10+ Favorite Family-Friendly Fall Things to Do in Door County

One of our favorite Wisconsin Fall traditions with family is a trip to Door County! The vibrant fall colors are spectacular, the drive from Appleton or Green Bay is easy, and it is a length that is tolerable for even little family members. Door County has a ton of fun fall things to do with the kids. We usually pack up for picnic lunches and purchase fun extra treats along the way. Don’t forget water bottles, a picnic blanket, bug spray/sunscreen, good walking shoes, and your camera!

• Insider Tip! Track peak fall colors across Wisconsin with Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report. Peak color is predicted for the third week of October in Door County.

Here are our top thirteen favorite fall things to do in Door County with kids.

1. Go apple picking

• Choice Orchards, 4594 Co Rd HH, Sturgeon Bay, Door County
  • Opening Date: Thursday, September 1, 2022
  • Kids can also enjoy 10-acre Evergreen Maze, Orchard Museum, playground, and picnic area.
• Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market, 9197 WI-42, Fish Creek, Door County
  • Opening Date: Friday, September 23 through early October 2022
  • There’s a playground for kids to run and play.
    

2. Shop at a market or orchard store

Samples, Cider Donuts, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Jams & Jellies

• Wood Orchard Market, 8112 WI-42, Egg Harbor, Door County
  • Kids can enjoy a corn maze, pedal car track, and playground.
• Seaquist Orchards Farm Market, 11482 Hwy 42, Sister Bay, Door County
  • Super fun features for kids: a rope maze, pedal car track, sandbox, corn hole game, and playground.
    

3. Snack on fresh squeaky cheese curds

A convenient location entering or leaving Door County, Renard’s Cheese has lots of snacks for your picnic or ride home.

• Renard’s Cheese, 2189 County Rd DK, Sturgeon Bay, Door County

4. Warm-up with Fall flavored coffee

Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee for your ride or bring some home. Door County Coffee & Tea offers 6 Seasonal Fall Coffee Flavors (Limited Time Only, Available August – October/November) including Pumpkin Spice, Autumn Spice, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Caramel Apple, Door County Maple, and White Chocolate Cinnamon Dolce.

• Door County Coffee & Tea Co., 5773 Hwy 42 Sturgeon Bay, Door County

5. Snuggle with animals at a Door County farm

The Farm is a living museum of rural America. Families will enjoy a trail walk around the farm and lots of animals including goats, sheep, horses, mules, donkeys, kittens, rabbits, poultry, cattle, including Texas Longhorn, Scotch Highland, and Braham. This is an excellent spot for all ages. We’ve taken toddlers and older teens and grandparents and everyone has a great time.

• The Farm, 4285 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay, Door County

• Plum Loco, 4431 Plum Bottom Rd, Egg Harbor, Door County
  • Opening Date: beginning Saturday, September 17, 2022 for fall weekends
  • Animals include ponies, horses, miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, and miniature horses. Buckets of food to feed the animals include grain (for goats and sheep) and carrots (for ponies, horses, donkeys, and miniature horses) and are $2.75 each.
  • Play area with pretend town for imaginative play, miniature farm, picnic area, and games.

6. Visit a lighthouse for spectacular views

• Cana Island Lighthouse Tour, 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, Door County
  • Managed by: Door County Maritime Museum.
  • Admission (includes entrance to the island keeper’s quarters and light tower):
    • Adults: $12, Youth (5-17): $10, Children 4 & under: FREE
  • Open through Monday, October 31, 2022
  • Note: Age and height restrictions for children to safely climb the tower. They must be at least 5 yrs. old and 42 inches tall.

7. Go for a hike

• Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, Door County
  • On the west side of Door County, this park provides breathtaking sunset pictures.
  • Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and Eagle Bluff Panorama are two must stop locations within the park.
• Cave Point County Park, 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay, Door County
  • This county park is located on the east side Door County and features underwater caves, hiking trails & limestone cliffs along scenic Lake Michigan. It also provides beautiful sunrise photos.
  • Admission: FREE
  • Family-Friendly Tips:
    • Keep the little ones nearby, these trails are near high rocky cliffs.
    • Rocks are slippery when wet. 
    • Wear good walking shoes.

8. Get in the festive spirit at a fall festival

Door County is bursting with festivity when it comes to fall! From city festivals to lighthouse tours, you’ll find an event that is a perfect fit for your family’s itinerary.

