THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Late September and the colors are starting. The days are cooler, the evenings are shorter, and the county has a quiet that comes after the last of the summer visitors have gone home.

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This week:

• Another honor for La Sirena.

• 3D shipwrecks.

• Our fall foliage report.

• My weekly pick.

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

La Sirena makes the Times list. Again. A few weeks after the New York Times named La Sirena one of the best Mexican restaurants in America, the paper has now placed the 22-seat Ephraim restaurant on its 2026 Restaurant List, an annual ranking of the 50 best restaurants in the country.

The Times sent 16 reporters across the nation to compile the list. Carlos and Emilie Salgado's restaurant is the only Wisconsin entry. It is the first Wisconsin restaurant on the list since Birch in Milwaukee in 2023.

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Door County Housing Partnership breaks ground on a new home. The Door County Housing Partnership recently broke ground on its tenth permanently affordable home in the county.

The organization works to keep homes affordable through long-term land agreements. DCHP is now launching its fundraising campaign to support construction of more homes in 2027.

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A new sporting clays course near Door County. The Luxemburg Sportsman's Club, just south of the county, opened a fully automated sporting clays course this month, funded in part by a Wisconsin DNR grant.

With ten stations along a wooded trail and QR codes at each station to preview clay trajectories, the course is handicap accessible and open to beginners.

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A 3D shipwreck worth seeing. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society have added the first of fourteen Green Bay and Door County shipwrecks to its database.

The unidentified vessel, known as the Green Bay Sloop, measures 39 feet with a 38-foot mast still standing upright on the lake floor. One theory is that it may be the Sloop Etta, lost in an 1856 storm near Sturgeon Bay's north entrance.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

Kelly and I have a handful of restaurants we always come back to. Same places, same orders, same routine. If you have been coming to Door County for years, you probably have your own version of that list.

But we have made a conscious effort lately to change that. The other night we sat down and talked about what places we have not been to, or have not been to recently, that we want to try.

We are still debating the list. But one we both agreed on was La Sirena. It has been on our radar since it opened. After back-to-back New York Times honors, it has moved to the top.

If you have your own Door County routine, I get it. The favorites become favorites for a reason. But it just may be time to try somewhere new.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

The color is coming. If fall foliage is on your list, the complete guide to fall color in Door County covers when and where to go to put you right in the middle of it.

The timing shifts a little year-to-year depending on temperature and rainfall, but the third and fourth weeks of October are typically the sweet spot.

Read the complete fall foliage guide here.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the real estate market looks like.

JUST SOLD: Egg Harbor

A four bedroom, three bath home in Egg Harbor sold for $911,500. On 1.5 acres near downtown Egg Harbor, the property features a patio that overlooks a yard frequented by deer.

FOR SALE: Sturgeon Bay

A three bedroom, two bath home in Sturgeon Bay is listed at $1,995,000 with Green Bay shoreline and a portable dock.

Set at the end of a quiet dead-end lane, the home sits slightly elevated above the water with panoramic views of Potawatomi State Park and Sawyer Harbor across the bay.

MY WEEKLY PICK

La Sirena. It only makes sense this week.

Chef Carlos Salgado and Emilie Coulson Salgado left a Michelin-starred restaurant in California to open a 22-seat tasting menu restaurant in Ephraim. A year later, the New York Times has named it one of the best restaurants in America.

The menu changes with the seasons, built around the local harvest and premium ingredients. It’s a menu that tastes unmistakably like Door County.

WHERE TO STAY THIS WEEK

Fresh Coast Motel is a boutique property in Fish Creek, steps from the public beach, Harbor View Park, and the village's shops and restaurants. The motel has been part of the community since the 1940s, originally known as the By the Bay Motel, and has been meticulously renovated under new ownership into one of the most talked-about stays in Door County.

USA Today named it one of the top three new hotels in the country. Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, and Milwaukee Magazine have all featured it since.

Check availability on Booking.com or if you want to check other Door County listings, browse Door County availability here.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Pegasis at The Cramer Exchange on Thursday evening. The kind of live music that makes a fall weeknight feel like an event worth driving up for.

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Twilight Tours at Eagle Bluff Light Station run Friday evening as dusk settles over Green Bay. The lighthouse is stunning any time of day but there is something about seeing it at dusk that makes it feel like a different place entirely. A guided tour in this setting is not something that comes around often.

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Talk of the Town is Friday evening, one of the most entertaining local performances in the county. If you have never been, the format is part variety show, part community inside joke, and entirely Door County.

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Pat McCurdy plays Saturday afternoon. Pat McCurdy is a Milwaukee legend who has been making audiences sing along to songs for years. It’s a performance that is impossible not to enjoy.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of September 22, 2026

Fall has arrived. Tuesday should hit 58 degrees with low rain chances, a genuinely cool autumn day. Wednesday clears to 60 and dry. Thursday similar. The weekend warms to the mid 60s with light rain possible Friday and Saturday.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 6:35 a.m. Sunset comes around 6:59 p.m. Just under 12 and a half hours of daylight. The evenings arrive noticeably earlier every week now.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

The Replacements are one of those bands I have come back to at every stage of my life and they always sound right for wherever I am.

I got into them in high school and college and never really stopped.

Pleased to Meet Me came out in 1987 and is one of their strongest records. Paul Westerberg was writing some of the best songs of his career at the time.

I had tickets to what turned out to be their final show. I did not go. It remains one of the few genuine regrets I have.

The Replacements - Pleased To Meet Me

DOOR COUNTY PETS

This one is a little different and worth taking a moment with.

Tank came to Door County every year with his family. Every trip. Every park. Gills Rock was his favorite, the small park at the tip of the peninsula where the water opens up in every direction.

Tank has since passed. His family is heading back soon and though he will not be there in the way he used to, he will be there with them in memory.

Tank

We want to see your pets enjoying Door County. Send a photo with a name, a village, and anything worth knowing about the moment.

BEFORE YOU GO

• La Sirena is one of the best restaurants in America.

• The fall color is starting.

• Tank's family is heading back up.

• And it’s late September, Door County is doing what it does best.

Another great week!

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Mid-September and the fall festival season is fully underway. Harvest Fest in Sturgeon Bay is this weekend.

The leaves have not turned yet but give it two weeks. The air is cool enough in the mornings to want coffee outside, warm enough by afternoon to not need a jacket.

It is one of the best stretches of the year.

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This week:

• New Educational Panels

• Murder Girl Opens

• Remembering Fred and Fuzzy’s

• My Weekly Pick

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Taste the Fresh Difference

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

Escarpment Park gets new educational panels. The outdoor museum known as Escarpment Park in Ellison Bay is adding four new educational panels.

The panels, funded through a grant from the Door County Community Investment Fund, explain the geological features of the Niagara Escarpment that runs through this part of Wisconsin, including the historical impact of the Menominee tribes. It’s free to visit.

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Murder Girl opens at Peninsula Players. The final show of Peninsula Players' 91st season is now running through October 18. Murder Girl, written by Wisconsin playwright Heidi Armbruster, is set inside a supper club in the Northwoods where twins are keeping the family business alive when a shocking revelation about a missing employee sends everything sideways.

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday at 7 p.m.

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Sister Bay honors Marge Grutzmacher. The village dedicated a Little Free Library at Waterfront Park in honor of Marge Grutzmacher, a former first-grade teacher who also ran Passtimes Book Store in Sister Bay.

The library box was painted by Gibraltar art teacher Emily Salm. Marge stocked it herself with banned and challenged books, each with a personal note inside and was on hand for the dedication with her son Steve.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

This week our featured guide is about waterfront dining, and that got me thinking about Fred and Fuzzy's.

If you spent any time in Door County in the late 1990s or 2000s, you know the name. Fred and Fuzzy's Waterfront Bar and Grill sat right on the water in Sister Bay and was everything a waterfront restaurant should be.

Kelly, Riley, Tyler, and I spent countless evenings out there. The sunsets. The kids running around. The whole easy feeling of a place that knew exactly what it was and did not try to be anything else.

It closed years ago. It’s condos now. A lot of people (including me) still mourn the loss. Some places leave a mark on a community that outlasts the place itself. Fred and Fuzzy's was one of those places.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Fred and Fuzzy's closing left a hole in the Door County waterfront dining scene that nobody has quite filled. But the good news is that the county still has some of the best restaurant water views you can find.

The complete waterfront dining guide covers the best options from Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock, organized so you can find what you are looking for before you arrive.

Read the complete waterfront dining guide here.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like today.

JUST SOLD: Sturgeon Bay

A three bedroom, three bath home in Sturgeon Bay sold for $982,250 with Green Bay frontage and a pier included. Spacious three-season porch, multiple fire pit locations, and a finished walkout lower level. A remarkable piece of waterfront at a price that reflects it.

FOR SALE: Brussels

A wooded one-acre parcel in Brussels is listed at $349,900 with Green Bay shoreline. On a natural rock shorefront with mature trees and sunset views. If you have been thinking about owning land on the bay, this might be worth a look.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Boathouse on the Bay in Sister Bay is one of the most unique waterfront dining experience in the county. The upstairs bar has panoramic views of the marina and Green Bay. The patio is even better on a warm evening.

Lobster rolls, fresh fish, craft beer, and a full bar. Live music through the season fills the evenings with the kind of waterfront energy that makes Sister Bay what it is in summer and early fall.

WHERE TO STAY THIS WEEK

Homestead Suites has deep roots in Fish Creek going back generations. The property sits in the heart of the village with a range of accommodations from standard rooms to king suites with whirlpools and fireplaces.

Indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, and a whirlpool on site. Walking distance to Fish Creek shops and restaurants, and a short ride from Peninsula State Park. Julie's Park Cafe is right next door for breakfast.

If you are thinking about a fall getaway, browse Door County availability on Booking.com or find properties on VRBO.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Sturgeon Bay Historical Hiking Tour on Thursday morning. A guided walk through the history of one of Door County's most underrated villages.

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Washington Island Literary Festival on Thursday. Books, authors, and the island. A combination that works.

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Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest on Saturday. One of the best fall festivals in the county, running downtown with food, vendors, live music, and the first real taste of autumn.

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Door County Folk Alliance Barn Dance on Saturday evening. Live folk music, dancing, and the kind of event that makes you remember why people have been gathering like this for centuries.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of September 15, 2026

Tuesday arrives at 72 degrees with a 45% chance of rain, the warmest and wettest day of the week. Wednesday drops to 64 and dries out considerably. Thursday brings another round of rain chances before the weekend closes out around 64 degrees. Saturday looks like the rainiest day of the week at 85% chance.

Harvest Fest in Sturgeon Bay on Saturday may need a rain plan but fall festivals have survived worse. Bring a layer.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 6:27 a.m. Sunset comes around 7:11 p.m. Under 13 hours of daylight now.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

Bleachers has been one of my new favorite bands for a few years now. Kelly and I saw them live earlier this summer and they are exceptional in concert. Jack Antonoff puts everything into it.

The self-titled album from 2024 is the one I keep coming back to. Sad and joyful at the same time, which is a hard thing to pull off. Tiny Moves, Alma Mater, and Ordinary Heaven are the standouts for me.

Bleachers - Bleachers

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Meet Moose McCuddles.

Moose belongs to Kimberly Stowell, who moved to Door County less than a year ago and has been navigating the adjustment. According to Kimberly, finding a quiet place to sleep during all the summer excitement was equally exhausting for both of them. Moose apparently solved his part of that problem.

Kimberly, welcome to Door County. Moose looks like he has already figured out the most important thing about living up here, which is knowing when to slow down.

Send us your pet photos. The best ones end up right here.

Moose McCuddles

BEFORE YOU GO

• Fred and Fuzzy's may be gone but the memories are still there.

• Harvest Fest is Saturday.

• Murder Girl is running through October.

• And Moose McCuddles has found his spot.

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Labor Day is in the rearview.

The days are shorter, the mornings have a chill, and the monarchs are gathering along the shoreline getting ready for their 2,000-mile journey to Mexico.

Fall has not fully arrived but it is getting close.

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This week:

• Monarchs on the move

• Deer season

• It’s time for a fish boil

• A champion is crowned

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DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

Washington Island Ferry switches to fall schedule. Starting today, the ferry departs on the hour to the mainland from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with trips to the island running hourly from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If Washington Island is on your fall itinerary, plan accordingly.

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Monarchs on the move. Naturalists report that monarch butterflies are currently gathering along the Lake Michigan shoreline before beginning their migration south. Some of these butterflies will travel more than 2,000 miles to central Mexico. It takes about 1-2 months to fly from Door County to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

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Fall deer hunt begins Friday in Door County. If you are planning a trip this weekend, be aware that hunting activity will be underway, particularly in wooded and rural areas. Orange is your friend if you are hiking off established trails.

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Door County Baseball League. Kolberg is your 2026 Door County Baseball League champion.

