Where to Stay in Door County: 8 Best Areas & Locations

Dotted with charming towns and villages, adorable boutiques, fruit tree orchards, and bordered by the breathtaking natural beauty of Lake Michigan, Door County is a Hallmark movie comes to life. There are many choices in where to stay in Door County.

Wisconsin’s Door County is on a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. The best way to get here by plane is to book a flight into Green Bay. Check Skyscanner.

Rent a car at the airport for the drive there. We like Rentalcars.com for the prices and selection.

Sturgeon Bay is about 44 miles from Green Bay. If you plan to explore Door County, having a car is the best way to get around. However, if you’d like to stay in Door County and settle in one of the towns, you’ll be able to find accommodations that are walkable to the beaches, shoreline, shops, and attractions.

After using our guide to make plans for your best Door County vacation ever, protect them with travel insurance by TravelInsurance.com.

TL;DR: Best Places to Stay in Door County

Door County hotels and resorts are affordable and comfortable. But these rose to the top of our lists in guest reviews and location.

• Best Luxury Hotel in Door County – Thorp House Inn & Cottages
• Best Mid-Range Hotel in Door County – Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort
• Best Budget Hotel in Door County – Snug Harbor Inn
• Best Vacation Rental in Door County – Retro, cozy cottage in Fish Creek
• Best Family-Friendly Hotel in Door County – AppleCreek Resort

Best Areas to Stay in Door County

All of Door County would make a marvelous vacation. However, these areas are particularly wonderful for these types of travelers.

• Best Area for First-Timers/Tourists – Sister Bay
• Best Area for Budget Travelers – Sturgeon Bay
• Best Area for Luxury Travelers – Fish Creek
• Best Area for Safety – Sturgeon Bay
• Best Area for Families – Sister Bay
• Best Area for Culture/History – Fish Creek
• Best Area for Nightlife – Sister Bay

Sturgeon Bay

Charming, historical, and naturally beautiful, Sturgeon Bay will impress you with its city-sized convenience, safety, and maritime culture.

We suggest taking a city tour on your first day to see an overview of the city. Then, you can decide where you want to explore further.

This Sturgeon Bay Segway Tour is a popular option. Otherwise, here are some top activities and sights:

• Cave Point County Park – This iconic spot was created by centuries of crashing waves carving the picturesque shoreline from limestone.
  
  Visitors can access the free park by a paved road with a car or bicycle. You’ll get incredible views of Lake Michigan and the limestone cliffs. Tour by kayak for unique looks at the underwater caverns. Experienced divers come from around the world to explore this watery world, including the shipwrecks!
• Whitefish Dunes State Park – Down the beach from Cave Point County Park is 863 acres of dunes and forestland on Lake Michigan.
  
  Whitefish Dunes State Park offers a mile of sandy beach and the largest dunes in Wisconsin.
  
  Visitors can hike, swim, and fish. In the winter, you can ski and snowshoe the more than 14-miles of trails.
• The Farm – Great for families, The Farm is a living museum established in 1965.
  
  It sits north of Sturgeon Bay and offers opportunities to see goats, piglets, lambs, and chickens in a beautiful rural farm setting.
  
  Visitors can enjoy seeing the exhibits, log buildings, gardens, crops, and the tools used to cultivate them.
• Door County Maritime Museum – A fascinating maritime museum that includes Gills Rock and the Cana Island Lighthouse.

Budget Hotels in Sturgeon Bay

Snug Harbor Inn

1627 Memorial Drive
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Stay on the water at a charming inn with charming rates. The property offers picnic tables, grills, and fire rings for guests.

The guest reviews of the rooms are impressive, and the location is perfect for exploring Sturgeon Bay’s waterfront.

Holiday Music Motel

30 N 1st Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

The Holiday Music Motel is the only motel where you’ll find live music being created and broadcast on the property.

Past guests gave high reviews for this unique motel’s rooms and location.

AmericInn by Wyndham

622 S. Ashland Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Perfect for casual stays, the AmericInn offers an indoor pool with a whirlpool, complimentary daily breakfast, and free wi-fi.

Mid-Range Hotels in Sturgeon Bay

Glidden Lodge Beach Resort

4676 Glidden Drive
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Enjoy gorgeous Lake Michigan views when you stay at this fun Door County resort. The quiet location is a short drive from downtown Sturgeon Bay.

Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort

4303 Bay Shore Drive
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Located three miles north of Sturgeon Bay, this beautiful resort offers amazing bay views, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, fitness rooms, a whirlpool, and a sauna.

Inn at Cedar Crossing

336 Louisiana Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

The inn is also one of the restaurants in Sturgeon Bay. It also offers nine well-appointed guest rooms with a vintage vibe as a boutique hotel.

