Discover the Best Dashboard Views in Wisconsin on This Road Trip Through Door County

Our Door County road trip begins in Sturgeon Bay, a world-renowned shipbuilding hub. With a population that hovers around 10,000 residents, Sturgeon Bay is the most populous city on the Door Peninsula, but still maintains an undeniable small-town charm. Start your day with a visit to the Door County Maritime Museum, the Miller Art Museum, and/or the Door County Historical Museum to get an in-depth overview of this charming maritime town. 

Sturgeon Bay isn’t short on outdoor adventure, either, and you’ll find plenty of parks in the area to explore. Potawatomi State Park is one of our favorites, and the waterfront hiking trails are just dazzling.

The drive from Sturgeon Bay to Fish Creek follows the shoreline, and the views along Bay Shore Drive never disappoint! Peninsula State Park is the perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs. The 3,776-acre state park in Door County offers eight miles of Green Bay shoreline and dozens of scenic trails to explore. It’s the third largest state park in Wisconsin, so you could easily fill up your entire day just by exploring this park!
Fish Creek is also a great spot to grab some grub. Bayside Tavern is one of the best restaurants in Fish Creek. Established in the 1970s, this longtime eatery is a superb spot to fuel up on one of the famous pizzas or burgers.

As you drive through all of the charming small towns in Door County, Gills Rock is the last stop on the peninsula before the highway turns back south. Savor the famously windy roads and epic views of Death’s Door! End the day with some of the scenic trails at Newport State Park.

We’re going to keep those views going with a stay in Ellison Bay. This lakehouse offers unparalleled views of the water plus everything you need for a comfortable stay. There is a full kitchen should you want to cook your own meals, but we don’t blame you if you want to experience one of the many incredible restaurants in Ellison Bay. 

Halltastic via iStock / Getty Images Plus

Our day begins with a drive through the Mink River Preserve and over to Rowleys Bay. Tucked away on the northeast side of the peninsula, Rowleys Bay is a fantastic spot for fishing and paddling around the water. 

If you’re feeling the need for speed, check out the zip line at Rowleys Bay. There’s also another zip line in Sturgeon Bay run by the same folks, if that location is easier for you! The latter is the highest zip line in Door County and offers 1,000 feet of high-flying fun.

Natural Beauty overflows in Baileys Harbor, so a lighthouse tour is a must. The three lighthouses in Baileys Harbor to add to your list are the Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse (Bird Cage), Baileys Harbor Range Lights, and Cana Island Lighthouse. The Cana Island Lighthouse is easily one of the most photographed lighthouses in Door County, so get your camera ready!

Charming shops, rocky shoreline cliffs, and sandy beaches await in Jacksonport, one of my favorite little townships in Door County. Just a tad south of Jacksonport, you’ll find Cave Point County Park, another must-see attraction in the area. Known for its wave-worn limestone and dolomite cliffs, underwater caves, and endless views of Lake Michigan, Cave Point County Park is the perfect place to end this scenic road trip through Door County.