The Braves beat Sister Bay 10-9 in ten innings Sunday in one of the more dramatic finishes the league has seen. Kolberg trailed twice in the late innings, including a two-out, two-run home run from Trevor Reinhardt in the ninth that tied it at nine and forced extras. In the tenth, a misplayed ground ball scored the winning run. The Bays loaded the bases in the bottom half but could not push one across.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

It was early October 2000. Kelly and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary. Seven of our close friends joined us in Door County for a long weekend. Golf, good food, and good friends.

One night we brought everyone to the White Gull Inn for a fish boil. None of them had never seen one. Watching it through fresh eyes reminded me of my own first time. The fire. The boilover. The whitefish and the cherry pie that follows.

Those same people were on my deck over the weekend. More than twenty-five years later. Same group, same laughs, same stories. Door County has a way of threading itself through a life like that.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

The fish boil is one of those Door County experiences that sounds a little strange until you see one, and then you cannot imagine not knowing about it. The complete guide covers the history, how the boilover actually works, and the best places to go. If you have never been, this is where to start.

Read the complete Door County fish boil guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Nearly everyone one of you that responded to last week’s pool question said yes to restaurant discount cards.

That is a clear mandate and sounds like a project worth starting. I will work to have something ready by the Christmas shopping season.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like today.

JUST SOLD: Sturgeon Bay

A three bedroom, two bath home in Sturgeon Bay's Purves Lagoon community sold for $650,000. On a private lagoon with a 37-foot dock, this home has a quiet location, lagoon views, and private road access.

For boat lovers, it does not get more convenient than this.

FOR SALE: Ellison Bay

This one is for someone with a specific vision. A highly functional 28 by 36 foot shop building in Ellison Bay is listed at $495,000.

Concrete floors, a high overhead door, 200-amp service, four-zone heating, wifi, a heated bathroom, and an 80-gallon compressor. If you have been looking for a workspace with room to actually work, this is worth a look.

MY WEEKLY PICK

The White Gull Inn is my favorite fish boil in Door County. I have been going back for decades and it never loses its pull. The setting, the fire, the boilover, the cherry pie at the end. All of it.

It also happens to be where Kelly and I were waiting for a fish boil when I walked her down to Sunset Beach Park and proposed. So it holds a special place in our story.

Beyond the fish boil, the White Gull Inn is one of the best places to stay in Door County. That’s why I’m adding a new section called where to stay this week.

WHERE TO STAY THIS WEEK

If you are going to do Door County right, stay somewhere that feels like it belongs here. The White Gull Inn has been welcoming guests since 1896 and it does not feel like a hotel. It feels like the kind of place that has been part of this county for so long it is practically a landmark.

It sits just off the main street in Fish Creek with twelve rooms and suites and four private cottages, each with its own character. Fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, four-poster beds. The biggest perk: breakfast is included every morning.

If you are thinking about a fall getaway, browse Door County availability on Booking.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Fish Creek Library Annual Book Sale on Friday morning. A beloved local tradition and a great reason to slow down in Fish Creek before the weekend gets going.

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Valerie June plays the Door Community Auditorium on Friday. One of the most distinctive voices in American roots music, playing one of the best venues in the county.

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Horseshoe Bay Cave Tour on Saturday morning. A genuinely unique Door County experience that most visitors don’t know about.

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Trails and Ales Beer Festival on Saturday afternoon. Local craft beer in a beautiful outdoor setting.

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Washington Island Classic Car and Truck Show on Saturday. Worth the ferry ride if you love classic vehicles and a great excuse to spend a day on the island.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of September 8, 2026

Tuesday arrives at 69 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain, the coolest day of the week. Wednesday clears out nicely to almost 77 with low rain chances, giving way to a comfortable Thursday around 70 and Friday at 71. The weekend shapes up well, with Saturday at 73 and a Saturday evening storm possible.

Sunrise Tuesday was 6:20 a.m. Sunset comes around 7:23 p.m. The evenings are noticeably shorter now.

Green Bay water temperatures are settling into the mid-to-upper 60s. Kayaking is still excellent. Swimming is for the brave.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

All the fish boil writing this week had me thinking about one of my favorite college bands, School of Fish.

They were a Los Angeles alternative rock band formed in 1989, and their self-titled debut came out in 1991 right at the start of the alternative rock revolution. Their single 3 Strange Days peaked at number 12 on the Mainstream Rock charts and got significant college radio play.

They released one more album before disbanding in 1994.

They were not together long and they did not get the recognition they deserved. But 3 Strange Days is the kind of song that makes you wish they had gotten more time.

School of Fish - School of Fish

DOOR COUNTY PETS

No photos came in this week.

We know you have pets and we know at least some of them have been to Door County. A dog on a trail, a cat watching the harbor from a cottage window, anything at all.

Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos.

BEFORE YOU GO

• The monarchs are gathering.

• The ferry is on its fall schedule.

• The fish boil is waiting.

• And the baseball championship has been decided.

Fall in Door County is not a consolation prize for summer being over. It is the main event.

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

September is here and the county feels different already.

The mornings have a chill that was not there a week ago. The 77% of you who voted fall as your favorite season are about to get everything you asked for.

________________

This week:

• Another historic shipwreck

• A waterfront makeover

• The baseball championship is set

• My weekly pick

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DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

Another shipwreck joins the National Register. The Jennibel, a schooner that sank near Chambers Island in 1881, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

More than 100 feet below the surface, the vessel remains upright with most of its hull intact. Archaeologists say ships from this era left almost no blueprints behind, making the wreck a valuable research site.

New protections prohibit divers from removing artifacts or disturbing the vessel.

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Runners, mark your calendars. Registration for the Door County Half Marathon opens today.

The race runs through Peninsula State Park in May and has been called one of the most beautiful courses in the country.

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Sturgeon Bay's waterfront is getting a makeover. A city-owned lot next to the Yacht Club has long been called an eyesore. That changes next year.

The city was tentatively awarded a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, pushing project funding above $1 million.

Construction starts early next year.

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Analog Ice Cream and Coffee is for sale. After more than twenty years, the team behind Analog in Sister Bay is ready to hand it off to someone new.

If you have ever dreamed about owning a business in Door County, this is your shot.

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Door County Baseball League. The championship game is set.

Sister Bay edged Baileys Harbor 5-4 while Kolberg handled Washington Island 5-2. That sets up a rematch of the regular season's most compelling rivalry. Sister Bay, the regular season champions, host Kolberg on Sunday.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

Valerie has been visiting since her honeymoon in 1984. Her husband's family had deep roots up here, and they always stayed at either his aunt's home on Bay Shore Drive or his godfather's place in Ephraim.

Most of those family members are gone now. But Valerie and her husband keep coming back. These days, they mainly stay in Sturgeon Bay, although they still drive up the peninsula, stopping at favorites like Mink River Basin, Charlie’s Smokehouse, and Nightingale Supper Club.

Forty-two years of Door County visits. That’s not a travel habit. That is a love story.

Do you have a story? Send it over and tell me what makes this place so special to you.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Labor Day weekend is one of the most popular weekends of the year and also one of the last big summer hurrahs before the county exhales into fall.

Our Labor Day weekend guide covers what's happening, where to go, and how to make the most of the long weekend.

Read the complete Labor Day Weekend guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked which was your favorite Door County season.

Fall won in a landslide. Over 77% of you said it was your favorite, and honestly, it is hard to argue.

Today is the first day of September… and Door County is about to deliver.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the market looks like.

JUST SOLD: Baileys Harbor

The Redwood Cottage in Baileys Harbor sold for $535,000. On Kangaroo Lake with 200 feet of sand frontage, a private pier, a swimming raft, and boats included!

Waterfront on Kangaroo Lake at this price does not come up often.

FOR SALE: Fish Creek

You may have walked past this building in Fish Creek without knowing what was behind it.

The 5,040 square foot home, listed at $1,950,000, overlooks Fish Creek itself, with a private marina and waterfront living in the heart of downtown.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay is one of the places Kelly and I keep coming back to. We have stayed there dozens of times and we will be back again in October.

It is comfortable, well-located, and feels like the right home base for a Door County trip. If you are looking for fall lodging and have not booked yet, act fast.

Book Birchwood Lodge through our affiliate link.

And if you are still searching for the right property, browse all Door County availability on Booking.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Happy Together 2026 plays the Door Community Auditorium on Friday, bringing together a lineup of classic rock acts for one of the more fun shows of the summer.

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Marina Fest runs through the weekend in Sister Bay, a waterfront celebration worth building a trip around. 

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Gills Rock Art Fest is Saturday, one of the most charming small-venue art events on the northern end of the county.

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The Brahms and Schoenfeld Favorites Labor Day Gala closes out the Peninsula Music Festival on Sunday at the Door Community Auditorium. A fitting end to one of the summer's best cultural traditions.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of September 1, 2026

Tuesday arrives at 80 degrees with a chance of rain, the warmest and wettest day of the week.

Wednesday and Thursday should both sit in the mid 70s with lingering rain chances before the weekend dries out. Saturday looks like a solid day for the start of Marina Fest.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 6:12 a.m. Sunset comes around 7:36 p.m. Just over 13 hours of daylight.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

Over the past few months I have been working through my top five bands of all time. The Police at five. Fleetwood Mac at four. Styx at three. Genesis at two.

Number one is R.E.M. It has always been R.E.M.

Murmur and Reckoning were the albums that pulled me in. But Document is one of my all-time favorites... Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, Disturbance At The Heron House. A band at the exact moment everything clicked (for me).

R.E.M. - Document

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Meet Amos. He visited Door County in June, taking in Algoma and Sister Bay with his family. Rebecca sent in a couple photos and Amos looks like he handled both villages with great dignity.

Amos, welcome to the newsletter.

Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos.

Amos

BEFORE YOU GO

• September is here.

• Another historic shipwreck.

• The baseball playoffs are down to the wire.

• And Valerie’s Door County love story.

That’s (another) pretty good week.

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

August is winding down and apple season is underway.

The air is still warm enough to be outside all day but cool enough in the evenings to want a sweatshirt. It is one of the best feelings the county offers all year.

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This week:

• The most beautiful marina in the country

• The Younkers Building getting a makeover

• A new Door County trail

• My Weekly Pick

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DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

The Younkers Building is getting its makeover. For nearly a decade, residents have watched the former Younkers Building in Sturgeon Bay sit empty. That changes now.

The rear portion will expand the Door County Historical Museum's archive space and the front portion will be converted to retail space for two tenants.

For anyone who has driven past wondering if it would ever come back to life, the answer is finally yes.

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A trail connecting Fish Creek and Ephraim just got a big boost. The Town of Gibraltar has been awarded a $4.74 million grant from WisDOT to help fund a multi-use trail connecting Egg Harbor to Sister Bay.

This stretch would link Fish Creek and Ephraim into a path through some of the most beautiful scenery in the county.

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Egg Harbor Marina is officially the most beautiful in the country. Travel + Leisure covered a study that ranked Egg Harbor Marina tops among all marinas in the United States.

Researchers analyzed reviews for marinas nationwide and scored each based on how often words like breathtaking, scenic, gorgeous, and stunning were used.

Anyone who has sat on that hillside overlooking the harbor is not surprised.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

June 2020. The whole world had been locked down for months and we were done with it.

We found out that Door County was at least partially open, packed up the car, and drove to Sister Bay. Kelly, our sons Riley, Tyler, and me. It felt like breathing for the first time in months.

At one point Kelly and Riley decided they wanted to rent Segways and ride through Peninsula State Park. Tyler and I passed on that.

Instead we found a spot in Sister Bay, kicked a soccer ball around for a while, and then wandered over to Al Johnson's Stabbur Beer Garden and played bags.

Tyler was maybe twelve at the time, and that one-on-one time with him is something I will always remember.

Brian and Tyler at Stabbur Beer Garden

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Here is what longtime visitors know that first-timers often miss: September might be the best month to visit Door County.

The summer crowds thin. The colors start to turn. Restaurants have open tables. And the fall festivals are some of the most memorable events on the calendar.

Get the complete September Door County guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked whether Institute should change its name to Sevastopol. It was close, but 57% of you said no, keep the name.

The town has 150-plus years of history under that name and a majority of you feel that is worth holding onto.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like today.

JUST SOLD: Sturgeon Bay

A one bedroom, one bath home in Sturgeon Bay sold for $260,000. It is a compact property on a quiet street within walking distance of downtown that comes with more character than most.

FOR SALE: Sturgeon Bay

This one is a different category entirely. A four bedroom, four bath home in Sturgeon Bay is listed at $1,900,000.

With 3.6 acres and a walkout lower level, the property delivers in every direction.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Sonny's Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria in Sturgeon Bay has been a ritual for us almost since the beginning. If we arrive early enough and the timing is right, we are going to Sonny's. That is just how it works.

The pizza is excellent and the waterfront views are hard to beat.

It’s one of the places we keep going back to and never question why.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

I'm With Her tonight at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek. The folk trio featuring Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan is one of the best live acoustic acts around.

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American Honey Band plays Saturday afternoon at Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery. A truly great way to spend a summer weekend.

