For many visitors, Sturgeon Bay is the first real taste of Door County. It's the peninsula's largest city and its gateway, where the ship canal links Green Bay and Lake Michigan and where the views start to open up. There's plenty to do there: maritime history, waterfront walks, shops and restaurants, and a state park just outside town.
But if you're staying in Sturgeon Bay and wondering whether to head farther up the peninsula, our answer is yes. The drive north reveals a different side of Door County: small villages, orchards and farm fields, quiet harbors and, in summer, rows of lavender in bloom. Here's why it's worth the trip, and how to make the most of it.
Start with What Sturgeon Bay Does Best
Before you head north, enjoy Sturgeon Bay itself. It's a working waterfront town with a long shipbuilding history, and that character is part of its charm.
A few ways to spend time there:
- Learn the maritime story. The Door County Maritime Museum tells the story of the peninsula's shipbuilding, lighthouses and life on the water.
- Walk the waterfront. Sturgeon Bay's bridges and harbor views are lovely on a clear morning.
- Visit Potawatomi State Park. Just outside town, the park offers wooded trails and views over the bay. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter.
Sturgeon Bay is also a practical base, with plenty of places to stay, eat and stock up before a day of exploring.
Two Roads, Two Shorelines
North of Sturgeon Bay, the peninsula splits into two main routes. Highway 42 follows the Green Bay side through Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay. Highway 57 follows the Lake Michigan side through Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor.
That split is one of the best things about a drive north. You can go up one side and come back down the other, seeing both shorelines in a single day. The bay side is known for calm water, bluffs and sunsets. The lake side feels wilder, with sandy beaches, cooler breezes and fewer crowds.
Our lavender lives on both sides of that map. Our shop, Island Lavender by Wilder, is in Ephraim on Highway 42. Our fields at Wilder Farms are on Highway 57 in Baileys Harbor.
What Changes as You Head North
Once you leave Sturgeon Bay, the pace slows. Towns get smaller, the roads get quieter and the landscape opens into orchards, farm fields, cedar woods and stone fences.
This is the Door County many people picture: white-steepled churches, roadside farm stands, little harbors full of sailboats and long views across the water. It's also where many of the peninsula's farms grow the crops Door County is known for, including cherries, apples and, more recently, lavender.
The northern villages each have their own personality, so even a short drive offers a lot of variety.
The drive itself is part of the experience. Roll the windows down, stop at a scenic pullout or two, and take your time. Some of the best Door County memories come from unplanned stops: a quiet beach, a farm stand with fresh fruit, or a small shop they happened to pass on the way.
Why Lavender Grows So Well Here
Door County's climate and soil suit lavender well. The peninsula's well-drained ground, long summer days and cooling lake breezes give the plants what they need to thrive.
At Wilder Farms, 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 flowers
- 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. If you'd like to see the fields, check wilderdoorcounty.com for current visiting information before you go.
Stop at Island Lavender by Wilder in Ephraim
If you take Highway 42 north, plan a stop in Ephraim, the white-clapboard village on Eagle Harbor. Our shop, Island Lavender by Wilder, carries more than 160 lavender products, many made from plants grown at Wilder Farms.
It's a relaxed place to smell, browse and pick up a few things to take home. A few ideas:
- Dried lavender. A large dried lavender bundle keeps its fragrance for months and brings a little Door County into your home.
- Skin care. Our lavender luxury facial serum is a simple way to add lavender to your daily routine.
- Relaxation. Browse our rest and relax collection for products designed for slowing down at the end of the day.
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, fall or winter.
While you're in Ephraim, take a walk along the Eagle Harbor waterfront. If you'd like to stay overnight farther north, The Wilder Inn is an adults-only inn on Eagle Harbor, within walking distance of restaurants and beaches.
A Simple Loop from Sturgeon Bay
Here's one easy way to plan a day trip north from Sturgeon Bay:
- Morning: Leave Sturgeon Bay and head north on Highway 42 along the bay side.
- Late morning: Stop in Egg Harbor or Fish Creek for coffee and a walk.
- Midday: Drive through Peninsula State Park between Fish Creek and Ephraim.
- Afternoon: Visit Island Lavender by Wilder in Ephraim and explore the village.
- Late afternoon: Cross the peninsula toward Baileys Harbor and the Lake Michigan shore.
- Evening: Head back south on Highway 57 through Jacksonport to Sturgeon Bay.
You can also do the loop in reverse, starting with the quieter lake side in the morning and finishing with a sunset over Green Bay.
Tips for the Drive North
A few practical notes for Sturgeon Bay visitors:
- Give yourself a full day. The distances aren't long, but the stops add up, and the best part of Door County is not rushing.
- Check seasonal hours. Many businesses farther up the peninsula change their hours or close for part of the year, especially in late fall and winter.
- Bring layers. It can feel noticeably cooler on the Lake Michigan side, even in summer.
- Watch for farm stands. Seasonal stands along the highways are a great way to taste local produce.
- Protect your purchases. Candles and body care products don't like hot cars. Shop later in the day, or bring a cool bag.
Visiting Outside of Summer
A drive north is worth it in every season. Fall brings colorful leaves and quieter roads, and the views across the water are especially crisp. Winter is peaceful, with snowy fields and harbors, though many seasonal businesses close or shorten their hours. Spring brings blossoming orchards and a fresh start for the fields.
Lavender in the shop isn't tied to bloom season, so a stop in Ephraim is worthwhile any time of year.
Worth the Drive
Sturgeon Bay is a great introduction to Door County, but it's only the beginning. Heading north shows you the peninsula's villages, farms and two very different shorelines, all within an easy day. Along the way, you'll find a little lavender, too. We hope you'll make the drive, stop in Ephraim and say hello.
