Alright, alright…every Wisconsinite knows that one of the most iconic parts of the state is Door County. I can’t wrap up all that is good about Door County in one post, so I will be splitting up my favorite peninsula stops by town or region. The first of this series is my favorite Door County town for overnight stays: Egg Harbor!
Egg Harbor is the halfway point along the inner coastline of Door County (between the “thumb” and “palm” of the Wisconsin handlike shape). It is a charming coastal town with several shops selling local art, food, and decor. Be warned: many of these shops are closed for the winter season (as I found out the hard way…), so if you’ve got money to spend, be sure to visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day to get the most out of your shopping experience.
Pizza and Beer
Now, this isn’t to say that there is nothing to do in Door County outside of the warmer months…quite the contrary! One local business that is open year-round is One Barrel Brewing Company. Stop by this cozy spot for “two, tree” rounds of beer and Pizza Bros pizza, located inside the brewery! Relax on the couch with a board game or tune in for local sporting events (Go! Pack! Go!). The huge outdoor patio is complete with several firepits for those chilly Wisconsin nights.
Wine and Cheese
Continue sipping your way through Egg Harbor with a stop at Harbor Ridge Winery, just south of the beach. This is one of several wineries throughout the Door County area, but it is the only one that’s a hop, skip, and a jump from a cheese mart! Wisconsin Cheese Masters is a small store with cheese, dry snacks, and other items available for munching. The way to get the most out of these two fine businesses is to first pick out a couple cheeses and some crackers from Wisconsin Cheese Masters. Ask kindly to “rent” a cheese board and knife, then bring it all over to Harbor Ridge Winery so you’ve got something to snack on while sampling fine, Wisconsin wine. You’re welcome!
Speaking of cheese, just north of the Egg Harbor shops lies Door Artisan Cheese Company. This place sells both house-made cheeses (some of which are available for sampling) as well as local sausages. Their cheeses have won both US and World championship cheese competitions for the last six years! Below are some choices we picked up on our last visit; my favorite is the butter käse, it is so smooth and rich!
Stay tuned for more Door County sites!