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Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence Sunday afternoon is part of the Peninsula Music Festival. One of the most celebrated chamber works in the repertoire, performed at the Door Community Auditorium.

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Evenings in Ephraim Bondemarked, which is Norwegian for “farmers market.” Enjoy goods from local vendors on the north end of Ephraim.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of August 25, 2026

Tuesday arrives at a comfortable at 74 degrees with low rain chances. A genuinely nice late August day to be outside. Wednesday brings a chance of rain and a high of 77. Thursday clears back out to around 72 with rain chances dropping significantly.

The weekend looks split. Friday is 70 and dry. Saturday climbs to 75 and Sunday comes in around 72 with a slight chance of showers.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

I found For Squirrels in the mid-90s and their story is one of the most heartbreaking in rock history.

The band from Gainesville had just recorded their debut album Example, and played a showcase in New York City. On the drive back to Florida, a tire blew out. The van overturned. Singer Jack Vigliatura, bassist Bill White, and tour manager Tim Bender were killed.

One month later, their debut album was released anyway. And then the band was essentially gone, just as the world was starting to hear them.

For Squirrels - Example

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Meet Bogey Pauley, visiting from Carmel, Indiana.

Bogey is a Door County first-timer. Reader Marcy shared the photo of her nephew dog resting on the Sister Bay pier.

Bogey Pauley, welcome to the newsletter. Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos.

Bogey Pauley

BEFORE YOU GO

• Egg Harbor Marina is the most beautiful in the country.

• A new Door County trail is coming.

• The Younkers Building is finally getting its renovation.

• And Bogey made his Door County debut.

That’s a pretty good week up here.

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Late August in Door County has a feeling that is hard to describe to someone who has not experienced it.

The cherries are done.

The orchards are turning their attention to apples.

The crowds thin just enough that the county starts feeling a little more manageable.

This is the sweet spot. Enjoy it while it lasts.

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In today’s edition:

• No more Institute?

• National Acclaim for a Local Restaurant.

• Congrats to the Sister Bay Bays.

• Real Estate Weekly.

• My Weekly Pick.

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

Should Institute become Sevastopol? The Town of Sevastopol is floating an idea that has gotten people talking. Town chairman Dan Woelfel raised the possibility of renaming the hamlet of Institute to Sevastopol.

The town hall, school district, and park are all already named Sevastopol. The hamlet is not. Supporters say the change would reduce confusion, align the community's identity, and improve visibility in tourism materials and on maps.

Not everyone agrees.

Some longtime residents are attached to the name Institute and the history behind it. No decision has been made. But it is an interesting question for a community with 150-plus years of history to wrestle with.

What do you think. Vote in today’s poll.

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Door County gets a New York Times shoutout. La Sirena in Ephraim just earned a spot on the New York Times list of the greatest Mexican restaurants in the country, and the short writeup is worth reading in full.

Chef Carlos Salgado and his wife Emilie Coulson Salgado opened La Sirena last year. The couple previously ran Taco María, their groundbreaking restaurant in Orange County, California. La Sirena is located on Pioneer Lane in Ephraim - Emilie’s home town - just a short walk from Eagle Harbor.

It is open year round.

If you have been on the fence about making a reservation, consider this your sign.

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Pickleball is coming to Egg Harbor. The Door County Pickleball Club has announced a collaboration with the Village of Egg Harbor to build six brand new pickleball courts adjacent to the Harbor Hounds Dog Park Complex on Church Street.

It will be the largest dedicated pickleball facility in Door County.

No opening date has been announced yet but this is one worth watching for anyone who plays.

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Southern Door schools get a high-tech upgrade. Through a generous community donation, the Southern Door School District is receiving robotic mowers to maintain their grounds.

A small story that says something nice about a community that takes care of its own - and its lawn.

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Door County Baseball League. Sister Bay captured the regular season championship, beating Egg Harbor to close out the year.

A playoff game for the fourth-place position will take place Saturday between Baileys Harbor and Maplewood.

Post-season play begins the following Saturday.

Congratulations to the Bays on a great regular season run.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

About 21 years ago, when my oldest son Riley was around two years old, we headed up for a long winter weekend. What made the trip special was that we brought our niece along. She was nine or ten at the time and had not traveled much. Getting to take her somewhere new felt like a big deal.

We stayed at the Newport Resort in Egg Harbor. The pool, the hot tub, the ball pit. She had never seen anything like it. She struggled a little at night being away from home, but during the day she was all in.

What I remember most is the drive up. It was January or February and by the time we hit Algoma we were in the middle of a blizzard. I white-knuckled it the rest of the way. But the moment we turned the corner into Egg Harbor, I knew we were fine. We walked in, turned on the fireplace, and the stress melted away.

She is married now with two kids of her own. Thinking back on that trip is something I will always carry with me.

That is what Door County does. It becomes part of your story whether you plan it that way or not.

Do you have a Door County story worth sharing? Send it over and tell me what makes this place so special for you.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Coffee up here is not just coffee. It is part of a daily morning, or afternoon, or evening ritual.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a coffee junkie.

The complete Door County coffee guide covers every worthwhile spot from Sturgeon Bay to Ellison Bay, recently updated for 2026. If you have a favorite that is not on the list, let us know.

Read the complete Door County coffee guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked about your favorite shopping spot and the response was the biggest we have had yet.

Wood Orchard took the top spot with more than 24 percent of the vote, which is hard to argue with if you’ve spent any time in their market during cherry season.

Seaquist came in second and On Deck rounded out the top three.

All three are worth your time.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like right now.

JUST SOLD: Baileys Harbor

A spacious one-level condo at The Oaks in Baileys Harbor sold Sunday for $590,000.

It sits at the end of the road in a wooded setting with a glimmer of a water view and genuine privacy.

This is low-maintenance Door County living done right.

Sold

FOR SALE: Sturgeon Bay

A three bedroom, one and a half bath waterfront home on the Sturgeon Bay Canal is listed at $749,900.

With over 1,800 square feet with an open layout, the back porch and fire pit sit right on the water.

Currently operating as a successful short-term rental with the option to purchase fully furnished, making this as close to a turnkey Door County investment as you will find.

For Sale

MY WEEKLY PICK

Kelly and I have a ritual when we drive through Ephraim. She spots the sign, turns to me, and says it the same way every time. “Leroy's is open. Brian is happy.”

She is not wrong.

Leroy's Water Street Coffee has been part of our Door County routine for a number of years. The coffee is excellent. The vibe is exactly what a Door County coffee shop should be.

If you have never been, go.

If you haven’t been in a while, go back, it’s time.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Paint, Sip, Relax on Tuesday evening. A low-key creative night out to kick off the week. Tonight at Trailside Canteen in Sturgeon Bay.

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Fish Creek Farmers Market on Wednesday morning. Local produce, local makers, local everything. A great way to spend a morning before the day gets busy. Every Wednesday through mid-October.

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The 7th Annual Community Honey Harvest on Saturday morning. A genuinely fun and educational event that most visitors do not know about. At Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay.

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Ephraim's Sweet Summer Send-Off on Saturday afternoon. Ephraim doing what Ephraim does best, marking a season with something worth showing up for. Happening at Harborside Park from 1p to 4p.

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Kayak Concert on Saturday afternoon. Paddle, float, and listen to live music on the water. One of the more unique Door County experiences on the calendar. Happening at Otumba Park in Sturgeon Bay.

DOOR COUNTY TRIVIA

Door County has more than 10,000 acres of state forest, five state parks, and 19 county parks packed into a county that is roughly 482 square miles.

More than a third of all land in Door County is protected in some form, whether as state or county park, nature conservancy property, or conservation easement.

For a county that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer, that level of land protection is remarkable and largely responsible for the fact that Door County still looks and feels the way it does.

The people who came before us made some very good decisions about what to keep.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of August 18, 2026

Tuesday arrives with a 75 percent chance of rain and a high of around 77. Have alternate plans for outdoor activities. Things clear out nicely by Wednesday, dropping to a dry 75 degrees, and Thursday looks similarly comfortable.

The back half of the week stays in the low to mid 70s with scattered chances of rain through the weekend. Nothing severe, just classic late August Door County weather doing its thing.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 5:56 a.m. Sunset comes around 7:59 p.m. Under 14 hours of daylight now. The autumn shift is real. The golden late-afternoon light that comes with it is one of the best things about being up here in August.

Green Bay water temperatures are holding in the low 70s. Still very swimmable. But not for long.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

This week it was The Stranger by Billy Joel, which came out in 1977 and contains some of the best songwriting of the last fifty years. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Vienna. Just the Way You Are. Moving On.

Songs that hold up not because they are timeless, but because they are specific about real human experiences.

My wife, Kelly, is by far his biggest fan. She has seen him in concert around twenty times (I actually just asked her and she had the exact number - 21 times), which means I have seen him roughly fifteen times by default.

I have zero complaints about that.

He is one of the great performers of his generation and The Stranger is the album that made the case for everything that followed.

Billy Joel - The Stranger

DOOR COUNTY PETS

No new photos came in this week, which means we need you.

Summer is almost over up here. If your dog has been on a trail, your cat has been watching boats from a cottage window, or your pet has had any kind of Door County moment this season, we want to see it.

One photo, one name, one village. That is all it takes. Send me your photo and you might find your pet in next week's issue.

BEFORE YOU GO

Cherry season is over but the apples are coming.

Leroy's is back.

La Sirena is in the New York Times.

Sister Bay is your regular season champion.

And somewhere in Egg Harbor, six new pickleball courts are on the way.

Late August up here is its own thing. Do not sleep on it.

See you up here,
Brian

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Mid-August up here has its own feeling. The days are still warm and the water is still worth jumping into, but something has shifted. The crowds are starting to thin just enough that you can feel the county breathing again.

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In today’s edition:

• The Door County Fair

• A Historic Shipwreck

• Baseball Playoff Race

• Real Estate Weekly

• My Weekly Pick

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

A family's tribute. Earlier this month, two young kayakers, 20-year-old David Thalman and 20-year-old Franceska Warick went missing near Washington Island. Their bodies were recovered on August 3. It was a tragedy that hit close to home for everyone on the Island.

David's family has responded with something meaningful. They have partnered with Washington Island Fire Rescue to launch the David Thalman Memorial Search and Rescue Boat Campaign with the goal to raise the remaining $30,000 needed to fund a new search-and-rescue vessel.

To donate, visit The David Thalman Memorial Search and Rescue Boat Go Fund Me Page.

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Go vote. Today is primary day in Wisconsin. This is not the place for politics, but it is the place to say: whatever your views, show up. Local elections matter more than people realize and Door County is no exception.

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A shipwreck makes history. The F.J. King, a 19th century ship that sank near Cana Island in 1886 while traveling from Michigan to Chicago, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The ship was built in 1867 and spent nearly two decades traversing the Great Lakes before going down in Lake Michigan off Liberty Grove. A team of citizen scientists discovered the wreck just last summer after nearly five decades of unsuccessful searches.

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Door County Baseball League. The race at the top took a dramatic turn this weekend.

Sister Bay beat Kolberg 3-2 on Sunday to pull ahead of the pack and now sit alone at 11-2, one game ahead of both Washington Island and Kolberg who each dropped to 10-3. Island lost a tight one to Maplewood 8-7, which tightened things up considerably.

With one regular season game left, Sister Bay controls their own destiny for the top seed heading into the playoffs.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

This one came in from a reader named Stuart.

Stuart's family has been vacationing in Door County since 1924. He has spent 62 summers up here. That alone is remarkable. But there is more to the story.

His grandfather bought a barn in the 1920s, had it moved about 500 feet and converted it into a cottage overlooking Green Bay. The family called it home every summer until 1967, when the State of Wisconsin designated the land a state park.

After a recent renovation, the barn reopened and Stuart was able to walk inside. His grandfather's barn, now transformed, brought back a lifetime of memories.

Stories like Stuart’s are exactly what this section is for, and a 100-year connection to Door County deserves to be told.

If you have a Door County story worth sharing, please share it and tell me what makes this place so special for you.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

One of the best things about Door County is that shopping up here does not feel like shopping. It feels like wandering.

A gallery in Fish Creek, a boutique in Sister Bay, an orchard in Ephraim.

The county is full of places worth slowing down for, and our complete shopping guide covers them town by town so you know what is worth the stop before you get there.

Get the Door County shopping guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked about your favorite Door County destination and the results were close at the top.

Ephraim and Sister Bay tied - each with 24% of the vote - which makes sense to me... although, I do have a soft spot for Fish Creek.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like. Whether you are actively looking or just dreaming, this is your weekly peek at what is changing hands.

JUST SOLD: Sturgeon Bay

More than 200 feet of pristine Green Bay shoreline, positioned perfectly for sunset views. That is the headline and it earns it.

A three bedroom, three bath home in Sturgeon Bay sold at $1,100,000. At 3,020 square feet, the home has two sunrooms designed to capture those special Door County sunsets.

Sold

FOR SALE: Sturgeon Bay

There is something about a house that has been loved by the same family for generations that you can feel before you even walk through the door.

