Looking for a peaceful lakeside escape with art, nature, and charm? Head to Fish Creek! Nestled along the shores of Green Bay in scenic Door County, Fish Creek is a delightful village known for its waterfront views, local galleries, and outdoor adventures. Whether you're biking through Peninsula State Park, enjoying a fish boil, or browsing boutiques, Fish Creek is a perfect year-round getaway in Wisconsin’s “Cape Cod.”
Fish Creek, WI Highlights:
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Explore Peninsula State Park – Hike, bike, kayak, or camp in this beloved park with beaches, bluffs, and an 18-hole golf course.
- For Art Lovers: Visit Edgewood Orchard Galleries – Browse paintings, jewelry, and sculpture in a serene garden setting.
- For Families: Enjoy a show at Northern Sky Theater – Family-friendly musicals performed under the stars in Peninsula State Park.
- For History Buffs: Tour Eagle Bluff Lighthouse – A beautifully restored lighthouse offering tours and sweeping lake views.
- For Foodies: Attend a traditional Door County fish boil – A must-experience meal with a dramatic flaming finish.
Best Time to Visit Fish Creek, WI
The best time to visit Fish Creek is from May to October. Summer offers warm weather, live performances, and festivals. Fall is ideal for leaf peeping and apple picking. Winter is quiet and peaceful with holiday charm, while spring brings blossoms and fewer crowds.
How to Get to Fish Creek, WI
- By Car: Fish Creek is located on WI-42, about 75 minutes northeast of Green Bay and 4 hours north of Milwaukee.
- By Plane: The nearest commercial airport is Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB), followed by a scenic drive.
- By Bus: Regional shuttle services and private tours may be available from Green Bay or Chicago seasonally.
Where to Stay in Fish Creek, WI
- Recommended for Families: Parkwood Lodge – Spacious rooms, an indoor pool, and picnic areas just outside Peninsula State Park.
- For Couples: White Gull Inn – Historic B&B with cozy rooms, gourmet breakfasts, and a romantic fish boil experience.
- For Budget Travelers: Fish Creek Motel & Cottages – Affordable, charming accommodations within walking distance to downtown shops and marina.
Best Things to Do in Fish Creek, WI
⮕ White Gull Inn
Savor hearty breakfasts, enjoy a cozy stay with historic charm.
© White Gull Inn
The White Gull Inn was established in 1896 by a retired professor who wanted to create an Inn for the thriving town of Fish Creek. There are seven houses and cottages that make up the inn. With spectacular restored rooms, guests can feel as if they are stepping back into the golden age of Fish Creek but with modern amenities. Most rooms have fireplaces and many have whirlpools in the private bathrooms. All room rates include coffee every morning and a full breakfast. All meals are offered in the dining area, though it is the Door County fish boil that is the real star of the inn.
4225 Main Street, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3517
⮕ Peninsula Players
Enjoy live theater performances, experience exciting entertainment in a scenic setting.
© Peninsula Players
The Peninsula Players have been entertaining the people of Fish Creek for over 80 years. Originally an outdoor stage, the stage and audience were covered in 1946 with a canvas top to allow for all summer weather. Today’s guests will be treated with the Players unique style of a resident company. This makes the Players a family, as they all work and live together on the property. Patrons can take in a beautiful sunset of Green Bay before the show. A canteen serves food, while the Luna Bar serves drinks in the Beer Garden.
4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3287
⮕ Peninsula State Park
Hike scenic trails, admire breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
© stevengaertner/stock.adobe.com
The Peninsula State Park sits on about 3,776 acres of land just outside of Green Bay. However, it still only the third largest park in the state. Visitors will be welcomed by 468 campsites across five campgrounds. All campgrounds have buildings with showers and flushable toilets. There are strict firewood guidelines, due to infestation concerns, so be sure to check with the campground when planning your trip. Along with camping, visitors to the park can find playgrounds, beaches, hiking trails, fishing, and hunting opportunities. Pets are welcome in the park but must be kept away from the beaches and picnic areas. There is also an 18-hole golf course in the park.
9462 Shore Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3258
⮕ Edgewood Orchard Galleries
Explore local art, admire unique exhibits in a charming gallery.
© Edgewood Orchard Galleries
In 1958, Irene Pamperin Haberland bought 80 acres to create the Edgewood Orchard. Today’s visitors look for more than fruit trees, as the Edgewood Orchard Galleries is one of the most renowned in the state. Over 150 artists’ works are displayed in the old fruit barn in the orchard. Guests are privileged to see tons of artwork, sculptures, and glasswork on display. Visitors can also take in the more practical art, such as woodwork furniture and jewelry. The artwork, furniture, and jewelry are all for sale, and you can check the website at any time to find pricing and whether or not the piece is still available.
4140 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3579
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
⮕ Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Tour historic grounds, admire panoramic views of Green Bay.
© Ralf Broskvar/stock.adobe.com
Just 76 feet above Green Bay, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse stands proudly as a reminder of its role keeping sailors safe in poor weather. The lighthouse was manned by keepers from 1868 to 1929, and the current lighthouse has been preserved into a museum. Guests can take a guided tour through the lighthouse and surrounding buildings to get a few for what it was like to be a keeper and his family during those times. Today’s museum has some original furnishing from the period, allowing guests to get a feel for the house in its working days.
