Door County 2009 Visitor Guide - (Page 12) W I Events “Celebrating Winter” Festival Fishing Derby Canoe & Kayak Race (WICKRES) 4th of July Fireworks Rec Run Race Fly-In Fish Boil K/D Salmon Tournament Music Festival Scandinavian Festival Washington Island Fair & Parade Cider Pressing Party & Fall Festival Discover Serenity Surrounded by Water C JACOBSEN MUSEUM © RENEE PUCCINI rossing “Death’s Door” to Washington Island is a trip through time. The six-mile stretch of water that separates the peninsula from Washington Island traverses the tricky currents and shifting winds that used to swamp many a canoe, prompting early Native American inhabitants to call it Death’s Door. French explorers picked up on the name and, experiencing similar difficulties with their schooners, translated the Indian name for the strait to Porte des Morte. That name still exists on the nautical charts, and eventually gave birth to the county’s name. But passage today is a safe, 30-minute crossing – with or without a vehicle – on the year-round car ferry at Northport. Or passengers without vehicles can take a narrated boat excursion from Gills Rock. The Island pace is slow, friendly, and relaxed but with plenty to do and see throughout the year. Washington Island is a great place for the nature lover SCHOOL HOUSE BEACH © who wants to bicycle, swim, golf, fish, horseback ride, and sightsee. Kayak or canoe the picturesque Renee Puccini harbors and shorelines; hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, or simply do some bird watching. Come for the fantastic fall colors and the famous Door County fish boils. Make a point of taking in the Jacobsen Museum at Little Lake, just one of several museums located on the island. Stop by the Norwegian stavkirke (stav church). Feel the incredibly smooth pebbles at Schoolhouse Beach. As an alternative to bringing your car, bikes can be rented from various locations on the island. You can also rent electric cars or mopeds at the car ferry dock for touring the island. First-time visitors can get an entertaining overview of the island’s points of scenic and historic interest by taking a narrated ride on an open-air tram. At Northport Dock the employees with red vests will be happy to assist you with ticket sales and ferry information, while the employees with royal blue vests will be able to assist you with island and other Door County information. Rock Island, just a few miles off the northeast tip of Washington Island, makes a great side trip, and can be reached by passenger ferry out of Jackson Harbor from late May into October. Explore Rock Island on foot and see a historic stone boathouse, as well as the oldest lighthouse in the region. There are a limited number of backpack campsites but no other overnight lodging. For more information on Rock Island State Park, call (920) 847-2235. CONTACT INFO: Washington Island Chamber of Commerce, (920) 847-2179, www.washingtonislandchamber.com D C V C BAILEYS HARBOR 839-2366 Corner of Cty F & Hwy 57 June-Oct: 10am-4pm daily www.baileysharbor.com 868-3717 EGG HARBOR 4666 Orchard Road June-Oct: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-3pm www.eggharbordoorcounty.org EPHRAIM 854-4989 Hwy 42 & Spruce Street June-Oct: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-2pm www.ephraim-doorcounty.com JACKSONPORT 823-2288 6275 Highway 57 May-Nov: 9am-5pm daily Nov-April: 9am-5pm weekends www.jacksonport.net SISTER BAY 854-2812 416 Gateway Drive Mid May-Mid Oct: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-3pm www.sisterbay.org 24-hour kiosk next to building WASHINGTON ISLAND WELCOME CENTER DETROIT HARBOR & NORTHPORT FERRY DOCK 847-2179 Gills Rock Open Memorial Day - Columbus Day www.washingtonislandchamber.com 24-hour kiosk next to building at Northport Open year-round FISH CREEK 868-2316 4097 Main Street June-Oct: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-3pm. Oct-May: Fri Noon-5pm Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-2pm www.fishcreekinfo.com 24-hour kiosk next to driveway STURGEON BAY VCB 743-6246 36 S. 3rd Avenue 8:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri all year & June-Oct: 10am-2pm on Sat July 4-Labor Day: 10am-2pm on Sun Visitor info 24 hrs. www.sturgeonbay.net TOP O’ THE THUMB 854-5448 12032 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay Mid June-Mid Oct: 10am-4pm daily www.ellisonbaydoorwi.com DOOR COUNTY VISITOR BUREAU 743-4456 1015 Green Bay Road, Sturgeon Bay Lobby Hours: Open 24/7 Office Hours: Nov-April: 8:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Wed; 8:30am-6pm, Thur; 8:30am-7pm, Fri; 10am-4pm, Sat; Closed, Sun May-Oct: 8:30am-5pm, Mon-Wed; 8:30am - 7pm, Thur; 8:30am-8pm, Fri; 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun www.doorcounty.com 24-hour kiosk next to building All numbers are area code (920) 12 The Official Door County Visitor Guide http://www.washingtonislandchamber.com http://www.baileysharbor.com http://www.jacksonport.net http://www.washingtonislandchamber.com http://www.eggharbordoorcounty.org http://www.sisterbay.org http://www.ephraim-doorcounty.com http://www.sturgeonbay.net http://www.DoorCounty.com http://www.fishcreekinfo.com http://www.ellisonbaydoorwi.com
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