Door County is a peninsula best explored slowly. The roads curve along the water, cherry orchards and farm fields open up between the villages, and every small town has its own personality. If you love lavender, a drive from Fish Creek to Baileys Harbor is one of the nicest ways to spend a day here. You'll pass the bay side's harbors and bluffs, then cross the peninsula to the quieter Lake Michigan shore, where our lavender fields at Wilder Farms grow.
This guide lays out a relaxed route with lavender stops, scenic detours and a few practical tips. Use it as a loose outline, not a strict schedule. The best Door County days leave room for wandering.
Why This Route Works
Fish Creek and Baileys Harbor sit on opposite sides of the peninsula. Fish Creek faces Green Bay, with calm water, sunsets and a busy little downtown. Baileys Harbor faces Lake Michigan, with a wilder shoreline, cooler breezes and a slower pace.
Driving between them shows you both sides of Door County in a single day. Heading north from Fish Creek on Highway 42 takes you past Peninsula State Park and into Ephraim, home of our shop, Island Lavender by Wilder. From there, you can cut across the peninsula toward Baileys Harbor and Highway 57, where Wilder Farms is located.
It's a short drive overall, so the day is really about the stops.
Start in Fish Creek
Fish Creek is a natural starting point. Park once and walk the main street, where shops, galleries and cafes sit close together. Grab a coffee and a pastry, then wander toward the water before the day gets busy.
A few ideas for your Fish Creek morning:
- Walk the waterfront. The harbor is calm and lovely early in the day, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet.
- Browse the shops. Fish Creek has plenty of small boutiques, and it's a nice place to find gifts before you reach the lavender part of your trip.
- Fuel up. You'll want snacks and water in the car, especially if you plan to hike or bike later.
If you're visiting in summer, arrive early. Parking fills quickly on warm weekends.
Detour Through Peninsula State Park
Just north of Fish Creek, Peninsula State Park is one of the peninsula's great treasures. It has bluffs, forest trails, shoreline views and quiet spots for a picnic. Even a short drive or walk through the park adds a lot to the day.
You don't need to see everything. Pick one trail or overlook, take your time and enjoy the view across the bay. If you're traveling with lavender lovers, this is a nice moment to notice the wild plants growing along the trail edges. Door County's native landscape is full of fragrant, hardy plants, and it helps explain why lavender does well here: well-drained soil, plenty of sun and cool lake breezes.
A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter, so plan for that before you go.
Stop in Ephraim: Island Lavender by Wilder
After the park, continue north on Highway 42 into Ephraim. This white-clapboard village on Eagle Harbor is one of the most photographed places in Door County, and it's home to Island Lavender by Wilder.
Our shop carries more than 160 lavender products, many of them made from plants grown at Wilder Farms. It's a good place to slow down, smell everything and pick up a few things for home. A few things to look for:
- Dried lavender bundles. Our large dried lavender bundle brings a little of the field into your kitchen, entryway or car for the drive home.
- Soap and body care. The lavender goat milk soap is an easy, useful souvenir that travels well.
- Gifts. If you're shopping for someone back home, browse our seasonal gifts for ideas.
- Aromatherapy. Essential oils, sprays and relaxation products are gathered in our aromatherapy collection.
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 the shoulder season.
While you're in Ephraim, take a walk along the Eagle Harbor waterfront. If you're staying overnight, The Wilder Inn is an adults-only inn on Eagle Harbor, within walking distance of restaurants and beaches.
Cross the Peninsula to Baileys Harbor
From Ephraim, head east across the peninsula toward Baileys Harbor. The landscape changes as you go. The bay-side bluffs give way to farmland, woods and open sky, and the air often feels cooler as you get closer to Lake Michigan.
This is the quieter side of Door County, and it's worth slowing down. Roll down the windows, watch for farm stands and enjoy the open fields.
Wilder Farms on Highway 57
Wilder Farms is at 9668 State Highway 57 in Baileys Harbor. It's where we grow more than 20,000 lavender 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 variety with deep blue color
- Hidcote, a sweet English lavender we use for culinary products
- Melissa, a pale pink lavender that stands out in the rows
- Royal Velvet, which dries to a rich, dark purple
Lavender usually reaches peak bloom in July, which is the most dramatic time to see the fields. Before you plan a visit, check wilderdoorcounty.com for current visiting information. Visiting details at the farm can change season to season, and the website is the best place for the latest updates.
Explore Baileys Harbor
Baileys Harbor is a nice place to end the day. It's smaller and quieter than the bay-side villages, with a sandy shoreline and a more laid-back feel.
A few ideas for your Baileys Harbor afternoon:
- Visit The Ridges Sanctuary. This nature preserve is known for its ridges and swales, boreal forest and rare wildflowers. It's a peaceful place for a walk.
- See Cana Island Lighthouse. Just north of Baileys Harbor, this historic lighthouse is one of the peninsula's best-known landmarks.
- Walk the beach. Lake Michigan's shoreline has a different feel from the bay side: wider views, bigger waves and fewer crowds.
Finish with dinner in town or a picnic by the water, and enjoy a Lake Michigan evening before heading back to your lodging.
Tips for a Lavender Road Trip
A few practical notes to make the day easier:
- Go in summer for blooms. If seeing lavender in the field is your goal, plan your trip around July. In other seasons, our Ephraim shop is still the best place to experience Door County lavender.
- Bring a cooler bag. Candles, lotions and soaps prefer not to sit in a hot car. Shop toward the end of your outing, or bring a cool bag for purchases.
- Leave room for detours. Farm stands, galleries and scenic pullouts are half the fun of a Door County drive.
- Check hours ahead of time. Many Door County businesses change their hours with the seasons, especially in spring and fall.
- Pack layers. It can be noticeably cooler on the Lake Michigan side, even on summer days.
Make It Your Own
There's no wrong way to do this drive. Some visitors spend the whole day hiking and shopping. Others make a quick loop to the shop and the farm. You might do it in reverse, starting with a quiet morning in Baileys Harbor and ending with a sunset in Fish Creek.
However you plan it, a lavender road trip is a lovely way to see how Door County's two shorelines, its small villages and its farm fields fit together. We hope you'll stop in Ephraim, say hello and take a little of the peninsula home with you.
