Door County's 11 lighthouses: Your Complete Guide

Door County packs 11 historic lighthouses into a single narrow peninsula — the highest concentration of any county in the United States. For families driving up from Milwaukee (about 2.5 hours on I-43), this makes for one of the Midwest's best road-trip themes: a lighthouse tour mixing maritime history, jaw-dropping Lake Michigan views, tower climbs, haywagon rides, and enough kid-friendly pit stops to fill a long weekend. Seven of these lights can be reached by car, while four require boats or ferries — ranging from a quick harbor cruise to an all-day, two-ferry island adventure. Most lighthouses open mid-May through mid-October, with the best combination of access, weather, and manageable crowds falling in June and September.

This guide covers every Door County lighthouse from Sturgeon Bay to Rock Island, organized south to north to match a natural driving route up the peninsula.

Sturgeon Bay: where the lighthouse tour begins

The county seat anchors the southern end of the peninsula and offers three lighthouses plus the outstanding Door County Maritime Museum — your best first stop for context before hitting the road.

Door County Maritime Museum

Before visiting any lighthouses, spend 90 minutes at 120 North Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. The Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower rises 10 stories and is the one tower in Door County with an elevator — perfect for families who want panoramic views without a spiral staircase. Interactive exhibits cover shipbuilding, lighthouse keeper life, and Great Lakes history. The restored Sherwood Point fourth-order Fresnel lens is displayed here. Kids love the John Purves tugboat tour (a restored 149-foot Great Lakes tug). Open year-round: May–October 9 AM–5 PM daily; November–December 10 AM–5 PM; January–April 10 AM–4 PM. Admission runs roughly $17 adults, $14 seniors, $8 youth 6–17. Note: the Peterson Gallery is closed through April 2026 for renovation, reopening May 2026.

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse and North Pierhead Light

These two lights sit together at the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, on U.S. Coast Guard Station grounds at the end of Canal Road (County Road TT). The Canal Station Lighthouse, built in 1899, is a striking 78-foot white steel tower stabilized by an exterior lattice of six steel braces added in 1903 after violent wind vibrations kept disrupting the clockwork lens mechanism. Its original third-order Fresnel lens — manufactured by Henri Le Paute in Paris — still shines, making it one of the few Great Lakes lights with its original optic in active service. The tower is closed to climbing, but the long concrete breakwall and pier are open year-round for walking.

At the pier's outer end stands the North Pierhead Light, Door County's iconic "Big Red" — a riveted steel building painted fire-engine red, first built in 1881 and rebuilt in its current form in 1903. It features one of only two surviving catwalks on Wisconsin pierhead lighthouses. The Coast Guard declared the structure excess in 2010; it sold at auction in 2014 for $48,500 to private owners, though the light itself remains Coast Guard-maintained and active.

Best photo opportunity: Walk the long pier for a dramatic composition featuring the red pierhead light in the foreground with the tall white canal station tower behind it. Sunrise is exceptional here — the pier faces east over open Lake Michigan. On calm days, the reflections are stunning.

Practical details: Free access, free gravel parking at the Coast Guard station entrance. No restrooms at the site — use facilities in Sturgeon Bay before the 10-minute drive out. The pier walk runs 15–20 minutes each way. With young kids, hold hands and watch footing — the pier surface can be slippery when wet, and waves splash over the low breakwall in heavy weather. A stroller can manage the paved surface but it gets uneven in spots.

Sherwood Point Lighthouse

Tucked on a limestone bluff overlooking Green Bay about 20 minutes from downtown Sturgeon Bay, Sherwood Point is Door County's only red brick lighthouse (the bricks were shipped from Detroit) and holds the distinction of being the last staffed lighthouse on all the Great Lakes, finally automated in 1983 — exactly 100 years after its construction. Built in 1883 for $12,000, it was the home of one of Door County's most remarkable figures: Minnie Hesh, a 21-year-old orphan from Brooklyn who came to live with her uncle, head keeper Henry Stanley, in 1884. She married local William Cochems, and the couple served the light for decades. Minnie died of a heart attack at the lighthouse in 1928, and visitors still report hearing ghostly clinking teacups and seeing apparitions in the windows.

The catch for families: Sherwood Point is closed to the public except during Door Peninsula Lighthouse Passport Days (typically dates in May, June, August, and October — see events section below). During Passport Days, self-guided grounds tours are available for a suggested $5 donation, and special "Fireside Chat" events include s'mores, bonfires, and ghost stories of Minnie. The rest of the year, view it by boat (Shoreline Boat Tours' "West Tour" from the Maritime Museum passes by) or from across the water at Olde Stone Quarry County Park.

