A trip to Washington Island is one of the great Door County adventures. You drive to the very tip of the peninsula, board the ferry at Northport and cross the passage known as Death's Door to an island with its own slower rhythm. It's a day of open water, quiet roads, beaches and island views.
If you're heading to the island, the drive north on Highway 42 takes you right through Ephraim, home of our shop, Island Lavender by Wilder. It's an easy, pleasant place to stop on your way up the peninsula, and a good chance to pick up lavender gifts, picnic treats and a few comforts for the day ahead. Here's how to fit a lavender stop into your Washington Island trip.
Getting to Washington Island
Washington Island sits just off the northern tip of the Door County peninsula. To get there, most visitors drive north on Highway 42 through the bay-side villages to Northport, where ferries cross to the island.
Along the way, you'll pass through Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay and Ellison Bay. Each village has its own character, and the drive itself is part of the experience: orchards, woods, harbors and long views over Green Bay.
Ferry schedules change by season, so check the current timetable before you go. In summer, plan to arrive at the dock with time to spare, especially on weekends.
Why Stop in Ephraim on the Way
Ephraim is a natural pause on the drive north. The white-clapboard village sits along Eagle Harbor, and it's one of the prettiest stops on Highway 42.
Stopping here on the way to the island has a few advantages:
- It breaks up the drive. A short stop to stretch your legs and walk along the water makes the journey north more relaxed.
- You can shop before your island day. Picking up gifts on the way means you won't have to fit shopping into a day planned around ferry times.
- You'll have your purchases for the trip home. Dried lavender and other souvenirs are easy to tuck into the car before you board.
If you're heading out early to catch a morning ferry, you can always stop on the way back instead. Our shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 to 5, and hours can change with the seasons, so call ahead at 920-737-1531 if you're visiting outside of summer.
What to Pick Up at Island Lavender by Wilder
Our shop carries more than 160 lavender products, many made from plants grown at Wilder Farms in Baileys Harbor. For island travelers, a few things are especially handy.
For your island picnic
- Culinary lavender. If you're packing a picnic, our culinary lavender buds are lovely in lemonade, shortbread or a simple syrup. Make a batch the night before and bring it along.
- Something sweet. Lavender treats are a nice addition to a picnic on the beach or by the harbor.
For the ferry ride and beyond
- Aromatherapy. A lavender roll-on or spray from our aromatherapy collection is easy to carry in a day bag. Many people like the scent of lavender when they want to feel calm.
To bring home
- Dried lavender. A large dried lavender bundle holds its fragrance for months and travels well. It's a beautiful reminder of a Door County summer.
- Gifts. If you're shopping for friends and family, our shop has plenty of options, from body care to home goods.
Packing Your Lavender for the Trip
A little planning keeps your purchases in good shape. Dried lavender is sturdy, but it sheds a few buds as it travels, so wrap bundles loosely in paper or lay them flat in a box. Keep candles and body care products out of direct sun, since a parked car can get very warm on a summer afternoon while you're on the island. If you plan to be away from the car all day, a small cooler bag is a good place to tuck heat-sensitive items until you're back on the mainland.
Our Lavender, Grown in Door County
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 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 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.
Planning Your Island Day
Washington Island rewards a slow pace. A few tips to help you plan:
- Check the ferry schedule. Departure times vary by season. Give yourself plenty of time to reach Northport.
- Decide whether to bring your car. Some visitors take a car across, while others prefer to bike or join a tour on the island. Think about what kind of day you want before you go.
- Pack layers. The ferry crossing can be breezy and cool, even on a warm summer day.
- Bring water and snacks. Having supplies with you makes the day easier, especially if you plan to explore beaches and back roads.
- Watch the time. Keep an eye on the last ferry back to the mainland so you don't have to rush at the end of the day.
Many island businesses keep seasonal hours, so it's a good idea to check ahead if there's somewhere specific you want to visit.
A Simple Itinerary
Here's one easy way to plan a Washington Island day with a lavender stop:
- Morning: Drive north on Highway 42 and stop in Ephraim for coffee and a walk along Eagle Harbor.
- Mid-morning: Visit Island Lavender by Wilder for picnic treats and gifts.
- Late morning: Continue north through Sister Bay and Ellison Bay to Northport.
- Midday: Take the ferry across Death's Door to Washington Island.
- Afternoon: Explore the island at your own pace, with a picnic lunch along the way.
- Evening: Ferry back to the mainland and drive south, with a sunset over Green Bay.
If you're starting with an early ferry, you can flip the plan and stop in Ephraim on the way home instead.
Make It a Longer Stay
Northern Door County is best enjoyed over a few days. If you'd like to stay nearby, The Wilder Inn is an adults-only inn on Eagle Harbor in Ephraim, within walking distance of restaurants and beaches. Staying in Ephraim puts you along the route north, a convenient base for an island day.
Visiting in the Off-Season
Washington Island trips are most popular in summer, but the shoulder seasons have their own appeal. Fall brings colorful leaves along Highway 42 and quieter roads. Ferry service and island businesses often run on reduced schedules outside of summer, so plan carefully and check ahead.
Lavender in our shop isn't tied to bloom season, so a stop in Ephraim is worthwhile any time of year.
Start Your Island Adventure with Lavender
A Washington Island day is one of the most memorable ways to experience Door County. Stopping in Ephraim on the way adds a calm, fragrant start to the trip and gives you a few lavender treasures to enjoy on the island and bring home. We hope you'll stop in and say hello on your way north.