This four bedroom, three bath home in Sturgeon Bay is listed at $474,900. Built in 1910 on a half-acre lot along a quiet tree-lined street, the house has a wraparound front porch, and apple and pear trees that have probably been producing longer than most of us have been alive.

For Sale

MY WEEKLY PICK

Every trip up here ends the same way for us. We (unfortunately) hit the road and are about twenty minutes down 42 when it hits. We are not ready to be done.

We must… and I mean must… hit up Door County Coffee and Tea in Carlsville. It has become our tradition. A coffee, something from the bakery case, and a bag of beans to bring home so the trip does not end when we cross the county line.

The cafe is worth a visit on its own even if you are not leaving. The roasting facility is on site, which means the coffee is as fresh as it gets anywhere in Wisconsin. And the shopping is dangerous if you love coffee-related anything.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

The Door County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday in Sturgeon Bay. Five days of stock car racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, agricultural exhibits, live music from local bands, and the kind of old-fashioned county fair experience that has been running since 1871.

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Perseids Meteor Shower at Newport State Park. Newport State Park in Ellison Bay is Wisconsin's only designated International Dark Sky Park, meaning the stargazing is as good as it gets. On Wednesday night, astronomers from UW-Madison will be on hand for a presentation of this spectacular meteor shower.

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Island Fair on Saturday starting at noon. The Washington Island version of a summer fair is one of the most charming events the island puts on all season. Worth the ferry ride if you can swing it.

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Howard and the Bluegills play Simon Creek Vineyard Saturday. Live music on a Saturday afternoon in mid-August. This is exactly what summer in Door County is supposed to feel like.

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Evenings in Ephraim Concert Series on Monday. One of the most lovely summer traditions in a beautiful setting. Bring a chair and plan to stay until the light is gone.

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Check out our full list of events on The Best of Door County Calendar.

DOOR COUNTY HISTORY

Since Stuart's story took us inside Peninsula State Park this week, here is something worth knowing about the park itself.

Peninsula State Park was established in 1909, making it one of the oldest state parks in Wisconsin. When the state began acquiring the land, it was not empty. Families had been farming and living on that land for generations, and creating the park required relocating a number of longtime residents.

At its peak, more than 30 private residences operated inside what became park boundaries. Some families held on for decades as the park developed around them, meaning that for more than half a century, people lived year-round and seasonally inside one of Wisconsin's most visited state parks.

Stuart's family was part of that history. So were dozens of others. The park we visit today was built on land that was home to real people with real stories, and it is worth remembering that every time you walk those trails.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of August 11, 2026

Tuesday should hit around 77 degrees with a slight chance of afternoon rain.

Wednesday brings a 70 percent chance of rain, the wettest day of the week. Plan accordingly if you have outdoor activities on the calendar.

Thursday clears out nicely at 76 with rain chances dropping back to 20 percent.

The weekend is a mixed picture. Friday looks clean at 72 and dry. Saturday, the first full day of the Door County Fair, is looking at a 65 percent chance of rain and a high of only 69.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 5:50 a.m. Sunset comes around 8:10 p.m. Just over 14 hours of daylight. The slow lean toward fall is real now but there is still plenty of summer left if you want it.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

Over the past few weeks I have been sharing my top five bands of all time. Genesis at number two. Styx at number three. Fleetwood Mac at number four.

This week we get to number five: The Police.

Synchronicity came out in 1983 and is one of those albums that sounds like it was recorded in the future. Every Breath You Take, Wrapped Around Your Finger, King of Pain. Sting was doing things that nobody else in rock music was attempting at the time.

I have seen The Police and Sting perform more times than I can count and the rock reggae combination never gets old.

The Police - Synchronicity

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Lucy and her dad were spotted hanging out at Happy Coffee in Sister Bay recently, which is exactly the kind of Door County morning that makes people keep coming back.

Lucy, welcome to the newsletter.

We want to see your pets enjoying Door County.

Send a photo with your pet's name, the village you were in, and anything worth knowing about the moment. The best ones end up right here.

Lucy (and her dad)

BEFORE YOU GO

A 100-year family connection to Peninsula State Park.

A shipwreck on the National Register.

A heartfelt rescue boat campaign worth supporting.

The Door County Fair starting Wednesday.

And Lucy at Happy Coffee in Sister Bay.

That is a week worth paying attention to.

See you up here,
Brian

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

August is here.

The days are long. The water is warm. And the orchards still have cherries if you know where to look.

But… there’s a subtle shift you can start to feel. The mornings are a little cooler. The evenings too.

That makes August one of the best months to be up here. Enjoy every minute of it.

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In today’s edition:

• Pizza Truce

• Door County Baseball Playoff Race

• Real Estate Weekly

• My Weekly Pick

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

The pizza war is over. If you have been following the Wild Tomato versus Wild Man Pizza saga that went viral earlier this year, here is your (partial) resolution.

Wild Tomato Pizza filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit in April after Wild Man Pizza opened in Carlsville with what Wild Tomato argued was a confusingly similar name and logo.

After mediation and a few months of social media tension, both sides announced a collaborative resolution on July 29.

Wild Man Pizza is now officially Ooluru Pizza. Wild Tomato keeps its name and brand.

There is a bit of a twist to the saga however, this announcement comes just days after the owner of Ooluru announced it will be closing this fall. 

Apparently, there’s more to come.

Wisconsin tornadoes. Our thoughts go out to everyone across Wisconsin who was affected by the tornadoes that touched down July 28.

Door County was spared but neighboring communities that were not are going support. Click here if you are looking for ways to help.

The Alpine Resort waterfront property is back up for sale. The historic property in Egg Harbor, which has been at the center of a year-long controversy over demolition plans, is now (again) listed for sale.

The Sagorac family, who also own Wild Tomato Pizza, purchased the lodge and waterfront cottages in 2025 for $6.75 million and announced plans to demolish the old building.

Local opposition was significant. Now the property is back on the market.

Whether this marks the end of the controversy or the beginning of a new chapter depends on who buys it and what they plan to do with one of the most historically significant pieces of waterfront real estate in Door County.

Red Putter crowns a champion. Last week's 24th annual Red Putter Pro Tournament had a family showdown at the top.

Matthew Kraus reclaimed the title, edging out his brother Nathaniel who finished second.

93 pros competed for the $2,000 first place prize and The Red Jacket.

The Red Putter via Facebook

Door County Baseball League. The race at the top just got interesting.

After this past weekend's results, Washington Island, Kolberg, and Sister Bay all sit at the top of the standings with a 10-2 record.

Sister Bay made their move with a 2-1 win over Washington Island on Sunday while Kolberg edged Egg Harbor 5-4 in a tight one.

Sister Bay visits Kolberg this Sunday in one of the most important games of the season. Washington Island plays Maplewood the same day. If you have been meaning to catch a game this summer, this weekend is the right time.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

This one came in from a reader named Terry, and it speaks to how special Door County really is.

Terry and her husband met in 1972 at St. Norbert College in De Pere.

During their college years they would drive to Peninsula State Park for the day, hike the trails and climb Eagle Tower. They would sit and talk for hours, and somewhere in all of that, they fell in love.

They have now been married 49 years. They still come back to Door County every fall. On September 15th they arrive to watch the sunset, eat whitefish and ice cream, drink brandy old fashioneds, and fall in love all over again.

I do not have much to add to that. It is what Door County does to people who give it the chance. I’m living proof.

Terry, thank you for sending this. This is why I write the newsletter every week.

Do you have a Door County story worth sharing? Send me your story and tell me what makes this place so special for you.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Summer is not the only season worth celebrating up here.

The fall festivals are some of the best events on the Door County calendar, and they are just around the corner.

The complete Door County festivals guide covers every major event from May through October, with dates, locations, and everything you need to build a trip around the celebrations that matter most to you.

Whether you are squeezing in one more summer trip or starting to think about fall, this guide has you covered.

Read the complete Door County festivals guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked whether you were enjoying the newsletter and 97% of you said “it was awesome.” That means a great deal to me.

This newsletter takes real time every week and knowing you enjoy it makes it all worth it.

That said, the goal is always to get better.

If there is something you want to see more of or a topic you wish we would cover, please reach out and let me know.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like.

JUST SOLD: Washington Island

A six bedroom, home on 45 acres on Washington Island recently sold for $650,000. Three combined lots, a main home built in 1912, and a large outbuilding make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

This is the kind of property that reminds you how different the market is on Washington Island. Real estate like this rarely hits the market and when it does, it moves.

FOR SALE: Fish Creek

If you have ever sat on a bluff watching the sun go down and thought, I need to find a way to own this view, here is your answer.

A four bedroom home in Fish Creek is listed at $3,100,000. On 5.55 acres, the home sits on the bluff with views from every room and an expansive deck built specifically for watching sunsets.

The listing has drawn more than 2,200 views on Zillow. The views alone explain why.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Most people who visit Peninsula State Park Golf Course come for the full course, and for good reason. But there more flexible option just across the street.

The short course is six holes and perfectly designed for the moments when you want to swing a club without committing hours of your day.

It is ideal if you have kids who are not ready for a full round, a spouse who isn’t interested in playing 18, or an afternoon that does not have room for more than an hour of golf.

I play it every summer with my family. It fits perfectly between breakfast at Julie’s and a massage at Sacred Grounds.

Six holes, no pressure, all the fun.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Open Acoustic Jam in the Great Hall at the Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion on Wednesday. A relaxed, welcoming session for anyone who wants to play or just listen.

Sister Bay Concerts in the Park on Wednesday at the Sister Bay Performance Pavilion. Free, outdoors, and one of the most enjoyable weekly traditions on the northern end of the county.

Sister Bay Historical Society Fish Boil on Thursday at the Corner of the Past Museum. A fish boil with a local history backdrop is a perfect combination.

The Mockingbird Band plays Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery on Saturday. Live music at a winery on a Saturday afternoon in August. There are worse ways to spend the day.

DOOR COUNTY TRIVIA

Door County is home to more miles of shoreline than any other county in the continental United States.

With Green Bay on the west side, Lake Michigan on the east, and the waters surrounding Washington Island and the smaller islands in the archipelago, the county has approximately 300 miles of shoreline packed into a peninsula that is roughly 75 miles long and 18 miles wide at its broadest point.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of August 4, 2026

Tuesday should hit around 76 degrees with a slight chance of rain. A perfectly reasonable late summer Tuesday.

Wednesday brings a slightly cooler 74 degrees with about a 25 percent chance of rain before things clear out nicely Thursday and Friday. Highs climb back toward 80 on Friday and Saturday.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 5:44 a.m. Sunset comes around 8:18 p.m. Still more than 14 and a half hours of daylight. Still worth being outside as much as possible.

Green Bay water temperatures are holding in the low to mid 70s. This is peak swimming season on the bay side. Take full advantage before the water starts its slow September retreat.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

This week it was Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers, which is one of those albums that does not require any introduction or justification. Every song is exactly what it needs to be. It just rolls from one to the next with a warmth and ease that makes whatever you are doing (like writing a newsletter) feel more manageable.

I started listening to Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Yellowman in high school and that music has never really left. There is something about reggae on a warm August afternoon that just feels right.

Bob Marley - Legend

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Meet Kevin, Larry, and Hank.

Three therapy dogs from Texas who travel to elementary schools and nursing homes doing what therapy dogs do best - make people feel better just by showing up.

Last week their owner Jeremy brought them up to Door County for a vacation, and they spent part of it picking cherries at Soren's Valhalla Orchards in Jacksonport. Jeremy has roots in Jacksonport, spending summers up here as a kid, and now he brings his boys back to the place that means so much to him.

That is a Door County story and a pet story wrapped into one, and it is exactly what this section is for.

Kevin, Larry, and Hank, welcome to the newsletter. Come back soon.

We want to see your pets enjoying Door County. Send me a photo with your pet's name, the village you were in, and anything worth knowing about the moment. The best ones end up right here.

Kevin, Larry, and Hank

BEFORE YOU GO

A 49-year love story that started on the trails of Peninsula State Park.

A pizza feud settled.

A mini golf champion crowned.

Six holes of golf inside one of the most beautiful parks in the Midwest.

And Kevin, Larry, and Hank.

That’s a week!

August is short. Make it count.

See you up here,
Brian.

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

August starts Saturday. There is a tendency to treat that like a countdown to something ending, but that is the wrong way to look at it.

The water is warm. The events calendar is full. And the orchards still have cherries.

The heart of summer is not behind you. It is right now. Do not waste it.

________________

This week in The Best of Door County Weekly:

• The Red Putter

• Don McLean

• Real Estate Weekly

• My Weekly Pick

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

The Door County Historical Society earns top honors. The Wisconsin Historical Society has awarded the Door County Historical Society its highest honor for local history organizations, the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy. The traveling award, which dates to 1958, recognizes the society's work over the past five years. The Door County Historical Society has been leading the effort to restore the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse to its original condition, a project that connects the county's future to its past in exactly the way local history organizations are meant to. Well deserved.