Luxury Hotels in Sturgeon Bay

The Lodge at Leathem Smith

1640 Memorial Drive
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Enjoy a luxurious stay in Door County that promises fun for family stays. The lodge offers a marina and has events all summer long.

Diplomat Bed & Breakfast

132 N 2nd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Each room at this charming B&B is unique, with luxurious appointments. It’s located only one block from both downtown and the historic waterfront.

Rentals in Sturgeon Bay

Lili Pad

image by Airbnb

The Lily Pad is an adorable one-bedroom, one-bathroom waterfront cottage in Sturgeon Bay, perfect for couples. The average rate is $114 per night.

The Magnolia Suite bills itself as a romantic condo with Victorian elegance. The photos look amazing, and it offers two bedrooms and one bath in a roomy 1,200 square foot unit. The average rate is $189.

See Related: Best Small Towns in Wisconsin to Visit

Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor is the perfect upscale enclave offering award-winning golf courses, art galleries, a performing arts community, shopping, and restaurants.

• Egg Harbor Marina & Beach – Offers floating docks with water, power, and even wi-fi. The sandy beach has a pavilion, swimming, restrooms, and a playground.
• Door Artisan Cheese – Explore Door County cheesemaking at this wonderful shop where they make more than 20 cheeses. You can also shop their wines and charcuterie.
• Door County Distillery – Discover award-winning gins, brandies, vodkas, and whiskeys in their spacious tasting room.
  
  You can also see the still and production areas for an interesting view into their methods.
• Stone’s Throw Winery – Modeled after wineries found in Napa Valley, Stone’s Throw is famous in Door County for its beauty and fine wines made from California grapes.

Budget Hotels in Egg Harbor

The Landing Resort

7741 WI-42
Egg Harbor WI 54209

This resort offers clean and comfortable condos in a quiet, scenic setting with an outdoor pool, indoor pool, picnic spaces, and sports courts.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Door County, Wisconsin

Lull-Abi Inn

7928 WI-42
Egg Harbor WI 54209

A laid-back hotel with free wi-fi and parking. Offers a whirlpool and comfortable beds too. Past guests’ reviews noted the friendly staff and great location.

Mid-Range Hotels in Egg Harbor

Newport Resort

7888 Church Street
Egg Harbor WI 54209

Comfortable suites with equipped kitchens in a resort setting with an outdoor pool and an indoor pool. Also offers grills and a whirlpool.

Ashbrooke Hotel

7942 Egg Harbor Road
Egg Harbor WI 54209

Adults-only property offering modern rooms, a fitness center, and a lap pool. Past guest reviews mentioned exceptional cleanliness.

Rentals in Egg Harbor

Flats on Church Street

The Flats on Church Street sleeps four in a one-bedroom modern rental. It has floor-to-ceiling windows, an equipped kitchen, heated floors, a king bed, and a queen sleeper sofa. The average nightly rate is $164.

Best Waterview of Egg Harbor

Best Waterview of Egg Harbor is a fully furnished ground-level condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in a roomy 1,500 square feet unit. The average nightly rate is $235.

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Fish Creek

Filled with history, culture, and fun things to do, walkable Fish Creek provides a luxurious experience with a laid-back vibe.

• Peninsula State Park – Offers eight miles of the gorgeous Green Bay shoreline and is the third-largest state park in Wisconsin.
  Each year, millions of visitors enjoy camping, summer theater, sandy beaches, biking trails, golf, a lighthouse, and sweeping bluff views.
• Lautenbach’s Orchard Country – This is a family-owned winery and store offering tastings, cheeses, baked items, preserves, and more.
• Northern Sky Theater – a Door County tradition, the theater produces original musicals for its outdoor and indoor theaters.
• Edgewood Orchard Galleries – Opened in 1969, this is Fish Creek’s most popular gallery for original creations like paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and furnishings.

Budget Hotels in Fish Creek

Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel

4020 Main Street
Fish Creek WI 54212

A sweet, family-owned hotel that offers free wi-fi and parking with a great restaurant attached. Past guest reviews mentioned friendly staff and comfortable, clean guest rooms.

Parkwood Lodge

3775 WI-42
Fish Creek WI 54212

Lodge with a laid-back vibe and relaxing guest rooms and suites. Also offers an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, and free wi-fi.

Mid-Range Hotels in Fish Creek

Whistling Swan Inn

4192 Main Street
Fish Creek WI 54212

Very nice hotel with antiques and a fine dining restaurant attached. It’s also within walking distance to Sunset Beach Park.

Main Street Motel

4209 Main Street
Fish Creek WI 54212

The Main Street Motel is one of the most popular hotels in Door County. It has a relaxed vibe and each comfortable room has a mini-fridge and a flat-screen TV.

Luxury Hotels in Fish Creek

Thorp House Inn & Cottages

4135 Bluff Lane
Fish Creek WI 54212

A historic inn with Victorian elegance, each luxurious room is decorated with antiques. Guests love to relax on the spacious porch.

