We all want to go to Bali, Maldives, Fijis, Bora Bora: exotic places that are at least 8 flight hours away from home, right? Only the tropical places are worthy of our travel bucket lists; only they can cure us, take away our stress, bring us happiness, or prove our happiness to the world. The sinister perfectionism even lurks in our vacation plans. These tropical destinations offer us a perfect get-away from our daily lives, but in turn what do we take away from these other-worldly islands?
As demand for ecotourism increases, the luxurious hotels spread all over the island by destroying tropical forests, and hence its ecosystem, and privatizing public beaches. More tourists cause more waste than the island’s ecosystem can handle. Ecotourism is how the majority of local people earn money, but what is living on an island if you serve the privileged people who are the only ones enjoying your heavenly beaches and sea? I am not saying that you should stop planning to go to these islands, I just want to bring awareness to this issue and steer you in the direction of sustainable tourism alternatives. I think it is about time that we consider sustainable vacation destinations. That is why I would like to share with you one of my favorite destinations near Chicago: Door County, Wisconsin. I would like to convince you that you can have fun, create fond memories, and relax in a local destination as much as you do on an island.
We call Door County as our family tradition now: we visit it every year. We have steadfast to-do’s: fish boil at White Gull Inn, breakfast burritos at Good Eggs, coffee at Leroy’s Coffee House, wine tasting, and a mini-golf night session. On the other hand, we return home with unique experiences each time we visit Door County. That’s the beauty of Door County—a county in Wisconsin, a peninsula with villages scattered across its shoreline. Ephraim, Door County is unequivocally my favorite place—a village with population of 288 across Eagle Harbor from Peninsula State Park. Ephraim is a timeless beauty, even in the winter: there are many trails in the Peninsula State Park for country skiing and you can even snowmobile on the frozen lake. In summer, Door County becomes lively again with tourists, restaurants, and boutique galleries. I have put together a mini-guide for places to eat/drink, places to stay, and some shops worth visiting.
Places to eat/drink:
White Gull Inn: Your address for fish boil is this place. A fish boil is a traditional way of cooking fish practiced by early Scandinavian settlers of Door County. The Master Boiler of White Gull Inn cooks the Lake Michigan whitefish in boiling water with small red potatoes over an open fire. He only uses salt as spice. When the fish is about to be ready, he starts to tell the story of fish boil in Door County, and finishes his story with a great flame show: he puts a small amount of kerosene under the pot, and flames burst. They do fish boil almost every day in summers, and only Fridays in winters. Even you miss the fish boil day, the restaurant still offers delicious food.
Leroy’s Water Street Coffee: It is a small coffee shop with a pretty decor and calming background music. Your morning routine at Door County should definitely include coming here, drinking a cup of coffee, and enjoying a book, newspaper, or magazine. If you come here in winter, try the white chocolate.
Good Eggs: I dislike eggs, especially egg burritos. This is the only place I would ever eat an egg burrito. I cannot rave enough about this place. Door County trip cannot be complete without having breakfast at Good Eggs. Warning: there is usually a long wait in the mornings. You can order online to skip the lines.
Boathouse on the Bay: Dining with a view, yes please. If you can, sit on the porch or terrace. Definitely order grilled oysters.
Grasse's Grill: only serves breakfast and lunch since last year. I once ate garden vegetable soup there, I was so inspired that I cooked my version of garden vegetable soup almost every week in last fall. That’s when I learned to love celery (only in soups though).
The Garage—Husby’s Food and Spirits: I don’t like the food here, but there is always live music at nights here. Come here to enjoy music with a couple of drinks.
Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery: Door County is famous with its cherries. When life gives you cherries, you make cherry wine. If you like fruity wines, you would love their cherry wine. You can get a free wine tasting, always a good idea. You can also drink wine and enjoy the view of vineyards at this place.
Lautenbach Winery & Market: I love their mulled wines (gluhwein). I warm up the wine in a pot and enjoy it on cold days in Chicago. Again free wine tasting is available. Finally, you can find almost anything made out of cherry in this place.
Tea Thyme: This is an English tearoom where every table is named after a famous British person (Churchill, Jane Austen, Queen Elizabeth, etc.) You can select your tea flavor from a large variety of tea collection, and get a tea pot, and enjoy English scones, shortbread, finger sandwiches.
Places to stay:
Scandinavian Lodge: It has one outdoor pool and one indoor pool (heated). The rooms are pretty large and contain a kitchen, a fireplace, jacuzzi (maybe not in all rooms). There is a tennis court but with a plastic tiles, unfortunately. Its location is pretty convenient.
Gordon Lodge: Last time we stayed here. It is bit on the expensive side tough. The advantage of staying at Gordon Lodge is that you have free access to canoes, bikes, and at least 5 trails for jogging and biking.
Places for outdoor activities:
Peninsula State Park: a beautiful park with many trail options. If you like hiking, definitely visit this park and complete at least two trails. Cross-country skiing is a winter option, it is really fun.
Cave Point County Park: another must-go place: hiking trails, limestone cliffs, and underwater caves.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf: I don’t like golf for many reasons, but mainly for its harmful impacts to environment. This is a mini golf place, so my disliking is also minimal. It is a pirate theme 18 courses.
Places to shop:
Over the years, more and more authentic shops have opened in Door County. You can take a look at:
The Bead Bucket
Ephraim Clayworks
Within Things Curiosity Shop
Spot
This mini Door County guide will stay as an ongoing work as long as we visit Door County. There is always new things to try in the Peninsula. For instance, next time I plan to try horseback riding.
Find your own Door County: a place nearby you can visit every year, a travel destination you can call a tradition, a sustainable way of relaxing. It doesn’t have to be an extraordinary place, it just needs to feed and rejuvenate your soul.
Happy travels!
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