10249 Shore Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-421-3636
⮕ Historic Alexander Noble House
Explore 19th-century life, admire preserved antiques and local history.
© Gibraltar Historical Association
Historic Alexander Noble House was built for one of the founding fathers (Alexander Noble) of Fish Creek in 1875. It was the first home in Fish Creek to be made from lathe and plaster, veering away from the traditional log cabin. Today’s guests can tour the oldest standing residence in town and its exhibits. Some of the permanent and expected exhibits include House in Mourning (looking at Victorian funerals held in the home), the Country Doctor (with items from Nobel’s granddaughter doctor), and Victorian Weddings. Guests will be able to tour all 10 rooms in the home with or without a docent.
4167 Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-2091
Where to Eat:
⮕ Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille Fish Creek
Savor wood-fired pizzas, enjoy casual dining with fresh ingredients.
© Wild Tomato
Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille Fish Creek is the full name of Wild Tomato. The company has two missions: to serve wood-oven pizzas at an affordable price with sustainable ingredients and to treat humans with deep respect. One spectacular night to plan around is the monthly Donation Creation, where the chefs create a unique pizza and some of the proceeds of the pizza go to a local charity. You can try something fun and feel good while doing it. Besides the donation creation pizza, you can build your pizza or try one of the specialty pizzas.
4023 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3095
⮕ Alexander’s Restaurant
Enjoy fine dining, savor seafood and steak in an elegant atmosphere.
© Alexander’s Restaurant
When you’re hungry for fine dining with elegant casual attire, check out Alexander’s Restaurant. Owned by the Alexander family, Alexander’s Restaurant features Sunday brunches that are well worth the stop. But the brunch isn’t the only reason for a visit. Fine dining for dinner is a must. Check out the baked brie, oysters Rockefeller, or wild escargot as a starter, and then move right into an entrée, like cherry barbecue salmon, cioppino, chicken asiago ravioli, roasted cherry duck, or something from the chophouse. Steaks and pork chops can be enhanced with toppings like garlic gorgonzola butter, shitake mushroom chardonnay sauce, or cognac cream sauce.
3667 Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-3532
⮕ Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel
Enjoy homestyle meals, stay in comfortable lodging near park attractions.
© Julie’s Park Café and Motel
Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel is more than just a restaurant. This business has expanded over the last twenty years to include a motel, cottages, and condos. The motel is located just at the entrance of Peninsula State Park, so activities are just steps away. When you’re ready to eat, head down to the café for breakfast or lunch. Breakfast is served all day, which is perfect for those lazy days when you want to sleep in. When you’re ready to head out, be sure to pick up a piece of Julie’s to take home, like the cherry barbeque sauce, housemade poppyseed dressing, or a pie.
4020 Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Phone: 920-868-2999
If you are interested in local events:
- For Summer Fun: Door County Plein Air Festival (July) – Watch artists paint live throughout town and enjoy art shows and auctions.
- For Fall Colors: Pumpkin Patch Festival (October) – A family-friendly fall event with live music, treats, and hayrides in nearby Egg Harbor.
- For Winter Charm: Fish Creek Winter Festival (February) – Snowy games, food, fireworks, and quirky competitions on the ice.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Fish Creek, Wisconsin:
- For Scenic Views: Door Bluff Headlands County Park (25 min) – Remote, rugged cliffs with hiking trails and panoramic water views.
- For Nature & Gardens: The Ridges Sanctuary (30 min) – Hike boardwalks through rare wildflower habitats and forested dunes in Baileys Harbor.
- For Local Sips: Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market (5 min) – Sample wine, cider, and cherry products right outside Fish Creek.
- For Art & Culture: Peninsula School of Art (5 min) – View rotating gallery exhibitions and take workshops or events year-round.
- For Lighthouse Lovers: Cana Island Lighthouse (30 min) – Walk across the causeway and climb the lighthouse tower for amazing lake views.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: What is Wisconsin known for?
- A: In Wisconsin, produce is everything. The state is widely known for its dairy production, which plays a major role in its economy and culture.
- Q: What does Door County produce besides dairy?
- A: Door County, where Fish Creek is located, also produces a ton of cherries and white fish for the neighboring area.
- Q: What should visitors do in Fish Creek?
- A: During your visit to Fish Creek, be sure to check out the fantastic restaurants that serve sustainable and locally-grown ingredients.
- Q: What entertainment options are available in Fish Creek?
- A: After enjoying a meal, head off for some entertainment with plays, museums, and of course, various outdoor activities.
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit |
Places to Stay |
Tips for Visiting |
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers. |
Thorp House Inn & Cottages – A charming historic inn with cozy accommodations. |
Hike in Peninsula State Park – Enjoy scenic views, wildflowers, and peaceful trails. |
Summer (June-August) – Warm and perfect for water activities. |
The White Gull Inn – A quaint stay with a famous fish boil experience. |
Kayak or paddleboard on Green Bay – Explore the stunning coastline and clear waters. |
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air, vibrant fall foliage, and seasonal festivals. |
Homestead Suites – A great location for exploring the fall colors. |
Attend the Door County Pumpkin Patch Festival – Enjoy autumn festivities, food, and crafts. |
Winter (December-February) – Quiet and snowy, ideal for a cozy retreat. |
Settlement Courtyard Inn & Lavender Spa – A relaxing stay with a spa for winter relaxation. |
Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing – Explore Peninsula State Park in a winter wonderland setting. |
Map:
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