The Best 11 Fun Things To Do in Door County In October [Updated 2024]
Updated August 2024
Looking for the best things to do in Door County, Wisconsin, this October?
October in Door County offers a distinct blend of natural beauty and seasonal activities that make it an ideal fall destination in the Midwest.
Whether you’re planning a short visit or an extended stay, this guide will offer you the best ways to experience the area during this incredibly beautiful and cozy season!
As someone who has spent the last decade exploring Door County each year, especially during the fall months, I have to say my favorite season to visit is the fall because I LOVE the unique beauty that October brings.
The changing colors, cool air, cozy coffee shops, warm comfort foods, and warm atmosphere make this my favorite time to visit.
Drawing from my years of experience, I’m excited to share the most rewarding activities to enjoy in Door County this October!
So, without further ado, let’s jump in!
The Best 11 Fun Things To Do in Door County In October
1. Go apple picking
Door County, Wisconsin, is known for its many local farms and the farm-to-plate approach used in some of the best restaurants in the area. Apples are one of the fruits they are known for cultivating during the fall season.
A visit to the apple orchards is definitely in order when you go to the peninsula, and it’s one of the best souvenirs you can take for yourself, family, and friends back home.
Some of my favorite apple-picking farms:
- Lautenbach’s Orchard Country – 9197 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
- Kielar Akers Orchard – 648 WI-42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
- Krowas Orchard – 7591 Logerquist Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
- Hyline Orchard Farm Market Inc. – 8240 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Along with picking your own apples, you can also choose from an abundant selection of apple-flavored food items, such as apple cider, homemade applesauce, apple jam, and, my personal favorite, apple cider donuts.
Door County has many local shops where you can buy these products. Upon entering “the door” (the peninsula), you’ll find many country stores, farmer’s markets, roadside stands, and even festivals dedicated to their local delicacies! The autumn season in the door is truly stunning.
2. Celebrate fall at Sister Bay’s Fall Fest
Visiting Door County in the fall means that there are tons of festivals happening to enjoy!
Fall festivals throughout Door County:
- The Lighthouse Festival – October 4th-6th
- Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch – October 11th-13th – Egg Harbor
- Sister Bay Fall Festival – October 18-20th – Sister Bay
- Jack O’Lantern Days – October 26th – Fish Creek
- Thrill and Chills Costume Parade – October 26th – Sturgeon Bay
Enjoy everything from access to some of Door County’s most beautiful lighthouses, many of which are not usually open to the public throughout the year, to fun pumpkin patches, corn mazes, jack o’lantern festivals, and much more.
These festivals offer not only some fun but also a dose of Midwest hospitality, stunning colors, views of the bay all around during this magical season.
3. Explore Scandinavian and Belgian Culture
Door County is famously known for its Scandinavian and Belgian culture, which heavily influences its food, architecture, and certain attractions.
One of the most famous Swedish establishments in Door County, Al Johnson’s Swedish restaurant, is a building designed in true Scandinavian form (goats on the roof and all). Step inside, and indulge in some traditional Swedish food, or shop the gift shop with tons of great Door County and Scandinavian gifts.
Due to the heavy Scandinavian, German, and Belgian immigration dating back to the mid- to late 1800s, their culture, influence, and traditions still live on strongly in Door County today.
You’ll notice Belgian chapels like Boynton Chapel, scattered around the peninsula, many open to the public, and walking through the streets of the town called Ephraim, you’ll notice Norwegian architecture and charm – it’s everywhere!
Hop on a trolley tour in Door County this fall, and get a full tour, while learning some information and history straight from the locals.
Or just take a drive yourself through Door County’s famous windy roads overlooking the water, decorated by the colors of the parks and trees, specifically the county coastal byway.
4. Experience the coffee and bakery culture of the peninsula
One of my personal favorite things to do other than explore the nature and history of Door County is to indulge in the best coffee and baked goods at Door County.
Take a drive through the country roads, stopping by roadside cafes, bakery shops, and ice cream parlors to experience the taste of the Door.
Some of my favorite coffeehouses and bakeries:
These are places that serve delicious baked goods, including specialty European baked goods, great coffee, and something for everyone. If you see anything cherry or apple flavored, I recommend you try it!
Stop by indoor markets like Fish Creek Market for more treats and plenty of souvenir shopping.
If you’ve been to Door County before 2020, you’d remember the iconic Door County Bakery, which was famous for their Corsica loaf, which was a crispy exterior loaf sprinkled with sesame seed, and doused in good quality olive oil. It. was. delicious.
Unfortunately they have closed down post the pandemic, but if you want to grab some Corsica loaf, it’s sold in numerous stores throughout the Peninsula, including Fish Creek Market.