Rentals in Fish Creek

4190 Cottage Row Ct

4190 Cottage Row Ct is a newly constructed three-bedroom, four-bathroom rental walkable to downtown. The unit has an average nightly rate of $199.

Retro, Cozy Cottage

Retro, Cozy Cottage is pet friendly and has two bedrooms and one bathroom. It’s newly renovated and has an average nightly rate of $196.

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Sister Bay

Sister Bay offers great restaurants, shopping, and beautiful scenery. It’s a great town to visit when you want to explore Lake Michigan.

• Sister Bay Beach – The town’s public beach offers a swimming pier, playground, swim raft, picnic areas, kayak rentals, and gorgeous sunsets.
• Corners of the Past Museum – The museum includes a renovated farmhouse originally built in 1875, a historically restored barn, a machine shop, a granary, and other structures.
• Sister Bay Marina – Dock in the village at one of Sister Bay Marina’s 40 transient slips supplied with water and power. Recently remodeled showers and restrooms are available as well.
• Holy Transfiguration Chapel and Woods – A hidden Russian Orthodox chapel located behind a private home. Signs on the lawn invite visitors to sit and enjoy the solitude.

Budget Hotels in Sister Bay

Open Hearth Lodge

2669 S Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay WI 54234

Sweet rooms and suites in rustic lodge style with an indoor swimming pool. A free daily breakfast is served.

Nordic Lodge

2721 Nordic Drive
Sister Bay WI 54234

The lodge offers relaxed rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, a terrace for lounging, and free daily breakfast.

The Inn at Little Sister Hill

2715 Little Sister Hill Road
Sister Bay WI 54234

The inn offers comfortable suites, a seasonal clean outdoor pool, grill, and a location convenient for access to town.

Country House Resort

2468 Sunnyside Road
Sister Bay WI 54234

Resort on the water with comfortable rooms, a heated pool, tennis courts, and a private dock. It’s dog friendly too.

Mid-Range Hotels in Sister Bay

Scandinavian Lodge

10506 WI-57
Sister Bay WI 54234

The lodge offers traditional suite condos with whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, kitchens, free wi-fi, and two pools.

Pheasant Park

2236 Mill Road
Sister Bay WI 54234

Pheasant Park is a resort featuring laid-back suites with indoor and outdoor pools. Free parking and wi-fi are also available.

Rentals in Sister Bay

Sister Bay Vintage Log Cabin

Sister Bay Vintage Log Cabin is a recently remodeled two-bedroom rental that sleeps six. It’s only a ten-minute walk to the beach too. The average nightly rate is $250 per night.

Door County Farm House

Door County Farm House is a four-bedroom rental that sleeps 12. The property is a 14-minute walk to the beach. The average nightly rate is $250 per night.

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Baileys Harbor

Baileys Harbor is quieter and a great nature destination at the end of the peninsula, perfect for adventure. It encompasses 6,000 acres of public lands and offers trails and sandy beaches.

• Cana Island Lighthouse – The most iconic lighthouse in Door County has stood for 150 years on the shore of Lake Michigan.
• The Ridges Sanctuary – This nature preserve, 1,600-acres big, is a National Natural Landmark, Wisconsin State Natural Area, and Important Bird Area.
• Door County Brewing Co. – Offers handcrafted brews, live music, a beer garden, local dishes, and a selection of famous Wisconsin cheeses.
• Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve – Kangaroo Lake is in a basin half a mile from the coast of Lake Michigan. The preserve includes forests and marshlands.

Budget Hotels in Baileys Harbor

The Ridges Inn & Suites

8252 WI-57
Baileys Harbor WI 54202

Simple rooms in a chill resort setting with some having kitchenettes. The property offers free wi-fi.

Mid-Range Hotels in Baileys Harbor

Blacksmith Inn on the Shore

8152 WI-57
Baileys Harbor WI 54202

Comfortable rooms with beautiful lake views, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. This B&B is open year-round and is close to the Ridges Sanctuary.

Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort

8151 Ridges Road
Baileys Harbor WI 54202

Cozy rooms and suites, two pools, grills, a fishing pier, and a marina. Guest rooms have kitchenettes and the property is adjacent to Toft Point State Natural Area.

Rentals in Baileys Harbor

250′ RELAXING WATERFRONT

250′ Relaxing Waterfront Spacious Newly Remodeled Home with 6 Wooded Acres offers three bedrooms and sleeps eight. The average nightly rate is $229.

PineSide Cottage

PineSide Cottage is a one-bedroom rental that sleeps 4. It’s just four miles to the city center and is exceptionally rated. The average nightly rate is $307.

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Ellison Bay

Soak up the village vibe here, with original art galleries and beautiful scenery. You’ll also find handcrafted cocktails and incredible dining. Ellison Bay has everything.

