Weekend in Door County, Wis., one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: The peninsula making up the 19 communities of Door County sits along the shores of Lake Michigan just east of the city of Green Bay. City dwellers escape to play at the five state parks and 53 public beaches. It's an idyllic destination for a road trip (70 miles long; 18 miles at its widest point) along 300 miles of shoreline with scenic vistas, hiking trails and 11 historic lighthouses. Visit from the middle to the end of May to see the abundance of cherry blossoms. The county's annual cherry crop produces 8-12 million pounds a year.
Located along Sturgeon Bay’s busy waterfront, the Door County Maritime Museum showcases the area’s rich maritime roots. Peek through a submarine periscope to see the county’s largest shipbuilder across the bay.
Trip planning at www.doorcounty.com.
Getting there: Nonstop Delta flights to Green Bay start from $308 round-trip, based on 21-day advance purchases.
BUDGET
Stay: Located in the heart of Fish Creek, the Main Street Motel is two blocks from Fish Creek harbor, Founder's Square, Sunset Beach and restaurants. Colorful guest rooms (some "quirky floral") from $69 weekend nights in May; from $79 in June. 4209 Main St., Fish Creek. 920-868-2201, http://mainstreetmoteldc.com.
Eat: A Fish Boil is an epicurean event in Door County. Pelletier's Restaurant at Founder's Square features the original experience every night (5 p.m. rain or shine), May-October. The $18 tab ($13 age 14 and under) includes locally caught whitefish with potatoes and sweet onion, coleslaw, Bavarian bread, soft drinks and cherry pie. 4199 Main St., Fish Creek. 920-868-3313, www.doorcountyfishboil.com.
Experience: Open since 1950, Fish Creek's one-screen Skyway Drive-In is the second longest continuously running drive-in theater in the state. Park in the first four rows to listen to the movie over traditional speakers that hang on the posts. On site are a snack bar and restroom facilities; $8 each adult; $5 ages 5-11. 3475 Highway 42, Fish Creek. 920-854-9938, www.doorcountydrivein.com.
MODERATE
Stay: The Ashbrooke is Egg Harbor's adults-only (ages 16 and older) resort set on Green Bay. The town was voted the "Best Small Town in Wisconsin" by the readers of Wisconsin Trails magazine. The array of amenities includes an indoor 42-foot lap pool, a 12-person whirlpool, a fitness room, and an outdoor sundeck with a fire table. Guest rooms from $150; two-room suites from $212. 7942 Egg Harbor Road, Egg Harbor. 1-877-868-3113, www.ashbrooke.net.
Eat: Find comfort food and signature Cherry Margaritas at Fred & Fuzzy's. Indoor and outdoor dining on the water comes with sunsets (or dramatic storms), live music and fresh lake perch dinners Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays ($15.75). Sandwiches, sliders and salads to $12.50. 10620 Little Sister Road, Sister Bay. 920-854-6699, www.fredandfuzzys.com.
Experience: Sail aboard the Tall Ship Edith M. Becker, a 55-foot traditionally rigged schooner that has sailed around the world twice. Cruise along shorelines of ancient cedar trees, limestone bluffs, coves and islands with a narrated history from the crew. Two-hour sailings offered from morning until the sun sets; $45 per person. Sister Bay Marina, 920-495-7245, www.saildoorcounty.com.
SPLURGE
Stay: Chanticleer Guesthouse features elegant suite accommodations in a renovated, early 19th-century farmhouse surrounded by acres of virgin forest and its residents of deer, wild turkey and owls; from $195-$265. Four secluded and romantic pond-side cabins feature one or two bedrooms, antiques, fireplaces, double whirlpool tubs, private deck with seating, and kitchen and grill amenities; $295-$315 one bedroom. A two-night minimum required on weekends; breakfast included. 4072 Cherry Road, Sturgeon Bay. 920-473-4088, www.chanticleerguesthouse.com.
Eat: Take in the views of Lake Michigan inside the elegant, stone-walled dining room at Donny's Glidden Lodge. Nightly specials include prime ribs, Australian cold-water lobster, fresh baked whitefish and pan-fried walleye. Entrees from $14.95-$28.95. 4670 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay. 920-746-9460, http://donnysgliddenlodge.com.
Experience: Originally designed and built as a city of Chicago fireboat in 1937, the Fred A. Busse Fire Boat is today the best seat to take in the history and scenery of Sturgeon Bay. When the recorded narration stops on the 90-minute cruise, passengers are serenaded with music from the '70s and '80s while venturing through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal (weather permitting to Sherwood Point Lighthouse). Weekend sailings, $25; $20 ages 10-17; $15 ages 5-9. Board at the City Dock adjacent to the Door County Maritime Museum. 120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920-495-6454, http://ridethefireboat.com.
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