Southern Door schools recover from phishing scam. The Southern Door County School District announced it has fully recovered the nearly $68,000 it lost to a phishing email scam in 2025. The district also made significant changes to its financial and cybersecurity practices in the wake of the incident. Good news for a community institution worth rooting for.

Beach closures. Ephraim Beach and Jackson Harbor Beach were temporarily closed on July 22 due to elevated bacteria levels and reopened July 23. This is a good reminder that beach conditions up here can change quickly. Before heading out, check the Door County Public Health Facebook page for the latest updates. They post closures and reopenings promptly and it takes thirty seconds to check.

Door County Baseball League. Baseball season is heating up in Door County. Baileys Harbor opened the weekend strong with a 6 to 1 win over Egg Harbor Friday night, then on Sunday, Washington Island shut out Institute 10 to 0, Sister Bay took out West Jacksonport in a 12 to 7 slugfest, and Kolberg topped Maplewood 7 to 2.

At the top of the standings, it's a tight race between Washington Island, Kolberg, and Sister Bay, all within a game of each other. The next round of games hits Friday, July 31 with West Jacksonport at Institute, followed by a busy Sunday, August 2, with Kolberg at Egg Harbor, Washington Island at Sister Bay, and Baileys Harbor at Maplewood.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

I have been sharing my own Door County stories since this newsletter started, and I plan to keep doing that. But here is what I have been thinking about lately: this is not just my newsletter. It is ours.

Every one of you has a Door County story. The first time you saw Eagle Harbor. The fish boil that converted a skeptic. The moment you looked at each other and said, maybe we should just move here.

I want to hear them. Send me your story at brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com and tell me what makes Door County so special for you. It does not have to be long. It does not have to be polished. It just has to be real.

The best ones will show up right here in future issues shared with everyone who reads this and understands exactly what you mean.

This community is better when more people are part of it. Tell me your story.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Here is something Door County regulars know that first-timers often miss… August is not the end of summer up here. It is the best part.

The water is the perfect temperature. The Peninsula Music Festival runs all month. Northern Sky and Peninsula Players are both deep into their seasons. Cherry Fest is Saturday in Jacksonport. The Wooden Boat Show is at the Maritime Museum.

I put together a complete guide to August 2026 with everything worth knowing, from the big events and outdoor adventures to the timing tip that changes how you experience the whole month.

Read the complete August in Door County guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked about your favorite orchard in Door County and the results were clear.

Seaquist Orchards took more than half the votes, which should surprise no one who has spent any time there.

Wood Orchard came in second and Lautenbach's Market rounded out the top three.

All three are worth your time. Seaquist clearly has the most loyal following among this crowd.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing so you can see what is happening in the Door County real estate market.

JUST SOLD: STURGEON BAY

A three bedroom, three bath waterfront-adjacent condo in Sturgeon Bay sold July 24 for $685,000.

The private marina across the street offers seasonal boat slips. Farmers market, seasonal park concerts, and a health food store are within a block. This is what low-maintenance downtown Sturgeon Bay living looks like when it is done right.

FOR SALE: FISH CREEK

This one is hard to put in a box and that is exactly what makes it interesting.

A four bedroom, three bath property in Fish Creek is listed at $695,000 and it comes with a converted silo - that’s not a typo.

The main farmhouse has two bedrooms and a full bath and dates back to the early 1900s. The silo, beautifully renovated, has two bedrooms, two baths, and panoramic views of Peninsula State Park from the fourth floor.

It is steps from Fish Creek's shops, dining, and the waterfront, and right on the edge of the state park.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Looking for the perfect Door County summer evening? I have two words for you - Red Putter.

Red Putter Mini Golf in Fish Creek feels like it has been there forever because it essentially has. It is the kind of place that looks exactly the way a mini golf course should look, which is to say it looks like 1954 decided to just stay put.

Kelly and I started going to Red Putter before we ever had kids, and as you can see below, we never stopped. Now my boys are older, and we still go to Red Putter on a regular basis.

I think we even created a family trophy that we pass around to the winner of each round... It usually ends up with my wife.

Red Putter is in Ephraim on Highway 42.

Red Putter Mini Golf

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Don McLean plays the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Yes, the American Pie Don McLean. The man has been performing for over fifty years and he still does it with the same conviction he had in 1971. If you have never seen him live and you are up here this week, this is the show. Click here for tickets.

The Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor hosts Big Band Jazz on Saturday in the historic Dutton Concert Barn. Affordable admission, impressive musicianship, and a setting that makes everything sound better. birchcreek.org.

The 35th Annual Door County Classic and Wooden Boat Show is Saturday and Sunday at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Beautifully restored antique and classic wooden watercraft on display at the waterfront with a nautical market alongside. One of the most visually interesting events of the summer and a great complement to everything else happening this weekend. dcmm.org.

The 32nd Annual Cherry Fest is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. Cherry pie, cherry kolaches, cherry jam, cherry brats, a juried arts fair, live music from Modern Day Drifters, a vintage car show, and the kind of small-town summer celebration that does not exist enough places anymore. jacksonporthistoricalsociety.org.

The Door County Jazz Festival runs Sunday August 2 through Saturday August 8 in Sturgeon Bay. A full week of jazz performances across multiple venues with a mix of local and nationally recognized artists. Visit doorcountyjazzfestival.com for the full schedule.

DOOR COUNTY HISTORY

The Eagle Bluff Lighthouse on the Green Bay bluff inside Peninsula State Park was built in 1868 and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Door County.

For most of its active years, the lighthouse was operated by a single keeper who lived on site with their family in the attached dwelling. The position was a federal appointment and came with free housing, a small salary, and the responsibility of keeping the light burning every single night from sunset to sunrise without fail.

The keepers and their families lived an almost entirely self-sufficient life on the bluff. They kept gardens, raised animals, and homeschooled their children on site because the lighthouse was too remote for a daily school commute. The keeper's logs, many of which are preserved today, record everything from weather conditions and ship traffic to family milestones and the occasional dramatic rescue.

The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1919 when an automated light replaced it. The restoration effort now underway, led by the Door County Historical Society, aims to return the interior to its 1868 appearance and honor the families who kept that light burning for decades. Worth a visit the next time you are in Peninsula State Park.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of July 28, 2026

Tuesday should come in around 75 degrees with clear skies and no rain in the forecast. A welcome change after the storms that rolled through yesterday.

The rest of the week looks equally awesome. Wednesday is projected to hit 76 and sunny. Thursday might touch 80, the warmest day of the stretch, before Friday and Saturday settle back into the mid to upper 70s with a slight chance of rain returning for the weekend.

Saturday, Cherry Fest day in Jacksonport, is looking at a high of 77 with a 35 percent chance of rain. Bring a light layer just in case but do not let it stop you from going.

Today’s sunrise was at 5:40 a.m. Sunset comes around 8:23 p.m. Still more than 14 hours of daylight.

Green Bay water temperatures remain in the low to mid 70s. August is when the swimming is at its best in Door County. Take advantage of it.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

Over the past few weeks I have been sharing the albums I’m listening to as I write this newsletter. I’ve also given insights into my top favorite bands of all time. If you remember, I have a top 5 that has been the same for nearly 40 years… Styx came in at number three. Fleetwood Mac at number four. This week I want to tell you about my second favorite band.

Genesis.

I got into them before most people in America knew who they were, back when Peter Gabriel was still the lead singer and the band was making ambitious, theatrical rock. Selling England by the Pound. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. I was young, but even then, I knew how great they were.

This week while writing the newsletter I pulled out their self-titled 1983 release and started grooving to Home by the Sea and Second Home by the Sea - two of my favorite Genesis songs.

Eighteen minutes of something that feels like sitting on the porch of a quiet cabin on the western shore of Door County, watching the sun slowly set over the bay.

Genesis - Genesis

DOOR COUNTY PETS

No photos came in this week, which means we need to do better.

Summer is winding down faster than any of us want to admit. If your dog has been swimming in the bay, your cat has been supervising the packing and unpacking of the vacation bags, or your pet has had any kind of Door County moment this summer that made you smile, we want to see it.

One photo, one name, one village. That is all it takes to end up in this newsletter.

Send photos to brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com.

BEFORE YOU GO

On tap this week… Cherry Fest… Don McLean… the Wooden Boat Show… Big Band Jazz at Birch Creek… the start of the Jazz Festival and so much more.

That is a lot of good things happening in one county on one weekend.

August is here. Make the most of it.

See you up here,
Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

The heat that settled over Door County the past two weeks did exactly what it was supposed to do.

The cherry harvest has fully arrived. Tart Montmorency cherries are now open for picking at most orchards across the county, and the farm markets are stacked with fresh fruit, cherry jam, cherry salsa, and pies that did not exist just the other day.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to get up here, this is it.

Cherry season does not last long and the best weeks go fast.

________________

This week in The Best of Door County Weekly:

• Air Quality

• The BoDeans

• Real Estate Weekly

• My Weekly Pick

DOOR COUNTY UPDATES

A few things worth knowing about this week.

The smoke. Wildfire smoke from Minnesota and Canada swept through Northeast Wisconsin last week, dropping air quality to Very Unhealthy levels on Wednesday.

The haze has been lingering in the region in varying degrees since. If you or anyone in your group has heart or lung conditions, check air quality readings before spending extended time outdoors.

The smoke is not unique to Door County but it is worth knowing about before you plan a full day on the water or the trails.

A piece of history arrives in Sturgeon Bay. The USS Silversides, one of the most decorated submarines of World War II, has arrived at the Sturgeon Bay shipyard for its first dry dock preservation work in more than 50 years.

The three-month project will help ensure this historic vessel survives for future generations.

The Silversides is normally docked in Michigan, and this kind of preservation work does not happen often. Worth a short drive if you have any interest in Great Lakes maritime history.

Bay Birch Gallery opens in Door County. A new art gallery, Bay Birch, recently celebrated its grand opening.

Worth a visit if you enjoy local art and supporting new businesses up here.

Follow them on Facebook at Bay Birch Gallery.

Door County Baseball League Update. The most recent results have Egg Harbor rolling with an 11-1 win over Institute on Friday before the rest of the league took to the diamond on Sunday.

Kolberg handled W. Jacksonport 5-1, Washington Island absolutely demolished Baileys Harbor 17-0 in what can only be described as a statement game, and Sister Bay rolled past Maplewood 15-5 to keep pace near the top.

And now the standings are getting interesting.

Washington Island remains the team to beat at 9-1. Sister Bay moved to 8-2 with the win and is making a real run at the top spot. Kolberg also sits at 8-2 after the Jacksonport win, which means the top three are separated by one game with plenty of season left.

At the other end, Institute is still looking for its first win at 0-10 and Baileys Harbor dropped to 5-5 after that ugly Sunday result.

Coming up this week, Egg Harbor travels to Baileys Harbor, Institute visits Washington Island, W. Jacksonport hosts Sister Bay, and Kolberg travels to Maplewood. The Island-Institute matchup looks like a mismatch on paper, but as they say, that’s why you play the game.

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

I take you back to New Years 2010.

Six adults. Six kids. Margaritas at Mojo Rosa's in Egg Harbor. And somehow, in the middle of all of that, I had what I believed to be a great idea.

Let's jump in the lake.

I broached the idea with my friends Ken and Stefan. Maybe it was the excitement, maybe it was the taquila, but whatever the reason, they both said yes.

The next morning was the 24th Annual Polar Bear Plunge hosted by the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club.

What I did not fully appreciate at the time was that jumping in Lake Michigan on New Year's Day in Door County means standing on ice in your swim trunks in approximately 15-degree air, barefoot, with no plan for what comes next.

It didn’t have to be that way, but we had not prepared. No aquasocks. No bucket of warm water for our feet. No dry clothes waiting nearby. We had watched other, wiser people bring all of those things. We had brought nothing.

For what felt like an hour but was probably three minutes, we stood there on the ice staring at the water. At one point, Ken ran back to the car barefoot. His six-year-old son was genuinely convinced his father was going to die of hypothermia. Which, in fairness, was not an entirely unreasonable concern.

We all jumped in anyway. We all survived. We spent the rest of the day thawing out in the hot tub, which ended up being a better New Year's Day than we origionally planned.

I was so proud of our accomplishment that I bought a souvenir shirt. I still have it. It reminds me that some of the best things we have ever done up here were completely unplanned and slightly ill-advised.

That’s Door County for you.

Jacksonport Polar Bear Club - January 1, 2010

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

If this is your first time up here or you live here year-round, there’s almost always something you have not done yet.

Door County has that quality where the more you explore, the more you realize how much is still out there.

Our complete guide to things to do across the county covers every village, every season, and every kind of traveler, from the hikers and kayakers to the wine tasters and theater goers, from families with young kids to couples looking for a quiet weekend away.

If someone you know is coming up for the first time and asking where to start, this is the page to send them.

Read the Best Things to Do in Door County Guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked about your favorite Door County restaurant and the results were pretty interesting.

Shipwrecked took the top spot with more than 20 percent of the vote, which means a lot of you have strong feelings about the Egg Harbor staple.

