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Woman in a historical costume holding a basket.

Historical Trips

Stories, Traditions, & Customs of Yesteryear, Experienced Today

History is all around us in Door County, from the lighthouses, shipwrecks, and still-thriving maritime industry to the architecture, cuisine, placenames, spiritual sites, and other cultural attractions. Much has changed since this land was first inhabited by Paleo-Indians and Native Americans and later Scandinavian, Belgian, and Icelandic settlers, but their stories, traditions, and cultural practices are still found and celebrated throughout Door County today.

Check Out the Annual Guide for Vacation Inspiration

Travel to the Past

People sitting around a large fire at a fish boil.

Traditional Fish Boils

Fish boils are an integral part of Door County, WI tradition and have been one of the area’s most alluring tourist attractions for more than 70 years.
View Fish Boils
A woman walking up a path to a lighthouse.

Historical Museums

Door County history lives on in literature, art, cuisine, architecture, and cultural traditions, but it also persists at local museums and historical centers throughout the county.
View Museums
A small white stone chapel.

Belgian Chapels

Visit one of Door County, WI's famous roadside chapels. The chapels of Northeast Wisconsin represent an old-world religious tradition that dates to the 1870s.
View Chapels
A motor boat pulling up to a cliff line.

Scenic Tours

Learn more about Door County attractions, regional history, and gorgeous landscapes by taking a scenic tour through forests, through cherry orchards, or along shorelines.
View Tours
A lighthouse in the distance with a sailboat in the foreground.

Lighthouses

Explore the 11 famous Wisconsin lighthouses in Door County, WI. Find great photo opportunities, take guided tours, and get a taste of local maritime history.
View Lighthouses

Shipwrecks & Shipwreck Diving

Door County is a treasure trove of Great Lakes shipwrecks and shipwreck diving. More than 275 wrecks remain at the bottom of the lake, and dozens can be explored by boat, kayak, or wreck diving.
View Shipwrecks

Here's Where to Eat, Drink, & Stay

Events You May Like

People watching a large bonfire.
May

Fyr Bal Festival

Historical marker in front of flags.
July

Brussels Annual Belgian Days

Tall sailing ship in front of a steel bridge.
September

Shipyard Tours

Point of view from shallow water offshore looking in on a lighthouse on an island.
October

Door County Lighthouse Festival

View the full calendar

Discover Our Living History

Virtual Experiences & Tours
Person taking a pizza out of the oven
Door County Recipe Book
A woman walking toward a building and lighthouse.
Our History
Wooden church surrounded by trees.
Houses of Worship
The Stavkirke: Hidden Treasure in the Woods
Native Americans in Door County
A couple sampling a glass of alcohol at a distillery.
36 Hours of Local Beer, Wine, & Spirits
A woman immersed in nature and sunlight near a wooden building.
Itinerary: 3-Day Spiritual Journey
Woman in a historical costume holding a basket.
Itinerary: History & Local Culture Tour
Wooden building in the distance surrounded by trees.
Architecture & Landmarks
A small white stone chapel.
Belgian Chapels
A closeup of cherries on a tree.
Door County Cherries
A woman walking up a path to a lighthouse.
Historical Museums
A lighthouse in the distance with a sailboat in the foreground.
Lighthouses
A dirt road running through the trees from the air.
Native American Historical Sites
Rows of blossoming trees.
Orchards & Farms
Shipwrecks & Shipwreck Diving
A tree-lined road.
Door County Coastal Byway
A slice of cherry pie.
The Foods that Define Us
The Early Days of Tourism in Door County
4 Amazing Women from Door County History
How Door County Got Its Name
Top Historic Places to See
The Tall Ship Festival

Experience Local History & Culture

@doorcounty
#doorcounty

Small white stone chapel.
Bridge of a ship.
People sitting around a bonfire.
Wisconsin State Parks sign in front of trees.
Couple in front of a bonfire at the lake.
People walking in front of a wooden building surrounded by trees.
Old white building.
Woman holding out two plates of food with a couple at a buffet in the background.
Couple looking at an Ice Age Trailhead sign.
A road lined with shops.
Historical plaque.
Red barn with grape vines in front of it.
Large old house surrounded by trees.
Stone boathouse on the edge of Rock Island.
Woman taking a picture of two women standing in front of a lighthouse.
A red trolly parked in front of an area overlooking the lake.
Tall sailing ship in front of a steel bridge.
Little boy bent down playing with a baby goat at a petting zoo.

Quiz: Find Your Travel Style

Scroll through this series of images and check the ones that depict the activities and experiences you’re interested in. Then, we’ll help identify your top trip styles and provide you with the activities, businesses, and attractions you’ll like the most.
Skip Ahead to View All Trip Styles
Aerial view shot of a boat floating over a shipwreck.

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