours during my Bachelorette party days, and I have never been to the same winery, pubs & brewhouse twice. There are so many different places to experience in Door County and I feel like the trolley really makes an effort to have you experience and see the best places in the county. You won’t find a bad stop in the whole agenda, I guarantee it.

Seasonal Tours
The Trolley Tours cover all of the seasonal events that make Door County so magical. In the fall, the ghost tours and scenic tours allow you to take in the breathtaking colors while getting mildly spooked! During the winter months, the sleigh/carriage ride tours allow you to see the beauty of winter in Door County while drinking great wine and enjoying the fresh winter air. In the spring, enjoy the cherry blossoms and check out a scenic tour of the lighthouses.

The Views of Door County
If there is one thing that sets Door County above the rest (in my opinion), it’s the landscape in which makes it uniquely memorable. The Trolleys take all of the back, winding roads so you can truly see the landscape that makes Door County special. Rolling hills, beautiful glens, breathtaking views of the lake; they make sure you see it all. If there is any trip where you should really put your phone away to truly take it all in, it’s this one.

Things to be aware when partaking in a Door County Trolley Tour

Book your tickets in advance and arrive early
These trolley tours book up really quick especially during the summer months. If you are not a planner, this is not what you will want to hear, but you need to book your tickets well in advance. There have been many times where we have been up there, looking for something to do… we look at a trolley tour one minute and then when we go to book an hour later, and the tour is sold out and seats are gone!

The trolley station has a ton of really good Door County knickknacks, apparel, etc. for trolley riders to buy. I highly recommend you arrive early to look through the shop, buy yourself a cocktail (bring your own insulated tumbler – you’ll thank me later) and mill around a bit before your trolley departs because it gets really busy and crowded inside very fast.

Beware, shopping is involved
If you are looking for a tour that is going to take you to five wineries, breweries or pubs with nothing in between then this tour isn’t for you. Majority of the tour stops go to wineries and/or places with shopping nearby. If you’re looking for short, quick stops where you can try all the wine, I would personally recommend you hire a friend to drive you around. These tours usually include 2-3 stops and include downtime to shop and enjoy. If leisurely tours are not your thing, then the trolleys are not for you.

Lunch is not included on every tour
If you love day drinking, but not on an empty stomach then you should see if your tour package includes lunch. You can get yourself into a whole heap of trouble if you don’t eat beforehand; therefore, I would recommend eating before you go. Some tours do offer lunch at the English Inn (salad, sandwich or pasta options available), but majority of the tours do not. Highly recommend planning ahead since the key to a great day of day drinking is a full stomach.

Revenge of the Bachelorette Parties
With Door County now becoming the Wisconsin destination for Bachelorette parties, just know there is a really high chance there will be one party if not more, on your trolley (especially if there is drinking involved). As someone who has been a member of these groups multiple times, they are usually always on their best behavior, but just note there always tends to be a lot of them and they can sometimes get loud & rowdy.

There are so many great activities to do and experience throughout Door County, and the Door County Trolley Tours is one way to experience some of the best the Cape Cod of the Midwest has to offer. If you’re planning your next trip to Door County and want to find a great place to stay so you can get the best experience possible without missing out on the comforts of home, come check out our property and book direct with us and save!

One of the most amazing things about Door County is all the amazing bars and restaurants, all of which are locally owned and operated. While there are countless options for you to pick from, here are five of the absolute best gems to dine out for dinner in northern Door County.

1.) Alexanders of Door County

Coming in at first on our list, Alexander’s is a Door County staple, and has been around for many years. Located between Fish Creek and Ephraim .Bruce Alexander founded Alexander’s and remains a constant in the restaurant. A recent review of Alexander’s hit the nail on the head with their synopsis of “cozy, yet classy.” Alexander’s tops our list because of the consistent amazing quality of product from the delicious food, five-star service, and delightful after dinner cocktails. Although the menu offers something for everyone, we wouldn’t be sharing the full details if we didn’t HIGHLY recommend the Cowboy Ribeye. It’s our go-to!

Our biggest tip for Alexander’s is that its typically very busy and it’s best to try to make a reservation well ahead of time.

2.) Top Deck at Gordon Lodge

Although it’s a seasonal restaurant (open May – Nov.), Top Deck is a consistent favorite. The views on the east side of the peninsula on the water while you’re enjoying a great meal make for an unbelievable atmosphere on top of the amazing food. The view is absolutely amazing and will solve

3.) Boathouse on the Bay

Affectionately named “The Boathouse,” this restaurant provides a bit more casual experience than the two above, but still offers amazing dining options. Famous for their Lobster Roll, of which they sell over 11,000 per year (CRAZY), the Boathouse offers an incredible view of the waters and sunsets of Sister Bay, and offers live music frequently during the summer. The Boathouse offers all sorts of classic American fare options, and has a great selection of unique cocktails as well. Go visit the Boathouse and see what the best Lobster roll in the state of Wisconsin is all about.

4.) Sister Bay Bowl

As long as we’re talking in nicknames, let’s call this one “the bowl” too. The Bowl was founded by the Willems family in 1950. This one holds a special place to us as well, as our owners are good friends with the Willems family. The Bowl offers a combination of a supper club vibe in the dining area, as well as a great outdoor bar called “The Alley Bar,” and a fun bowling option for the family to enjoy.