Coyote Roadhouse and Wilson's came in tied for second, which is a fun pairing when you think about it. A roadhouse and an ice cream stand, neck and neck.

That feels right for Door County.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like today.

Whether you are actively looking or just dreaming, this is your weekly peek at what is changing hands.

JUST SOLD: Sister Bay

A custom three bedroom, three bath home on White Pine Lane in Sister Bay sold July 17 for $828,000.

Tucked down a private lane on five acres and nestled among the pines, this is exactly the kind of property that makes you understand why people fall for Door County real estate. Wood-burning fireplace, warm oak floors, vaulted ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with an island, a sunroom wrapped in windows, a she-shed, and a 3-car garage with a heated workshop.

Sold

FOR SALE: Baileys Harbor

A three bedroom, two bath home on Red Cherry Road in Baileys Harbor just hit the market at $585,675.

Built in 2004 on five acres, it is a clean and straightforward Door County property in a quiet part of the county. Listed July 17.

If you have been watching Baileys Harbor, this one is worth a look.

For Sale

MY WEEKLY PICK

The Skyway Drive-In Theatre in Fish Creek has been lighting up the summer sky since July 26, 1950, making it the longest continuously running drive-in in Wisconsin.

This is a genuine, old-school drive-in. One screen, two movies. A snack bar that has been basically the same since the 1950s. And the cartoon advertisements before the movie, the ones created decades ago, still run before the show.

Yes, they still sell Pic mosquito repellent.

Yes, traditional speakers hang on the posts in the first four rows if you want the full vintage experience, though you can listen on your car radio.

This week's double feature is Toy Story 5 and The Devil Wears Prada 2.

The entry gate opens at 7:45 p.m. Admission is $11 for anyone 12 and older, $7 for kids 5 to 11, and free for kids under 4.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

The Door County Plein Air Festival runs through Saturday, with artists painting outdoors at locations across the county in real time. The public Quick Draw competition is one of the more entertaining things you can stumble into on a summer afternoon up here, watching painters work against the clock with the landscape in front of them.

The BoDeans play the Door County Auditorium on Thursday. If you grew up in the Midwest in the 80s and 90s, you know the BoDeans. If you do not, now is the time.

Live music at Lake Fire Winery on Friday is a great excuse to combine a tasting with a summer evening outside.

The Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market runs Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. More than 80 vendors, all Door County grown and produced. The best market in the county by volume and one of the best reasons to spend a Saturday morning in downtown Sturgeon Bay.

Celebrate Carlsville Day is Saturday. A genuine small-town celebration in one of the county's most overlooked communities. Local food, local people, local fun..

DOOR COUNTY TRIVIA

Door County produces approximately 90 percent of Wisconsin's tart cherry crop and accounts for a significant portion of total US production, making it one of the most concentrated cherry-growing regions in the country.

But here is the part most people do not know: the cherry industry in Door County was nearly wiped out in the 1950s when synthetic red dye used to color maraschino cherries was found to be a carcinogen and banned by the FDA.

Since maraschino production had been one of the primary markets for Door County's tart cherries, growers suddenly had to find new buyers fast.

The pivot to frozen cherries for pie filling and juice saved the industry and is largely responsible for the cherry economy that exists up here today.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of July 21, 2026

After last week's heat wave with highs pushing into the upper 80s, this week brings some welcome relief. Tuesday comes in around 72 degrees with a slight chance of rain but mostly manageable. Wednesday clears out nicely with a high of about 71 and sunshine returning. Thursday looks even better, climbing back into the mid 70s with clear skies.

Sunrise Tuesday is at 5:36 a.m. Sunset comes around 8:27 p.m., giving you just under 15 hours of daylight. The days are still long but if you pay attention you can feel the very slow lean toward fall starting.

Cherry update: tart Montmorency cherries are in full swing at most orchards right now. Call ahead before you drive out as conditions change day to day. Sweet cherries at many locations are winding down so if you want those, move quickly.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

This week's newsletter was written to Moving Pictures by Rush, which came out in 1981 and contains some of their biggest hits in Tom Sawyer and Limelight.

Rush is currently on their Fifty Something tour and played three shows in Chicago this past week. Their fourth Chicago show is Wednesday.

I went Saturday night and was reminded all over again just how absurdly talented this band is.

Neil Peart, the original drummer who passed away in 2020, was the heart and soul of what made Rush sound like nothing else. Anika Nilles fills that role now and does it with real authority. Watching her play live is something.

If it’s been a minute since you’ve given Moving Pictures a full listen, today is the right time for it.

Rush - Moving Pictures

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Summer up here means dogs on docks, cats looking out cottage windows, and apparently schnauzers keeping watch outside Al Johnson's while their owners enjoy a tasty beverage.

Meet Jiffy. He is an 11-year-old schnorkie, which is a miniature schnauzer mixed with a Yorkshire terrier, and he was recently spotted holding down a table at the Stabbur Beer Garden in Sister Bay. Jiffy looks like he has done this before. He looks like he has opinions about it.

This is exactly the kind of Door County moment we are here for. Send us yours. Dog on a trail, cat at a campsite, something we have never seen before.

Tell us the name, the village, and what was happening. Send photos to brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com and Jiffy will have some company in future issues.

Jiffy

BEFORE YOU GO

Cherry season is here. The smoke is clearing. The drive-in is open rain or shine. A WWII submarine is sitting in Sturgeon Bay waiting to be saved.

There is a lot going on up here right now and not enough summer left to waste any of it.

See you up here,
Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

It happened. Cherry season is officially here.

After a cooler than usual spring (including some weather we want to forget), had the harvest running a few days behind schedule. But the heat dome that settled over the county in late June and early July did exactly what it was supposed to do. The cherries caught up.

Sweet cherries have been open for picking since early July at several orchards, and the tart Montmorency cherries, the ones that make the pies worth traveling for, are set to open this week.

Some orchards are open - or close - for u-pick season, including Seaquist Orchards in Sister Bay, Alexander's in Brussels, Choice Orchards in Sturgeon Bay, and Schartner's in Egg Harbor.

Call ahead before you go, because pick-your-own windows can close fast and the best orchards fill up on weekends. But if you have been waiting for the signal that summer has fully, completely, unmistakably arrived, this is it.

Get a pail. Buy a pie. The season does not last long enough.

________________________

This week in The Best of Door County Weekly:

• Hall of Fame Worthy

• Plein Air Festival

• Real Estate Weekly

• My Weekly Pick

STORIES FROM THE DOOR

One of our readers did something worth talking about.

Nancy L. wrote a letter to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame making the case for a Door County woman who most people outside the county have never heard of. With Nancy's permission, here is her story.

Mary Jane (Van Duyse) Sorgel grew up in Southern Door County, rooted in the Belgian community that settled that part of the peninsula generations ago. These were farming families, church builders, people who worked hard and took care of their own.

Mary Jane carried all of that with her when she stepped onto the field at Lambeau as the original drum majorette of the Green Bay Packers. She didn’t simply perform, she transformed the atmosphere.

She did not stop there.

Mary Jane founded the Golden Girls, a program that opened the gates of Lambeau Field to generations of young Wisconsin women.

For decades, girls across the state grew up dreaming of becoming what she invented. That is a legacy, not a footnote.

Nancy's plea is simple. The Packers have always been more than the men on the roster. They belong to the communities and the people who made them special, and Mary Jane is one of those people.

She came from Door County. She deserves to be recognized.

The Golden Girl, Mary Jane (Van Duyse) Sorgel

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

There is a version of a Door County trip that does not involve rushing anywhere.

Just a slow morning, a good massage, and lunch somewhere with a view.

This week on The Best of Door County we published a complete guide to the spas, salons, and nail studios spread across the county, and we’ve already had feedback with readers telling us it is one of the more useful things on the site.

My wife, Kelly, told me I had to get that article done, so that’s exactly what I did.

If a spa day has ever crossed your mind up here, this is the guide to bookmark before you book.

Read the Door County Spa and Salons guide here.

POLL RESULTS

Last week we asked how often you visit Door County, and the results told us something about you.

The overwhelming majority (nearly 95%) of you are visitors, coming up once, twice, or multiple times a year, with a small but loyal slice who call Door County home year-round.

In other words, almost everyone reading this is either planning a trip, recovering from one, or quietly scheming the next one. That tracks.

That is exactly who this newsletter is for.

HOUSES OF THE WEEK

Every week we spotlight a recently sold home and an active listing to give you a feel for what the Door County real estate market looks like right now.

Whether you are actively looking or just dreaming, this is your weekly peek at what is changing hands up here.

JUST SOLD: Baileys Harbor

A brand new three bedroom, two bath home on Cedar Ridge Road in Baileys Harbor went under contract this month at $887,500. Built in 2026 on five acres just north of the village, the house reads like someone designed it specifically for people who come to Door County to disconnect.

Massive windows for natural light, quartz countertops, a large cherry wood island, a soaking tub in the primary suite, and a fireplace for the cool nights. This is the kind of property that makes you pull up Zillow at midnight and start doing math.

FOR SALE: Ellison Bay

Some houses in Door County are just houses. This one is a piece of the county's history.

Built in the 1860s, this three bedroom, three bath log home on Mink River Road in Ellison Bay has been thoughtfully restored while keeping everything that makes it extraordinary intact.

The property includes a detached garage, a gazebo, and a flagstone firepit for the evenings when you want to sit outside and remember why you fell in love with this place.

Listed at $795,000. Showings begin July 16.

MY WEEKLY PICK

Cherry season and Seaquist Orchards belong in the same sentence. They always have.

Seaquist is the largest cherry producer in the county and one of the largest in the state, with sweet cherry pick-your-own open now and tart Montmorency cherries coming in the next week or so.

The market is the move if picking is not your thing. Jams, preserves, cherry juice, dried cherries, cherry salsa, and pies baked on site. The cherry pie alone is worth the stop. Get one warm if you can and find somewhere to sit outside.

For the full picture on cherry orchards across the county, we put together a complete cherry orchard guide.

Seaquist Orchards is on Highway 42 between Sister Bay and Ellison Bay. seaquistorchards.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE DOOR

Thirsty Cow hosts Charity Music Bingo on Thursday, July 16 in Baileys Harbor. A fun, low-key night out for a good cause. Good reason to get out on a Thursday.

The Lodge at Leathem Smith welcomes the band Wild Horses on Saturday, July 18 in Sturgeon Bay. Waterfront, outdoor, and one of the better live music settings in the southern end of the county.

Glas Hamr plays live at Kitty O’Reillys Irish Pub on Saturday, July 18. If you caught them at the Sturgeon Bay Fourth of July and want more, here is your chance.

The Plein Air Festival runs July 19 through 25 at the Peninsula School of Art & Guenzel Gallery in Fish Creek. It is one of the most genuinely interesting summer events up here and worth planning a day around.

If you know of an event, a market, a concert, a festival, or anything happening up here worth sharing, send it our way.

DOOR COUNTY HISTORY

The Belgian settlers who built Southern Door County first arrived in the 1850s, drawn largely by land availability and the promise of farming in a landscape that reminded them of home. They came from the French-speaking Walloon region of Belgium, settling in townships like Brussels, Rosiere, Duvall, and Namur and building a community so tight-knit that French remained the primary language in some households well into the twentieth century.

They were farmers and church builders, and their cultural footprint in southern Door County is still visible today. The Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels preserves that history.

Mary Jane came from this heritage. So did generations of Door County families who never made it on to Lambeau Field but who built the county into what it is today.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of July 14, 2026

Summer is running hot this week and that is not a complaint. Highs are scheduled to hit the upper 80s on Tuesday, which is truly warm by Door County standards, before settling back into the low to mid 80s through the rest of the week. Rain chances are minimal this weekend.

Sunrise on Tuesday July 14 comes at 5:32 a.m. Sunset lands around 8:30 p.m. That is just under 15 hours of daylight, and with temperatures like this it would be a shame to waste a minute of it indoors.

Green Bay water temps are pushing into the low to mid 70s this week. That is swimming weather by any standard. Lake Michigan on the east side runs cooler but is climbing.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

This week's newsletter was written to Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites by Talking Heads, a 1992 compilation that pulls together some of the most interesting music of their run. Psycho Killer, Once in a Lifetime, Burning Down the House. Songs that somehow still sound ahead of their time thirty-plus years later.

I know it’s a compilation, but it’s my favorite Talking Heads vinyl to throw on the record player. I know I’ve been giving you hints in my top 5, and Talking Heads is close… they probably sit somewhere in the five to ten range. So close.

David Byrne is one of those artists who makes me feel like I’m discovering something new every time I listen. Great music for an afternoon of writing about cherry orchards and Golden Girls.

Talking Heads - Sand in the Vaseline

DOOR COUNTY PETS

We are building something fun here and we need your help. Send us a photo of your pet enjoying Door County. On the beach, on the boat, on the porch of a cottage with a view.

Whatever the moment is, we want to see it. The best photos will be featured right here each week with a little story behind them.

