25 Things to Do During Winter in Door County

Sure, this area is a popular summer vacation destination, but there's nothing quite like Door County in the winter. No matter where or when you're headed here, you'll find Door County has plenty of winter activities to keep the whole family entertained. To help out, we've pulled together 25 things to do in Door County in the winter.

1. Commit to spending a whole day outdoors, embracing the tundra and dressing for whatever weather comes your way. Check out these places to get winter gear in Door County before heading out to shop.

2. Rent snowshoes and try moving across the land or over a trail entirely differently. We've also got recommendations on where to go snowshoeing across Door County.

3. Door County's parks and trails are open year-round. And there's no better way to explore these snow-covered areas than cross-country skiing. Not only is it perfect for an afternoon of fun — it's a great winter workout for the leg and core muscles.

4. Get a whole new perspective on a state park by visiting in the heart of winter. These special outdoor spaces are transformed into winter wonderlands, often with fewer people around. You can ensure even more solitude by visiting a county park or a nature preserve.

5. Support a small business and grab a coffee, tea, beer, or wine from a local spot on the way home from the park. These welcoming establishments are the perfect place to warm up while reminiscing about your recent adventures.

6. You're in for a real treat when you see Door County's frozen shorelines, lakefronts, or beaches in the wintertime. The beauty is breathtaking, so bring a camera. Please be safe and always explore responsibly. 

7. Discover the true meaning of comfort food at a Wisconsin supper club. These hallmarks of Door County dining are family-focused institutions that have been around for generations. Diners flock to these restaurants for some of the best steaks, seafood, and old-fashioneds around. 

8. Go sledding at the hill at the Sister Bay Sports Complex, the hill at Hole 17 in Peninsula State Park Golf Course, Big Hill Park, or Incinerator Hill in Sturgeon Bay. Rent sleds from Nor Door Sports & Cyclery or find them at multiple sports and convenience stores in the area.

9. Get out of the cold while learning a new skill or discovering a hobby at an art or cooking class.

10. Brighten your day with a trip to one of nine luxurious Door County spas. Whatever makes you feel relaxed, refreshed, and brand new can be yours on a wellness retreat this winter.

11. Find your new favorite adventure sport in fat tire biking, a superb way to get your adrenaline going in the winter as you ride over the snow on these specialty bikes made for the winter season.

12. Catch as many wintertime sunrises and sunsets as possible; the winter light in Door County is famously exquisite.

13. Go on at least one wintery hike a month, whether cold, wind, or snow is in the forecast.

14. Hop a (heated) trolley and take a scenic tour of local sights, cocktail bars, wineries, and breweries. Perfect for a winter date night!

15. Be an ice explorer and seek out frozen shorelines, massive icicles, and ice shoves. Cave Point, Ridges Point, Toft Point Nature Preserve, and Cana Island are all excellent stops for ice sightings. Be careful when you are out and about, and keep ice safety in mind.

16. Join the locals on the ice for some epic ice fishing or ice skating on an inland lake.

17. Hunt down the best baked goods in Door County, from muffins and scones to pies and cinnamon rolls.

18. Hit the shops for some post-holiday sales and gifts from you to you, whether in-person or online.

19. Visit Washington Island. While many businesses are closed, the year-round island community is open for exploration. To get there, you can ride a ferry made to cut the ice and experience the beauty of ice sightings. If you bring your own gear, you are welcome to ice fish and snowshoe here.

20. Attend an event in Door County. From the annual Fire and Ice Festival and guided winter hikes at the Ridges Sanctuary to the Wine Tour & Sleigh Ride to live music and community events, you'll find unique things to do in Door County this winter. 

21. Some of the best snowmobile trails in Wisconsin are in Door County. You can ride over 250 miles of state and club trails and access parts of the peninsula you can't experience any other time of year. 

22. Feel like you're starring in a Hallmark movie on a horse-drawn sleigh ride with Mayberry's Carriages and get a fantastic one-of-a-kind tour of Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery & Market.

23. Try the newest craze in Door County winter activities and go kicksledding. Popular in Scandinavia, kick-sleds have a low seat on rider-propelled runners. Bring your own gear or rent one at Door County Kicksled.

24. If you can't make it to Door County this year, or you want to stay indoors, you can check out a few of our virtual experiences and take an interactive tour of a few local treasures from the warmth of your home.

25. Finally, perhaps most importantly, remember to slow down and savor every moment you're up here. Door County is like nowhere else in the world, especially during the winter when it becomes even more exhilaratingly beautiful.