Memorial Day Weekend in Door County
Memorial Day is the official beginning of the tourism season in Door County. There are tons of activities to do Memorial Day weekend and Door County is calling your name.
Sister Bay Waterfront Park
Door County’s beaches are open and with the weather warming with all the sunshine, they are already filling up. Start a new tradition by bringing your friends and family to spend Memorial Day weekend with us here on our lovely peninsula.
Participate in the Door County Festival of Nature at Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor on May 26-28. If you’re not coming up until Friday night, don’t worry- the Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair at Sunset Park and Jacksonport’s Maifest at the Lakeside Park happening Saturday morning.
Rooms all over the county have been filling up fast but Door County Lodging has the inside scoop on what rooms are still available. Check out these lovely properties for last minute room ideas. Be sure to mention Door County Lodging when making your reservation.
Door County Lake House Rentals on the shores of Europe Lake has its Three Bedroom Cottage available for the weekend.
Birchwood Lodge has openings all weekend long for Premier Suites, Grand One Bedroom Suites, and Village Homes with no minimum night required. This Lodge is very centrally located near downtown Sister Bay.They are offering 20% off last minute bookings for Premier Suites for Memorial Day Weekend.
Ephraim Motel located on the north end of Ephraim’s shopping district has rooms available.
The Ashbrooke in the heart of Egg Harbor has suites available for one, two or three night stays at this romantic retreat.
Coachlite Inn has a variety of rooms available. This property is centrally located between Sister Bay and Ephraim.
Open Hearth Lodge at the bottom of Little Sister Hill has availabilities for one, two or three night stays.
The Parkside Inn across the street from the Ellison Bay public beach has suites availabilities for one, two or three night stays.
Shallows Resort on the water south of Egg Harborhas several of our waterfront Shoreside Motel rooms and one Gatehouse Suites with kitchen and fireplace left. Pool and Hot Tub will be up and running and the tennis court has been completely refurbished and is ready for play! A 3 night minimum stay is required.
Door County Lodging Members reveal spring improvements.
Door County Lodging Members have taken advantage of the slow season to do some improvements to their properties. Everyone knows that one of the most important things that come to mind when making your vacation plans is your lodging choice. Our members understand that and are taking extra steps to ensure that your stay with them is the best it can be. Check out what some of our members are doing to make sure you want to stay with them every trip to Door County!
The pet friendly Beachfront Inn in Baileys Harbor has done some major renovations this winter. They are in the process of building a new pool as well as replacing the siding and steel doors, driveway and sidewalks. One of the rooms has a new gas fireplace, carpeting, painting, leather furniture and a new deck. All of the rooms have received new down comforters.
Coachlite Inn in Sister Bay, being run by new owners, has taken full advantage of the off-season. Last fall, Rich and his family planted over 500 new bulbs to expand the beautiful gardens throughout the property. They’ve added a “Deluxe Continental Breakfast”, as well as Door County Coffee and Tea in the lobby. Gas grills and additional seating has been added to the Patio and Picnic Areas. In each guest room, they purchased new bedding, microwaves and coffee makers. Be sure to check out their newly created Facebook Page.
Eagle Harbor Inn in the heart of Ephraim’s shopping district has installed new carpet in every suite and most of the B&B rooms. They have also renovated the entire bathroom in the Tillie suite including a new whirlpool tub, bathroom vanity and lighting, and flooring.
Bay Shore Inn lies on the water just north of Sturgeon Bay. Thirty three of the suites have received new kitchens and decor. New cabinet doors, granite counter tops and new sinks and faucets were installed. 
Also, as part of the project, the used counter tops were recycled and donated to St. Vincent de Paul, Green Bay.
Door County Silent Sport Alliance to host Bike Summit on May 20-21, 2011
After funding being cut for the proposed county-wide bike trail system, DCSSA is trying to bring awareness of the economic impact of biking in Door County. The DCSSA is encouraging people to attend the 3rd Annual Bike Summit.
Door County Board Supervisor and cycling advocate Ben Meyer says biking and other silent sports make up a very substantial portion of tourism dollars being brought to Wisconsin and Door County has much to gain by providing an opportunity for these visitors.
