It is officially the “quiet season” in Door County. And while it’s true most visitors equate the peninsula with summer travel plans, there is something luxuriously “hygge” about the snow blanketed landscape that beckons visitors to seek a cozy Door County winter retreat.
As Northern Door County’s only waterfront luxury boutique hotel, we offer the best setting to reset and recharge — with lavish amenities and thoughtful details throughout our five rooms and plenty to explore and experience when you do decide to venture outdoors.
To get you started, here are our top four quiet season experiences to add to your winter retreat’s itinerary.
Design Your Own Art Crawl
Art and Door County go hand in hand, having been a haven and source of inspiration for artists and creatives for generations. Pick up a copy of the Door/Kewaunee Arts Guide Book for a comprehensive list of galleries, many that are open year round.
Create your own art crawl to view (and potentially purchase) some of the finest art in the Midwest. From ceramics and painting to fiber arts and glass blowing, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your inner muse.
Year-round art museums, such as the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay and the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, also provide the opportunity to take in an array of changing exhibits showcasing vast media and subject matter.
Plan a return trip to the county during the main season to view the exhibits of local and regional artists at Ephraim’s own Hardy Gallery, situated against the breathtaking backdrop of Eagle Harbor.
Take a Class
If you’re feeling inspired by your recent art immersion experience, consider taking a day or an afternoon to express your own creative side. Around the Door, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, engage your mind and experience the area from a whole new perspective through a variety of workshops.
Treat yourself to learning a new artistic skill — or fine tune an existing one — with Peninsula School of Art’s expansive catalog of workshop opportunities. At The Clearing in Ellison Bay, indulge your mind, hands and curiosity in an eclectic mix of classes focused on the arts, current events, games, technology and more.
The Play’s the Thing
While most theater opportunities take a “winter intermission” this time of year, Peninsula Players, America’s oldest resident summer theater, offers a unique behind the scenes opportunity with their winter play reading series.
Get a sneak peek at the upcoming 2024 season when you sit in on one of three play readings held the first Monday of the month February through April and hosted at Bjorklunden (7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor).
Raise a Glass
Winter is an ideal time to explore the peninsula’s eclectic mix of wineries, distilleries and breweries — and in unique fashion! Bundle up for a magical, winter wonderland experience with Door County Trolley’s Winter Wine Tour & Sleigh Ride where you’ll enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through Door County’s cherry orchards and wine tasting at one of Door County’s award-winning wineries.
And what could be cozier than recapping the day’s adventures over a hand-crafted cocktail at a favorite Door County dining establishment? With fewer crowds, winter can be an ideal time to explore some of the more popular dining establishments and their signature drinks.
The beautiful bar inside Donny’s Glidden Lodge sets the ideal atmosphere for enjoying a classic Wisconsin cocktail, whether you fancy a hand-muddled old fashioned or a Door County cherry mule. Aside from a top-notch menu, it’s hard to beat the restaurant’s setting with the expansive Lake Michigan views from within the stone-walled dining room.
On the other side of the peninsula, a winter stop at Bayside Tavern is not complete without ordering a Bayside Coffee. Part cocktail, part entertainment, the famous concoction features Gosling Black Seal 151, Grand Marnier, Baileys, and Kahlua, as well as a selection of spices, topped with flames — yes, flames — extinguished by a pour of coffee and finished with a dollop of whipped cream.
At the end of the day’s adventures, luxury and relaxation await in your room at Hillside. Relax by the fireplace. Watch the snowfall over picturesque harbor views.
Melt your cares away in a jetted whirlpool tub or luxe walk-in shower. It will take but a moment to realize why Hillside Waterfront Hotel is continually ranked as one of the top five bed and breakfasts in Door County. Check rooms and rates here to begin planning your late winter retreat. Winter may just become your favorite time to visit.