Other places you can get Corsica loaf
- Piggly Wiggly – Sister Bay
- Seaquist Orchards – Sister Bay
- Main Street Market – Egg Harbor
- Tadych’s Marketplace – Sturgeon Bay
>> Read More: Culinary Tours of the World
5. Take a scenic fall drive
A trip to Door County, Wisconsin, this fall cannot be complete without a drive down Door County’s famous Coastal Byway for a literal picture of fall perfection.
Located in over a 66-mile stretch between Sturgeon Bay (beginning of the peninsula) all the way to Northport and Gills Rock (the northernmost point of the peninsula), this drive is definitely not one to miss!
It’s the perfect drive to take you amongst Door County’s full splendor of red, orange, and brown as well as views of Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Forests, the Niagara Escarpments, and picturesque small towns by the water.
keep your eyes open for the occasional as lighthouse!
When you search it on Google Maps, type in “Door County Coastal Byway” or “Hwy 42/57” and you’ll be able to start your scenic journey through the door.
6. Have the best pizza at Wild Tomato
As someone who travels all the way from Illinois, which is home to some of the best pizza, I can say without a doubt that Wild Tomato pizza is up there with my top five favorite pizza places, ever.
Wild Tomato is a Door County staple, deliciously crafted with local farm produce and Wisconsin cheese, baked in stone ovens that produce a deliciously crispy, subtly burnt edge around the pizza; it’s simply amazing!
Even though there is never a specific time or season to enjoy their pizza, there is just something about enjoying a really good pizza in the chilly weather of the peninsula and the views that you can only get in Door County, Wisconsin this fall.
Try it when you’re up there!
7. Visit Washington Island
When you’re searching best things to do in Door County in the fall, Washington Island may pop up, and for good reason!
Washington Island is an island located atop the Door County peninsula and it’s an easy 30-minute ferry ride that leaves Northport every 30 minutes or so.
There is free parking for those who choose to go to the island without their car and prefer to leave it on the mainland. However, based on experience, I would recommend taking your car or bike, as that is the best way to get around the island.
Fun fact: The stretch between Northport and Washington Island is known as “Death’s Door” because of its once treacherous waves that occur there from the water from Lake Michigan and Green Bay meeting there.
Once arriving on Washington Island, you’ll see that there is a lot of open space, forests, and, of course, beautiful views of the water, and the upper midwestern fall foliage that you can get in Door County this fall.
In the fall, you can experience the Fall Fun Fest & Cider Pressing Party on October 13th! A local and visitor favorite fall celebration where you can bring your own apples and a bucket and press away to make your own cider. There is also other fun fall activities, food, and live music!
While you’re there, I also recommend a visit to Schoolhouse Beach – it’s a beach with the prettiest pebbles you will see around here, along with the sight of beautiful turquoise waters.
It’s a place to stick around and just stare out from for the sheer beauty of it.
8. Take a walk through the orange and red leaves at the best parks
Door County is brimming with parks to walk and camp, and even though Peninsula State Park is the most famous, Cave Point County Park on the peninsula’s east side is a wonder not to miss!
Enjoy views (and maybe even secluded moment) of Lake Michigan crashing into the land, and created caves from the erosion which you can see.
Other great parks to see around Door County
>> Read More: Slow Travel: Can You Experience It In A Week?
9. Discover the lighthouses of Door County
Though you can attend the famous Lighthouse Festival, you can also explore many of these islands yourself and still admire their beauty on your own time.
Lighthouses were built throughout Door County since the 1800s, and today, many are still standing, some still functioning and some not anymore. In total there are 11 of them!
Now, if you’re more into self-guided tours, I have the perfect cheat sheet to help you go at your own pace as you discover the lighthouses of Door County against the amazing backdrop of the midwestern fall.
You can check out the complete list that I created for you, with the locations of the lighthouses ready to be plugged into your GPS! Just leave me your email down below, and I’ll send it to you right away!
10. Go ghost hunting
Fall time invites in the warmth and comfort of baked goods, cozy coffee shops, autumn in the trees and air – and also a good ghost story.
According to some, “Wisconsin contains more ghosts per square mile than any other state in the nation” and between the stories of shipwrecks that never made it past Death’s Door, the mysterious apparitions in bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and shops that were built upon Native American burial grounds, and the apparent ghosts of the first immigrants who established the Door County we know today refusing to leave, Door County has a number of mysterious sightings, vibes, and testimonials from the locals who live there all year around!
If this is your cup of tea, don’t miss Door County’s Ghost Trolley Ride. The county trolley ride usually offers historic tours of Door County, but every fall, by night, they offer the Door County Ghost Trolley Ride.
If that’s not your thing, you can also choose from one of their many other haunted tours and bar crawls, learn about those souls who lived here before any of us, and learn a bit more about the peninsula’s history!
