Wondering how you’ll spend time during your vacation to Carlsville in Door County, Wisconsin? Here are the best things to do in and around Carlsville!
These are just some of the amazing things to do in Door County. Make sure to check out all of Hello Door County’s posts on things to do in Door County.
Have you tried any of these attractions? Do you need more information about Carlsville or things to do there? Talk to us in the comment section at the end of the post.
Door County Candle Company
Located right inside Carlsville, the Door County Candle Company made national news in 2022 with their Ukraine candle used to raise funds to ease suffering in the war-torn nation.
Besides shopping for candles, patrons can also make their own candles! They start with a blank wax taper candle and then choose from an array of colors to coat the candle with whatever combination they choose.
Website
Phone: (920) 746-2125
Address: 5789 Highway 42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Map
Door County Coffee
This is an amazing place to go when looking for a relaxing time. This Carlsville institution offers breakfast and lunch, not to mention its signature coffees, espresso, and tea. Plus, if you’re not looking for a caffeinated drink, you can go for their cocoa. They offer a variety of foods for breakfast and lunch alike, and you can dine in or order online and pick it up to take anywhere in the county!
Website
Phone: 920-743-8930
Address: 5773 Hwy 42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Map
Cave Point County Park
Door County is legendary for having 5 state parks, but one of the peninsula’s favorite state parks is a county park by the name of Cave Point. Here, Door County’s Niagara Escarpment comes right up to Lake Michigan. The lake’s powerful waves have carved caves and rock formations in the dolomitic rock.
Only 10 miles from Carlsville, Cave Point County Park is worth the trip for the amazing experience it provides.
It is a great place for photography, kayaking, hiking, and more. This is definitely a “must-do” activity for any visit to Door County.
To learn more about this incredible park, make sure to check out our comprehensive post on Cave Point County Park.
Cave Point County Park is the best example that Door County has far more opportunities to experience natural beauty than just state parks. Check out our post detailing all Door County’s park, preserves, and access points. As of last count, there are 136 of them!
Door Peninsula Winery
With over 200 awards and 45 years of experience crafting wine, Door Peninsula Winery is one of the most popular wineries in Door County. 60 wine and cider varieties plus a selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars are available to sample in their tasting room, open from 9 AM daily year-round.
Door Peninsula Winery has an emphasis on using locally grown fruit and is Wisconsin’s largest wine maker of wines made from Wisconsin-grown fruit.
Address: 5806 WI-42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: 920-743-7431
Map
Website
The Farm
The Farm is a “living museum of rural history” just north of Sturgeon Bay only 7 miles south of Carlsville. It’s worth a stop! The main attraction of The Farm is feedings its adorable baby goats, lambs, and piglets.
But, The Farm is so much more than just a petting zoo. It is a way of connecting with our agricultural past and therefore our human past and foundation of civilization.
The Farm is fun, but even beyond fun, it is good for the mind and the soul.
Check out our full post on The Farm in Door County.
Whitefish Dunes State Park
In the same area as Cave Point County Park, Whitefish Dunes State Park has a sand swimming beach over a mile long and lovely hiking trails.
This is a good place to take a dog, as there is a dedicated dog swimming beach.
Our post on Everything You Need to Know About Door County State Parks has lots of information about Whitefish Dunes State Park and the other state parks in Door County.
Open Door Bird Sanctuary
The Open Door Bird Sanctuary is dedicated to providing a permanent home to unreleasable birds of prey. Through their stories and majestic presence, they help the naturalists at the sanctuary enrich visitors’ ecological knowledge and commitment.
This is a best-kept-secret of Door County, and visitors come away raven. Sorry, sorry. I meant to say raving.
Donny’s Glidden Lodge
With a dramatic setting right on the shores of Lake Michigan, Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience. The building and grounds of this classic Door County supper club are timeless and classy. It seems that not much has changed over the decades at this supper club, and that’s a good thing. Just like Lake Michigan itself, it seems that Donny’s Glidden Lodge has always been there, and that it will be the same the next time you come, whether that’s in a month or in a decade.