Address: E. Sherwood Point Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Limited parking at road's end. No restrooms. Bring bug spray — the wooded bluff is mosquito territory.

Peninsula State Park: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

Perched 76 feet above Green Bay on a bluff in Peninsula State Park between Fish Creek and Ephraim, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse has been guarding the Strawberry Channel since October 15, 1868. Built for $12,000 of cream city brick shipped from Milwaukee, it served three keepers over its manned years. The most storied was William Duclon, a Civil War veteran who raised seven sons in the lighthouse during his remarkable 35-year tenure from 1883 to 1918. Several of his sons went on to become lifesavers. The Door County Historical Society restored the lighthouse starting in 1960, and it has operated as a museum ever since. A $3.2 million restoration project completed major work in 2024, including lantern room repairs, masonry restoration, and — for the first time — electricity to the site.

Can you climb it? Yes. Visitors ascend the three-story spiral iron staircase to the lantern room, where the original fifth-order Fresnel lens is still housed behind plexiglass. The views from the top span the Strawberry Islands, Chambers Island, and the Upper Michigan shoreline.

Kid-friendly highlights: The museum tells the story of the Duclon children growing up in the lighthouse — relatable for young visitors. Peninsula State Park itself is a playground paradise: Eagle Tower (60-foot observation tower with an 850-foot ADA-accessible boardwalk ramp), Nicolet Bay Beach, bike trails, campgrounds, and Northern Sky Theater's outdoor performances.

Practical details:

• Address: 10249 Shore Road, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, WI 54212

• Season: Mid-May through mid-October daily, 11 AM–4 PM (self-guided tours). Reopens May 22, 2026. Closed July 4th.

• Admission: $7 per person (some sources note tiered pricing: $4 students 13–17, $2 youth 6–12). DCHS members and active military free. Cash only.

• State park vehicle pass required: Daily $13 Wisconsin plates / $16 out-of-state; annual $28 WI / $38 out-of-state.

• Parking: Lot along Shore Road near the lighthouse.

• With young kids: The spiral staircase is narrow — wait for others to clear before ascending. No strollers inside. Combine with a swim at Nicolet Bay Beach afterward.

Best photo tip: Late afternoon light is ideal — the lighthouse faces west toward Green Bay, and sunset views from the bluff are extraordinary.

Baileys Harbor

The eastern shore village of Baileys Harbor clusters three lighthouse experiences within a few miles — plus the most iconic lighthouse in all of Wisconsin just up the road.

Baileys Harbor Range Lights at The Ridges Sanctuary

Built in 1869 to replace the ineffective original Baileys Harbor light, these paired range lights — an upper (rear) and lower (front) — guided ships safely into the harbor for over a century. When a sailor vertically aligned the white rear light over the red front light, they knew they were in the safe channel. After decades of disuse, a historic milestone occurred on August 18, 2015, when both lights were returned to active Coast Guard service — making them the only range lights of this design still functional as navigational aids on the western Great Lakes.

The Upper Range Light is a charming 1.5-story keeper's dwelling with a square tower, connected to the Lower Range Light (a small octagonal-topped wooden structure) by a 950-foot boardwalk through The Ridges Sanctuary — Wisconsin's first land trust, born in 1937 when Emma Toft famously stood in front of a bulldozer to protect rare orchid habitat from a planned trailer park.

A common confusion: Many sources label these the "Birdcage" lighthouse. The actual Birdcage lighthouse is the separately located Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse (1852) on a private island — see below.

Kid-friendly highlights: The Ridges Sanctuary offers 5 miles of hiking trails, an ADA-compliant Hidden Brook Boardwalk (8 feet wide, stroller-friendly), and educational nature programs. Children 18 and under enter free. The beach near the Lower Range Light lets kids explore the Lake Michigan shore.

Practical details:

• Address: The Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 Highway 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

• Season: May–October. Grounds open Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat 10 AM–3 PM; Wed 11 AM–2 PM.

• Admission: $5 per adult for Ridges Sanctuary grounds (free under 18). Guided hikes: $10 adults, free ages 16 and under.

• Parking: Free at the Nature Center.

• Note: Dogs are NOT allowed at The Ridges. Some trails have roots and sandy sections — stick to the boardwalk with strollers. Bring bug spray.

Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse (the real "Birdcage")

This is Door County's ghost lighthouse. Built in 1852 from locally quarried limestone, it stands on tiny Lighthouse Island at the southeast edge of Baileys Harbor. Its defining feature is a rare birdcage-style iron lantern — one of only four lighthouses in the United States retaining this design. Plagued by poor construction and complaints that it was too dim and poorly positioned, it was decommissioned after just 17 years of service in 1869. Today it is privately owned, deteriorating, and completely closed to the public.

How to see it: The Birdcage is visible from Anclam Park and the Baileys Harbor waterfront. For closer views, Door County Adventure Rafting's Lakeside Tour (2 hours, departs Baileys Harbor Marina at 2 PM daily, ages 3+) and Lakeshore Adventures' clear-bottom kayak tour circumnavigate the island. Shoreline Boat Tours from Baileys Harbor also passes by. Binoculars from shore, telephoto lens from a boat.

Cana Island Lighthouse — the crown jewel

If your family visits only one Door County lighthouse, make it this one. Cana Island Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in Wisconsin and among the most iconic on the Great Lakes. Rising 89 feet on an 8.7-acre island connected to the mainland by a rocky causeway, it has shone its original third-order Fresnel lens continuously since January 28, 1870 — over 156 years. Built for $12,792.55 of cream city brick, the tower was encased in riveted steel plates in 1902 when the original masonry began deteriorating, giving it the gleaming white appearance visitors see today. The keeper's quarters, stone oil house (the only six-sided stone structure of its kind on the Great Lakes), and surrounding shoreline create the quintessential lighthouse scene.

The causeway adventure: Depending on Lake Michigan water levels, the causeway can be covered by 1–3 feet of cold water. A complimentary tractor-pulled haywagon runs 10 AM–3 PM daily to carry visitors across — this alone is worth the trip for kids. You can also wade across in water shoes.

Can you climb it? Absolutely — the 97-step spiral staircase to the gallery deck delivers sweeping 360° views. Children must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall. Landings every 25 steps allow rest and passing.

Note on recent damage: A storm on August 9, 2025 destroyed approximately 30% of the island's trees. The lighthouse and buildings survived intact. Check the Door County Maritime Museum website for any 2026 updates.

Practical details:

• Address: 8800 East Cana Island Road, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

• Season: May through October, daily 10 AM–5 PM. Last haywagon at 4:15 PM, last tower climb at 4:30 PM.

• Admission: $12 adults, $10 youth (5–17), free under 5. Haywagon included.

• Parking: Free lot on the mainland at end of Cana Island Road.

• Restrooms: Available on the island.

• With young kids: Arrive at 10 AM to beat crowds. Bring water shoes for the causeway, snacks and water (no vendors on the island), sunscreen and hats (reduced shade after the 2025 storm). Allow 1.5–2 hours for the full experience.

Best photo tip: Sunrise from the causeway approach is the classic shot — east-facing over Lake Michigan. The "Whispering Lanterns" evening event during Passport Days lets you watch the Fresnel lens illuminate at dusk ($20, 1.5 hours).

The island lighthouses: adventures that require a boat

Four Door County lighthouses sit on islands requiring boat access. These range from a quick cruise (Chambers Island) to an all-day odyssey through "Death's Door" to Wisconsin's oldest lighthouse on Rock Island.

Chambers Island Lighthouse

Seven miles northwest of Fish Creek in Green Bay, Chambers Island's lighthouse was built in 1868 — the same year as Eagle Bluff — using the same cream city brick. First keeper Lewis S. Williams was famous for his enormous strawberry patch that attracted visitors by boat. The lighthouse was automated in 1955, and the land was transferred to the Town of Gibraltar in 1976 as a 40-acre day park. Volunteer caretakers Mary Ann and Joel Blahnik maintain the keeper's office as a small museum of island history. Ghost stories persist: during a 1979 renovation, tools reportedly disappeared and reappeared, and overnight visitors have described beds shaking — attributed to Keeper Williams' spirit.

How to get there: Boat only. Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours offers a Chambers Island tour during Lighthouse Passport Days ($69 adults, $40 youth under 13, 4 hours, includes a 4-mile roundtrip hike). Private boat charters and kayaking (~2 miles from Fish Creek) are alternatives, though kayaking is not recommended with small children.

