9 Ways to Find Nature and Scandinavian Culture in Wisconsin’s Door County

Published November 18th, 2023

All photography by Maureen Littlejohn

Drive three hours north of Milwaukee and take a deep breath. You are in Door County, a 130-km peninsula jutting between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Known for its Scandinavian heritage, Door County is home to around 30,000 people but draws more than two million visitors a year, mostly in summer.

That’s why it was such a treat for me to go in October. The trails in state parks were quiet, restaurants had no lineups, and the trees were at peak color.

Take the Trolley and Get to Know the Area

I got to know a bit about the area by taking the Door County Trolley .One stop was Peninsula State Park where we climbed the Eagle Tower. Opened in 2021, it had wheelchair access via a ramp so all could soak in the view of Green Bay.

Soak Up More Natural Beauty

The Ridges Sanctuary was established in 1937 and has 25 species of orchids growing on 1,600 acres. Education, preservation, and research are the focus of this protected area full of old shorelines, called swales that hold water year-round. The park offers guided walks daily and if you are lucky, you might spot an endangered Hinds Emerald Dragonfly. 
The sanctuary is also home to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights which blast beams out four miles to guide boats in safely.

Go Looking for Lighthouses

Door County is known for its 11 lighthouses. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse opened in 1868 and is on the Register of National Historic Places.
Perhaps the most visited is the Cana Island Lighthouse, built in 1869. You can take a hayride over to the site and then walk up 97 steps of the spiral staircase for jaw-dropping views of Lake Michigan. 

Get a Taste of Door County Apples

The region is known for apples and cherries. At Krowas Apple Orchard, I chatted with Dan and Cherie Krowas. They grow several varieties including Macintosh, Cortland, Honey Crisp, Gala, Sweet 16s, and Honey Gold. Samples are available. 

Enjoy Exceptional Eating

Sister Bay Bowl, a combined supper club and bowling alley, is a local hangout with a homey atmosphere. The fresh Lake perch is a must. 

“My grandfather was a chiropractor, but he got his degree out of state so couldn’t practice here. Instead, he opened a dance hall and restaurant. This building, with the bowling alley, was opened in 1958,” explained owner/manager Penny Anschutz.

Food Scandinavian Style

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant delivers all the favourites. Meatballs, pickled herring, and pancakes with lingonberry compote. Plus there’s a decadent fusion dish, Swedish poutine with onion rings, meatballs, and cheese curds.
In summer, goats can be seen munching on the restaurant’s sod roof. Plus, next door there’s a Scandinavian gift shop Butik.

Keeping with the Scandinavian theme, I had to experience a fish boil and headed to Egg Harbor’s White Gull Inn.

“Around 100 years ago, this was a tradition brought by the Scandinavian settlers of the Peninsula. It was an economical way to feed large, hungry groups of lumberjacks and fishermen,” explained a local fisherman.
Two men brought out a cauldron and set it on top of a woodfire. Fresh whitefish was dropped in and a bit of kerosene was sloshed on the fire. A huge burst of flames engulfed the cauldron. 
The result? Tender whitefish plated with creamy boiled potatoes and a bit of salad.

Take a Beverage Break

In the morning I ducked into Door County Coffee & Tea Co., just outside Egg Harbor, for a tour and tasting. Started in 1993 by Vicki and Doug Wilson, it is the oldest and biggest coffee roaster in Door County. They go through 40,000 lb. of beans per week. My favorite dark roast was Death’s Door, named after the strait that links Lake Michigan and Green Bay. https://doorcountycoffee.com

When it was time for a beer I headed to One Barrel Brewing Company, also in Egg Harbor. I tried a flight of beer, plus a Rosé Cider which was delicious. And you can get great pizza there as well.

Celebrate the Makers

Next to Door County Coffee was Door County Candle. I opened the door and was enveloped in a blanket of scent. Owned by Ukrainian-American Christiana Trapani and her husband Nic Trapani, the company has a deep philanthropic focus. Its Ukraine Candle has raised more than $1 million for the charity Razom for Ukraine. The scented, hand-poured candles are made in-house and are available online and in shops throughout North America.

Gallery Hopping

Edgewood Gallery opened in 1969 and was one of the first galleries in the area. Located in a converted barn, on an 80-acre orchard, the gallery has one of the best outdoor art venues in Door County.

Woodwalk Gallery, owned by Joslyn and Matt Villalpando, is in a historic dairy barn and features more than 90 artists and makers, mostly from Wisconsin.

A unique slice of Wisconsin, Door County is where nature meets culture with a Scandinavian twist.

Maureen Littlejohn

A curious Sagittarius, Maureen is a journalist with a penchant for travel. Her beat includes culture, history, food/beverage, soft adventure, and wellness. No matter where she goes, she loves to uncover compelling stories. As well as a freelancer for many outlets, she is executive editor of Culture Magazin (no e), a print and online lifestyle/food/travel publication that focuses on “East Meets West” and caters to the Vietnamese diaspora.
Read more about her travels at maureenlittlejohn.com