Even though we only stayed one night in Door County, we managed to swim in Green Bay, check out the bluffs at Cliff Cave Park, and even get a bird’s-eye view from Eagle Point.

Lunch: The Prince of Pierogi

Chef Krzysztof Krol came to Door County in 2012 as a student and later opened his dumpling shop, bringing Polish food to the area.

We tried the classic cheese-and-potato dumplings and, since Door County is famous for cherries, we also had the cherry dumplings. Both tasted great. We visited their Sturgeon Bay spot on our way in, but they also have a place in Ephraim.

Address: 846 Egg Harbor Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Cave Point County Park

The park features rocky dolomite and limestone ledges shaped by waves, underwater caves, and a great view of Lake Michigan.

From the parking lot, you can take a forested trail along the ledges. We didn’t stay long, but we did walk the lakefront trail on top of the cliffs.

You can find spots to climb down to the rocky beaches. Some local kids were jumping off the ledges, but I wouldn’t try it unless you know how deep the water is.

The rocks near the water can get slippery, so watch your step.

If we’d had more time, we might have rented a kayak nearby, but we just did a short hike. It was still a great stop.

Address: Cave Point Lakeside Trailhead, 4003-3341 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Whitefish Dunes State Park

Whitefish Dunes State Park is just south of Cave Point. You can hang out on the beach or go for a swim, but watch out for strong undertows.

There’s also an observation deck at Mount Baldy. The park charges an entrance fee, so check their website for details. If we’d had more time, we would have visited too.

Address: 3275 Clark Lake Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Drive Up

On our way north to Ephraim, we drove through Baileys Harbor and saw the Baileys Harbor Upper Range Light.

Address: 8270 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Pebble Beach

Right before we checked into our hotel in Ephraim, we made a quick stop at Pebble Beach in Sister Bay.

This little beach is covered in pebbles. If you visit, wear sandals because the stones can hurt your feet. The sound of water moving through the pebbles is really cool.

Address: 10599-10507 Pebble Beach Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234

EPHRAIM

Pine Grove Resort

The resort is just off the main road on Ephraim’s north side and has its own beach and pier.

Ephraim looks like a postcard, with white buildings and views of Peninsula State Park. It’s easy to walk from the resort around town, enjoy the harbor, and visit local shops and restaurants.

After we checked in, we swam in the indoor pool. Later, we relaxed with snacks and wine while looking out over the lake.

Afterward, we headed down to the beach for a swim. My son had fun playing in the waves.

Hotel Address: 10080 N Water St, Ephraim, WI 54211

Drink Stop: The Old Post Office Restaurant

Next, we watched the family-friendly fish boil show at the Old Post Office Restaurant. Even if you don’t have a reservation, you can watch and grab a drink.

Local fisherman Rick Johnson catches the Michigan whitefish, which is cooked outside over an open fire with potatoes and onions.

The fish boil ends with a big burst of flames, which is fun to watch with kids.

Address: 10040 N Water St, Ephraim, WI 54211

Dinner Stop: Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor

We had dinner and ice cream for dessert at Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, just a short walk south along the main road. The walk has nice lake views, too.

Address: 9990 Water St S, Ephraim, WI 54211

After dinner, we walked back to the resort.

Anderson Dock

Our last stop that afternoon was Anderson Dock, close to our hotel.

The dock has a historic building covered in markings. Sailors used to paint their ship’s name and the date on the warehouse to show they arrived safely. Now, visitors add their own marks, turning it into a logbook for everyone who stops by.

We didn’t have paints with us but still enjoyed taking in the views from the dock.

Address: 3083 Anderson Ln, Ephraim, WI 54211

Sunset

We finished the evening watching the sunset, sitting on patio chairs above the beach with a fire crackling in the fire pit.

NEXT DAY: Morning Walk to Beach People of Ephraim

The weather was nice in the morning, so we walked along the main road again and stopped at Beach People Ephraim. There are a few shops on the south side of the village.

We picked up a few souvenirs here.

Address: Beach People Ephraim9930 WI-42, Ephraim, WI 54211

Peninsula State Park

After breakfast, we went to Peninsula State Park, which isn’t far from Ephraim. There’s an entrance fee, so keep that in mind.

Eagle Tower

My son and I planned to race up Eagle Tower, which has views of Green Bay and even the shoreline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

You can choose to take the ramp or the stairs. We went up the ramp and came down the stairs.

The views from the top were incredible.

From there, you can also explore more of the park on the Eagle Bluff Trail.

More Park Sites

You could easily spend a whole day here, swimming at Nicolet Beach or hiking the trails, but we didn’t have time since we were heading to Wisconsin Dells.

We made one last stop while driving around the park to check out the view from Svens Bluff on the other side of the peninsula.

Park Address: 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212

Wood Orchard Market

On our way back through Egg Harbor, we stopped at Wood Orchard Market for cherry pie and cherry bread. It was our last chance for some Door County cherry treats!

Address: 8112 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209

One-Night Door County Trip at a Glance

• Best places to stay: Fish Creek, Ephraim (where we stayed), or Sister Bay
• Best outdoor spot: Peninsula State Park (Eagle Tower is a must!)
• Best scenic spot: Cave Point County Park (the Lakeside Trail is amazing!)
• Best evening activity: Watching the sunset along the Ephraim shoreline
• Best local food experience: A traditional Door County fish boil (we loved watching it at the Old Post Office Restaurant)
• Best cherry experience: Try something with Door County cherries (stop at one of the many orchard stands around the area)
• Best tip: Slow down and enjoy more by doing less
• Ideal trip length: Plan for at least 2 or 3 nights if you can.

What to Skip on a One-Night Door County Trip

This might be the toughest part of planning.

There are just too many things to do in Door County for one night, so don’t try to fit them all in.

I’d save these for a longer visit:

• Washington Island
• A full lighthouse tour
• Newport State Park
• Multiple wineries
• Long kayaking excursions
• Extensive hiking
• Southern Door County
• Trying to visit every village

Washington Island requires a ferry ride and really deserves more time than a quick stop on a one-night trip.

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