Practical details: Museum open when caretaker is present, most weekends June 15–Labor Day. Free admission (donations appreciated). No stores, no running water — pack everything. The 4-mile hike may be too long for very young children. The tower is closed to climbing.

Plum Island Range Lights

In the treacherous Death's Door (Porte des Morts) passage between the peninsula tip and Washington Island, Plum Island's range lights were built in 1895–1897 as part of a U.S. Life-Saving Station complex. The rear range light is a rare 65-foot "Duluth-style" skeletal tower — only three survive on the Great Lakes. Its original fourth-order Fresnel lens is now displayed at the Death's Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock. Both lights remain active aids to navigation. The island also holds the only remaining Duluth-style Life Saving Station on the Great Lakes, currently under restoration by the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI).

How to visit: The island is open Memorial Day through Labor Day for daytime use. NorDoor Cruises departs Gills Rock (12747 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay; private cruises $590 for up to 14 passengers, add $100 to disembark). During Passport Days, guided Plum Island tours include a 30-minute boat ride and 2-hour walking tour. The Washington Island Ferry passes within view of the rear range light during every crossing — the easiest way for families to see it.

Important: No potable water, no trash collection on the island. Pack in, pack out everything.

Pilot Island Lighthouse

On a tiny 3.25-acre island just 11 feet above the waterline at Death's Door's eastern entrance, Pilot Island Light has stood since 1858 — built after President Buchanan ordered it when ship captains complained the earlier Plum Island light was too far west. Its most dramatic story involves Keeper Martin Knudsen, who in October 1892 ventured onto the reef during a storm to rescue six crew members from the wrecked schooner A.P. Nichols, earning a silver lifesaving medal and a gold medal from the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York. Today the island is overrun by thousands of cormorants whose guano has killed virtually all vegetation — creating a haunting, dramatically photogenic scene.

Can you visit? No. Pilot Island is part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is completely closed to the public. You can only view it from the water — via the Washington Island Ferry, NorDoor Cruises, or Door County Adventure Rafting's Death's Door Tour from Ellison Bay. A telephoto lens is essential from the Northport ferry dock.

Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island — Wisconsin's oldest

The crown jewel for adventurous families. Established in 1836 — before Wisconsin was even a state — Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island is the oldest light station in Wisconsin and on Lake Michigan. First keeper David E. Corbin was so lonely that in 1845, an inspector granted him 20 days' leave to find a wife (census records confirm he succeeded). The current structure dates to 1858, fully restored to its 1910 appearance by the Friends of Rock Island and open as a free museum since 2004.

Can you climb it? Yes — to the lantern room, which houses a replica fourth-order Fresnel lens. Visitors must remove shoes or wear plastic covers inside.

The adventure of getting there is half the experience — and requires planning:

1. Washington Island Ferry from Northport Pier (end of Hwy 42) — 30-minute crossing. Adults $15 RT, children 6–11 $8, under 5 free, car $30.

2. Drive 8.4 miles across Washington Island (~20 minutes) to Jackson Harbor.

3. Karfi Rock Island Ferry (passenger-only) from Jackson Harbor — 10-minute ride. Adults $15 RT, children 6–11 $6, under 5 free. Cash only on the Karfi — buy combination tickets at Northport ($30 adults, $14 children 6–11).

4. Hike 1.25 miles from the Rock Island dock to the lighthouse (~30–40 minutes each way, sometimes uphill).

Season: Karfi runs late May to early October. Lighthouse tours daily 10 AM–4 PM, Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Free admission (donations appreciated).

Rock Island State Park's 912 vehicle-free acres offer sandy beaches, the spectacular Chester Thordarson boathouse (1928), and 40 rustic campsites. No vehicles or bicycles are allowed — a peaceful, safe environment for kids to roam.

With young kids: This is a full-day commitment. Leave early, watch the Karfi schedule carefully (miss the last ferry and you're stranded), and bring a carrier for toddlers on the 2.5-mile roundtrip hike. Pack everything — food, water, sunscreen, rain layers. Nothing is sold on Rock Island. For a shortcut, NorDoor Cruises occasionally offers a direct Gills Rock-to-Rock Island boat tour during Passport Days, bypassing the two-ferry process.

Lighthouse Passport Days: the key to unlocking Door County's hidden lights

The former Door County Lighthouse Walk has been reimagined as Door Peninsula Lighthouse Passport Days, organized by the Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society. This multi-date program is the only way to access Sherwood Point, Chambers Island, and Plum Island lighthouses, and it offers special experiences at every other light.