5.) Barringer’s

Barringer’s is a more recent arrival to the Door County scene, but they provide an amazing atmosphere in downtown Fish Creek, along with a phenomenal fine dining experience. If you’re looking for steaks or seafood, put Barringer’s near the top of your list. After dinner, you can walk around the shops of downtown Fish Creek, or walk one block over to the water and enjoy the sunset over Green Bay. Barringer’s is another can’t miss restaurant in northern Door County.

There are so many more options than these five, but these amazing restaurants are some of our favorites. If you’re headed to Door County and are looking into restaurants to dine at, these options are sure to wow you. However, as you plan, be sure to plan ahead enough to call for reservations at Alexander’s, Top Deck, and Barringer’s, as they are very busy restaurants and can be difficult to get in to.

If you’re planning your next trip to Door County and want to find a great place to stay and experience Door County to its fullest extent without missing out on the comforts of home, come check out our property and book direct with us and save!

There are many reasons why people love Door County: it’s beautiful, it has a lot of history and culture, and it’s full of fun activities. If you’re planning a trip to the peninsula this summer or fall, here are ten must-do activities that will make your time in Door County unforgettable.

1.) Visit Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park is a great place to go hiking, biking, and camping. The park has a variety of trails that are mostly flat—perfect for families with little ones or elderly people. You can also go swimming at the beach or rent bikes at the visitor center if you’re feeling adventurous!

2.) Explore Cana Island Lighthouse

Cana Island Lighthouse is a great place to go for a hike. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but you can hike around it and take pictures of the beautiful scenery. It’s also one of 11 lighthouses in Door County, and is a common spot for tourists and travel bloggers to share information about and take photos. It’s one of Door County’s truly historic landmarks, being built in 1869.

3.) Kayak to Cave Point

Cave Point is debatably the most photographed Door County point of interest. So many people choose to go visit Cave Point and see the breathtaking scenery of the bright blue waters, caverns and rock formations, and take in Lake Michigan’s amazing beauty. However, one of the best ways to experience Cave Point is by kayak. There are many kayak rental and tour local businesses that allow you to see this amazing place by water as opposed to from above. You can actually go into some of the caverns on kayak as well!

4.) Stargaze at Newport State Park

Newport State Park, a 1,959-acre park featuring bluffs, dunes and beaches on the outer shore of Door County, is perfect for hikers. However, one if its true claims to fame is its qualification as a certified dark sky park. In the entirety of the United States, there are only 60 of these parks, making Newport State park one of the absolute best places in the entire United States to see the stars. When visiting, depending on the time of year, you can actually see the Northern Lights from Newport State Park as well!

5.) Travel by Boat to Rock Island State Park

This is one of Door County’s best kept secrets. If you either have a boat, have access to a boat, or have rented a boat, go visit Rock Island State Park. Rock Island is a small island just northeast of Washington Island, another popular Door County staple. Rock Island’s beach offers seclusion and privacy unlike anything else in Door County, as well as some of the most pristine blue waters you’ll ever see in your lifetime. Plan to bring a wagon and a cooler, as you need to hike from the boat landing to get out to the beach, it’s about a 10 minute walk. But once you get there, you’ll be blown away by the scenery and never want to leave.

And that’s just the beginning! There are so many things to do in Door County, and we hope you find your favorite activity on this list. If not, keep exploring and make sure to stop by the visitor center when you visit – they have a great staff with lots of information about what’s going on in the area.

As you plan your next trip to Door County, we hope you’ll think of us. Come check out our property and see if we might be a fit to host you on your next excursion to northern Door!

Door County is home to so many amazing local businesses built over generations. In addition, there’s countless activities to enjoy as a family. Here are our top 3, can’t miss family centric activities in Door County.

1.) The Red Putter

Made famous by Door County legend Bob Yttri, The Red Putter is a historic Door County staple. It’s also home to the Red Putter Pro Tournament, which brings in some of the top putters from around the country for the annual event each August. Aside from that, the course is unique, fun, and affordable. You may think that every putt putt course is the same. Not this one. Go check out The Red Putter and start the log a swingin’ (you’ll figure out what that means once you show up).

2.) Skyway Drive-In

Another historic local business of Door County is the Skyway Drive-In theatre in Fish Creek. Having been around since 1950, the Skyway Drive-In is still an active drive in theatre to this day. Although it’s seasonally open, as to be expected, during the summer and fall months, taking the family out for a movie at Skyway is a unique and fun experience that many kids have never had the opportunity to experience. Priced at less than $10 per person, it’s another affordable option to experience a unique family activity.

3.) Washington Island Ferry

This is a classic Door County experience for all to take in. Washington Island is one of the more popular destinations in northern Door County, and it’s something everyone should do at least one time. It’s convenient for families because you can bring your vehicle right onto the ferry, hop across to the island quickly, and then drive around the island for the day. There are bars, restaurants, and one of the most unique of all, the lavender fields. Taking the family out to Washington Island is an amazing family friendly activity that your family is sure to remember for many years.

Door County is one of the best family vacation destinations in the midwest and provides tons of opportunities to spend time together outside, or inside. If you’re looking for a place to take your family to explore Door County without sacrificing the comforts of home, come stay with us and see for yourself why our guests have given 100% five-star reviews.