Door County named Midwest Living’s 2026 Getaway of the Year and for anyone who has spent time exploring its charming waterfront towns, scenic parks, and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the recognition feels well deserved.
Each year, Midwest Living highlights destinations across the region that offer unforgettable travel experiences, vibrant communities, and beautiful natural landscapes. In 2026, Door County earned the top honor, reinforcing what visitors and locals have known for years. The peninsula is one of the Midwest’s most beloved places to vacation.
For guests staying with Wisco Hosts, this recognition simply confirms what many travelers discover the moment they arrive: Door County offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, relaxation, and small-town charm.
When Door County was named Midwest Living’s 2026 Getaway of the Year, the publication highlighted the peninsula’s unique ability to combine natural beauty with memorable travel experiences.
Door County stretches nearly 70 miles into Lake Michigan and includes 19 communities, each with its own character. Visitors can explore charming waterfront villages, scenic countryside roads, historic harbors, and miles of shoreline.
Outdoor recreation is one of the region’s biggest draws. Door County features five state parks and more than 20 county parks, offering hiking trails, biking paths, beaches, kayaking routes, and breathtaking lake views.
One of the most famous destinations is Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek. The park offers dramatic limestone bluffs, wooded hiking trails, shoreline bike paths, beaches, and one of the Midwest’s most picturesque lighthouses. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone exploring the peninsula.
Combined with incredible sunsets over Green Bay and easy access to nature, Door County provides the kind of travel experience that keeps visitors coming back year after year.
Another reason Door County was named Midwest Living’s 2026 Getaway of the Year is the variety of experiences found across its small towns.
Each community offers something a little different.
Fish Creek is one of the most popular villages, known for its lively downtown, waterfront parks, and easy access to Peninsula State Park. Visitors enjoy boutique shopping, local restaurants, galleries, and scenic harbor views.
Just north, Sister Bay features a vibrant marina, a beautiful waterfront park, and some of the best sunsets in the county.
Further up the peninsula, quieter destinations like Ellison Bay and Gills Rock offer peaceful shoreline views and a slower pace, perfect for travelers looking to unwind.
And in Ephraim, visitors can stroll along Eagle Harbor while admiring the town’s iconic historic white buildings, one of the most recognizable scenes in Door County.
These charming communities help create the welcoming atmosphere that defines a Door County getaway.
Visitors exploring the peninsula quickly realize that Door County offers much more than just scenic views.
Classic Door County experiences include fish boils cooked over open flames, cherry orchards that bloom every spring, attend a signature Door County event and historic lighthouses that dot the shoreline.
Outdoor lovers can kayak along limestone cliffs, cycle scenic coastal roads, or hike through forests that open up to panoramic lake views.
In the evening, travelers gather around fire pits, enjoy locally crafted wine or cider, and watch the sun dip below the horizon over Green Bay.
It’s these simple but memorable moments that make Door County such a special destination.
As travelers plan their trip following the news that Door County named Midwest Living’s 2026 Getaway of the Year, finding the right place to stay becomes an important part of the experience.
Wisco Hosts offers a collection of thoughtfully designed vacation homes across Door County, giving guests a comfortable and private place to relax after a day of exploring the peninsula.
Many Wisco Hosts properties feature spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, entertainment spaces, and outdoor amenities like fire pits, saunas, and relaxing patios. Whether guests are planning a family vacation, a couples getaway, or a trip with friends, these homes provide the space and comfort to enjoy Door County at your own pace.
Staying in a vacation home also allows visitors to experience Door County like a local. Guests can start their mornings with coffee on the deck, spend the day exploring parks and waterfront towns, and return in the evening for a quiet night under the stars.
It’s a relaxed and memorable way to experience the peninsula.
With Door County named Midwest Living’s 2026 Getaway of the Year, the peninsula is receiving well-deserved attention as one of the Midwest’s top travel destinations.
From scenic parks and charming towns to unforgettable sunsets and welcoming places to stay, Door County continues to offer a travel experience that feels both timeless and refreshing.
For travelers looking to explore the best of the Midwest, there has never been a better time to plan a Door County getaway and stay at a Wisco Hosts property.
