Spring in Door County: The Ultimate Family Activities Guide

Door County in spring is a quieter, more affordable, and arguably more magical version of Wisconsin's beloved 70-mile peninsula — where cherry blossoms blanket 2,500+ acres of orchards in mid-May, wildflowers carpet ancient forests, and you can explore world-class state parks without summer's shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

This guide covers everything a family needs to plan a spring trip, from the best trails and fish boils to practical tips on ferry schedules and what's actually open before Memorial Day Weekend. The key trade-off: visiting in spring means some seasonal attractions won't open until late May, but lower prices, empty trails, and blooming orchards more than compensate.

Cherry blossoms and wildflowers

Door County is the fourth-largest cherry-growing region in the United States, and peak blossom season typically arrives mid-to-late May, lasting roughly two weeks. Blossoms sweep from south to north — orchards south of Sturgeon Bay bloom first, with northern lakeside orchards following days later. In 2025, blooms began emerging around May 13 and reached full peak by May 16–23. Exact timing shifts annually with weather, so check the real-time bloom tracker at hellodoorcounty.com before you go.

Seaquist Orchards (11482 Highway 42, Sister Bay) is the largest orchard at roughly 1,000 acres, with a farm market, bakery, children's playground, and free access for browsing and photos. Lautenbach's Orchard Country (9197 State Highway 42, Fish Creek) offers 100 acres of orchards and vineyards, a market and bakery, wine and cider tastings, and a playground — it's the most complete single-stop orchard experience for families. Cherry Lane, a scenic corridor south of Sturgeon Bay near Forestville, delivers rows of cherry trees perfect for drive-by photography and impromptu stops. Wood Orchard Market near Egg Harbor rounds out the options with famous cherry donuts and cherry strudel.

For wildflowers, The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor (8166 State Highway 57) is the crown jewel — Wisconsin's first land trust, protecting 1,600+ acres of rare ridge-and-swale ecosystem with roughly 500 plant species including 25 varieties of native orchids. Trails are open dawn to dusk year-round. The nature center ($5 adults, free ages 18 and under) is open Monday–Saturday 9 AM–4 PM and Sunday 10 AM–3 PM. Guided hikes run Monday–Saturday at 10 AM from May through August ($10 adults, free for ages 16 and younger). Early Bird Hikes depart Saturdays at 6:30 AM in May, June, and July. Spring wildflowers here include hepatica, bloodroot, and spring beauty in April, followed by large-flowered trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild columbine, dwarf lake iris, and yellow lady's slipper orchid in May.

Six spectacular parks

Door County's state parks are the backbone of any spring visit. Wisconsin shifted to a 12-month admission pass system — a resident annual pass is $28, non-resident is $38, and daily passes run $13 (resident) or $16 (non-resident).

Peninsula State Park (9462 Shore Road, Fish Creek) is the flagship — 3,776 acres attracting roughly one million visitors annually. The rebuilt Eagle Tower stands 60 feet tall with an 850-foot fully accessible canopy walk through the treetops and panoramic views from 253 feet above Green Bay. The Eagle Trail (2 miles) is the most dramatic hike, with 150-foot limestone bluffs, spring-fed mini waterfalls, and caves along the Niagara Escarpment. For families with strollers, the Sentinel Trail (2 miles) offers packed dirt surfaces and interpretive markers. The paved Sunset Bike Trail runs 5.5 miles through the park and is perfect for family cycling. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse opens for guided tours mid-May through mid-October.

Potawatomi State Park (3740 County PD, Sturgeon Bay) is Peninsula's quieter sibling, with 9.5 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of mountain biking. Its historic 75-foot observation tower, closed since 2017, reopened in spring 2025 after restoration — offering views across 16+ miles of Green Bay from 225 feet above the water. The Tower Trail (3.6 miles) follows the shoreline and is the best spring hike here.

