Fly into Door County, Wisconsin, for a Winter Wonderland Vacation
When you think of Door County, Wisconsin, you probably envision 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and Green Bay, as well as the five state parks, beaches, wineries, breweries and picturesque lakeside communities that are a complete joy to visit in the warmer months. What’s less well-known is that Door County also makes a great winter destination. Let’s take a look at why you might want to plan a winter wonderland adventure in Wisconsin in January or February.
Fly Your Private Airplane or Business Jet into Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE)
Sturgeon Bay is home to the Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE), which was first activated in 1940 and is open to the public. It does not have a control tower, but Green Bay handles approaches and departures. Pilots and passengers can rest easy knowing that the airport is staffed Monday through Saturday from 8 AM until 6 PM and on Sunday from 8 AM until 4 PM. The airport offers 100LL and Jet-A+ fuel.
There are two runways, including Runway 02/20 and Runway 10/28 Runway 02/20 is 4,599 feet long and 75 feet wide. Runway 10/28 is 3,199 feet long and 75 feet wide. Runway 10/28’s surface is considered to be in excellent condition, while Runway 02/20’s asphalt surface is considered to be in fair condition. If you need a rental car, you’ll be happy to know that Avis is on-site.
Warm and Cozy Places to Stay in Door County, WI
Door County caters to snow-lovers, which means you’ll be able to find a great place to stay. The county has plenty of hotels, motels, inns, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals. Let’s take a look at a few notable places to stay on the peninsula.
Snug Harbor Inn
Snug Harbor Inn is located less than five miles from the airport. It has more than 300 feet of waterfront property that guests can enjoy, and it’s close to historic Sturgeon Bay. Guests can stay in standard rooms, suites, or cottages. The standard rooms can be rented with either a full kitchen or a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. The suites include fireplaces, second-floor balconies, and hot tubs. The cottages are designed to function as small homes. Guests can choose from a studio or a one- or two-bedroom cottage. Each cottage includes a full kitchen and a fireplace. Snug Harbor Inn also offers charter fishing, live music, and boat rentals. They even have a bar and grill where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat.
Lodge at Leathem Smith
If you’re looking to stay at a property with a lot of history, you might like the Lodge at Leathem Smith. It’s 6.7 miles from Cherryland Airport and is known for its amazing waterfront location on Sturgeon Bay.
The Lodge at Leathem Smith got its roots from John Leathem and Thomas Smith. The men first met in 1864 when Leathem was looking for a machinist to look at his mill. Smith, a machinist and businessman, agreed to look at the mill. However, the endeavor was almost a lost cause when he encountered Leathem’s employees. The mill workers were leaving because they hadn’t been paid. Rather than let that happen, Smith paid the employees’ back wages. The gesture resulted in the formation of a lifelong partnership.
In 1875, the mill moved to Sturgeon Bay. At that time, the business was named Scofield and Company. However, Mr. Scofield left the company in 1881, and John Leathem and Thomas Smith renamed the company to Letham and Smith. By now, you’ve probably guessed that the lodge gets part of its name from the name of the milling company, and it did. However, over the years, Leathem and Smith became more than a mill. They also built a bridge across Sturgeon Bay, owned a towing and wrecking company and expanded into quarrying.
By 1914, Thomas Smith’s son, Leathem D. Smith, took over the company, and in 1928, he bought 100 acres of land to create the county’s first yacht and country club. However, the club was prone to hard times, especially during the Great Depression, World War I, and World War II. This resulted in numerous owner changes, closures, renovations, name changes, and grand reopenings.
Then, in 2011, Paul Meleen purchased the lodge and renamed it The Lodge at Leathem Smith.
Today, the lodge offers standard rooms, suites, and a rental house that’s perfect for families. Guests can enjoy semi-private patios, complimentary Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, and luxurious whirlpool baths. Each stay also includes a continental breakfast with an omelet bar. The Lodge also has a restaurant, a Tiki Bar, and charter fishing.
Glidden Lodge Beach Resort
Another great place to stay is the Glidden Lodge Beach Resort. It’s just 16 miles from the airport on the shores of Lake Michigan. All of the suites have a waterfront view. Guests can choose suites that include between one and three bedrooms. Amenities include full kitchens, gas fireplaces, WiFi, spa tubs, a fitness center, and a business center. Guests also get access to the resort’s private beach, beach chairs, beach loungers, and outdoor grills.
Next door to the resort is Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant. The menu includes prime rib, beef tenderloin, escargot, tuna, steak, shrimp, various salads, lamb chops, lobster, and bottomless soda refills.
Enjoy the Winter Wonderland of Door County
There are lots of ways to enjoy the snow and winter weather in Door County. Many vacationers and locals enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a popular winter activity in Door County, and the good news is that you don’t have to bring your own ski equipment. If you need to rent skis, you might want to check out Nor Door Sport and Cyclery of Sturgeon Bay. If you need winter boots and clothing for cross-country skiing, you might try On Deck Clothing Company or Bay Shore Outfitters. Once you have all your warm winter clothing, you can use it for all your cold-weather outdoor adventures.
Snowshoeing
If you love hiking, you may want to try snowshoeing. Door County is full of places to snowshoe, including top trails, parks, and nature preserves. Some popular trails for snowshoeing include the Sunset Bike Path and the Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park, as well as the Yellow Trail at Whitefish Dunes State Park and the Hotz Trail at Newport State Park.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is another popular winter activity in Door County, and there are more than 250 miles of snowmobiling trails. The most popular trail just might be the Ahnapee State Trail. It crosses 50 miles and gives the rider beautiful views of snow-covered farmland, woods, and prairies.
The next most popular spot to snowmobile is in Potawatomi State Park. It’s located just outside of Sturgeon Bay and lets riders enjoy the Niagara Escarpment. The third most popular place to snowmobile is Bailey’s Harbor to Sister Bay. This trail is especially nice because it allows riders to access areas that aren’t traversable during the warmer months.
Warm-Up with Some Indoor Activities
Once you’ve had your fill of the snow-covered trails and beautiful views, take time to enjoy some of Door County’s indoor activities.
Door County Museums
There are several museums in Door County dedicated to history, culture, and art. Some popular historical museums include the Alexander Noble House, the Old Anderson House Museum, the Door County Historical Museum, and the Belgian Heritage Center.
If you love art, you might want to check out the Francis Hardy Center for the Arts or the Miller Art Museum. The Francis Hardy Center for the Arts is dedicated to supporting the local artists in the community. The art museum was founded in honor of Francis Howe Hardy, who was beloved for his amateur artwork and dedication to the arts.
The Miller Art Museum holds the most works by Gerhard CF Miller, who was an influential and popular artist in Door County. He specialized in imaginary realism, which is a category he created. The museum also features work by Patrick Farrell and Daniel Anderson.
Fantastic Trolley Rides
Door County Trolley offers winter trolley rides. Popular winter trolley rides include the Winter Wine Tour, the Wine, Spirits, and Brew Tour, the Cocktail Tour, and the Narrated Scenic Tour.
Where to Eat in Door County
Door County provides visitors with plenty of places to eat. If you’re staying in Sturgeon Bay, you might consider eating at the Mill Supper Club, which offers casual dining with a German twist, Waterfront Mary’s Bar and Grill, which is known for its fish boils, or the Cedar Crossing Restaurant, which is known for its from-scratch entrees.
If you’re looking for an off-season vacation this winter where you can fly your personal airplane into the area, a trip to Door County, WI, may just be your idea of a great vacation. Enjoy the winter wonderland, visit the wineries and breweries, and take in some local art.