Wondering how you’ll spend time during your vacation to Ephraim in Door County, Wisconsin? Here are the best things to do in and around Ephraim!
Go to the Beach
Few things say “vacation” more than going to the beach. Ephraim has you covered!
Ephraim has a public beach right in the middle of it all. It is a small sand beach in the heart of Ephraim. Walkable to several Ephraim hotels. Parking and bathrooms on site.
Address: 9877 WI-42, Ephraim, WI 54211
Another beach option in the vicinity of Ephraim is Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park. It is a sandy beach with a nearby store offering boat and bicycle rentals and concessions. Because Nicolet beach is in a protected bay off of Green Bay, the water temperatures are typically warmer here than at other Door County beaches. While it normally costs money to get into a Wisconsin state park, there are ways to get into a state park for free.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Amazing Door County Beaches in order to find the right beach for your visit to Fish Creek.
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 18 miles from Ephraim, 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 opportunity to experience natural beauty than just state parks. Check out our post detailing all Door County’s parks, preserves, and access points. As of last count, there are 136 of them!
Visit a Restaurant
Ephraim has a great food scene. Here are two standout restaurants:
Alexander’s of Door County
A contemporary take on the supper club experience, Alexander’s of Door County is one of the most highly rated restaurants on the Peninsula. The decor is more clean and modern than most supper clubs, and the menu quite a bit more adventurous. However, the central element of a supper club endures at Alexander’s. This is a place to linger.
Trixie’s
A restaurant built around responsibility doesn’t sound like a good fit for vacation, but hear us out. It is easier to indulge yourself when you know that the food and wine have been sustainably sourced. Trixie’s offers a unique menu and robust wine list with an emphasis on locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Website
Phone: (920)- 854-8008
Address: 9996 Pioneer Ln, Ephraim, WI 54211
Map
If neither of these restaurants seem like they will suit your wishes, check out our article on the best restaurants near Ephraim, Wisconsin for some more ideas.
View a Lighthouse
Door County has 11 lighthouses. While Ephraim doesn’t have a lighthouse, several are within easy drives of this village.
The two closest lighthouses to Ephraim are the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park and the Cana Island Lighthouse across the peninsula near Baileys Harbor
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Door County Lighthouses for details on how to visit these and other lighthouses in the area.
Powerboating or Sailboating
Boating is a popular activity in Ephraim. The Ephraim marina will help to facilitate your boating adventures, with a boat launch and transient slip rental available.
Paddling
If you prefer plying the waters under your own power, Ephraim is a great place to do this as well. Bring your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or rent one at Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park. Many waterside resorts also lend paddling equipment for free.
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!
Peninsula State Park
A few miles south of the village of Ephraim, Peninsula State Park is the most popular state park in Wisconsin. Here, you can enjoy hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and the new Eagle Tower observation deck.
Our post on Everything You Need to Know About Door County State Parks has lots of information about Peninsula State Park and the other state parks in Door County.
Attend a Fish Boil
Boiled fish? It’s a Door County tradition you should try! Several establishments near Ephraim offer fish boils!
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.
Watch a Sunset
Ephraim is a wonderful place to catch a sunset. A good place to watch one is at Harborside Park in Ephraim. Check out our post on Door County’s parks and preserves to find out more about great places in the Ephraim area to catch a sunset over the bay of Green Bay.
Camping
Several public and private campgrounds lie around Ephraim. Check out our ultimate guide to camping in Door County to learn more about camping opportunities around Ephraim.
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.
Both the hatch Distellery and the Door County Distillery are directly on the way to Ephraim, only a few miles away.
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!
Fishing
Ephraim is a great place to go fishing. Fishermen frequently land perch, pike, walleye, and salmon.
Ephraim Library
Travel and literature go hand in hand. Go to the library on vacation? Absolutely, and the Ephraim branch of the Door County Pubic library is a lovely place to expand the mind through literature.
Shop Downtown
Park your car and stroll Ephraim’s walkable downtown. From sunglasses to art, Ephraim will keep you entertained as you pop in and out of cute boutiques.
Golfing
Peninsula State Park has one of the most scenic golf courses in the state of Wisconsin. Tee times for this golf course are highly sought after.
The clubhouse has a restaurant and pro shop.
Door Community Auditorium
The Door Community Auditorium offers nationally touring musical acts throughout the summer months. Their concert lineup is surprisingly high caliber for a rural location like Door County. When you plan your Door County vacation, make sure to check their concert calendar!
The Peninsula Players
The Peninsula Players is one of the most captivating experiences in Door County. This theater lies on the shores of the Bay of Green Bay, and you may be able to catch a Door County sunset later in the season. This professional theater offers a bar and canteen so that you may purchase food, beverages, and merchandise before your show begins. To find a list of the shows and tickets available this season, visit the link at the bottom of the page. Arrive an hour early for the lovely ambiance on the grounds.
Website
Phone: 920-868-3287
Address: 4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, Wisconsin 54212
Catch a Free Concert
Ephraim offers a free concert series from mid-June through Mid-August on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at Harborside Park. Click here for more information on the Evenings in Ephraim Concert Series.
The Farm
The Farm is a “living museum of rural history” just north of Sturgeon Bay. While it is about 23 miles south, visitors will pass near The Farm on the way to or from Ephraim. 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.