For my second day in Wisconsin, we headed to Door County, the “thumb” of Wisconsin’s mitten-shaped geography. This peninsula juts into Lake Michigan, creating Green Bay and offering charming towns, lush orchards, and incredible views.
Choice Orchards: Cherry Picking Adventure
We kicked off the day at Choice Orchards for some cherry picking. For $6.50, we received a metal bucket to fill with tart cherries. The trees were overflowing with bright red fruit, and it didn’t take long to fill our pail to the brim. The idyllic experience even included a friendly farmer waving from his tractor and a charming dog who insisted on a few pats before letting us leave.
The attached store offered jarred and frozen cherries alongside other fruit preserves, but we left with just our freshly picked bounty, ready for the next adventure.
Ice Cream and Olive Oil: Small Town Gems
Our journey continued up the west coast of Door County, stopping in quaint towns like Egg Harbor. At Gomy’s Goodies, we indulged in Wisconsin’s own Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream. Inspired by our morning activity, I chose the cherry flavor, which was creamy and indulgent, though the cherries were unexpectedly crunchy.
In Fish Creek, we visited Oilerie, an olive oil bar where we sampled various flavors. My favorite was the spicy Italian olive oil, which had a bold kick.
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
Next, we headed to Sister Bay for lunch at the iconic Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, famous for its live goats grazing on the grass roof. We started with an Assorted Scandinavian Cheese Plate, accompanied by Swedish limpa bread. The sweet brown cheese stood out, offering a flavor I’d never experienced before.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying the Swedish pancakes, served with butter, syrup, and lingonberries. Thin yet rich, these pancakes were phenomenal, especially with a generous helping of lingonberries.
Swimming at Whitefish Dunes
After lunch, we drove down the east coast of Door County to Whitefish Dunes for a swim in Lake Michigan. Despite the chilly water and a brisk breeze, the experience was refreshing and fun, leaving us energized for one last stop.
Simon Creek Winery
Located in the heart of the peninsula, Simon Creek Winery greeted us warmly despite our late arrival. Each of us enjoyed four complimentary tastings. While most wines didn’t impress me, the Peninsula Gold cream sherry was exceptional. We left with a bottle of Merlot, reasonably priced at $16, to pair with dinner.
Farmers Market Dinner
Back home, we transformed our farmers market haul into a delightful meal. Using some of the cherries we picked, we baked an easy cherry tart—just cherries, sugar, flour, and butter in a pre-made pie shell. The tartness of the cherries mellowed beautifully during baking.
For dinner, we made pasta with mushrooms, onions, and squash, deglazed with the Merlot. A cucumber salad with cilantro and lemon juice added brightness, while sautéed pumpkin vines offered a unique texture that we thoroughly enjoyed, despite their tedious prep.
We ended the meal with the cherry tart, savoring every bite. With full stomachs and fond memories, we called it a day.
Our Verdict
Locations
Choice Orchards — 4594 County HH, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Gomy’s Goodies — 7813 State Highway, 42 Egg Harbor, WI
Oilerie — 4083 Main St, Fish Creek, WI
Al Johnson’s — 10698 N. Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI
Simon Creek Winery — 5896 Bochek Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI
