Egg Harbor is one of those Door County villages that makes you want to slow down. It sits on the Green Bay side of the peninsula along Highway 42, with a pretty harbor, a walkable main street and plenty of places to stop for coffee, lunch or an afternoon on the water. It's an easy place to spend a day, and it's also a great jumping-off point for the rest of northern Door County.
If you love lavender, Egg Harbor fits nicely into a longer day that takes in the bay-side villages and our lavender shop in Ephraim. Here's how we'd plan an Egg Harbor day trip with a little lavender woven in.
Why Egg Harbor Makes a Great Base
Egg Harbor is centrally located on the bay side, between Sturgeon Bay to the south and Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay to the north. That makes it a convenient place to start or finish a day of exploring.
The village itself is compact. You can park once, walk the main street, visit the waterfront and still have time for a drive north. It's also a little calmer than some of the busier villages in peak season, which makes it a nice place to begin a morning.
Whether you're staying in Egg Harbor or just passing through, it's worth giving the village a few unhurried hours.
Morning: Coffee and a Walk in the Village
Start your day with coffee and a pastry in Egg Harbor, then take a walk. The village is set on a hill above the harbor, so you'll catch views of the water as you wander.
A few ideas for your morning:
- Stroll the main street. Egg Harbor has galleries, boutiques and small shops that are fun to browse before the day warms up.
- Head down to the water. The harbor is quiet in the morning, and it's a peaceful place to watch boats and enjoy the bay.
- Pick up picnic supplies. If you plan to spend part of the afternoon outdoors, grab food and drinks before you leave town.
In summer, early mornings are the best time to explore. The light is soft, the air is cool and parking is easier.
Late Morning: Enjoy the Bay
Egg Harbor is a bay-side village, so spend some time near the water. Depending on the season and your mood, you could:
- Find a spot on the shoreline and enjoy the view.
- Rent a kayak or paddleboard if conditions are calm.
- Take a short bike ride along the quieter roads near town.
Door County's bay side is known for sheltered water and long summer sunsets. Even in the shoulder seasons, the views across Green Bay are beautiful.
Midday: Drive North on Highway 42
After lunch, head north on Highway 42 toward Fish Creek and Ephraim. It's one of the prettiest drives in Door County, with orchards, woods and glimpses of the bay along the way.
If you have time, stop in Fish Creek to walk the waterfront, or drive through Peninsula State Park between Fish Creek and Ephraim. The park has bluffs, trails and overlooks, and even a short stop adds a lot to the day. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter.
Afternoon: Island Lavender by Wilder in Ephraim
Continue north into Ephraim, the white-clapboard village on Eagle Harbor, and stop at Island Lavender by Wilder. Our shop carries more than 160 lavender products, many made from plants grown at Wilder Farms in Baileys Harbor.
It's a relaxed place to spend half an hour smelling, browsing and picking up something for home. A few things visitors on a day trip often take with them:
- Culinary lavender. Our culinary lavender buds are perfect for baking, lemonade and simple syrups, so you can bring Door County flavors into your own kitchen.
- Lavender extract. A few drops of lavender extract in whipped cream, cookies or a summer drink is an easy way to start cooking with lavender.
- Candles. Our lavender candles make a lovely souvenir or gift and bring the scent of the shop home with you.
The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 to 5. Hours can change with the seasons, so call ahead at 920-737-1531 if you're visiting in spring or fall.
After shopping, take a walk along the Eagle Harbor waterfront. Ephraim is a lovely village to explore on foot, and the harbor views are some of the best on the peninsula.
About Our Lavender
The lavender in our shop starts at Wilder Farms on State Highway 57 in Baileys Harbor, where we grow more than 20,000 plants without chemicals or pesticides. Our fields include several varieties, each with its own character:
- Phenomenal, a hardy lavandin with tall, fragrant stems
- Super Blue, a compact plant with deep blue flowers
- Hidcote, a sweet English lavender we use for culinary products
- Melissa, a pale pink lavender that stands out in the field
- Royal Velvet, which dries to a rich, dark purple
Lavender usually reaches peak bloom in July. If you'd like to see the fields, check wilderdoorcounty.com for current visiting information before you go.
Evening: Sunset on the Bay Side
One of the best parts of spending a day on Door County's bay side is the sunset. As the day winds down, find a spot facing west over the water. Ephraim, Fish Creek and Egg Harbor all have places to watch the sun go down over Green Bay.
If you're heading back to Egg Harbor for the evening, enjoy dinner in the village and a final walk before calling it a day. If you'd like to stay farther north, The Wilder Inn is an adults-only inn on Eagle Harbor in Ephraim, within walking distance of restaurants and beaches.
Visiting in the Off-Season
An Egg Harbor day trip isn't only a summer idea. Fall brings colorful leaves and quieter roads, and the bay views are just as beautiful on a crisp, clear day. In late fall and winter, many seasonal businesses close or shorten their hours, so plan ahead and call before you make a special trip. Lavender in the shop doesn't depend on bloom season, which makes it a nice stop any time of year. A bundle of dried lavender or a candle is a lovely way to bring a little summer home in the colder months.
Tips for Your Egg Harbor Day Trip
A few practical notes to make the day easier:
- Start early in summer. Parking and popular spots fill quickly on warm weekends.
- Bring layers. Even summer evenings by the water can get cool.
- Plan for heat-sensitive purchases. Candles and body care products prefer not to sit in a hot car. Shop later in the day, or bring a cool bag.
- Check seasonal hours. Many Door County businesses change their hours in spring and fall.
- Don't overschedule. The best Door County days leave time for wandering, scenic stops and a long lunch.
A Simple Lavender Itinerary
If you'd like an easy outline, here's one way to put the day together:
- Morning: coffee and a village walk in Egg Harbor
- Late morning: time by the bay
- Midday: lunch, then the drive north on Highway 42
- Afternoon: Peninsula State Park and Island Lavender by Wilder in Ephraim
- Evening: sunset over Green Bay and dinner
Whether you're visiting Door County for a weekend or spending a whole week on the peninsula, an Egg Harbor day trip is a lovely way to see the bay side. Adding a lavender stop brings a little of our farm's story into your day, and lets you take some of it home. We hope you'll stop in and say hello.