In 2009, cycling related spending was $925 million in Wisconsin, 57% of that was from out-of-state visitors. Statistically, cyclists represent an economically affluent population with over half of participating households having over a $100,000 income. There are two solutions that could fix the DCSSA’s current situation: reinstatement of the $2.5 million in state funding for the planned trails or the transfer of the $100,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant that was awarded in 2010 to be returned to Door County for construction of the trails.
Door County has a lot to gain by attracting this demographic group to our area. We already have the natural beauty that is so conducive for the silent sports as well as a well developed community of participants and advocates. There is virtually no negative impact to our environment and fully embraces the “Green Movements” that have become so popular.
Schedule of Events:
Friday May 20:
8am-1pm: Trail Day at Peninsula State Park, meet at Lot 5
- 4-4:30pm: Social at Door Community Auditorium
- 4:30-7:30pm: Speakers at the Auditorium: Bob Dickson, President of DCSSA, Hansi Johnson of the International Mountain Biking Association, cycling advocate Scott Chaplin, Door County Supervisor Ben Meyer, Chris Fortune of Saris Cycling, and Kevin Hardman of the WI Bike Federation.
- 8pm: Social at Alexander’s Restaurant
Saturday May 21:
- 9am: Road Bike Ride with 23 and 40 mile routes, meet at Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
- 2-4pm: Mountain Bike Ride in Peninsula State Park, meet at Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
- 4pm: Happy Hour at Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
“Battling Breast Cancer, One Stroke at a Time” at Horseshoe Bay on June 5
The Annual Pink Classic is back to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Proceeds will be split between the Sue Baldwin Fund and the Wellness Center of Door County for both Breast Cancer education and prevention in our community.
Teams of four can be made up of men, women or mixed and should wear pink in honor of the event. 8am registration is available for the scramble and the cost is $125 per golfer. The public is welcome to attend this fun event for a great cause.
After the tournament is over, Big Mouth will be rocking the day away in the club house so bring your friends and families. Food, drinks and raffles will be going on and admission for non-golfers is $20 at the door. Festivities begin at 1:30pm
For more information or to sign up, contact Carrie Baldwin Smith at 920.839.1114, visit www.thepinkclassic.com or email info@thepinkclassic.com
Yoga Comes To The Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay
Birchwood Lodge is hosting a summer yoga class three days a week. Classes will be coed and all levels of proficiency and flexibility will be accommodated. A limited number of mats and props will be provided. Guests of the Birchwood Lodge will receive the class free. Non-guests will pay $10 a class or $40 for five classes. 
Classes will be concentrated on strength, balance, better breath, health, and flexibility. Classes will be held in the East Conference Room Sunday evenings from 5pm to 6pm, Monday mornings from 7:30am to 8:45am and Tuesday mornings from 8am to 9:15am. The Birchwood Lodge is located just steps from dining, shopping, the public beach and all that Sister Bay has to offer.
Instructor Marcia Hoebreckx , who developed “Yoga You Can Take Home With You” for The Clearing, has been practicing yoga for over thirty years. She currently teaches three standing classes in Milwaukee and travels to Door County in the summer. Along with these classes, she will be teaching a series of specialty sessions at The Spa at Sacred Grounds, twice a month for June, July and August.
Door County High School Baseball team Fundraiser at Alexander’s May 3
The Gibraltar Vikings baseball team is partnering up with Alexander’s to host a fundraiser “Jeff Weborg” Fish Fry. Join us on May 3 between 4:30pm and 7:30pm for a great cause and a delicious meal.
Defending Packerland Conference Champions
Dinner includes all you can eat fish fry, boiled potatoes and onions, coleslaw, rye bread, dessert and a drink or hot dogs for kids. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children 6-11, 5 and under eat for free. The proceeds of this event will go towards the Gibraltar Baseball program as well as offering baseball scholarships to outstanding players at Gibraltar.
The Vikings have gone 3-3 so far this year. They are defending Packerland Conference Champions. Be sure to cheer on the boys at any of their games. Check out Gibraltar’s website for a complete schedule.
The Vikings team has had great experiences this year. They traveled to Madison for indoor baseball practices on March 25-27 at Hitters SportsPlex and will be traveling to Norway, MI on April 30th for a double-header with the Norway Knights. Trips like these are only made possible by all of the fundraisers that the players and the community participate in.