2025 dates were: May 23–24, June 6–7, August 7 (National Lighthouse Day), October 3–4. The 2026 schedule has not yet been announced — check dcmm.org starting in spring 2026.

Unique Passport Day experiences include Sherwood Point Fireside Chats with s'mores ($15), Whispering Lanterns at Cana Island at dusk ($20), Beacon Hikes combining Cana Island and The Ridges ($40), and even aerial lighthouse tours from Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay ($350 per flight for up to 3 passengers, 60 minutes, covering 8 lighthouses from the air). Tours sell out — book early at doorcountytickets.com. Proceeds support lighthouse preservation.

The program is part of the U.S. Lighthouse Society's Passport Program, so kids can collect stamps at each lighthouse — a great motivator for young explorers.

Organized tours that do the driving for you

Door County Trolley Lighthouse Tour is the standout option for families who want a curated, narrated experience. The classic trolley visits Eagle Bluff, Cana Island, and Baileys Harbor Range Lights with private tours at each stop, plus a box lunch. Departs 10 AM Monday/Wednesday/Friday, June through October from 8030 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor. $59.95 per person, approximately 5 hours. During Passport Days, an extended 7-hour version adds Sherwood Point and the Sturgeon Bay lights for $84.95. The trolley also runs a 30-minute Family Trolley Ride with I-Spy games and sing-alongs for younger kids.

Boat tours offer water-level perspectives unavailable from land. Shoreline Boat Tours operates from both Sturgeon Bay (East Tour for the canal lights, West Tour for Sherwood Point) and Baileys Harbor (passing the Birdcage, Cana Island, and Range Lights). Kids earn "First Mate" certificates through their onboard educational program. Door County Adventure Rafting runs a Death's Door Tour from Ellison Bay passing Plum and Pilot Islands, and a Lakeside Tour from Baileys Harbor passing the Birdcage and Cana Island (ages 3+, departures at 2 PM daily).

Kayak tours let families paddle to lighthouses. Cave Point Paddle & Pedal offers a Cana Island Extended Kayak Tour with lighthouse admission, picnic lunch, and optional photography package ($20 add-on) — beginner-friendly, all ages. Lakeshore Adventures in Baileys Harbor runs clear-bottom kayak shipwreck tours circling the Birdcage lighthouse island (2 hours, $69/person).

Two driving routes for a lighthouse road trip

One-day tour

Start at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay for context (1–1.5 hours). Drive 10 minutes east to the Sturgeon Bay Canal and North Pierhead Lights for the iconic pier walk (20–30 minutes). Head 25 minutes north on Hwy 42 to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park (45 minutes–1 hour). Grab lunch in Fish Creek village — Wild Tomato Pizza for wood-fired pies or Not Licked Yet for frozen custard. Continue 20 minutes east via Hwy 57 to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights at The Ridges Sanctuary (30–45 minutes). Finish 10 minutes north at Cana Island Lighthouse for the haywagon ride and tower climb (1.5–2 hours). Return to Sturgeon Bay in 35 minutes. This route hits the five most accessible, kid-friendly lighthouses in one satisfying day.

Two-day tour (adds island views and the northern peninsula)

Day 1 follows the one-day route through Eagle Bluff and Baileys Harbor, adding a detour to view Sherwood Point from Olde Stone Quarry County Park (or by boat tour). Stay overnight in Fish Creek, Sister Bay, or Baileys Harbor.

Day 2 starts at Cana Island at 10 AM sharp for first haywagon. Then drive 45 minutes north to the peninsula's tip. Option A (the big adventure): Take the Washington Island Ferry from Northport Pier, drive across to Jackson Harbor, catch the Karfi to Rock Island, and hike to Pottawatomie Lighthouse — plan 5–6 hours minimum. Option B (easier with young kids): Take a Death's Door Lighthouse Cruise from Gills Rock for narrated close-up views of Plum and Pilot Island lighthouses (2 hours), then visit the Death's Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock to see the Plum Island Fresnel lens. Either way, the Washington Island Ferry crossing provides views of both Plum Island's range lights and distant Pilot Island.

Key distances from Sturgeon Bay: Fish Creek 18 miles (25 min), Baileys Harbor 30 miles (35 min), Cana Island 34 miles (45 min), Gills Rock 40 miles (55 min), Milwaukee to Sturgeon Bay 145 miles (2.5 hours via I-43).