Whitefish Dunes State Park (3275 Clark Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay) is day-use only and home to Wisconsin's tallest sand dune at 93 feet, accessible via the Old Baldy Trail with stairs to the summit. The nature center is open year-round with ecology and shipwreck exhibits. The Black Trail connects south to Cave Point County Park. A free beach wheelchair is available.

Newport State Park (475 County Highway NP, Ellison Bay) is Wisconsin's only officially designated wilderness state park and an International Dark Sky Park — 2,400 acres with 30 miles of trails along 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Spring brings extraordinary solitude and emerging wildflowers. Return after dark for some of the best stargazing in the Midwest.

Cave Point County Park (5360 Schauer Road, Sturgeon Bay) is free — no vehicle sticker needed. This 18-acre county park delivers Door County's most iconic scenery: wave-carved limestone cliffs and underwater caves where waves crash 30+ feet on windy days. Kayak tours launch from nearby Schauer Park, typically starting in late May. Rock Island State Park, at the peninsula's tip beyond Washington Island, requires two ferry rides and opens Memorial Day weekend. No vehicles or bikes allowed — it's pure wilderness with Wisconsin's oldest lighthouse.

Park Size Key spring feature Spring trail tip Peninsula State Park 3,776 acres Eagle Tower canopy walk, Sunset Bike Trail Eagle Trail can be muddy — waterproof boots essential Potawatomi State Park 1,225 acres Restored observation tower, Ice Age Trail terminus Tower Trail offers best shoreline views Whitefish Dunes 867 acres Old Baldy dune climb, year-round nature center Black Trail connects to Cave Point Newport State Park 2,400 acres Dark sky stargazing, wilderness solitude All campsites are hike-in (1–2.5 miles) Cave Point County Park 18.6 acres Limestone sea caves, free admission Not a kayak launch — use Schauer Park instead Rock Island State Park 912 acres Pottawatomie Lighthouse, no vehicles Opens Memorial Day weekend only

Spring trail conditions across all parks can be muddy through early May. Waterproof boots, layers for changeable temperatures (30s–60s°F), tick repellent, and binoculars for spring bird migration are essentials.

Spring festivals, events, and farmers markets

There is no single formal "Festival of Blossoms" event in Door County — the cherry blossom season is celebrated organically through orchard visits, scenic drives, and guided tours. The closest organized celebration is the Door County Trolley's Spring Blossom Tour, offered Saturdays from mid-April through late May, which includes winery tastings, a carriage ride in Fish Creek, lunch, and guided views of cherry and apple blossoms (approximately $95 per adult).

The marquee spring event is The Ridges Sanctuary's Festival of Nature, held over Memorial Day weekend. The 2025 edition featured 70+ field trips including guided hiking, kayaking, fossil hunting, and scientific illustration workshops, with individual programs ranging from $25–$50 per person. This multi-day celebration is Door County's best organized spring experience for nature-loving families.

Maifest in Jacksonport (Memorial Day weekend, Lakeside Park) has run for over 50 years, featuring Maypole dancing, a parade, arts and crafts fair, live music, and a 10K run — all free to attend. The Door Peninsula Lighthouse Passport Days (organized by the Door County Maritime Museum, with 2025 spring dates of May 23–24 and June 6–7) grant exclusive access to all 11 Door County lighthouses, including sites normally closed to the public like Chambers Island and Plum Island. Tour excursions run approximately $40–$60 per adult. The Roofing of the Goats celebration at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay (June 14, 2025) features a costumed goat parade, live music, a Swedish pancake-eating contest, and kids' games — all free.

Farmers markets open on a rolling schedule starting in mid-to-late May. Baileys Harbor (Sundays, May 18) and Fish Creek (Wednesdays at Settlement Shops, May 28) are the earliest, followed by Sturgeon Bay (Saturdays, late May). Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, and Ephraim markets don't start until mid-June. For live theater in spring, Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay is the only option — their 2025 season began April 30. Peninsula Players and Northern Sky Theater don't open until mid-June.

