Wondering how you’ll spend time during your vacation to Jacksonport in Door County, Wisconsin? Here are the best things to do in and around Jacksonport!
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 visited any of these Jacksonport attractions, or do you need more information? Talk to us in the comments section at the end of the post.
Watch a Sunrise
If you are a morning coffee kind of a person instead of an evening cocktail sort of person, Jacksonport is a great place to catch a sunrise. Jacksonport’s Lakeside Park is a great place to do this. Check out our post on Door County’s parks and preserves to find out more about great places in the Jacksonport area to catch a sunrise over Lake Michigan.
Hit the Beach
On the hottest of days, Lakeside Park in Jacksonport is also a great place to hit the beach. The park has a 158 foot sand beach and lots of amenities. This is a great way to spend the day in Door County.
If you’re not ready to brave the waters of Lake Michigan yet, you can also go to the beach at nearby Clark Lake. This is an inland lake with a shallow beach that has warmer water than Lake Michigan and is comparatively safe for kids.
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 4 miles from Jacksonport, 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 park, preserves, and access points. As of last count, there are 136 of them!
Polar Bear Club
Every year on January 1 swimmers brave the ice-cold waters for the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge. This event has happened since 1986, and they claim that “most of the members have survived.”
The Farm
The Farm is a “living museum of rural history” just north of Sturgeon Bay. While it is about 10 miles south of Jacksonport, visitors will pass near The Farm on the way to or from Jacksonport. 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. 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.
Website
Phone: (920) 746 9460
Address: 4670 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
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 Jacksonport, 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 Jacksonport is only 14 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
If you prefer plying the waters under your own power, Jacksonport is a great place to do this. However, be aware that the waves on Lake Michigan can be quite strong. Don’t paddle here unless you are well-outfitted and experienced.
However, Clark Lake and Kangaroo Lake, both in the vicinity of Jacksonport, have public access and offer much calmer waters and are 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 focusses 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 Jacksonport. 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.
Both the Hatch Distellery and the Door County Distillery are only a few miles away from Jacksonport.
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. The closest golf course to Jacksonport is Maxwelton Braes, a Door County institution that has been open since 1929.
Disc Golf
If disc golf is more your speed, Jacksonport has you covered with Door County’s first disc golf course.
Attend Maifest
Held every Memorial Day Weekend, the Jacksonport Maifest includes a parade, children’s activities, live music, horse pull, the Lake to Lake 2K Fun Run, and a 10K Run benefitting the Jacksonport Fire Department, and an art fair.
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.
More Roundups of Things To Do
Check out our other roundups of things to do in the area:
- Best Things To Do in Door County
- Best Door County Tours
- Best Kayak Tours in Door County
- Best Door County Boat Tours
- Door County State Parks
- Best Door County Beaches
- Door County Lighthouses
- Best Things To Do Near Baileys Harbor, WI
- Best Things To Do Near Carlsville, WI
- Best Things To Do in Egg Harbor, WI
- Best Things To Do Near Ellison Bay, WI
- Best Things To Do in Ephraim, WI
- Best Things To Do in Fish Creek, WI
- Best Things To Do Near Forestville, WI
- Best Things To Do Near Gills Rock, WI
- Best Things To Do Near Northport, WI
- Best Things To Do in Sister Bay, WI
- Best Things To Do in Sturgeon Bay, WI
- Best Things To Do on Washington Island, WI
- Free Things To Do in Door County
- Things To Do in Fall in Door County
- Things To Do with Kids in Door County
- Things To Do in Winter in Door County