Send your photo to brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com. Tell us your pet's name, where you were, and what was happening. We will do the rest.

BEFORE YOU GO

Cherry season is short. The warm weather is here. The orchards are open.

Without a doubt, this is the week to make your way up.

That’s it for this week. Thank you for reading.

I’ll drop into your inbox every Tuesday morning. Make sure to let me know what you think.

See you up here,
Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

July up here is not subtle. The days are long, the beaches are packed, and the towns are humming.

It is loud and alive and a little crowded… but it’s completely worth it. It might annoy some, but patience goes a long way.

Just remember, you’re in Door County.

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This week in The Best of Door County Weekly:

• A Fish Boil to Remember

• Door County House of the Week

• Sister Bay’s Freedom Fest

• My Weekly Pick

MY LOCAL STORY

The first fish boil of my life happened by accident.

It was the summer of 1995, maybe 1996.

My wife, Kelly, and I were up for one of our early trips together, playing our first round of golf together at Peninsula State Park Golf Course - long before they ever had the 6-hole, par 3 we now enjoy.

We were paired with a father and son who had clearly been coming up for years. They knew every hole. They were so friendly - they were the kind of guys who made a golf round feel more like a conversation.

Somewhere on the back nine, the father asked if we had ever been to a fish boil.

We had not.

In fact, we had never even heard of one.

They explained the whole thing. The whitefish. The potatoes and onions in the big iron kettle. The fire building for an hour. And then the boilover, when the master fires a burst of flame under the pot and the water comes rolling over the sides. It sounded amazing.

We were at the White Gull Inn that same night.

I do not remember what we talked about at dinner.

I remember the fire.

I remember the boilover.

I remember trying to figure out how to get the bones out of the fish (they actually had to come over to help me).

I remember Kelly saying to me that this was one of the neatest things we have ever done.

And I remember thinking that Door County just got a lot more interesting.

That was thirty years ago. We have been back to The White Gull Inn fish boil more times than I can count. It never gets old. The boilover still makes people flinch. The cherry pie at the end is still mandatory. And every time, I think about two strangers on a golf course who changed how we experience Door County.

The White Gull Inn - Fish Creek

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

If June is when Door County eases into summer, July is when it hits full stride. The Fourth of July fireworks, the Folk Festival, the Plein Air Festival, Northern Sky Theater under the stars, Peninsula Players, the cherry harvest beginning in the orchards, and the fish boil on a long summer evening.

It is the most complete month on the calendar and the one that keeps people coming back to the same cottage for decades.

I put together a complete guide to July in Door County that covers everything worth knowing. Events, outdoor adventures, beaches, dining, where to stay, and the practical tips that separate a great trip from a stressful one.

Read the July Door County guide here.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

Door County real estate moves fast, and every week something interesting changes hands up here. Whether you are dreaming about owning your own piece of heaven someday or just curious what the market looks like, this is your weekly peek behind the curtain.

This one just sold and it is easy to see why.

A brand new three bedroom, three bath condo at Redtail Ridge in Fish Creek closed July 2 at $489,900. At 1,704 square feet the unit features an open concept kitchen and living area, nine foot ceilings, large windows, first floor laundry, and a garage.

It is a quarter mile from the entrance to Fish Creek Park with trail access right into the village.

Redtail Ridge is Fish Creek's newest residential condominium community, designed for easy low-maintenance living in one of the most popular villages in the county.

Units are available for purchase and can be rented on terms of 60 days or longer.

If Door County real estate is on your radar, this development is worth watching

Sold

MY WEEKLY PICK

My wife Kelly has strong opinions about Door County restaurants. She has favorites in every village, preferences about which fish boil we go to, and a very clear view on where to get breakfast on a Sunday morning (it’s either the Village Cafe or the Rusty Tractor, but I’ll talk about those another week). But if you ask her about lunch, the answer is almost always the same.

Summer Kitchen in Ephraim.

It sits on Highway 42 between Ephraim and Sister Bay, surrounded by flowers and hanging baskets that make it look like your grandmother planted the most beautiful garden in Wisconsin and then opened a restaurant in the middle of it.

And the soup bar is the whole reason to go.

Five homemade soups every single day. Fresh baked bread alongside them. You can order a cup, a bowl, or the Taster's Cup, which lets you make as many return trips as you want and try everything on the bar.

The spicy tomato dill is the one people talk about. The cream of mushroom has its devoted followers. Kelly (and my son Tyler) have a system and they never leave disappointed - that system includes the chicken dumpling soup with a lot of bread. No carbs to be seen here ( 😁 ).

The cashew chicken salad in a pita is the other must-order. Every lunch entree comes with a trip to the soup bar automatically, which means you are getting more food than you planned on and leaving happier than you expected.

Summer Kitchen is open daily from 7 a.m. and runs through the season. Go for lunch. Order the Taster's Cup. Trust Kelly (and Tyler) on this one.

10425 Water Street, Ephraim.

Visit the Summer Kitchen on Facebook.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Sister Bay closes out the Fourth of July season in style with Freedom Fest on Saturday at Marina Park.

The waterfront comes alive with food vendors, kids' activities, bungee trampolines, a boat parade through the harbor, and fireworks over Green Bay at dusk.

It is one of the most scenic fireworks settings anywhere in the county, with the water reflecting the bursts overhead and the bluffs visible across the bay.

If you missed the Fourth or just want one more summer evening on the water before July really gets rolling, this is the one.

If you have an event you’d like us to cover, please let us know.

DOOR COUNTY HISTORY

Here is something most people do not know about the golf course where our fish boil story started.

The Peninsula State Park Golf Course has been operating inside the park since 1921, making it one of the oldest golf courses in Wisconsin. The 18-hole course was designed in an era when golf architecture meant working with the natural landscape rather than reshaping it, and the result is a course that winds through stands of white birch and cedar with glimpses of Eagle Harbor appearing through the trees on several holes.

Peninsula State Park Golf Course - The Best of Door County

Today the course draws players from across the Midwest who want to experience something that does not exist at most golf facilities.

Eighteen holes inside a state park, with a short course option for newer players (and for some that just enjoy a shorter round), and the kind of setting that makes a triple bogey feel forgivable.

It is also where two strangers once told a young couple from out of town about a fish boil. So there is that.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of June 30, 2026

The Fourth of July weekend brought mostly good weather with temperatures in the low to mid 70s. This week looks similar. Highs staying in the mid 70s most days with rain chances Wednesday and Thursday.

Sunrise this week hits around 5:27 a.m. Sunset comes just after 8:33 p.m., giving you right around 15 hours of daylight to work with. The days are still long but starting their very slow lean back toward fall - I know, I know. I don’t like it either.

You have time. Not unlimited time, but time.

Green Bay water temperatures are running in the upper 60s to low 70s, which is as warm as it gets up here. If you have been waiting for the right week to get in the water, this is probably it.

The cherry harvest is close. Most years the tart cherry season kicks off in the third or fourth week of July, and the farm markets are already stocking up.

Keep an eye on Wood Orchard in Egg Harbor and Seaquist north of Sister Bay for the first signs of fresh fruit hitting the shelves.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

I wrote this week's newsletter while listening to The Grand Illusion by Styx, which came out in 1977 and was the album that turned them into one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

Come Sail Away is the one everyone clicks to, but in reality, it’s my 5th or 6th favorite on the album. The title track is a seven-minute piece of arena rock that somehow also manages to say something about ambition and illusion and the gap between who we think we are and who we actually are. That’s deep.

When I was a kid, I used to listen to this album on repeat as my dad drove us to Hayward for our summer vacation. I remember the warped 8-track we had of it… such memories.

Anyway, remember last week when I said Fleetwood Mac was number four on my favorite band list? Well Styx is my third favorite band of all time.

It’s great music for a summer afternoon.

If you have not put this one on in a while, give it another listen. It holds up better than you might expect.

DOOR COUNTY PETS

Door County is one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the Midwest, and if you have ever watched a golden retriever discover a limestone beach for the first time, you understand why people bring their dogs up here.

We want to see yours.

If you have a photo of your pet enjoying Door County, whether it is a dog on a dock, a cat watching the ferry from a cottage window, or something different entirely, send it our way. We will feature the best ones right here in future issues.

Send your photos to brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com.

Tell us your pet's name, the village you were in, and anything worth knowing about the moment. We will take it from there.

BEFORE YOU GO

July goes fast up here. Fall will be here before you know it.

If there is a trip you have been meaning to take, a restaurant you keep saying you will try, or a fish boil you have never quite gotten around to, this is the month.

Do not let July slip by.

See you up here,
Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

That’s it for this week.

I’ll drop into your inbox every Tuesday. Make sure to let me know what you think at brian@thebestofdoorcounty.com

Brian.

The Best of Door County Weekly

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Something about the week before the Fourth just feels different up here. The boats are out, every restaurant has a wait, the cherries are about two weeks from peak, and six villages are getting ready for one of the best holiday celebrations you will find anywhere in the Midwest.

The water is warm.

The days stretch past 8:30 at night.

Door County is running at full volume right now.

If you are not up here this week, this newsletter might be the push you need.

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This week in The Best of Door County Weekly:

• Local World Cup Fever

• Celebrations Galore

• My Pick of the Week (and what you need to order)

WORLD CUP FEVER, A LOCAL STORY

You undoubtedly know the name, Antonio Freeman. If you are a Packers fan, you definitely know it. He spent eight seasons in Green Bay, won a Super Bowl here, made the Pro Bowl, led the NFL in receiving yards in 1998, and was one of the most electrifying receivers of his era.

Wisconsin knows him well. Green Bay and Door County know him even better. The man could catch anything, including one of the most memorable touchdowns in Monday Night Football history.

His son Alex Freeman is on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team playing in the World Cup. And right now, he might be the most exciting 21-year-old in the tournament.

Alex is a defender, which tells you something about how far the apple can fall from the tree in the best possible way. His father ran routes and caught passes for a living. Alex closes down forwards, wins headers, and launches attacks from the back line. Different sport, different position, same DNA. The same explosiveness Antonio had running down the sideline in Lambeau, Alex has tracking down wingers at SoFi Stadium.

He was not even a lock to make the World Cup roster. A year ago, he was just breaking into the starting lineup at Orlando City in MLS. Then he moved to Villarreal in Spain's La Liga in January, took a risk on a new league and a new country, and earned his spot on the squad through his superior performance.

Today, he is the youngest player on the United States roster and one of the most important.

Through the three group stage matches, he has been everywhere. An assist in the opening 4-1 win over Paraguay. Then, against Australia, with the U.S. leading 1-0, Alex found space at the back post and headed home the second goal to seal a 2-0 victory to clinch Group D. The goal was initially disallowed for offsides. Video review confirmed he was onside by inches. Seattle Stadium literally recorded seismic activity when the call was reversed, and the goal stood.

Antonio was in the stands watching on Father's Day weekend. His phone overheated from the messages. He told reporters it was "10,000 times better" than anything he experienced as a player.

"Watching him score, it was full circle," Antonio said. "For me, it was like the next chapter, another book, and he is going to be able to write his own book from a play like that."

Alex was more measured after the match, the way young players are when they are still taking it all in.

"It was surreal," he said. "I have been working my whole life to get to that moment."

His father played football. He plays futbol. And the thing Antonio kept saying to reporters was that this moment belonged entirely to his son. Not to the Freeman name. Not to the legacy. To Alex.

The U.S. opens the knockout round on July 1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you have not been watching, this is the week to start. And when Alex Freeman comes on the screen, remember he is a Wisconsin kid carrying a Wisconsin name into the biggest sporting event in the world.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Door County does not do the Fourth of July the way everywhere else does. There is no single fireworks show you drive to, watch, and drive home from.

Instead, the celebration is spread across an entire week, with six different villages each putting their own stamp on Independence Day. Fireworks over Green Bay. Fireworks over Lake Michigan. Boat parades, pancake breakfasts, small town parades down Main Street, fish fries, live music, and enough cherry pie to last you until Labor Day.

It is genuinely one of the best places in the country to spend the holiday weekend, and the fact that the celebrations are staggered means you can catch more than one show if you plan it right. Some people build their entire summer trip around it.

I put together a complete town-by-town guide to everything happening this year so you know exactly where to be, when to get there, and what to do with the hours in between the fireworks. Whether you are a first timer trying to figure out where to plant your lawn chair or a regular who wants to shake things up this year, this guide has everything you need.

Read the complete Independence Day in Door County guide here.

MY WEEKLY PICK

There are fancier places to eat in Door County. There are places with better water views, longer wine lists, and more impressive menus. But if you ask me where I actually want to eat on a Friday night in Door County, the answer is always the Northern Grill and Pub in Sister Bay.

It is tucked off Highway 42 on Country Walk Drive, sitting back in the trees just far enough from downtown that many visitors drive right past it. That is their loss and your gain.

The place has been family-owned and operated for nearly 30 years, and it feels like it. The staff knows the regulars and treats everyone like one of them. The side deck on a summer night is one of those Door County experiences that stays with you. When my kids were younger, we spent a lot of time on that deck.