If you can’t make it to dinner on Tuesday night, be sure to check out the coupon books available from any of the players. For $20, you get coupons valued at over $250 for dozens of local businesses and the proceeds all go to the baseball team for new equipment and next year’s trip to baseball camp. They will be available at the fish fry and will be sold until May 6.
If you have any questions or need information, contact Coach Jay Kita at (920)839-2042.
Groovin’ Sisterhood Weekend April 28-May 1 in Sturgeon Bay
Do you need a weekend getaway with the girls? You’re in luck! Sturgeon Bay is proud to present the Annual Groovin’ Sisterhood Weekend April 28-May 1. Grab your closest girlfriends and escape to Sturgeon Bay for a weekend of fun, relaxation, shopping and pampering. 
Treat yourself to a spa treatment or splurge on a cute outfit from one of the local shops. Sturgeon Bay has some of the finest restaurants in the county and they’re all within walking distance of many of its first-class lodging options such as Stone Harbor Resort in the downtown area. If you’d prefer to be in the country, Bay Shore Inn is just minutes from the city. Whether you are looking for a weekend of relaxation or an action packed shopping spree, make your reservations today!
Click here for more information.
Activities Calendar
Thursday, April 28th
1 – 7pm Come a day early and get an extra day of fun! Check into the Groovin Sisterhood Early Bird registration at Stone Harbor Resort. The exclusive Sisterhood Coupon Books will be ready for your shopping pleasure; also planned – a casual Mixer from 5 – 6:30pm with more details in the Sisterhood Enquirer.
Friday, April 29th
Noon to 7pm Check in continues for the Groovin Sisterhood weekend with Event Registration at Stone Harbor Resort, and get started relaxing, rewinding and renewing.
2:30 – 3:30pm Early Bird Session #1
3:30 – 4:30pm Early Bird Session #2
5:30-7:30pm Step aboard the Harbor Lady for a Party Like a Rock Star Cruise of the Sturgeon Bay waterfront, reservations are required!
6-8pm Hop on the Door County Trolley to discover the Sturgeon Bay area shops, restaurants and galleries.
8pm Royal Wedding night at Stone Harbor’s ballroom – Wear your best Royal Wedding Hat and win a prize! Then get your Laugh on with two of the groovin-est sisters ever, comedians Holly Henson and Elle at Stone Harbor’s Ballroom. ( FYI -This is an adult women’s weekend and the subject matter usually has some adult content)
Saturday, April 30th
8 – 9am Enjoy a city walk, meet at the Stone Harbor entrance (weather permitting)
8:30 – 10:30am Event Registration, Stone Harbor Resort lobby, for those who missed it Friday night.
9 – 10am Getaway Session #3
10:15-11:15am Getaway Session #4
11:30-1:30pm Spring into Summer Fashion Show and Luncheon, Stone Harbor Resort.
1:45-2:45pm Getaway Session #5
3-4pm Getaway Session #6
4-7pm Many shops open late! Use your coupons!
6pm Restaurants welcome you with a variety of Sisterhood specials!!
8:30pm Hooray for Hollywood……Walk the red carpet and become the STAR that you are….or your favorite “starlet” from Mae West to Cher to LaVerne and Shirley… dress the part, win prizes, and have fun glammin’ & dancin’ among the “celebrities” with DJ Nick!
Sunday, May 1st
9-10am Enjoy a city walk, meet at the Stone Harbor entrance (weather permitting)
9:30-11:30am Celebrate your girl’s weekend with a Breakfast Buffet Cruise of the Sturgeon Bay waterfront aboard the Harbor Lady, reservations required.
Baileys Harbor is gearing up for 23rd Annual Brown Trout Tournament on April 15-17
Although the ice has broken up on the Lake Michigan side, it is still holding out on the Bay. Hopefully winter’s icy hold will break within the next week as the Brown Trout fishermen are getting anxious. This winter brought some decent Brown fishing through the ice but is only beginning on the water.
