Door County Communities: Sturgeon Bay
Door County is made up of several towns that make this peninsula a vacation paradise. The Best of Door County is here to tell you what makes each town so great. Let’s start in Southern Door County.
Sturgeon Bay is one of my favorite Door County towns – there’s just so much to do here. I can almost guarantee you’ll never get bored. It’s the County’s populated town, the County Seat, and sits near the entrance of the vacation mecca.
At the base of the County where 42 and 57 split, many visitors make their way up the peninsula without ever veering off to explore this gem. I urge you to head downtown for an afternoon of food, fun, shopping, and adventure. Trust me, there’s more to do than just drive through.
Sturgeon Bay is known for several things, but first and foremost are shipbuilding and fishing. The Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company is an industry leader in the construction of large ships. Take a trip into town and you’ll notice ships being built in its shipbuilding hub. Trust me, it’s pretty darn cool for young and old alike to walk along and see the giant ships being assembled. Just imagine, these are the ships that will be steaming through the lakes for decades to come.
When it comes to fishing, you won’t find a better spot than along the shoreline of Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay boasts one of the country’s top smallmouth bass fisheries, so you’re sure to enjoy your day on the water.
With miles of shoreline, docks, bays and harbors, there’s a record smallmouth just waiting to be pulled out of the lake.
In addition to its bass fishing, Sturgeon Bay is a hotspot for salmon and trout charters during the fall; and in winter, ice fishing is a popular choice. Some other species that are abundant here are walleye, perch and northern pike. Check our Door County Directory for a list of charters.
If golf is your thing, Sturgeon Bay is home two of the nicest courses on the peninsula. Idlewild Golf Club and Cherry Hills Golf & Lodge are both 18-hole courses with beautiful views. Pristine greens and well-manicured fairways are the hallmarks of each course.
While I’ve never golfed Idlewild, I can personally vouge for Cherry Hills. It is beautiful and challenging – at least for golfers of my caliber. Regardless of course, golfers are sure to enjoy a fun, challenging day on the links.
Many people visit Sturgeon Bay simply for the shopping. If you’re looking for antiques, art, candy, or clothing, you need to be here. Some popular stops include Madison Avenue Market Wine & Olive Oil, On Deck Clothing Company, Soren’s Valhalla Orchards, Sunshine House Resale Store, Bay Shore Outfitters, Door County Candy, and Popelka Trenchard Art Gallery.
These are just a few of the places you can stop in and spend your money. When you visit, make sure to spend at least a day strolling these cute downtown spots.
While you’re doing that, pop in to one of the many restaurants Sturgeon Bay has to offer. With dozens of diners, bistros, and cafés to choose from, there’s a taste for every palate. So, whether it’s breakfast at the Corner Café, or dinner at Trattoria Dal Santo, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious meal.
Not tired yet? There’s still plenty more to do in Sturgeon Bay. The town is home to some wonderful museums, including the Door County Historical Museum & Archives, and the Door County Maritime Museum. The latter is home to some awesome galleries and showcases highlighting the area’s maritime roots.
There’s another hidden gem in Sturgeon Bay, and it’s a great spot for an outdoor adventure. Potawatomi State Park’s 1,225 acres of trails are perfect for hiking, bicycling, cross-county skiing and snowmobiling. I’ve walked many of these trails, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed. The park is open 6am – 11pm year-round, but a vehicle admission sticker is required for entry.
Many people zip through Sturgeon Bay on their way up the peninsula to some of the County’s more popular vacation spots. But do yourself a favor and stop in for a few hours, or a few days. You surely won’t regret it.
What’s your favorite Sturgeon Bay activity? Do you eat, shop or stay in Sturgeon Bay? If so, tell me about it. I always want to learn about new places to visit in Door County.