People tend to dress a little nicer at Donny’s Glidden Lodge, and given its location next to the Glidden Lodge Beach Resort, it caters to many out-of-towners.
Hello Door County named Donny’s Glidden Lodge the best Door County restaurant to celebrate an anniversary in our post The Best Door County Restaurants for Every Occasion.
We also named Donny’s Glidden Lodge as one of the best restaurants near Jacksonport, Wisconsin.
Read our review about Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant to learn more about this classic Door County dining experience.
Website
Phone: (920) 746 9460
Address: 4670 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Kurtz Corral
Kurtz Corral is the best place to ride horses in Door County, focused completely on the physical and mental wellness of the steeds. They create an unforgettable experience with scenic, guided, trail rides for people of all abilities. Kids will enjoy riding their well-trained horses.
Website
Address: 5712 Howard Ln, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: 920-743-6742
Map
Coyote Roadhouse
Coyote Roadhouse is one of Door County’s best-kept secrets. Far from the bustle of the tourist hubs, this laid-back restaurant overlooking Kangaroo Lake, near Carlsville, offers hand-crafted and a wide selection of beers.
Outdoor seating tantalizes diners in the summer months, and the classic bar and grill interior is a comfortable place to take in a meal and spend some time lingering throughout the year.
Address: 3026 County Rd E, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Phone: 920-839-9192
Website
Map
Cana Island Lighthouse
Door County has 11 lighthouses, and Carlsville is only 22 miles away from the most iconic of them: the Cana Island Lighthouse.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Door County Lighthouses for details on how to visit this and other lighthouses in the area.
Paddling
Clark Lake and Kangaroo Lake, both in the vicinity of Carlsville, have public access points and offer much calm waters suitable for paddlers of every experience level. Our comprehensive post on Door County parks, preserves, and access points will help you find a place to launch on Clark or Kangaroo Lake. Bring your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or rent one from one of the several rental outfits in the area.
Door County Brewing Co. Taproom, DCBC Eats & Music Hall
While beer takes center stage at the Brewing Company (and rightfully so), they have also opened a casual dining venue next door. It’s a convenient location to grab some food to eat in their lovely beer garden out back.
The menu is limited and focuses on pub favorites like BBQ and pizza. It’s limited, but sometimes all you want, all you need, is a good brew and a piece of pizza to refresh after a day exploring Door County’s natural beauty.
Address: 8099 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Phone: 920-412-7226
Website
Map
Skyway Drive-in Theater
For a fun and nostalgic experience, take in a movie at the Skyway Drive-in Theater. They show two movies nightly throughout the summer. One admission fee gets you into both movies!
The Skyway Drive-in Theater is only 11 miles north of Jacksonport.
Attend a Fish Boil
Boiled fish? It’s a Door County tradition you should try! Our post on Everything You Need to Know about Door County Fish Boil will tell you more about this tradition and all of the boils available in the Door County area.
Camping
Several public and private campgrounds lie around Carlsville. Check out our ultimate guide to camping in Door County to learn more about camping opportunities around Baileys Harbor.
Visit a Distillery
Given its remote location and the presence of so many fermentable crops, Door County has always had a distilling tradition, even during Prohibition years. That tradition continues with the Door County Distillery and Hatch Distillery.
The Door County Distilllery is right in Carlsville, and Hatch Distillery is only a few miles away in Egg Harbor.
Cherry Picking
Door County is known as “Cherryland USA.” Take part in this All-American activity, usually sometime from mid-June through early August.
Check out our ultimate guide to Door County cherry picking to learn more!
Golfing
Door County has multiple golf courses, so you won’t have any trouble finding a tee time. A close golf course to Carlsville is Maxwelton Braes, a Door County institution that has been open since 1929.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Memorial
According to their website, “the Wisconsin Motorcycle Memorial is a place to recognize and honor the memories of friends and loved ones who are/were motorcycle enthusiasts.” Here you can explore a memorial walk and some fun folk-art. A picnic pavilion is also available.
