Embracing the Summer Solstice in Door County
Published
As the longest day of the year approaches, Door County awakens with a vibrant energy, offering an array of captivating experiences to celebrate the summer solstice. From sun-kissed shores to lush forests and charming coastal villages, this idyllic destination is a haven where you can bask in the warmth of the sun's embrace and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of seasonal delights. To help you plan, we’ve put together some of the very best things to do so you can make the most out of summertime in Door County.
Bask in the Summertime Fun
During the summer, there are lots of ways to explore Door County. One of our favorite ways is onboard a Door County Trolley. These iconic red trolleys are bound for different destinations across the peninsula, depending on which tour you choose. From narrated scenic and lighthouse tours, family-friendly tours, and evening tours where narrators will share ghost stories and local murder lore or take you to haunted pubs and more, there’s something for everyone. If you prefer to be the captain of your own personal vehicle, join a Segway the Door Tour. Each June, these tours begin anew, where you can be whisked around Door County’s parks and towns with a knowledgeable guide.
It’s hard to resist some friendly competition on a miniature golf course. Evergreen Miniature Golf in Fish Creek offers challenging shots surrounded by majestic pines with beautiful gardens and water features. When the sun goes down, you can still play here during Glow Ball Minigolf, a cosmic mini-golf adventure under the stars. If you’d rather relax outdoors, don’t miss the chance to catch a flick at the Skyway Drive-In Theatre. Locals and visitors alike have been watching drive-in movies here since 1950!
Soak Up Some Sun on the Water
With its nearly 300 miles of shoreline, Door County is surrounded by water and has ample ways to play in it. There’s nothing more synonymous with summer than spending the day on the water in a boat. Jump a Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tour or a Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tour aboard to enjoy narrated tours of some of our most treasured sights, including Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Peninsula State Park, Death's Door, and more, as well as the many islands, bluffs and beaches.
If you prefer to set sail in Door County, there’s nothing quite like experiencing fiery sunsets from the water aboard a majestic sailboat on a long summer day. Sail Door County offers daily sunset tours from two ships: the Edith Becker, the only 65-foot tall ship in Door County, and Passage North, a 40' classic sloop for groups of six or fewer. Bella Sailing Cruises offers a daily sunset tour on Scuppers, a vintage, one-of-a-kind sailboat. Should you choose to kayak, Door County Adventure Center has the best seat in the house to watch the sunset when you paddle your own kayak on a tour to some of Door County’s most popular destinations, including Whitefish Dunes State Park, Egg Harbor, and Rowleys Bay.
Attend a Summertime Event in Door County
As the sun warms the shores of Lake Michigan, our historic villages come alive with fun events you won’t want to miss. From June 7-9, the Spring Door County Lighthouse Festival raises funds for the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society by offering air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours to explore all 11 of Door County’s treasured lighthouses and three of our neighbors to the south. Celebrate the transition of spring to summer at the Fyr Bal Festival in Ephraim on June 15. This popular annual Scandinavian tradition includes music, dancing, and crafts, plus a bonfire and fireworks display. Mondays from June 17 to August 26, check out Evenings in Ephraim: Bondemarked (Norwegian for “farmers market”) and shop local vendors and artisans wares from 3:30 to 6:30 before heading to the Harborside Park gazebo from 6 to 8 for a weekly concert!
Summer Nights of Cultural Delights
Embrace the magic of summer as open-air entertainment takes center stage beneath a canopy of twinkling stars. The season comes alive with stirring live theater performances at iconic venues like Door Shakespeare in Baileys Harbor, Northern Sky Theater in Peninsula State Park, and Peninsula Players in Fish Creek. As dusk descends, film buffs can indulge in free screenings of nostalgic cinematic classics when Movies in the Park begins at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay and at the Sister Bay Concerts & Movies in the Park hosted at the Sister Bay Performance Pavilion in Sister Bay. From the timelessness of Shakespearean drama to the captivating allure of silver screen gems, Door County's summer nights offer enchanting experiences that linger in the heart long after the curtains close.
The Sounds of Summer
Step into the rhythm of summer as melodies fill the night sky in communities across Door County. Fish Creek is home to the Fishstock Concert Music Series, the most authentic concert series held in a 100-year-old dairy barn with indoor and outdoor seating available. For free shows, check out the annual Concerts in the Park. This cherished tradition beckons families and music enthusiasts alike to gather beneath the open sky and revel in the sounds of talented bands spanning diverse genres. From folk to jazz, rock to classical, there is something for every musical palate, ensuring an enchanting evening any night of the week.
Ephraim
Mondays, 6 p.m.
Fish Creek
Tuesdays, 4 p.m.
Sister Bay
Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Sturgeon Bay
Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Egg Harbor
Thursdays, 5 p.m.
Baileys Harbor
Fridays, 6 p.m.
Into the Night Skies
With its International Dark Sky designation, Newport State Park is one of the best places to gaze at the pristine skies and into the depths of the cosmos. This wilderness sanctuary offers a gateway to celestial wonders, from the Milky Way to the Northern Lights. Venture to secluded campsite 16 atop a sand dune on the beach for some of the most incredible night-sky views in all of Wisconsin.
Newport is just the beginning of your stargazing journey in Door County. Crossroads at Big Creek beckons with its Astronomy Campus, Leif Everson Observatory, and the tranquil StarGarden. For the intrepid souls seeking communion with the cosmos, Rock Island State Park’s remote shores promise solitude, silence, and an unparalleled view of the heavens. You can also spend an entire weekend under the stars camping in Door County. Whether you're marveling at a meteor shower or simply basking in the glow of a full moonrise, these skies are a canvas of boundless wonder waiting to be explored.
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