• Newport State Park – A 2,373-acre park at the tip of Door County. It’s Wisconsin’s only wilderness-designated state park and is open year-round.
• Ellison Bluff State Natural Area – Densely wooded with a two-tiered rock terrace with fantastic views. This area is also great for birdwatching.
• Island Orchard Cider – They specialize in Normandy-style cider and offer a menu of tastings and small plates.
• The Clearing Folk School – A folk school founded in 1935 offering classes in art, crafts, humanities, and natural sciences.

Budget Hotels in Ellison Bay

Parkside Inn

11946 WI-42
Ellison Bay WI 54210

The Parkside Inn is close to the beach and offers grills, basic and homey. It’s a two-minute drive to The Clearing, and guest reviews rated it highly for beach access and cleanliness.

Mid-Range Hotels in Ellison Bay

Hillside Inn

11934 WI-42
Ellison Bay WI 54210

The beach is a one-minute walk, and each guest room has air-conditioning and free wi-fi. A restaurant on the property serves delicious German cuisine.

Rentals in Ellison Bay

Charming Garden Cottage Downtown Ellison Bay

Charming Garden Cottage Downtown Ellison Bay is within walking distance to Lake Michigan and shopping. It has three bedrooms and sleeps seven. The average rate is $200 per night.

Ellison Bay Bluff Retreat with Water Views

Ellison Bay Bluff Retreat with Water Views has four bedrooms and sleeps eight. It’s a ten-minute drive to the beach, and the average nightly rate is $300.

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Washington Island

This charming island community welcomes visitors to Door County year-round. It covers 35 square miles of natural beauty. Get there by the Washington Island Ferry Line.

• Schoolhouse Beach – This unusual beach is part of the Niagara Escarpment and offers a protected harbor. It’s the perfect place for a swim and picnics.
• Fair Isle Books & Gifts – Offers books and fair trade worldwide. Their book selection showcases local authors and bestsellers.
• Percy Johnson County Park – The beach offers views of Hog Island and picnic areas with tables and grills.
• Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum – This former fishing village holds refurbished historical buildings and artifacts of the area’s maritime history.

Rentals in Washington Island

Breezy Beach Cottage is a waterfront home with two bedrooms that sleep seven. It’s within walking distance to Gislason public beach. The average nightly rate is $166.

Great Sunrises, 200 ft of Lake Michigan Shoreline rental, has two bedrooms and sleeps six. It sits on an acre and a half. The average nightly rate is $210. Book now for the best deal.

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Ephraim

The gorgeous village of Ephraim was established by Norwegian Moravians in 1853, so it has deep Scandinavian roots.

• Francis Hardy Gallery – Sitting on the shoreline of Eagle Harbor, the Hardy Gallery celebrates the culture of Door County.
• Fine Line Designs Gallery – Located in a remodeled chicken coop from the 1950s, this gallery is now a stylish multi-level studio selling paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and more.
• Lardiere Gallery and Studio – This gallery is owned and managed by award-winning artist Geoffrey Lardiere and offers original paintings and prints.
• Ephraim Historical Foundation – Preserving area history with collections and buildings, including the Anderson Store, Pioneer Schoolhouse, and Anderson Barn.

Budget Hotels in Ephraim

Edgewater Resort

10040 N Water Street
Ephraim WI 54211

Pretty, a sensibly priced resort with comfortable cottages and guest rooms, a sauna, a private shoreline, and a pool.

High Point Inn

10386 N Water Street
Ephraim WI 54211

A nice, all-suite hotel features a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a whirlpool. Guest rooms come with kitchenettes.

Ephraim Motel

10407 WI-42
Ephraim WI 54211

A homey motel with free wi-fi, breakfast, and parking. It also has an outdoor pool and gardens to enjoy.

Mid-Range Hotels in Ephraim

Eagle Harbor Inn

9914 Water Street S
Ephraim WI 54211

Traditional inn with nice rooms, indoor pool, sauna, and gardens. Daily breakfast is served. It’s also conveniently close to golf and the water!

Water Street Inn

9944 Water Street S
Ephraim WI 54211

This inn is an excellent accommodation in a traditional inn. Guests can rent kayaks and bicycles and enjoy the outdoor pool.

Waterbury Inn

10321 WI-42
Ephraim WI 54211

The relaxed hotel offers cozy suites, free wi-fi, a playground, a pool, and a fitness center. Guest rooms have kitchenettes.

Rentals in Ephraim

Harbor House

Harbor House Located in the Heart of Ephraim, has five bedrooms and sleeps 12. It’s only a five-minute walk to the beach.

Ephraim Home – 3 Suites

Door County – Ephraim Home – 3 Suites Nestled in Nature has four bedrooms and sleeps 11. It’s also only a five-minute walk to the beach.

See Related: Best Cabin Rentals on Lake Superior

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