When to go

Late May through June offers the best balance: most lighthouses are freshly open for the season, Passport Days provide exclusive access to Sherwood Point and island lights, cherry blossoms dot the peninsula, and peak-season crowds haven't materialized. Water temperatures are still cold for wading the Cana Island causeway — the haywagon earns its keep.

July and August deliver the longest hours, warmest weather for boat tours and kayaking, and daily operations at every site. National Lighthouse Day on August 7 is a Passport Day with special access. The tradeoff: peak crowds, restaurant waits, and the need to book accommodations months in advance.

September through early October is arguably the most beautiful window. Fall color begins mid-September and peaks in early October. October Passport Days combine lighthouse access with spectacular foliage. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day while most lighthouses remain open.

November through April, most lighthouse interiors are closed. But the Door County Maritime Museum operates year-round, the Sturgeon Bay pier is always accessible, and winter brings dramatic ice formations around the lights — outstanding for photography.

The most photogenic lights

Cana Island is the undisputed champion — the causeway approach with water flowing over rocks, the white tower against evergreens and Lake Michigan, the gallery deck panorama. Arrive at sunrise for the classic east-facing shot, or attend the Whispering Lanterns event to capture the Fresnel lens glowing at dusk. The haywagon ride itself makes a wonderful candid family photo.

Sturgeon Bay's "Big Red" North Pierhead Light ranks second — the fire-engine red lighthouse at the end of a long pier against open lake is instantly recognizable. Best in early evening light when the red paint seems to glow.

Eagle Bluff earns third place for its cream city brick charm perched above Green Bay with islands stretching to the horizon. Late afternoon golden hour is ideal, with the lighthouse facing west.

Baileys Harbor Range Lights have a storybook quality that multiple travel bloggers have called "Wes Anderson–esque" — the paired white structures connected by a boardwalk through boreal forest.

For island lighthouses, Pilot Island creates the most dramatic images — a crumbling tower swarmed by thousands of birds on a barely-there island in Death's Door. Telephoto lens required.

Family-friendly stops to pair

Door County rewards the family that plans pit stops and breaks for lunch.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay is famous for live goats grazing on its grass roof — Swedish pancakes inside, goat-watching outside. PC Junction in Fish Creek delivers food by model train and has a playground with sandbox, slide, and climbing structures. The Farm (4285 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay) is a living heritage museum where kids bottle-feed baby goats and play with kittens (Memorial Day–mid-October, $8.50 adults, $5 children 3–12). Door County Ice Cream Factory in Sister Bay serves Death's Door Chocolate and Door County Cherry flavors. And don't skip the traditional Door County fish boil — an outdoor spectacle of whitefish, potatoes, and onions in a massive kettle that climaxes with a dramatic "boilover" fireball. Pelletier's in Fish Creek and Rowley's Bay Restaurant are family favorites.

For accommodations, The Landing Resort offers indoor/outdoor pools, a large playground, basketball courts, and a video arcade. Newport Resort in Egg Harbor has heated pools and play areas. Pheasant Park in Sister Bay provides 2–3 bedroom suites within walking distance of shops and beach.

Practical reminders for the road: Cell service is spotty across much of Door County — download maps and directions offline before leaving Milwaukee. Pack layers (lake weather shifts fast), closed-toe shoes for lighthouse tours and island hikes, and plenty of snacks and water for sites with no vendors. Restaurant reservations are essential in July and August. And if you're visiting on a rainy evening, the Skyway Drive-In outside Fish Creek is one of Wisconsin's last classic drive-in theaters — a perfect family backup plan.

Conclusion

Door County's lighthouses tell the full story of Great Lakes maritime history — from the desperate need to mark Death's Door passage (which claimed hundreds of ships) to the lonely dedication of keepers like Minnie Hesh at Sherwood Point and Martin Knudsen's storm-lashed rescue at Pilot Island. For families, the range runs from drive-up-and-walk experiences (Sturgeon Bay's pier, Eagle Bluff's state park setting) to genuine expeditions (two ferries and a hike to Wisconsin's oldest lighthouse on Rock Island). The Lighthouse Passport Days program has transformed access, opening previously off-limits sites and creating memorable evening experiences like watching a 156-year-old Fresnel lens flicker to life at Cana Island. Start planning around the Passport Days calendar at dcmm.org, anchor your itinerary with the one-day driving route hitting five mainland lighthouses, and save the Rock Island adventure for a family that's ready to earn it. The lights are waiting.