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3 places to see Mt. Fuji (save + share this post): 3 places to see Mt. Fuji (save + share this post):

If you don’t have enough time to spend days in Hakone visiting Mt. Fuji it’s easy to take a day trip here from Tokyo. It’s only about 90 minutes by car and we spent the day exploring the area. There is a swing at the top for an additional fee where you literally swing into Mt. Fuji and they have a souvenir shop and small food vendor to purchase snacks.

Location 1: Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway which cost ¥900 for adults and ¥450 for children for a roundtrip ride on the cable car. They do sell one way cable car tickets if you want to hike down the mountain.

Location 2: Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, there is a small fee of ¥100 per person but children are free. This place is really only for pictures besides the view there isn’t anything else to do. They have it set up with a line to capture photos in front of the tori gate and each group has 3 minutes to take pictures, yes they actually time you, to make sure the line keeps moving.

Location 3: Arakurayama Sengen Park where you’ll need to climb 398 stairs or take the curved paved path to the top for views of the mountain and Chuerito Pagoda. The stairs are a straight shot but the path makes it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

We were truly blessed to be able to see Mt. Fuji as it’s often not visible. When I visited in 2015 we made the trip here and it was gloomy and cloudy and we couldn’t see anything. We did go to the base of the mountain on that trip and do the ice cave exploration so all wasn’t lost but I am so happy Jordyn and I got to see the full mountain with our own two eyes on this trip!

There are lots of other places you can view Mt. Fuji but with only one day we couldn’t visit them all. The other 7 best places to see Mt. Fuji are on a boat tour on any of the 5 lakes that surround the mountain (Kawaguchi, Yamanakako, Saiko, Shojiko, or Motosuko), Koyo-Dai Lookout Platform, Sanko-Dai Lookout Platform, Oshino Hakkai Springs, Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park, Rooftop of Fujisan Station, Shin-Fuji Station Platform and in Hakone.

Have you ever seen Mt. Fuji’s beauty? Would you add this to your Japan itinerary if you haven’t?

#mtfuji #lakekawaguchiko
How we spent 48 hours in Kyoto (save + share this How we spent 48 hours in Kyoto (save + share this post):

1. Start your day at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. We arrived here at 7:30am and there were quite a few people here already. We didn’t visit but in Arshiyama you can also visit the Monkey Park to see the Japanese Macaques (snow monkeys).

2. Head to Kinkaku-ji to see this stunning Temple of the Golden Pavilion. They open at 9am and we arrived at 8:45am and by time the opened the door at 9am the line was extremely long.

3. Walk through the gorgeous Tori Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Before or after your visit be sure to walk through the street vendors for some amazing food. We tried noodles, mochi and just enjoyed learning more about the local foods. We visited here around 11am and even though it was so crowded if you want photos without people wait until you’re walking through the gates to exit and there are often moments where the area is empty, just be a little patient. 

4. Book a session at @kyoto_samurai_experience to learn about the history of the Samurai, watch a demonstration and get to try your hand at using the samurai sword yourself.

5. Eat your way through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. You will be able to walk through these narrow streets (with some hills) and try ice cream flavors such a matcha, green tea, white peach, Sakura (if in season), Black sesame, caramel and more and yes, we tried them all! There’s also tons of mochi and other treats. You’ll find the Starbucks with a traditional Japanese home interior here as well as Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, be sure to visit.

6. Walk around Gion and catch a Kabuki show at Minamiza Theatre.

7. Visit Daigo-ji temple, it’s not frequented by a lot of tourists so it’s rarely crowded and you can have a moment on zen here!

While we didn’t have time this visit as the weather altered some of our plans on my last visit to Kyoto in 2015 I also visited Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), Nijo Castle which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ryoanji Temple and highly recommend going. 

Some other things we were interested in but just didn’t have time for were a calligraphy class and if you are into manga you can visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
This is your sign to rent a kimono in Kyoto! It wa This is your sign to rent a kimono in Kyoto! It was an honor to be dressed by Japanese women & taught about the Kimono. Here’s everything you need to know about renting a kimono & a tiny history lesson on them(save + share this post):

1. Originally kimono was the Japanese word for clothing but is now used to refer specifically to traditional Japanese clothing. Kimono’s date back to the Heian period of 794-1185 and were every day wear until western culture was brought to Japan.

2. There are 8 layers in a kimono in addition to the Tabi (white socks) which are specifically made to wear with Jori (traditional Japanese shoes). Even though there are 8 layers it doesn’t take long to be dressed.

3. Today kimonos are mostly worn for special occasions such as NYE, weddings, gradations, tea ceremonies & summer festivals. But geishas, maikos, kabuki actors and a few traditional professions wear them every day.

4. We rented our Kimono’s from this shop https://kyoto-kimonorental.com/kimono/. It’s less than a 5 minute walk from Hokan-ji. We made a reservation in advance but you will find kimono rental shops all over Kyoto. They open at 9 and you have to return the Kimono’s by 5.

5. They offer multiple packages which vary in the type of material the kimono is. The package I got was the ¥4,900 ($37.50) one and Jordyn’s child price was ¥3,900 ($29.87). You can get your hair and makeup done for an additional ¥1,200. The value of the yen is down now so be sure to check exchange rates whenever you make it to Japan for accuracy.

6. This shop offers photo packages directly through them or you can take your own or hire a separate photographer.

7. If you’re worried about renting a kimono and wearing it in Japan being seen as cultural appropriation, don’t be. I obviously can’t speak for every Japanese person but from hearing it first hand from Japanese people in Japan and the large amount of Kimono rental shops all over Japan encouraging visitors to try kimonos, the Japanese are so excited to see foreigners embracing their culture and wearing kimonos respectfully! We received so many compliments from the local community as we explored Kyoto this day.

📍Daigo-ji temple & Hokan-ji
After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. Here’s how to get here and where we stayed (save + share this post):

1. You can take the Shinkansen (bullet) train from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station if you have the JR Pass and it will only take you 15 minutes. If you don’t have a JR Pass the Shinkansen ticket costs about 1,420 yen (right now that’s about $11). 

2. If you don’t have the JR Pass you can take the Hankyu Kyoto Line or Keihan Main Line. These are regular non express trains and will increase your travel time to from 15 minutes to 45-55 minutes but they only cost 400 yen (about $3) so you can save money, especially for a large group.

3. There is also a bus that leaves picks up at Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, Universal Studios Japan and Namba and goes to Kyoto Station. I’m not sure of the costs.

4. If you flew into Osaka you can also take the Haruka Express train from the airport to Kyoto Station. 

In Kyoto we stayed at The Chaper Kyoto which is a Marriott property. The rooms are on the small side but the hotel is clean and modern. There is a bus stop down the block which we could take to get to Gion in 9 minutes. The room was about $240/night since it’s busy season.

The weather this time of year is pretty sporadic. Some days it was hot and sunny and some days cool and gloomy so definitely pack a variety of attire and bring some layers and the weather changes throughout the day. Will be sharing our itinerary soon.

Have you been to Kyoto? If you have other accommodation recommendations please share them below to help others!

📍Fushimi Inari Taisha
Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal St Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan? You need to know this (save + share this post):

1. Just because you have tickets to the park doesn’t mean you’ll get into Super Nintendo World, it requires a timed entry ticket. These do run out so it’s not a guarantee you’ll be able to enter! If you get your park tickets in advance you might be able to grab an advanced booking in the app but if these are all gone by time you get your tickets you’ll need an area timed entry ticket. These are only available the day you’re visiting & you can only attempt to get it once you’re actually in the park! We got to the park when they opened at 8am & there were only two entry times left so arrive early! You can get them on the app (you must grant the app permission to see your location so they know you’re inside) or you can go to one of the ticket kiosks.

2. To really enjoy you’ll need a power band which are sold for about $35. If you don’t have one you can walk around & go on the 2 rides but you can’t play the games & collect coins.

3. The wait times for both rides are usually 1-3 hours! To avoid this you can purchase an Express Pass (most people said this reduces wait times to a mere 15 minutes). Express Passes were sold out the day we went so we only got to ride Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge but not Yoshi’s Adventure. To avoid the 2 hour wait for Mario Kart we actually went through the singles line. We did end up in two different karts but we only waited 20 minutes to ride instead of 2 hours. Yo Shi’a Adventure doesn’t have a singles line or we would have done that too!