What better time to explore this side of Door County this fall than on a chilly fall night?
11. Walk Up To Door County’s Stunning Eagle Tower
Get a bird’s eye view of Door County, from the coast, to Horseshoe Island in the distance, and Peninsula State Park, from the top of the beautiful Eagle Tower!
The Eagle Tower was recently renovated a few years ago, and today, it’s better than ever and much more accessible to all visitors.
The new canopy walk has two ways to get to the top, either taking the 850 ft. ramp all the way up, around and throughout the beautiful trees or going up the steps like with the old tower.
This time, there’s more to see on the way up, as much as when you get to the final resting stop to view the fall beauty of the peninsula.
It’s definitely worth checking out, whether you’ve been on the old Eagle Tower, or this is your first time, it’s not a sight to miss if you visit Door County this fall!
The Best Things To Do in Door County, Wisconsin, This Fall Q&A
Where is Door County, Wisconsin?
Door County is located on the 70-mile-long peninsula in the state of Wisconsin and is surrounded by two bodies of water: Green Bay on the west and Lake Michigan on the east.
It is approximately 4-4.5 hours from the city of Chicago and is mostly known for its beautiful waterfront, majestic nature, delicious locally grown cherries, limestone rock formations, and small picturesque towns along the peninsula.
There are 34 named islands, some of which you can visit, such as the most popular one, Washington Island, which is 30 minutes away from the mainland.
It is a popular travel destination for Wisconsinites and Illinoisians, many of us from which we cannot get enough of it!
What is there to do in Door County, WI, in October?
Of all the places in the midwest to visit during the fall, Door County, Wisconsin, is a place to check out for that good “midwestern” fall feeling.
Often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Door County offers the warmth and hospitality of the Midwest while serving some serious natural beauty that you cannot miss.
From the charming small towns to the beautiful lake and cozy, warm feeling in the peninsula during this time, fall is personally my favorite season to visit Door County and enjoy everything it has to offer, both indoors and out.
What is Door County like in October?
With the fall season already underway in October, Door County begins to dress up in beautiful orange and red colors as the temperature starts to drop to a steady and cooler 60s.
The city’s scenic summer views start to change a bit, and depending on the weekend that you visit, a few seasonal stores start to close while other fall seasonal stores open.
Be lured by the decadent scent of fresh-baked apple cider donuts at the indoor markets, buy a few caramel apples, and indulge in seasonal coffee flavors at some of the Door’s cute and cozy coffee shops.
The vibes, I repeat, are unmatched.
Pair it with hiking and listening to the sound of crunchy leaves under your boots – just blissful.
>> Read More: Visiting Door County Time After Time
What is the best time to see fall colors in Wisconsin?
Fall colors vary in terms of the exact date and moment when they start to show their bright colors, but typically, you can expect to start seeing the bright oranges and reds appear in the second week of October.
If you want to see the full spectrum of fall colors adorn the trees and national parks in Door County this fall, estimate visiting around late October.
To keep a better eye on the exact play-by-play of the color and weather report in Door County in the fall, make sure to head over to the Fall Color Map for updates and the best dates to visit based on local predictions and sights.
How long do fall colors last in Wisconsin?
The fall colors in Door County usually last for a good four weeks, starting around the second week of October and lasting until early November, and even a little beyond that on some occasions.
Make sure to check the Fall Color Map online so you can get a better idea of the fall colors happening in Door County in real time.
What is peak season in Door County?
To be completely honest, as someone who has visited Door County for the past 10 years through different seasons, I have to say that my absolute favorite and most recommended peak seasons to visit the peninsula are fall and spring.
Fall, as you may know by now, has nature views that are some of the most beautiful and idyllic in the Midwest, combining the contrasting colors of blue water and sky with orange, reds, and browns.
Though summer is typically a very popular season to visit Door County, the fall is definitely considered peak season for many tourists and travelers not wanting to miss their chance to enjoy the “last hoorah” and catch the fall things to do in Door County.
The Wrap-Up: The Best Things To Do in Door County, Wisconsin, This Fall
I’ve lost count of the times I have been to the peninsula, and though it’s beautiful all year round, I have to say that the fall time is one of my favorite seasons to visit the door.
From vising Peninsula State Park and other beautiful county parks, to see the beautiful colors of the trees, to visiting the dramatic limestone mini cliffs at Baileys Harbor, or taking a ferry to Washington Island and going to see the beautiful pebble rock beach at Schoolhouse Beach, or taking a ride along Door County’s famous county coastal byway and other beautiful roads that go along the water, and so much more.
Fall in Door County is a beautiful experience.
I hope this post helped you plan out your travel itinerary in Door County this fall and that you got some good ideas and some insight.
To more fall time adventures like these,
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