Sturgeon Bay, WI

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is your door to Door County. While an authentic working city, it still offers plenty of lodging, dining, and attractions for tourists. Any trip to Door County calls for time spent in Sturgeon Bay.

Collage with a picture of the Door County Maritime Museum, the steel bridge, and a sailboat with the text super-imposed: Sturgeon Bay, WI

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps us provide content to help you plan life-changing travel experiences. Thanks!

Sturgeon Bay Lodging

Start Here

Best Hotels in Sturgeon Bay

montage of hotels and steel bridge with the words Sturgeon Bay Hotels HelloDoorCounty.com

These best hotels in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin will serve as a great home base for your Door County vacation . . .

Find Lodging

Great deals on sturgeon bay hotels

Search for Sturgeon Bay Lodging

HelloDoorCounty.com has teamed up with some of the best Sturgeon Bay hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts to help you find the best Sturgeon Bay lodging at the best price. Search for the best lodging in Sturgeon Bay for you:

Posts about Sturgeon Bay Lodging

campsite in Door County at night

Camping in Door County

Your Door County camping experience will be unforgettable with the right information. Here’s your ultimate guide to Door County camping.
Read More

Posts About Dining in Sturgeon Bay

Check out our posts to learn more about Sturgeon Bay’s best restaurants, breweries, supper clubs, bars, and food trucks.

black cauldron over a wood fire at a Door County fish boil

Door County Fish Boils

This article will tell you everything you need to know about Door County fish boil, an authentic Great Lakes tradition with a flair.
Read More

Posts About Sturgeon Bay Attractions

Check out our posts on things to do in Sturgeon Bay to learn more about Sturgeon Bay attractions, museums, sights, parks, and more.

Grid of images consisting of the interior of a luxury van, a catamaran boat, and a kayaker. Superimposed text says: Tours.

Door County Tours

Discover the best of Door County with local tours! Explore scenic views, quaint towns, and create unforgettable memories.
Read More
Collage of beach scenes with the superimposed text: Portage Park Beach

Portage Park Beach

Discover Portage Park Beach in Door County, WI – a hidden gem with a small sand beach, free admission, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan.
Read More
Grid of images including an American flag, a bonfire on Lake Michigan, and a fair midway. Superimposed text says: Events.

Door County Events

Explore the best events in Door County! From art fairs to food festivals, find your perfect outing in our latest blog post.
Read More
Grid of images depicting an American flag, and fireworks over the water in Door County. Superimposed text says: 4th of July.

4th of July in Door County

Celebrate 4th of July in Door County with parades, fireworks, and family fun. Discover why it’s the best place for Independence Day festivities!
Read More
Scene of Otumba Park and Beach in Sturgeon Bay, WI with the superimposed text: Otumba Park & Beach.

Otumba Park and Beach

Discover Otumba Park and Beach in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Free admission, sandy beach, playground, and more. Read our guide now.
Read More
Beach with superimposed text: Sunset Park Beach

Sunset Park Beach

Discover Sunset Park Beach, Sturgeon Bay, WI! Enjoy beautiful views of ships and the bay, free admission, and a range of amenities.
Read More
Grid of images depicting the Ahnapee State Trail.

Ahnapee State Trail

Explore the scenic Ahnapee State Trail: 48 miles of diverse terrain, ideal for hiking, biking, and winter sports in Wisconsin.
Read More
Grid of images consisting of a brick lighthouse with a white tower, a a red lighthouse. Superimposed text says: Door County Lighthouses.

Door County Lighthouses

Read on for everything you need to know about the elusive and inspiring Door County lighthouses that allure visitors from around the world.
Read More
Grid of kayaking scenes in Door County. Superimposed text says: Kayak Tours.

Door County Kayak Tours

Discover the best Door County Kayak Tours for all skill levels. Explore serene waters, stunning wildlife, and historic shipwrecks.
Read More

All Posts about Sturgeon Bay, WI

Grid of images consisting of a brick lighthouse with a white tower, a a red lighthouse. Superimposed text says: Door County Lighthouses.

Door County Lighthouses

Read on for everything you need to know about the elusive and inspiring Door County lighthouses that allure visitors from around the world.
Read More
black cauldron over a wood fire at a Door County fish boil

Door County Fish Boils

This article will tell you everything you need to know about Door County fish boil, an authentic Great Lakes tradition with a flair.
Read More
Grid of images depicting the Ahnapee State Trail.

Ahnapee State Trail

Explore the scenic Ahnapee State Trail: 48 miles of diverse terrain, ideal for hiking, biking, and winter sports in Wisconsin.
Read More
Scene of Otumba Park and Beach in Sturgeon Bay, WI with the superimposed text: Otumba Park & Beach.

