Reader feedback: Door County, Wis.

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Don't miss Wilson's ice cream parlor for some of the best around the Midwest!

The Clearing in Ellison Bay is an extraordinary location on the bluffs overlooking Green Bay where classes and workshops are offered in writing, woodworking, quilting, painting, music, nature study, photography, and crafts.(Norbert Blei, a former Tribune writer, has taught up there for 25 years.) Established by Jens Jensen, Chicago's Father of Prairie Style Landscape Architecture (he designed Columbus and other west side parks), this adult learning venue attracts people who are eager to learn in a warm, congenial atmosphere. Visit the Jens Jensen Visitor Center to view a video of his life, work, and story of The Clearing. Excellent bookstore and gift shop there as well. And on weekend afternoons between May and October, you can hike the trails on the grounds. An underappreciated TREASURE on the peninsula! I am a big fan after 3 classes up there. Their website is www.theclearing.org .

It is a great place to play for a day or a weekend. Love to make a day of just touring the wineries. I think there are 3-4 to choose from. Perfect for a rainy day. My new favorite wine--big mouth red at Simon Creek. If you have the time stay at the Blacksmith Inn--absolutely perfect. In the mood for a good dinner--try Donny's Glidden Lodge--a little hard to find, but worth it. It is also a must to stop at Peninsula State Park. I agree with the Whitefish Dunes as being one of the best. Have Fun!!

Breakfast at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. Named Best Breakfast in Wisconsin!

Take your boat. The boating is great. Good salmon fishing. Great sight seeing around the bluffs and island in Green Bay. Best launch sites are Sister Bay for the Green Bay side and Bailey's Harbor for Lake Michigan. Boating through "Porte des Mortes Passage" also known as "Death's Door Passage" is something to tell your friends about. The namesake for Door County.

I disagree about just a spring,summer, and fall place. Winter is lovely, not crowded, and a peaceful walk in a snowy woods is good for the soul. Followed by a warm fire, glass of wine and a good book. Or a cribbage tournament with friends. Simple gifts.

Fish boil at White Gull Inn is fantastic also.

Grab a deli lunch and some drinks at the General Store in Fish Creek, eat in the park or walk to the end of the road to the east in the little park.

Village Cafe in Egg Harbor great for breakfast.

Bike riding/snomobiling in Penisnsula St. Park a must.

Mission Grille near intersection of 42 and 57 is great for dinner. We've had a meal at the Sister Bay Bowl and it was very good also.

We have stayed at Nordic Lodge a number of times. The Culps are great hosts.

Now with a family of 5, we stay at Bailey Harbor Yacht Club and rent a 'condo' for a 4-6 days. Pricey once summer rates hit, but it is beautiful.

Would not recommend the Wagon Wheel.

The limestone beach at Washington Island is a must--bring the car over and spend a half day, it's worth the extra $20.

The Thorp house, nice bed and breakfast
The Berch Tree and Berch branch stores in Ellison Bay
Winter Festival is wonderful way to enjoy and celebrate winter.

Can a writer please get past the cliches about Door County?

A concert at Camp David's Barn (The Eric Lewis or Chris Irwin shows are highlights!).

Kayaking the Mink River or Cave Point.

Coffee at Leroy's or another of the independent coffee shops.

Eat at: Blue Horse Bistro, T. Ashwell's, Cafe Launch, Whistling Swan, or Fred and Fuzzy's.

Mountain bike in Peninsula State Park.

Check out a local tavern for color or the local music scene.

Steel Bridge Songfest in June (over 100 musicians, including Jackson Browne, Pat MacDonald, Jane Wiedlin and more in 2007).

Hands On Studios between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek. Owner Cy Turnbladh has created a fabulous setting where you can bring the family to make art projects (in all kinds of media) any time of the year. Pastoral country location, and there's always something new to see. Cy hosts adult 'art parties' on Friday nights as well.
Stone's Throw Winery. Great wine, great setting.
Lunch at PC Junction -- where a model train delivers lunch baskets to patrons seated around the counter, and the whistle announces the food's arrival.

Nancy wrote:

I disagree about just a spring,summer, and fall place. Winter is lovely, not crowded, and a peaceful walk in a snowy woods is good for the soul. Followed by a warm fire, glass of wine and a good book. Or a cribbage tournament with friends. Simple gifts.

I agree and apologize for the oversight. In fact, to prove I agree: See the "Winter in Door County" story link on the main page.

Whitefish Dunes is quite overrated. For the true Door County outdoor experience, visit Newport State Park in Ellison Bay. It's unspoiled and less touristy.

Several folks have touched on some very good restaurants. Point I want to make is that for it's size and population, Door County has more really fine-dining establishments than anywhere in the midwest. To mention just two -- the Inn at Kristopher House in Sister Bay. And the Mission Grill, same village. And again in Sister Bay, try the perch at the bowling alley!

I agree with Nancy who spoke of winters in Door County. Try cross-country skiing at Whitefish Bay State Park. Groomed trails through beautiful woods and meadows. And candlelight skiing on the beach is a must.

And let's not forget the annual Peninsula Music Festival -- two weeks in August of very fine entertainment. Same thing goes for the Birch Creek musical programs.

Kaseys in Egg Harbor. Typical Wisconsin supper club but not the typical food. Excellent.

Alpine Golf and Inn. highway G in Egg Harbor. If you are a golfer it is heaven. 4 9 hole courses.

Great airport in Ephraim, with transportation available. Some of the best charter fishing in the mid-west. ( salamon, trout ). Also excellent small mouth bass, which can be caught off of numerous shore spots.

Originally from Green Bay, family has had a place on Clark Lake for twenty years, spent every summer weekend (and plenty of them not during the summer)growing up.

Newport SP is ok, and the Dunes are nice (though Lake Michigan is never warm), but Peninsula SP is far and away the best DC has to offer. Ephraim and Fish Creek were nothing before Peninsula exploded. Here is an interesting article about its formation.
http://www.doorcountyliving.com/index_v5i3.ht...

If it were up to me, I'd let the tourists stay on the bayside, but I have to set the record straight about two things. One, Wilson's is cute, but its ice cream is from a dairy in GB (Hansen's-which I like) and they treat their student workers poorly. For the best home-made ice cream, try the Yum-Yum Tree in Bailey's Harbor. Give them a week and they'll make any flavor you want.

Finally, Mission Grille is nice (good wine list) and Kristophers, the Glidden (on glidden drive south of the dunes) and CC Supper Club are all good, but at the intersection of County trunks A & E (about 1.5 miles east of Fish Creek), the Greenwood is a wonderful supper club. Great bar, excellent service, best prime rib I've ever tasted. And, to the poster who made the back-handed compliment about Wisconsin supper clubs and their food: you're just not going to the right ones. Every Sconnie knows how to judge good supper clubs, just ask, we'll tell you. Hint: it has to do with relish.

It is a very old looking place but thats okay because that means they just keep with the time and everybody still live's like it's the old days and it's really nice!!!!!!!!!!

Main Street Market in Egg Harbor is the best.
The Door County Bakery is great.
Not Licked Yet for frozen custard, especially the butter pecan.
Greenwood Supper Club has the best whitefish.
Broasted Chicken at the Old Stage Station in Egg Harbor is incredible(may have a new name, but it's just north of the Main Street Market).

And don't forget to drive up to Gill's Rock and go to Bea's Homade--best jams and pies on the peninsula!