A Long Summer Weekend in Fish Creek

My family has been going to Fish Creek, Wisconsin my entire life and it is my favorite place on Earth. So even though travel is restricted right now, I wanted to give you some wanderlust for a long summer weekend in Fish Creek. Start dreaming now and hopefully you will be able to visit in the near future! I should note that there are hundreds of Door County travel guides, but this list is composed of my absolute favorite spots in just Fish Creek. Eventually I will create a travel guide for all of Door County, as well as a guide for visiting in the Fall.

Let’s start with a little background for your future long summer weekend in Fish Creek. Door County is a peninsula located in Northeast Wisconsin that is made up of small picturesque towns. The 300 miles of coastline has earned it the nickname “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” It is an ideal summer destination for boating, water sports, fishing, biking, golfing, sunsets, wineries, art galleries, restaurants, and more. Simply put, Door County is perfect and no one will ever convince me otherwise 😉

Why just Fish Creek? Because that is where my family’s cottage is located, so I obviously believe it is the best town on the peninsula! I’m quite biased, but you really can’t go wrong staying anywhere in Door County. Fish Creek is on the Green Bay side between Egg Harbor and Ephraim. In addition to the activities I mentioned above, the entrance to Peninsula State Park is situated right in town. I could write a whole post on this park alone, but briefly to quote their website- “Considered Wisconsin’s most complete park, Peninsula offers 468 campsites, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse and eight miles of Door County shoreline.” Via. Pretty lovely, huh? And that is just a slice of all Fish Creek has to offer!

How to Spend a Long Summer Weekend in Fish Creek

Friday

Dinner at Bayside Tavern

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If you’re driving up north after work, make this your first stop for a pint of Billy’s Bayside Brew or New Glarus on tap. Voted “Wisconsin’s Best Small Town Bar,” you simply can’t miss this spot. It is a classic step back in time that gives you all sorts of nostalgic feels. I suggest ordering cheese curds, the pizza, or Smilen’ Bob’s chili. Heck, you’re on vacation, order it all!

Catch the Sunset at Sunset Park

Despite its less than clever name, this spot can’t be beat for sunset views. Walk west on main street until you reach the water. Growing up, this was also a prime spot for skipping rocks, but the water is too high now. Don’t forget your camera!

Nightcap at Not-Licked-Yet

While some may consider alcohol to be a better nightcap, frozen custard is my choice! Not-Licked-Yet is a Door County tradition for my family and you’ll know why when you go. Choose from a big list of sundaes or keep it classic with a cone. They have a big playground area for those with kids.

Saturday

Grab Coffee and Breakfast at Blue Horse Cafe

You’ll want to get to Blue Horse Cafe early because this spot is very popular! It’s one of the only places in town to get coffee and their food is excellent. I’m partial to the breakfast sandwiches, but they also have a large assortment of pastry and smoothie options. If you choose to eat there, you can enjoy your breakfast with a gorgeous view of the docks and bay.

Rent Bikes and Explore Peninsula State Park

Now that you’re fueled up, head over to Nordoor Cyclery to rent bikes. It is located right outside the entrance to Peninsula State Park and offers daily or hourly rates for rentals. The Sunset Bike Trail is 10 miles long and provides stunning views throughout the ride.

Spend the Afternoon Shopping in Town

Fish Creek has oodles of fun shops and you could spend way more than one afternoon exploring them. There are what I consider “quintessential” Fish Creek shops that have been around for years like On Deck, Touch of the World, and Beach People, but recently some new shops have opened and they deserve a shout out! I am going to list just a few here, however, make sure to check out all the great shopping in Fish Creek when you visit.

This is probably on every Door County list, but that’s because Sister Golden is just that good. Filled with beautiful jewelry, home goods, art, and vintage rugs, this shop is DREAMY. I wanted to move in the first time I stopped there. Make sure to smell all the candles. I promise you won’t be able to leave without getting one!

Right around the corner from Sister Golden is Bison Bison, a great gift shop filled with barware, books, and cigars. The shop has a cool and casual Americana flair that makes you want to redecorate your house. Or maybe that’s just me?! Also, the owner is so nice and will help you pick the best cigar to enjoy on your vacation.

Do you love vintage finds mixed with sweet paper and home goods? Me too! That’s why you can’t miss Jack & Joie. Located in the cottages behind Bayside, this shop is exploding with cuteness. It’s the perfect place to find a unique housewarming gift for friends…or yourself!

Edgewood Orchard Galleries is just outside of town on Peninsula Players Rd. Featuring art mediums from over 150 artists, this gallery is stunning. Start in the winding sculpture garden and end your tour inside with jewelry and paintings. This gallery has been around since 1969 and has something of interest for everyone!

Dinner at Wild Tomato

Hands down the best pizza you can get in Door County! Not that there is much competition. But coming from a Chicago pizza snob, this pizza is GOOOOD. It is brick oven style with a deliciously crunchy crust and super fresh toppings. They also carry Door County Brewing beers, as well as more New Glarus!

Sunday

Run or Walk The Hairpin

This is a 5k run or walk that takes you through Cottage Row. It is a challenging route with quite a few hills and a super steep “hairpin” right in the middle of the course. Try not to gawk at the enormous waterfront homes as you run by! I call them my “if I win the lottery” houses.

Breakfast at White Gull Inn

I had to. If you have never been to Fish Creek, you must go to the White Gull Inn for breakfast. They are famous for their Cherry Stuffed French Toast, as seen on Good Morning America. My mom is also convinced that they serve the best hash browns in the world. If you try them, please weigh in on her assessment!

Hit the beach for the afternoon

You have two beach options in Fish Creek. The first is Fish Creek Beach, which is right in town. Although it’s small, it did just get a nice update with changing areas and bathrooms. The second is Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park. This beach is larger and offers water sport rentals. There is also a playground and sand volleyball court adjacent to the beach. To be fully transparent, I haven’t been to the beach in many years because our cottage is part of Cedar Court and the property has a pool. So for those of you who prefer a pool over a beach (like me), I highly recommend finding an accommodation with a pool!

Take in a show at Northern Sky or Skyway Drive-In

One of my family’s favorite Door County traditions is going to see a show at Northern Sky Theater. They put on one-of-a-kind musicals that often have a Wisconsin theme. The shows are hilarious and heart-warming and I can’t recommend them enough! If musicals are not your thing, enjoy a blast from the past at Skyway Drive-In Theatre. This drive-in movie theater has been around since 1950 and not much has changed since that time. Load up on treats from the Door County Confectionery and watch a movie under the stars.

This list does not even begin to cover all the wonderful things to do in Fish Creek, let alone in all of Door County. But I hope it will serve as a starting place when you plan your long summer weekend in Fish Creek! Make sure to tag me on Instagram or send me a note if you visit! Here’s to hoping the world is a safer place to travel soon.