Jutting from the northeast corner of the state of Wisconsin is the peninsula Door County. Known as ‘Cape Cod of the Midwest’, Door County is bordered on three sides by 482 kilometers of Lake Michigan shoreline, and has 11 historic lighthouses.
When you think Wisconsin, cheese and beer may come to mind. But did you know it’s also home to one of the top US cherry-producing regions, an abundance of green space, and folklore galore?
Door County is paradise for hiking and biking with over two dozen parks – more than any other US county. There are accommodations for all styles and lengths of stay while visiting Door Country, and you can search and book stays through Booking.com.
Name born from dark past
Idyllic little Door County is also an ideal place to get your spooky on, with one of the top ten ghost tours in the entire country. Perhaps its no surprise then, that it’s very name references a dark nautical history steeped in demise that came before.
Off the tip of the peninsula lies open water, nestled between the mainland and a large island. This unassuming stretch lay peppered with jagged shoals lurking below the surface, proving fatal to many seafarers. No one knows how many vessels were destroyed. But enough to bestow upon the region the French moniker Port des Morts – or ‘door of death’. It was shortened to death’s door, before eventually becoming its current name.
In modernday Door County you’ll find quaint ‘seaside’ towns. Where sporadic signs announce for-sale nostalgic goods like homemade jams, dill pickles, and freshly baked cookies. You’ll also find countless items inspired by the Montmorency cherry, a tiny tart fruit harvested in more than 2000 acres of orchards.
Door County cherries for all occasions
Local wineries are known for producting varieties of cherry wine. There’s also cherry jam, cherry marinades, cherry salsa, cherry lotion, and soaps. Stop by the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek for the cherry-stuffed French toast – a dish that was once named ‘Best Breakfast in America’ by Good Morning America.
If there was an award for most exceptional dining experience, the Door County ‘Fish Boil’ would surely take the (cherry) cake. What began as an affordable way to feed hungry hoards of fishermen is now a not-to-be-missed attraction.
Fisherman’s tradition to tourist attraction
At sundown, diners gather ‘round an outdoor bonfire containing a massive kettle of salted water. When precisely the correct temperature is reached, the boilmaster adds a basket of potatoes and onions. Then a batch of whitefish steaks fresh from Lake Michigan.
Our boilmaster Earl T. Jones was part host, part showman, part comedian. He paced around telling jokes and stories, leaving no photo opportunity unfilled. When the moment came to toss kerosene into the fire for one gigantic blaze of boil-over glory, Earl resembled an action hero in the foreground of a special effects explosion.
Theatrics aside, Earl proved himself a legitimate chef. The hearty concoction resulted in the most delectable fish dinner I’ve ever eaten, and one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had.
Finish off with some delicious desert – a slice of the region’s renowned cherry pie. Or, for a change, stop by Wilson’s Ice Cream Parlour and order a sundae.
With a cherry on top, of course.