Family attractions from maritime museums to mini golf

The Door County Maritime Museum (120 North Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay) is the strongest year-round family attraction on the peninsula. Open daily May through October from 9 AM–5 PM (limited winter hours Thursday–Monday), it features the 10-story Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower with panoramic views, interactive shipbuilding and shipwreck exhibits, and guided tours of the historic Tug John Purves (40 minutes, May–October). Admission is $17 adults, $8 youth (5–17), free for children 4 and under. Active military families enter free.

The Farm (4285 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay) is a can't-miss for young children but only opens Memorial Day weekend. Kids can bottle-feed goat kids, lambs, and piglets, milk a goat, and watch chicks hatch. Admission is $10.50 adults, $7 children (3–12). Visit in the morning — animal feeding may stop as early as 11 AM on busy days.

Cana Island Lighthouse (8800 East Cana Island Road, Baileys Harbor) opens in May and features an 89-foot tower with 97 steps to the gallery deck and panoramic Lake Michigan views. A free haywagon ride crosses the causeway to the island. Admission is $12 adults, $10 youth. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse inside Peninsula State Park opens mid-May with guided tours from 11 AM–3 PM.

For rainy days or creative breaks, Hands On Art Studio (3655 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek) is open year-round — an 8,000-square-foot working studio in a historic dairy farm where families can paint ceramics, create mosaics, throw pottery, or make fused glass jewelry. No set admission; you pay per project. Walk-ins welcome.

Mini golf opens early in the season: Pirate's Cove (2502 S Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay) starts the last weekend of April, and the beloved Red Putter (10404 Water Street, Ephraim) opens in May at the famously affordable price of roughly $4–$5 per round — a quirky 18-hole course with poems at every hole that has been family-owned for over 50 years. Egg Harbor Fun Park offers go-karts, a 3,000-square-foot arcade, gem mining, batting cages, and zip lines, but is primarily a summer-season operation.

The Door County Trolley (8030 Highway 42, Egg Harbor) runs spring tours including the Spring Blossom Tour and Wine Spirits & Brew Tour. Summer brings the Family Ride (30 minutes, sing-alongs and I-spy games), a three-lighthouse tour with box lunch ($59.95), ghost tours, and murder mystery rides. Segway tours from Glide N.E.W. (Fish Creek) begin in May, with Peninsula State Park, Cave Point, and Washington Island routes available for ages 11 and up (approximately $60–$90 per person).

Fish boils, cherry pie, and the best spring dining

The traditional Door County fish boil — Lake Michigan whitefish boiled outdoors with baby red potatoes and onions, culminating in a dramatic "boilover" — is a must-do. In spring, the White Gull Inn (4225 Main Street, Fish Creek) is the only reliable year-round option, with Friday night fish boils through winter and spring at $27.75 adults, $17 children, including homemade cherry pie. This is the oldest continuous fish boil in the county, running since 1959. Pelletier's (4199 Main Street, Fish Creek) opens in May with nightly boils at 5:00, 6:15, and 7:30 PM — the most frequent schedule of any venue. The Old Post Office Restaurant (10040 N Water Street, Ephraim) is widely considered the most scenic setting, with Eagle Harbor waterfront views. Reservations are essential everywhere.

An important update: Rowleys Bay Resort and its beloved Grandma's Swedish Bakery were destroyed by fire in September 2023 and will not reopen. The Viking Grill in Ellison Bay was sold in February 2025 to new owners, so its fish boil future is uncertain — call ahead. Wickman House has also closed, replaced by Osteria Tre Tassi, a Mediterranean restaurant. Mr. Helsinki and Grasse's Grill in Sister Bay have also permanently closed.

Sturgeon Bay is the best spring dining base because most restaurants here operate year-round. Bluefront Cafe (86 W Maple Street) serves eclectic sandwiches and salads. Scaturo's Baking Co. (19 Green Bay Road) makes award-winning cherry pie and Friday fish fry, open daily from 5 AM. Inn at Cedar Crossing (336 Louisiana Street) delivers upscale comfort food. Sonny's serves Chicago-style pizza with water views.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant (10698 N Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay) is open year-round — winter/spring hours are 7 AM–3 PM for breakfast and lunch only. Swedish pancakes with lingonberries are the signature, served all day. The goats go on the famous sod roof from late May through mid-October only. No reservations; arrive early to avoid waits.