The pizza is the move. It’s my favorite in Door County (sorry Sonnys). It’s hand-tossed, homemade, New York-style, with a crust and sauce that taste like someone actually spent time in the kitchen making them. The homemade sausage topping is the one to get. I usually order a large because the leftovers (if there are any) are just as good the next morning.

Before the pizza arrives, order a Cherry Bomb. My wife knows this is my Door County must. I don’t feel like it’s a true DC weekend until I’ve had the Cherry Bomb. It’s vodka and Door County cherry juice, and it is dangerously easy to drink. It has been the house signature for as long as I can remember, and there is a reason people mention it in every review. It tastes like summer in a glass.

Go on a weeknight if you can. Weekends in July mean a wait, and while the wait is worth it, a quiet Tuesday on that deck with a Cherry Bomb and a hot pizza coming out of the kitchen is about as good as Door County gets.

northerngrill.com

Northern Grill and Pub - Sister Bay

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Door County runs six separate fireworks shows over the water across this holiday week.

Here is the full lineup:

Fish Creek gets things started on Thursday, July 2, with fireworks launched from a barge over Fish Creek Harbor at dusk. The best views are from Clark Park and Fish Creek Beach. The village fills up fast, so get there early and walk rather than fighting for parking.

Egg Harbor goes big across two days. On July 3, food and refreshments open at Harbor View Park at 4 p.m., Modern Day Drifters take the stage at 5 p.m., and fireworks light up the harbor at dusk. On July 4, the Independence Day parade steps off down Highway 42 at 1:30 p.m. and is one of the best in Door County. Both days are worth your time.

Baileys Harbor does it the classic small town way on July 4. The fire department pancake breakfast runs from 7:30 to 10 a.m.; the parade kicks off at 10 a.m. along the main drag; arts and crafts and live music fill Kendall Park all day; the Strawberry Fest runs at Town Hall; and fireworks over Lake Michigan launch from Anclam Park at dusk. It is a full day from sunrise to fireworks and one of the most genuinely charming ways to spend the Fourth anywhere in the Midwest.

Gills Rock brings the most intimate celebration of the week on July 4. Food and live music start at 5 p.m. at Mariners Park, a decorated boat regatta hits the harbor at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks follow at dusk. The fish fry benefits the Death's Door Maritime Museum. This is the one for people who want the real small-town feel without the crowds.

Sturgeon Bay celebrates July 4 at Sunset Park with food and drinks starting at 5 p.m., live music building through the evening, and fireworks launched from a barge over the water after dark. A solid choice if you are staying in the southern part of the county and do not want to drive north.

Sister Bay saves the best for last with Freedom Fest on Saturday, July 11. The all-day party at Waterfront Park runs from late morning with bungee trampolines, inflatables, a brat fry, a boat parade, and fireworks over Green Bay at dusk. If you miss the Fourth itself or just want one more show before summer really hits its stride, this is your bonus round.

DOOR COUNTY HISTORY

Here is something worth knowing as you watch fireworks light up the bay this weekend.

Door County takes its name from one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the Great Lakes. The passage between the tip of the Door Peninsula and Washington Island was called Porte des Morts by early French explorers, meaning "Death's Door." The name came from Native American accounts of a failed raid in the early 1600s in which members of the Ho-Chunk tribe attempted to cross the passage to attack the Potawatomi on Washington Island. The crossing went badly. The waters claimed many of them before they ever reached the island.

Those same waters have claimed hundreds of ships over the centuries, earning the passage a reputation that spread across the Great Lakes. Sailors feared it. Settlers named a county after it. And today, visitors drive right past it on the ferry to Washington Island without giving it a second thought.

That is Door County for you. The most beautiful places often have the most dramatic histories.

DOOR COUNTY ALMANAC

Week of June 30, 2026

Door County is sitting in a sweet spot this week. Highs in the mid-70s, low rain chances across the board, and enough sunshine to make every spot worth fighting for. It is about as close to a perfect Door County week as you are going to get.

Sunrise on Tuesday, June 30, hits at 5:19 a.m. Sunset comes around 8:38 p.m. That gives you just over 15 hours of daylight to work with. Use them.

By Saturday, the Fourth of July, highs will be pushing toward the upper 70s, with calm winds and clear skies in the forecast. Perfect fireworks weather. The kind of night where you can sit on the beach until well after dark without reaching for a jacket.

Water temperatures on Green Bay are running in the mid to upper 60s right now, comfortable for kayaking and tolerable for swimming if you are brave. Lake Michigan, on the east side of the peninsula, runs a few degrees cooler. Worth knowing before you commit to a beach day on either shore.

Cherry season is right around the corner. The orchards are full, and the harvest typically kicks off in mid to late July, depending on the weather.

If you are planning a trip and cherries are on your list, the next few weeks are when you want to be watching.

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

Every week, I write this newsletter with music playing in the background.

This week, it was Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, which came out in 1977 and somehow sounds better every time I put it on. The whole album brings me back to a time when everything felt a little simpler.

Go Your Own Way, The Chain, Gold Dust Woman. Forty-five minutes of music that holds up better than almost anything recorded in the last fifty years.

My family knows I have a top 5 bands list that hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years, and Fleetwood Mac sits there right at number 4. Keep reading each week and you’ll figure out who the others are.

If you have not listened to it start to finish lately, this weekend is the right time. Put it on, open a window, and let the summer in.

BEFORE YOU GO

The Fourth of July weekend fills up fast.

If you still need lodging, move on it today. And if you are already booked, stop reading this and go find a good spot to watch fireworks over the water. You earned it.

See you on the peninsula,
Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

That’s it for this week.

I’ll drop into your inbox every Tuesday. Make sure to let me know what you think.

Brian.

The Best of Door County Weekly

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

Something happens at the Door County farmers markets in late June that does not get talked about enough. The early season stuff is gone and the real summer produce is starting to show up. Local strawberries still feel warm from the field. Fresh cut flowers in colors that do not look real. Honey pulled from hives just days ago by beekeepers who will tell you exactly which wildflowers the bees have been visiting if you ask.

There is a rhythm to a Saturday market that is hard to find anywhere else in Door County. You show up with no real agenda, wander from table to table, talk to the people who actually grew what they are selling, and leave with a bag full of things you did not know you needed. Nobody is in a hurry. Nobody is checking their phone. It is about as close to the real Door County experience as you can get without owning a cottage up here.

If you have never spent a Saturday morning wandering one of these markets with nowhere to be, put it near the top of the list. Pair it with breakfast at a nearby spot (find this weeks recommendation below), and let the morning take care of itself. It is one of the simplest and most genuinely satisfying ways to spend a few hours on the peninsula.

MY STORY

In 1998, when I knew I wanted to propose to my future wife, I knew it had to happen in Door County. There was no other place that meant as much to the two of us.

We had been coming up a couple of times a year since we started dating, and every trip was special. Every time we learned something new about the peninsula. Every time we left a little closer than when we arrived.

So in the fall of 1998 we made our way up and I had it all planned out. We would arrive early, put our names in for the fish boil at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, then walk down to Sunset Beach Park at the end of the street where I would get down on one knee. Simple. Romantic. Perfect.

Everything was going according to plan until we got to the park and Kelly sat down on the stone bench at the far edge overlooking the water. The problem was the ring was in the pocket closest to her. I tried everything I could think of to get her to switch sides without actually telling her why, and none of it worked. So I sat down next to her, ring box pressed awkwardly between us.

To this day she swears she never felt it in my pocket.

The guy writing this newsletter does not quite believe that.

It did not matter. I proposed, she said yes, and the rest is history.

Reason number 4,986 why Door County means the world to me. It is part of my love story.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

Door County has more good restaurants per square mile than almost anywhere in the Midwest, and knowing where to go before you arrive makes all the difference.

I put together a guide to the best restaurants on the peninsula, organized so you can actually use it when you are standing on a sidewalk in Fish Creek trying to decide where to eat. People have told me it is the most useful thing on the site and it gets updated regularly.

Read the complete Door County restaurant guide here.

MY WEEKLY PICK

If you are going to spend a Saturday morning at the Sister Bay market, make one stop before you leave town.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant has been a Door County institution since 1949, and yes, there are actual goats on the roof. The Swedish pancakes with lingonberries are the move, the coffee is on point, and the line out the door is worth it. Get there early or expect a wait. But don’t be in a hurry, just wait for it. Make sure to visit their store (Scandinavian Butik) after breakfast.

Check them out at aljohnsons.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The Sister Bay Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corner of the Past Museum on Fieldcrest Road through early October. Only Door County grown and produced items are allowed, which means everything you pick up is the real thing.

The Fish Creek Farmers Market is every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Settlement Shops through mid-October. A great midweek reason to linger a little longer before heading home.

The Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon downtown at Third Avenue and Nebraska Street. With more than 80 vendors it is the largest market on the peninsula and worth the drive south even if you are staying up north. I hit this one as often as possible.

If you are hosting an event, I would love to add it to the list. My goal is to grow this event aggregator each week. Please reach out for consideration.

BEFORE YOU GO ADVICE

Late June is one of those moments on the peninsula where everything just works. Good weather, good food, and enough breathing room to actually enjoy it. If a summer trip has been in the back of your mind, this is the week to stop thinking and start planning.

See you on the peninsula,

Brian

thebestofdoorcounty.com

That’s it for this week.

I’ll drop into your inbox every Tuesday. Make sure to let me know what you think.

Brian.

The Best of Door County Weekly

THE SEASONAL MOMENT

There's something that happens in Door County in mid-June that's hard to put into words. The wildflowers are in full bloom along the roadsides. Visitors are wandering around every village. Employees at Wilson’s are dishing out scoops non-stop. It's the peninsula at its most alive, and it only lasts a few weeks. I personally love being here this time of year. I love the people, I love the energy, I love the activity. There’s so much to do, but at the same time, if you don’t want to do anything, that’s alright too. Whatever you do, don't miss it. So if you've been thinking about getting up here, stop thinking and start planning.

MY STORY

From time to time I want to let you know why Door County means so much to me, my wife, and our kids. I am not sure I will get to it every week, but I want you to know me like we are sitting on the back deck overlooking the bay with a Spotted Cow in hand.

My wife and I started dating in the summer of 1995. We did not immediately hit it off, but when we did, it was real. Within a couple of weeks we decided to take our first trip together. I did not know too many places to take a new girlfriend, but I knew a little about Door County. My parents had visited a few times, and all I could picture was my dad's old Door County '83 tee shirt.

So when I said "let's get out of town for the weekend," Door County was the obvious choice.

The weekend was perfect and basically kicked off our life together. What I remember most is when she looked at me and said, "Brian, you take me to the neatest places." That became our mantra for the decades that followed. Whenever we would visit somewhere fun, unique, or special, she would say it again. You always take me to the neatest places.

And that is how the love affair with Door County began.

I have many more stories, some better and some worse. Stick around each week and you will get them all.

Thanks for reading.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED GUIDE

If you're heading up this summer and haven't nailed down where to stay, this is the guide you need. For many places, it’s too late. But if you’re thinking about visiting, don’t wait. Book today.

I broke down the best lodging options town by town, from waterfront resorts to cozy cottages to places that book up months in advance.

Whether you're a first-timer or you've been coming for years, there's something in here worth knowing.

Read the complete Door County lodging guide here.

MY WEEKLY PICK

If you only do one fish boil this trip, do it at Pelletier's in Fish Creek. It's been a Door County institution since 1958 and they do it right. Whitefish, potatoes, and onions cooked over an open fire, finished with the dramatic "boilover" that sends flames shooting into the air. The whole thing is as much theater as it is dinner, and the cherry pie at the end is not optional.

The Door County Fish Boil is a must, and Pelletier’s does it better than anyone.

Get details and reservations at doorcountyfishboil.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The 61st Fyr Bal Festival lands in Ephraim on Saturday, June 20. A full day of music, dancing, artisan vendors, and Scandinavian heritage along the Eagle Harbor waterfront, capped off with a bonfire and fireworks when the sun goes down. If you've never been, this is the one to put on your list.

Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor kicks off its 51st season on Thursday, June 18 with Good Vibrations: Percussion Plays The 1960s -- a night of percussion, steel pan, and world music inside the historic Dutton Concert Barn. Pre-concert music starts at 6:30 PM, showtime at 7:00 PM.

Northern Sky Theater opens its outdoor season at the Peninsula State Park amphitheater in mid-June, performing under the pines and stars through late August. This year's lineup includes a world premiere and returning favorites -- buy your tickets in advance because popular weekends sell out fast.

If you are hosting an event, I would love to add it to the list. My goal is to grow this event aggregator each week. Please reach out for consideration.

BEFORE YOU GO ADVICE

The good stuff books up fast up here. If there's a dinner reservation you've been meaning to make or a weekend you keep almost planning, do it today. Future you will be grateful.

That’s it for this week.

I’ll drop into your inbox every Tuesday. Make sure to let me know what you think.

Brian.

The Best of Door County Weekly