2010 2nd Place Fish caught by Andy Isaacson, Cameron Isaacson & Jason Peggar
Locals are reporting that Algoma is hot; the canal has just opened up in Sturgeon Bay so it’s still hit or miss, and Baileys Harbor is slow but picking up every day. The northern end of the county is still iced over so it’s preventing them from getting close to the shore where the Browns tend to be. With this weekend’s warming conditions, what little ice is left will surely break up. Sister Bay has lost over half of its ice this week and will likely be open soon. Fishermen are predicting fishing to spike with the warming temperatures and spring thaw.
Fishing in the tournament can be done all over Door County but the registration station is at the Baileys Harbor Fire Station. The grand prize package is valued at $1500 for the heaviest fish. This includes a discounted price on mounting the monster brown, $600 in cash, a two night stay for four at the beautiful Baileys Harbor Yacht Club, 18 holes of golf for four at Idlewild Golf Course in Egg Harbor as well as gift certificates for other fine establishments in Baileys Harbor. Tickets are only $25 to enter and are available all over the county. Prizes are awarded by weight and pay out to 60th place, so there is plenty of prize money to go around.
For a great deal on a Last Minute Room, check out our Spring Break Specials.
Spring Break 2011: Destination Door County
Springtime in Door County offers so many options for people of all ages. Our weather is unpredictable thanks to our greatest asset Lake Michigan. One day it is sunny and warm, the next morning you wake up to see several inches of fluffy white snow. Because of this sporadic weather, we’ve compiled a list of things to do, not matter what Mother Nature may throw at you. Before making plans, check on our Calendar of Events to see if there are any festivals going on while you’re here.
Door County winters are amazing! With miles of snowmobile trails running the length of the peninsula, you will never run out of unexplored scenery. Try hiking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing in any of the numerous state and county parks that dot the shoreline throughout the peninsula. Sledding at Hill 17 in Peninsula State Park is always a family favorite, but if you forgot your sled, many of the hardware stores up here sell them. Depending on the weather, the Teresa K Hilander Ice Rink may be open for ice skating, but make sure you check before you drive out there. It’s always fun to go on a Trolley Tour of Door County or a horse drawn sleigh or wagon ride.
If you don’t have any children, there are great adult options as well. Take in a class at The Clearing, spend the day photographing our scenic landscapes, or try out a wine tasting at one of our many wineries.
If winter has come and gone and you find yourself in the sunny wet spring season, you are in luck. March is typically in the low forties which is great weather for being outside. The same trails that you can do all the fun winter activities now are available for hiking and biking. 
You can rent bikes in Fish Creek across from the Fish Creek entrance to Peninsula State Park. It is also easier to access some of the Mainland lighthouses after the snow melts, such as Cana Island, Baileys Harbor Range Lights, and Eagle Harbor.
Rainy days don’t have to be spent staring out the window of your room during your vacation. There are plenty of fun things to do if the weather decides it doesn’t want to cooperate. Bowling is always a hit for all ages at the Sister Bay Bowl. Otherwise, there are places that offer do-it-yourself art and workshops at local art galleries. Sturgeon Bay Cinema 6 offers great matinees as well as nightly features to occupy kids of all ages.
No matter what the weather, eating at some of Door County’s best restaurants is still in the cards. Though it is technically our off season, there are still plenty of restaurants open. When choosing where to eat, be sure to check out our Winter Restaurant Guide on Door County Chefs, our sister site.
Door County Lodging Members are offering great specials and packages for Spring Break.
Open Hearth Lodge’s Winter Special offers Stay three nights or more and get one of the nights free. Open Hearth Lodge is very kid friendly with it’s indoor pool and whirlpool, and is located just minutes from both Sister Bay and Ephraim.
Settlement Courtyard Inn has a special of $109 a night and kids stay free, once they open up for the year on April 1. This great price includes continental- plus breakfast. New this year, check out the dedicated Couples Massage Room. Located just outside bustling Fish Creek, this is a great spot to begin any adventure.
Birchwood Lodge has three different specials to choose from. Depending on when you’re traveling, there is either the Midweek Special or the Weekend Getaway. If you have flexible dates, check out the Saving Paradise package. The Birchwood Lodge is located just steps from downtown Sister Bay. It has an indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna as well as a game room and In-room DVD players in case of inclement weather.
