Wondering how you’ll spend time during your vacation to Sister Bay in Door County, Wisconsin? Here are the best things to do in and around Sister Bay!
If you’re interested in making Sister Bay your HQ for a Door County vacation, make sure to check out our post on the best hotels in Sister Bay.
20 Amazing Things To Do In Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Go to the Beach
Few things say “vacation” more than going to the beach. Sister Bay has you covered!
The Sister Bay Beach, located at Waterfront Park, is a popular beach right in the heart of Sister Bay, with lots of restaurants and activities around. Many people enjoy diving off of the pier. If you stay in Sister Bay, you will be able to walk to the beach, and when you need a break from the beach, walk to one of the many businesses in this popular Door County village.
Another beach option in the vicinity of Sister Bay is Pebble Beach. Made of smooth pebbles, this is a good beach to get away from the crowds in the relatively busy Sister Bay area. People enjoy laying out towels and resting on the beach, and some will swim here as well. But, you’ll want some appropriate footwear for swimming and walking the beach. This is not one to go barefoot on.
These are only two of Door County’s many beaches. 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 20 miles from Sister Bay, 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
Sister Bay has a restaurant to suit your needs. Here are two:
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
It’s kitschy and touristy and busy, and we love it for all of this and more. Al Johnson’s is the iconic restaurant of Door County.
Even if you don’t dine at Al Johnson’s, you’ll want to stroll by to get a picture of the goats on the sod roof.
But, you probably should dine at Al Johnson’s.
Famous for their Swedish pancakes served with Swedish meatballs (Think of it as the Swedish equivalent of chicken and waffles.), Al Johnson’s offers a full breakfast and lunch menu daily.
Address: 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Phone: 920-854-2626
Website
Map
Chop
This upscale Sister Bay restaurant is the best place to get a steak in Door County. Customers appreciate the clean, modern ambiance, the excellent service, the amazing views, and the high-quality food. Get a reservation, and try to get the outdoor, upstairs seating, which offers views over the Bay of Green Bay.
Chop is one of the best restaurants in Sister Bay.
Website
Phone: 920-854-2700
Address: 2345 Mill Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Map
If neither of these restaurants seem like they will suit your wishes, check out our article on the best restaurants near Sister Bay, Wisconsin for some more ideas.
View a Lighthouse
Door County has 11 lighthouses. While Sister Bay doesn’t have a lighthouse, several are within easy drives of this village.
The two closest lighthouses to Sister Bay 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 Sister Bay. The Sister Bay 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, Sister Bay is a great place to do this as well. Bring your own kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or rent one at Waterside Park right at the beach. 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
Only 8 miles south of the village of Sister Bay, 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 Sister Bay 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
Sister Bay is a wonderful place to catch a sunset. Waterfront Park, right in the heart of Sister Bay, is a great place to watch one. Check out our post on Door County’s parks and preserves to find out more about great places in the Sister Bay area to catch a sunset over the bay of Green Bay.
Camping
Several public and private campgrounds lie around Sister Bay. Check out our ultimate guide to camping in Door County to learn more about camping opportunities around Sister Bay.
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 Sister Bay, 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
Sister Bay is a great place to go fishing. Fishermen frequently land perch, pike, walleye, and salmon.
Sister Bay Library
Travel and literature go hand in hand. Go to the library on vacation? Absolutely, and the Sister Bay branch of the Door County Pubic Library is a lovely place to expand the mind through literature.
Shop Downtown
Park your car and stroll Sister Bay’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
Sister Bay’s stage at the Waterfront Park hosts the village’s free summer concert series, held at 6:00 PM on Wednesdays from mid-June through mid-August.
The Farm
The Farm is a “living museum of rural history” just north of Sturgeon Bay. While it is about 26 miles south, visitors will pass near The Farm on the way to or from Sister Bay. 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.
More Information about Sister Bay
More than just a fun place to play, Sister Bay is also a great place to eat and a fantastic place to stay. After working up an appetite, make sure to visit one of the best restaurants in Sister Bay. And, if you’re thinking of making Sister Bay your home base for your next Door County Vacation, our post on the best hotels in Sister Bay is your best starting point.