• Bailey’s Harbor AutumnFest, Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin
  • When: Saturday, September 4, 2022
  • Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities including the Hey Hey 5K Run, a classic car & motorcycle show, live music, arts & crafts, and more!
• Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • When: Friday, September 16 – Saturday, September 17, 2022
  • Come celebrate fall in downtown Sturgeon Bay! This FREE celebration includes a classic car parade on Friday evening, craft fair, food vendors, live music and in-store specials.
• Fall Lighthouse Festival Tour, Door County, Wisconsin
  • When: Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October, 2, 2022
  • Visit all 11 of Door County’s treasured lights houses (and even 3 lighthouses further south!) on this ultimate lighthouse tour! Note: Admission varies wildly, but you can find some cheaper child fares, around $5, at this event.
• Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
  • When: Saturday, October 8 – Sunday, October 9, 2022
  • This is a fun-filled fall family weekend! Enjoy carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, face painting, live music, pumpkin & scarecrow displays, magician, kids games & activities, raffle, and food all for FREE!
• Sister Bay Fall Festival, Sister Bay, Wisconsin
  • When: Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16, 2022
  • This FREE festival includes a HUGE arts & crafts fair, live music, great food, kid games, Fall Fest Parade Saturday at 11 am, and loads of family fun! 
• Jack O’ Lantern Days, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
  • When: Friday, October 28 – Sunday, October 30, 2022
  • A hometown Halloween festival including a festive costume contest, town hall games, town-wide trick-or-treating, a costume parade, mask making and so much more!
• Thrills & Chills, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • When: Saturday, October 29, 2022
  • The spooky and FREE festivities begin with a costume parade at 10 am. You’ll also have a chance to make your own trick-or-treat bags, visit a haunted house, make slime, and trick-or-treat throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay from 10 am -1 pm.

9. Eat ice cream

• Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard, 4054 Main St, Fish Creek, Door County
  • Not Licked Yet is right at the entrance of Peninsula State Park and is a great stop after a hike through the State Park! Make sure to get a bag of popcorn to feed the ducks. And no worries, if your kiddos want some it’s fine too! Outside gas heaters to warm up by in the Fall.
• Door County Creamery, 10653 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, Door County
  • Farm Lunch Tour: Up close and personal 2-hour farm tour experience. Includes transportation, cheese, and gelato tasting, farm tours and lunch. 
  • Goat Milk Gelato handcrafted daily: fall flavors include pumpkin pie, apple pie, and gingerbread cookie.

10. Take pictures (and don’t forget to grab a whole family picture!)

From the southern end of Sturgeon Bay to the Northern end of Washington Island, the fall foliage and scenic views are everywhere you look. If you are adventurous check out the colors by kayak, trolley, or bike!

Fall Drives in Door County, get routes here. Find some great Door County photography tips here.

• Anderson’s Dock, 3083 Anderson Ln, Ephraim, Door County
  • A fun photo opp at this graffiti dock. Bring paint (or a sharpie) and leave your mark. Enjoy a remarkable sunset here as well!
• Kangaroo Lake
  • located in the towns of Baileys Harbor and Jacksonport, Door County
  • Follow County Road E to cross a bridge to the middle of the lake for the best view.
• Skyline Road, Fish Creek
• Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, Door County
• Cave Point County Park, 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay, Door County

11. Grab a Door County made grown-up drink

Many people think of Door County wine and vineyards but don’t overlook these fun fall treats. Perfect for relaxing when the kids are in bed after your fun adventure-filled day!

• Island Orchard Cider, 12040 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, Door County
  • Hard cider created right in Door County for beginners and novice drinkers.
  • If you don’t get to the Cider House, you can also find Island Orchard throughout Door County. Find local spots here.
• Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market, 9197 WI-42, Fish Creek, Door County
  • Spiced Apple Wine – Savor the flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, in this sweet apple wine. Best served warm and garnished with a cinnamon stick.

12. Check out an arts & crafts fair

Fall in Door County means several arts & crafts fairs. Soak in some visual beauty through these visual handicrafts, and you may even find your next favorite piece, too.

• Gills Rock Art Festival, at Gills Rock Coffee, 12625 WI-42, Ellison Bay, Door County
  • When: Saturday, September 3 – Sunday, September 4, 2022 10 am
  • 15 artists displaying their latest works and demonstrating their techniques using various media.
• Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction, Downtown Sturgeon Bay, Door County
  • When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 8 am – 5 pm
  • Admission: FREE
  • A day filled with fun including a classic car show, food booths, craft show, live entertainment, and more!
• Townline Art Fair, 10376 State Road 42, Ephraim, Door County
  • When: Saturday, October 8 – Sunday, October 9, 2022
  • Featuring works from over 80 artists from throughout the Midwest.

13. Go star-gazing

With low population density and therefore, low light pollution, Northern Door County is one of the darkest spots in Wisconsin. This makes for some amazing nighttime sky viewing opportunities. Fall is a perfect time to check out the nighttime sky because you won’t even have to stay up as late as in the summertime, making it even more kid/family friendly.

• Newport State Park, 475 County Rd NP, Ellison Bay
  • One of only two Dark Sky Parks in the Midwest, the beach here at Newport State Park is a perfect spot for star-gazing.
  • They also have a fun Nature Center with kid activities inside the Park’s Main Office.