Glidden Lodge Beach Resort has two packages for your vacation. The Winter Fling package offers a three night stay for the price of two. The Family Affair package includes tokens for the game room, unlimited movies and board games, popcorn, and a 16” deluxe pizza and soda or juice delivered to your room, as well as a one day family pass to your choice of the Maritime Museum, YMCA or the Door County State Parks. Glidden Lodge Beach Resort is found south of Jacksonport on the beach, just minutes from Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes State Park. It offers one, two and three bedroom suites for every size family as well as an indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool.
The Ashbrooke in the heart of Egg Harbor is buying dinner! Simply stay two nights in one of their whirlpool rooms or suites from 4/15-5/15 at the regular nightly rate, and they will include a $50 certificate for dinner at one Door County’s finest eateries.
Bay Shore Inn on the shores of Green Bay waters has three amazing specials. Located minutes from Sturgeon Bay, there are many activities to choose from both at the property and in town. The Spring Blossom Trolley package and the Festival of Blossoms package are perfect for those looking to take in Door County’s true natural spring beauty. The Groovin’ Sisterhood Weekend package coincides with Sturgeon Bay’s newest craze, Girlfriends Getaway, grab all your closest gal pals and head to Sturgeon Bay for a spring fling!
Plan your Valentine’s day with Door County Lodging!
Valentine’s Day often presents a problem for guys because they never seem to know what to get. This year is going to be different, I promise you. Instead of getting her another heart necklace or generic card, treat her to a weekend of complete relaxation in beautiful Door County. Many of our members are offering Valentine’s Day specials for your romantic retreats. You can plan a whole weekend of activities or stay at a lovely Bed and Breakfast and not leave your suite.
A blanket of thick white fluffy snow covers our iconic orchards and forests providing a beautiful setting for a romantic getaway. Door County has many activities to choose from such as wine tastings, moon lit sleigh rides through snow covered fields, romantic dinners, sightseeing and much more. Hiking, skiing and snow shoeing are just a few of our favorite hobbies. Some great places to take advantage of these silent sports are at any of the state and town parks, Toft’s Point or Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor or Cave Point south of Jacksonport. Check out Winter in Door County for all the latest trail conditions and outdoor events. Check out our Winter Wonderland blog for more great Door County activities.
If you are looking for a great place to stay, you’ve come to the right place. Our Door County Lodging Members are offering packages for every budget and every lifestyle so check these out. Make sure you mention this blog when booking.
Birchwood Lodge is offering a great Valentine’s Day Special. Our Valentine’s Special includes a two night stay in our whirlpool-fireplace suite, a $40 Gift Certificate to a candlelight dinner at the famous Alexander’s Restaurant, Chocolate Covered Strawberries in front of the fireplace in your suite, rejuvenating fragrances for the relaxing bath in your private, two person whirlpool.This Special will run the entire month of February. Birchwood Lodge is very centrally located in Sister Bay, just steps from downtown and minutes from many other villages.
Stone Harbor Resort is offering their Romance Package which includes a two night stay, $50 Restaurant/Pub gift card, Champagne, chocolates, a long-stem rose, 30 minute carriage ride and two Stone Harbor wine glasses. Stone Harbor Resort is located on the canal in Sturgeon Bay. It is minutes from shopping, dining and activities of all kinds.
Four Seasons Barn House is a great private home located just minutes between Baileys Harbor, Sister Bay and Ephraim. This country home offers two bedrooms, a whirlpool bath and fully equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs to make your romantic weekend in the relaxing countryside truly memorable.
Open Hearth Lodge at the bottom of Little Sister Hill is offering their Hearts Ablaze package which includes a two night stay, a gift basket including a bottle of Door County wine, keep sake candle, chocolates, dried cherries, the use of a DVD player with a movie & popcorn, $50 towards a romantic meal at the Inn at Kristofers and two $25 Door County Gift Certificates to use as you choose.
Coachlite Inn centrally located in Sister Bay is offering their Romance Package which includes a beautiful flower arrangement, a specialty gift basket (wine and cheese) as well as a $60 certificate for a gourmet meal at one of Sister Bay’s finest restaurants—The Inn at Kristofers. The Mission Grill, or The English Inn of Fish Creek.
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