Otumba Park and Beach

Discover Otumba Park and Beach in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Free admission, sandy beach, playground, and more. Read our guide now.
Read More
Grid of images consisting of the interior of a luxury van, a catamaran boat, and a kayaker. Superimposed text says: Tours.

Door County Tours

Discover the best of Door County with local tours! Explore scenic views, quaint towns, and create unforgettable memories.
Read More
Grid of images including an American flag, a bonfire on Lake Michigan, and a fair midway. Superimposed text says: Events.

Door County Events

Explore the best events in Door County! From art fairs to food festivals, find your perfect outing in our latest blog post.
Read More
collage of scenes from Door County. Superimposed text says: Door County in a Day

Door County in a Day

Discover the best of Door County in a day! Follow our itinerary for museums, parks, dining, and entertainment. FAQs included.
Read More
Grid of kayaking scenes in Door County. Superimposed text says: Kayak Tours.

Door County Kayak Tours

Discover the best Door County Kayak Tours for all skill levels. Explore serene waters, stunning wildlife, and historic shipwrecks.
Read More
Grid of images depicting an American flag, and fireworks over the water in Door County. Superimposed text says: 4th of July.

4th of July in Door County

Celebrate 4th of July in Door County with parades, fireworks, and family fun. Discover why it’s the best place for Independence Day festivities!
Read More
Beach with superimposed text: Sunset Park Beach

Sunset Park Beach

Discover Sunset Park Beach, Sturgeon Bay, WI! Enjoy beautiful views of ships and the bay, free admission, and a range of amenities.
Read More

More Door County Locations

Check out other amazing locations in Door County:

About Sturgeon Bay, WI

Differentiation

“Sturgeon Bay” can refer either to the bay of Sturgeon Bay, the City of Sturgeon Bay, or the Town of Sturgeon Bay.

The Bay of Sturgeon Bay

The bay of Sturgeon Bay is an arm off of Green Bay, which is itself an arm off of Lake Michigan. It is located on the Door Peninsula, which is a peninsula separating Green Bay from Lake Michigan.

In its natural state, Sturgeon Bay was only connected to the main body of Lake Michigan via Green Bay. However, in 1878 the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal joined the waters of Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan.

The Bay of Sturgeon Bay is a popular location for fishing, sailing, and pleasure boating.

The City of Sturgeon Bay

The City of Sturgeon Bay is outlined in red. Via Google Maps.

The City of Sturgeon Bay is named after the Bay of Sturgeon Bay. The City of Sturgeon Bay is the only city in Door County, and it is the county seat.

At the 2020 census, the City of Sturgeon Bay had a population of 9, 646 people. It has an elevation of 581 feet. Sturgeon Bay was incorporated as a village in 1874 and a city in 1883.

The Town of Sturgeon Bay

The Town of Sturgeon Bay is outlined in red. Via Google Maps.

The Town of Sturgeon Bay is located to the northeast and southeast of the City of Sturgeon Bay. It may be hard to understand why there would be both a “City” and a “Town” of Sturgeon Bay, but this is explainable by Wisconsin State Law.

The legal definition of a town in the State of Wisconsin is different than the common definition of town that many people use. Many people think of towns as having an urban or suburban pattern of settlement. However, according to Wisconsin State Law, any land that is not covered by a municipality like a city or a village is part of a town.

Towns in Wisconsin have historically had a rural character. However, this is not always the case. Some towns have experienced much growth and have suburban and even urban settlement patterns.

Town populations can range from 40 residents to over 22,000 residents.

Towns are general-purpose units of local government that perform and provide various kinds of municipal functions and services.

Sturgeon Bay Industries

Major industries in Sturgeon Bay include:

  • Shipbuilding
  • Tourism and Recreation
  • Manufacturing

Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay is home to the largest shipyard in the Great Lakes: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. This shipyard constructs and maintains large ships including 1,000-foot bulk freighters. The busiest time of year for the shipyard is in the middle of winter. This is because ports in the Great Lake become icebound in the winter. This makes it a good time for the ships to receive maintenance.

Tourism and Recreation in Sturgeon Bay

Door County is a tourism and recreation powerhouse, and Sturgeon Bay is a major provider of services to tourists and recreation seekers.

Multiple hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts host tourists to Sturgeon Bay.

Popular events that bring tourists to Sturgeon Bay include the Fire and Ice Festival, fishing tournaments, and the Door County Classic and Wooden Boat festival.

Tourists to Sturgeon Bay enjoy activities that include:

  • shopping
  • dining
  • fishing
  • going to the beach
  • visiting lighthouses
  • sailing and powerboating

Manufacturing in Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay is home to many manufacturing plants. Major manufacturers in Sturgeon Bay include:

  • Hatco – manufacturer of commercial kitchen heating equipment
  • Therma-Tron-X – an industrial equipment supplier
  • Wiretech Fabricators – steel component manufacturers
  • Marine Travellift – manufacturer of boat handling equipment