Chives in downtown Baileys Harbor is the peninsula's finest farm-to-table restaurant, with a James Beard Award semifinalist connection and a hyper-seasonal menu using ingredients from its own garden. Whistling Swan (4192 Main Street, Fish Creek) uses local morels and ramps in spring menus. Sister Bay Bowl serves a renowned Friday perch fry in classic supper club style.

For cherry-themed treats, Cherry De-Lite/Country Ovens in Forestville is open year-round with free factory tours and samples of dried cherries, cherry juice, and chocolate-covered cherries. Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim (since 1906) and Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard in Fish Creek are legendary but both seasonal, typically opening late May. Sweetie Pies Bakery (Settlement Shops, Fish Creek) makes what many consider the best cherry pie on the peninsula. Bea's Ho-Made Products near Gills Rock is another top cherry pie contender — call ahead in spring.

Ten wineries, craft breweries, and wine trail

The Door County Wine Trail connects 10 wineries across the peninsula. A Wine Trail Passport ($65 for the 2026 edition) unlocks BOGO flights, purchase discounts, and a chance to win tickets to the annual wine festival at each stop.

Door Peninsula Winery (5806 State Highway 42, Carlsville) is the largest and most family-friendly — tastings are free all day, every day, with 70+ wines, ciders, and meads. Free guided tours run hourly from 10 AM–4 PM, covering both the winery and the adjacent Door County Distillery. The market features extensive food sampling of cheese, fudge, mustards, and jellies — kids enjoy this while adults taste. Open year-round (daily 9 AM–5 PM in winter/spring). Simon Creek Vineyard (5896 Bochek Road, Sturgeon Bay) farms the largest winery vineyard in Wisconsin at 34 acres and features a self-pour taproom. Lautenbach's Orchard Country doubles as both winery and cidery with 50+ wines and hard ciders from estate-grown fruit.

Harbor Ridge Winery (4690 Rainbow Ridge Court, Egg Harbor) stands out for its year-round operation in a charming log cabin, while Stone's Throw Winery (3382 County Road E, Baileys Harbor) offers bocce ball, a sculpture garden, and its own Vino!Vino! restaurant. Lake Fire Winery (8054 State Highway 57, Baileys Harbor) is Door County's only waterfront winery on Lake Michigan, opening mid-May. The Door County Wine Fest 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at About Thyme Farm in Baileys Harbor, with unlimited tastings from all 10 wineries, live music, and free shuttle service.

For craft beer, Door County Brewing Co. & Hacienda Beer Co. (2434 County F, Baileys Harbor) is the standout — a family-friendly taproom with two labels under one roof, year-round live music, a backyard beer garden, and cheese boards. Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor was Door County's first microbrewery (1997) and brews on-site in a historic 1882 building. Starboard Brewing (151 N. 3rd Avenue, Sturgeon Bay) is a nano-brewery producing experimental small-batch beers. Island Orchard Cider (12040 Garrett Bay Road, Ellison Bay tasting room) crafts Normandy-style French ciders from Washington Island apples — the Apple Lavender Cider and Cherry Vanilla soda (non-alcoholic) are standouts.

Art galleries, pottery studios, and shopping

Edgewood Orchard Galleries (4140 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek) is Door County's most acclaimed gallery — a restored 1918 stone fruit barn on 80 acres representing 150+ artists, with an award-winning outdoor sculpture garden winding through woods and perennial gardens. Open daily 10 AM–5 PM, May through October (by appointment in spring). Free admission to the sculpture garden. Popelka Trenchard Glass (64 S 2nd Avenue, Sturgeon Bay) is a working hot glass studio where you can watch — and take classes in — Venetian-style blown glass year-round. Saturday demonstrations run noon–1 PM in summer, and pieces start around $62.

Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) in Fish Creek offers year-round workshops in ceramics, printmaking, painting, metals, and photography for all ages and skill levels, with rotating free exhibitions in the Guenzel Gallery. Clay Bay Pottery (11650 Highway 42, Ellison Bay) has been producing fine contemporary hand-thrown pottery since 1976 and opens in April — one of the earliest seasonal galleries. Woodwalk Gallery (6746 County Road G, Egg Harbor), housed in a 1908 dairy barn on 10 scenic acres, opens on select April weekends before its full May season.

The Door County Candle Company (5789 Highway 42, Carlsville) operates year-round and offers a Candle Bar experience where families pour custom soy candles from 50+ scents — a 30–45 minute activity that's perfect for rainy spring days. It's located in the Carlsville corridor near Door Peninsula Winery, making for an easy combined stop.

For shopping villages, Fish Creek has the densest concentration: Top of the Hill Shops (20+ boutiques), Founder's Square, and the Settlement Shops. Sister Bay features Country Walk Shops and specialty stores like Tea Thyme in Door County (140+ tea varieties). Sturgeon Bay's Third Avenue Historic District offers year-round boutiques, antique shops, and the excellent Novel Bay Booksellers. Most northern Door County shops operate on reduced spring hours, expanding to seven-day weeks from Memorial Day onward.

Water adventures

Spring charter fishing in Door County is world-class. Sturgeon Bay was named the #1 bass fishing spot in the country, and spring targets include brown trout (April), walleye (millions swim up from Green Bay to spawn in mid-March), and smallmouth bass (catch-and-release open year-round). Top outfitters include Big Bite Adventures (operating from Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, and Sister Bay), Reel Impression Sportfishing (Sturgeon Bay, 35-foot Viking yacht), and Late-Eyes Sport Fishing (trophy walleye and bass specialist). Spring charters start around $350+ per trip. Wisconsin fishing licenses are required for ages 16+ — non-resident annual licenses cost $55, or grab a 1-day license for $8. The state's Free Fishing Weekend falls the first weekend of June.

Kayak tours are the signature Door County water experience, with Cave Point's limestone sea caves as the premier destination. Most operators — including Door County Kayak Tours (Jacksonport), Peninsula Kayak Company (four locations), and Lakeshore Adventures (Baileys Harbor, with clear-bottom kayaks for shipwreck viewing) — open between late May and early June once water temperatures allow safe paddling. Lake Michigan is extremely cold in spring. Guided Cave Point tours run approximately 2 hours; launch from Schauer Park north of Cave Point, not from the rocky park itself. Paddleboard rentals follow the same timeline at roughly $25–40 per hour.

Scenic boat tours and sailing charters generally start in late May or June. Sail Door County operates from Sister Bay and Egg Harbor with four vessels including the registered tall ship Edith M. Becker — day sails run $54.99 adults, $44.99 children (5–12). Door County Boats runs narrated double-decker tours from the Sister Bay dock to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and Death's Door passage.

Goats, trolleys, scenic drives, and spring-only magic

The Door County Coastal Byway is a 66-mile National Scenic Byway loop that captures the entire peninsula. Drive Highway 57 north along the Lake Michigan side through farmland, Jacksonport, Cave Point, and Baileys Harbor, then loop back south on Highway 42 through Sister Bay, Ephraim, Fish Creek, and Egg Harbor along the Green Bay shore. The famous "curvy road" section between Gills Rock and Northport is especially scenic. In mid-to-late May, this drive passes through miles of blooming cherry and apple orchards.

Door County's geography creates a natural sunrise-sunset split. The Lake Michigan (east) side delivers stunning sunrises — Whitefish Dunes, Cave Point, and Cana Island Lighthouse are top picks. The Green Bay (west) side serves spectacular sunsets — Eagle Bluff in Peninsula State Park, Anderson Dock in Ephraim (the famous painted/graffiti dock), Sister Bay Beach, and the Fish Creek waterfront.

