I don't even know, ummm I think this is our 5th fall trip to Door County?
We so look forward to it. It is the only vacation my husband and I take alone, a little bonding time.
My kids would be like eeewww gross!!!!
We hit up a couple new stops on this trip & then there are the "have to" stops that I'm going to share with you. Pretty much all 2 thumbs up from us.
This year we went a little later in the season. The cottage we stay in, is in Sturgeon Bay. That is located at the bottom of Door County. The colors were just about wrapping it up and getting ready for the snow fall.
But once we drove up the peninsula the colors were poppin'!
I know that writing this is going to make me hungry & I already can't wait to go back next year! So let's jump into it!
Kitty O'Reilly's, this Irish girl likey's! We have never had any bad food or drink there.
This visit we shared the Pile-O-Gold-Nachos, I didn't add any meat to it. Not sure why :) They were so messy good!
(I told you we made a mess of those nachos!)
Seaquist Orchards
Great spot, another have to visit on our list. Tons of samples, wonderful fresh baked goods. Plenty of treats to buy and bring home as gifts or for yourself!
Much more than just food here, clothing, decorations, candles. And a great big winter wonderland area!
A few play areas for children indoors and out. A super fun rope maze in the forest!
This year we picked up a nut covered caramel apple, super yummy!
Across the highway is a new cheese shop,
Door Artisan Cheese Company. Very nice building, I believe they also have a restaurant. Friendly people working here. Not much for samples. No activity in the cheese making area.
They seem to have more of other company cheeses rather than their own but, I'm guessing that is because they are fairly new. I hear they have a cheese cave!
Bea's Ho-Made Products, yup you read that right. The sign will catch your eye and draw you in :)
When you walk in you're hit by a great smell of homemade pickles. Like many of the other shops in the area, lots of local treats and gifts.
You can see them canning away behind the cashier's desk. Busy Bee's!
One of our new favorites is
Edgewood Orchard Gallery.
We stumbled across this place last year.
The artwork here is fantastic. But, our favorite part is walking through the forest and admiring all of the sculptures.
Even if you're not a big art lover, I'm sure you will appreciate this place.
A new place for us is
Renards Cheese. But, we like to say it like you would say "Menards"! I know we are dorks.
(not my photo)
You guessed it cheese, cheese and more cheese! Free tastings. There is seating outside and a little kitchen where you can order cheesey foods, yum!
I think my and probably the hubby's favorite thing to eat when we visit Door County, you will find at the tip of the peninsula in Gills Rock.
Shoreline Restaurant.
We die over the white fish dip! If they ever take that off the menu, I will cry!
No actually if you want to try it first go there but if you can't I have a pretty close copy cat recipe you can try :)
Angie's Whitefish Dip.
(not my photo)
Ok back to cheese! Our favorite cheese shop in Door County is
Wisconsin Cheese Masters. Everyday they have 3 special cheese samples that they let you try while giving you information about each. Once you're done with that you can request any samples in the cheese case.
We ALWAYS buy cheese here!
Right next door in a wine shop,
Harbor Ridge Winery. Fancy that! Free tasting, but please tip them. We usually pick up wine for gifts to bring back.
Let's stick to talking about the booze shall we.
A new stop for us would be
Red Oak Winery. Everytime we come into town we drive but this place never stopping by. This year we decided to give it a go.
I myself am not a wine drinker, husband used to be. But what the heck let's have a little fun.
The inside is much nicer than I was thinking it was going to be. The outside sorta looks like a cold warehouse to me.
But, it was very inviting, lovely wood bars. A back room with plenty of seating and barrels surrounding the entertainment station, yup they have music!
I bet you could have a real good time here!
We did a little sampling, I believe it was 5 for $5 and very generous pours.
*ps after this wine tasting I thought I was having a hot flash, had to roll my window down in the truck! hahaha wine went straight to my head.
Next on our self guided booze tour would be,
Door County Distillery, again not a big booze lover maybe just once in a blue moon.
But this is straight up my hubby's alley! I agree to play along.
You can order a flight of samples. Or maybe you would like a cocktail. Also, they serve a few food items.
This is a big building with other things happening. Food samples, wine tasting & gifts.
You find that a lot in Door County.
I have to say over the years this is the busiest of places, I've never been able to get close enough to trying any wine. And the vultures hover over those free food samples like they have never eaten before!
Seriously I was telling my husband, if you want to be cheap. You can just drive the peninsula and stop in for free samples all day & not have to pay for a meal!
Another new place for us to try (and I think they are new) is
Crate. A fantastic sushi place.
We ordered 3 rolls to share. They were so delicious and fresh.
Great beer and drink menu. Service was excellent. As so was the price.
Sonny's, I've always wanted to stop in here and this year we did. It's right on the water. I was thinking it was a hot spot but, it was very quiet when we were there.
I'm guessing they are pretty busy in the warmer months.
It's a pizza place. Gotta say, I'm not a fan. Also not a great beer selection and my beer was flat. Bummer.
We do, do other things while there. We walk the shore the lake is right at our front door.
There is also a back road we like to walk and look at all the cool houses and beautiful fall colors, then make our way to the lighthouse for our annual photo.
There is a wood burning fireplace, that is always being stoked. I love to cook us a few good meals. We read, read and read! Then usually wrap up the evening with drinks by the fire while watching a movie.
Oh and if I'm lucky I can sweet talk him into playing Scrabble with me.
Always a good time.
Until next year!
