Thank you to our travel writer Kathy Chin Leong for finding this hidden gem!
After almost five years, did COVID-19 teach us anything? One lesson learned is that life is short, and we must cherish one another. Sister Bay, a village in Door County, Wisconsin, is the perfect getaway for sister friends and real sisters. This affordable setting in the mid-west is ideal for converging when pals live on different coasts. It’s got fine lodging, shopping, dining, and endless outdoor activity.
The village of only 1,169 residents is Door County’s best-kept secret. The 2.5 square mile enclave features no stop lights, few stop signs, and no chain stores, no chain eateries, no chain anything. The heart of Sister Bay is its waterfront lined with docks and tour boats, and plenty of picnic benches. This bay is named after the Sister Islands, two small landforms, and protected sanctuaries for terns and gulls.
To get there, fly into Greenbay, Wisconsin (GRB), and rent a car. No bus service exists in this rural community, so plan ahead for the 90 minutes it takes to get to town. The ride past the white clapboard buildings, farm stops, boutiques, and art galleries (over 80 in Door County) makes for a fascinating drive that becomes a vacation highlight in itself. Many visitors cannot resist stopping at Krowas Orchard for the Sweet Tango apples or Wood Orchard Market for the signature apple cider donuts.
Once in town, we recommend dropping your bags at the new Dörr Hotel, a modern Norwegian-styled property, considered one of Door County’s finest. If you know anything about the Danish concept of “hygge,” you’ll immediately notice the design and interiors echo that lifestyle philosophy of coziness, warmth, and joy. The typical room features pure white walls over ten feet high with plush white bedding and fluffy, snowy robes. The outdoor fire pit with Adirondack chairs, leather couches by the fireplace in the lobby, as well as a lower-level living room makes the hotel an ideal spot for a “sister” gathering.
Sister Bay can be enjoyed all weekend on foot. Leave your car in the hotel parking lot, and you can visit a lineup of purveyors selling: ornaments, clothing, souvenirs, home décor, toys, and gourmet foods. Even the Piggly Wiggly grocery store carries Wisconsin goods including locally-made sausages and meats, and that all-time favorite: bite-sized cheese curds which actually squeak in your mouth as you eat them.
Another notable store is Skal, a Scandinavian-themed gift shop carrying everything from clogs to made-in-Sweden blankets, and tabletop gnomes to knitted goat-themed caps.
Did we mention goats?
The visitor quickly learns that the Skol store is one of three similar-looking log buildings all under the Al Johnson family enterprise. Next to Skol is Skudd, an outdoor and indoor lounge selling beers and hand-crafted cocktails. Next to that is the Al Johnson Swedish Restaurant and gift boutique, open 7- 3 p.m. daily. These structures built by Norwegian carpenters all feature grass rooftops where goats are released in the warm months to eat to their heart’s delight. This down-home breakfast and lunch restaurant that opened in the 1940s is so iconic that it distributes its Swedish pancake mix and other branded goods throughout Door County and the state.
Whereas Al Johnson’s is casual, noisy, and kitschy with its wait staff dressed in traditional dirndl skirts for the gals and snappy dark vests for the males, down the street Chop restaurant offers a different experience. The fine dining steak and seafood establishment opens only for dinner and features two floors of seating with luxurious booths and wood tables and chairs. Unlike at Al Johnson’s, servers are dressed in simple dark aprons and white shirts. Diners in the know will drive over an hour for its $30 combination dinner that includes a salad, entrée, and dessert. The killer carrot cake has made a name for itself over the 12 years it has been in business.
In between shopping and dining, your group can also take advantage of a few small day spas in town The Water’s Edge Spa, in particular, is available to gals who find that every relaxation retreat should or must include an indulgent massage.
When the weather is warm, going out on a Sister Bay Scenic Boat Cruise will give guests a dose of Door County’s history where shipwrecks are a huge part of its backstory. Meanwhile, adventure seekers can rent a kayak or standup paddleboard from Bay Shore Outfitters.
Sister Bay is that slice of Americana that hearkens to a Norman Rockwell painting. Friendly faces. Few crowds. Clean sidewalks. Thriving small businesses. At daybreak in Sister Bay, residents are walking their dogs or training for a run beneath a ribbon of clouds and orange sky. With this in view, it is not a bad way for an observer to enjoy her first cup of coffee. Katelyn Jerard, manager at the Chop restaurant says, “I love our community. It’s full of kindness and support.”
In the fall, oak and birch trees surrender to the season with orange, yellow, and scarlet leaves, trumpeting their colors among wooden buildings and Norwegian architecture. A giant sign perched at the top of the hill reads “Fall in love with Sister Bay.” Come winter, everyone looks forward to Christkindlmkt, its own version of the European Christmas festivals showcasing homemade goods, Nordic foods and beverages, and holiday music and lights.
In the spring, the snow melts, and the weather shifts. And by summer, “Sister Bay is the perfect place for a girlfriend getaway,” says Jen Rogers, senior media relations manager for Door County. “Daytime is filled with shopping and enjoying the large public beach. In the evening, you have fine dining and low-key nightlife of outdoor concerts and outdoor bars.”
Next time you are in the hot seat to plan a girlfriend getaway, consider Sister Bay. The village offers quality shopping, varied eats, and beautiful lodging. After you’ve shared an unhurried and relaxing weekend, you will feel more bonded to your soul sisters than ever before.
- For more information visit Sister Bay