Washington Island is accessible year-round via the Washington Island Ferry from Northport Pier (30-minute crossing). Round-trip fares are $15 adults, $8 children (6–11), $30 per car — so a family of four with a vehicle runs about $76 round trip. Spring service is limited (two departures daily, three on Thursday/Friday), expanding to frequent summer runs. Don't miss the Stavkirke (a full-scale replica of an 1150 AD Norwegian stave church, free, open year-round), Schoolhouse Beach (one of only five smooth stone beaches in the world), and Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm (the Midwest's largest, though peak bloom is July–August). The ferry does not require advance booking — first-come, first-served at the ticket booth.

Spring birdwatching is exceptional. Door County's peninsula geography funnels migratory birds along the Lake Michigan flyway, making April through May prime season for warblers, sandhill cranes, and shorebirds. The Ridges Sanctuary and Door County Land Trust preserves (Toft Point, Kangaroo Lake, Ephraim Wetlands) are the best spots. Early Bird Hikes at The Ridges depart Saturdays at 6:30 AM.

Practical planning for a spring Door County trip

Best timing: Late May is the sweet spot — cherry blossoms blooming, most businesses open, kayak season beginning, goats potentially on Al Johnson's roof, and still well ahead of summer crowds. Early spring (March–April) brings solitude and savings but many seasonal businesses remain closed and temperatures hover in the 30s–50s°F.

Where to stay: Fish Creek is the best all-around base for first-timers, with the densest cluster of restaurants, shops, and galleries plus direct access to Peninsula State Park. Sister Bay is strongest for dining and has a beautiful beach with playground. Egg Harbor offers the best value and a central location. Sturgeon Bay has the most year-round businesses and the only chain hotels on the peninsula (everywhere else is B&Bs, resorts, and vacation rentals). Baileys Harbor suits nature lovers seeking a quieter Lake Michigan–side experience. Spring lodging rates are significantly lower than summer, and reservations are easy — a stark contrast to the book-months-ahead summer season.

Getting there: From Milwaukee, it's roughly 180 miles (2.5–3 hours) via I-43 N through Green Bay to Highway 57. From Chicago, about 280 miles (4–4.5 hours). The nearest airport is Green Bay–Austin Straubel International (GRB), 45 miles from Sturgeon Bay. A car is essential — there's no public transit, and attractions are spread across multiple towns 5–15 minutes apart. Within individual villages, you can walk to shops and restaurants.

Spring weather reality: Expect highs in the 45–65°F range from April through May, with Lake Michigan breezes making shoreline areas noticeably cooler than inland Wisconsin. Pack layers, a rain jacket, waterproof hiking boots, and warm evening wear — temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Snow is possible in March and early April.

What to know Spring (April–May) Summer (June–August) Crowds Minimal — trails and restaurants mostly empty Peak season, very crowded Lodging rates Lower, easy reservations Premium pricing, book months ahead Temperatures 30s–65°F; layers essential 70s–80s°F; comfortable Seasonal businesses Many closed until late May Everything open Water activities Charter fishing from April; kayaks late May Full range available Natural highlights Cherry blossoms, wildflowers, bird migration Warm beaches, lush greenery

What makes spring the insider's season

Door County regulars know that spring is the peninsula's best-kept secret. You'll have Eagle Tower's canopy walk nearly to yourself, snag a table at Al Johnson's without a 45-minute wait, and watch a fish boil at the White Gull Inn in an intimate Friday evening setting. The cherry blossoms rival any spring spectacle in the Midwest, and The Ridges Sanctuary's Festival of Nature over Memorial Day weekend is one of Wisconsin's finest nature celebrations. The practical trade-off is real — roughly a third of seasonal businesses won't open until late May — but Sturgeon Bay, the Carlsville winery corridor, and a handful of year-round stalwarts in each village ensure you won't go hungry or bored. For families from southeastern Wisconsin, a late May long weekend delivers the best of both worlds: blossoms, open parks, emerging summer energy, and prices that haven't yet climbed to peak-season levels.