4. If you want to eat at Kinopio’s Cafe you also need a timed entry ticket so be sure to grab this as soon as you get inside Super Nintendo World. It’s usually a 1-2 hour wait once you get your timed entry ticket.

5. Once you leave you cannot reenter (if timed entry tickets are required at the time) so be sure to do everything you want before leaving.

Universal Studio Japan is extremely popular & tickets do sell out often so buy in advance. The most popular sites to buy them are Klook (where we bought ours) & KKDay.

Hope this helps! Who has Super Nintendo World on their list?
How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this post):

1. Kicked off the day trying soufflé pancakes, you’ll find restaurants all over the city that sell these. We personally had them at Belle-ville Pancakes.

2. Visit the Cup of Noodles Museum where you can make your own Cup of Noodles logo and then customize the flavor and toppings for your noodles. They also offer a ramen making class here in addition to the museum where you can learn the history of the company.

3. If you’re visiting in March check to see if the March Sumo Wrestling Tournament is taking place at Edion Arena Osaka. If so def try to get tickets in advance (they go on sale a month prior) or arrive early to get same day tickets. It’s a fun afternoon.

4. We also did a Tea Ceremony class but photos/videos weren’t allowed.

5. End the first day getting cheesecake at the infamous Rikuro’s for their jiggly Cheesecake.

6. The other day spend at Universal Studios Japan for thrilling rides, shows and to relive your childhood at Super Nintendo World.

Where to stay in Osaka? The W Osaka is gorgeous but a little pricey and the Fairfield by Marriott is more budget friendly with nice, modern clean rooms just less amenities and smaller rooms (will post stories of both so you can see).

How to get to Osaka from Tokyo: We took the Shinkansen bullet train which takes 3 hours but is such an experience as it goes up to 199mph. Be sure to sit of the right side of the train for views of Mt. Fuji. You can also take a quick flight!

Other things to do in Osaka we didn’t travel time for:

1. Visit the Osaka Castle

2. Go to the top of the Umeda Sky Building

3. Go out in the Dotonbori

4. Walk around Kuromon Market

5. Watch a show at the National Bunraku Theater

6. Explore the Sumiyoshi Shrine

Which activity would you most want to do? If you’ve been to Osaka before what other recommendations do you have?

#osakajapan #travellingwithkids #cupofnoodles #universalstudiosjapan
6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAV 6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAVE + SHARE this post):

1. Link your Lyft and Skymiles accounts to earn 1 mile per $1 on US rides and 2miles per $1 on airport rides.

2. When booking Airbnb stays go to delta.com/Airbnb instead and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent on airbnbs.

3. Order groceries online with instacart? Go to instacart.com/delta to link your accounts and earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent. If you’re new to instacart you can also get 3 months free.

4. Link your Starbucks account with your Skymiles account at delta Starbucks.com and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks. Plus on days your flying with Delta, you’ll earn DOUBLE stars at Starbucks.

5. Sign up for SkyMiles dining at  Skymilesdining.com and is link your credit or debit card. Every time you use your card at a participating bar or restaurant, you’ll earn between 1-5 miles per $1 spent.

6. And nope you don’t have to use a Delta credit card to get miles for any of the above, no matter how you pay you’ll earn BUT is you do pay for them with a Delta co-branded credit card (there are several and depending on which one you have) you can earn anywhere from a additional 1-5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, even if they aren’t Delta airline tickets.

The cash price for the flight we took to Tokyo was $2,600pp so it would have cost me over $5,000 for this since it’s peak travel to Japan (never in my life would I pay that, we would have went somewhere else). Instead I only paid $118 total by using all of these ways to earn Delta miles over the past few years which gave me enough miles to redeem even though we don’t get to fly Delta on a regular since they don’t have the strongest presence at MIA airport as it’s American’s hub.

Do you use travel credit cards and/or points and miles from loyalty programs to offset the cost of travel? If so what are your favorite ones? Let’s all travel for less!

The Traveling Child

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25+ Fun Family Things to do in Door County, WI with Kids

August 30, 2019      Destinations, North America, Wisconsin

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

Never in my 33 years of life would I think I’d rank Wisconsin as one of my favorite trips. However, after spending five nights in Wisconsin on our Door County vacation here I am saying it was one of my best family vacations. Door County is a beautiful part of Wisconsin. It’s home to family-friendly attractions like Wood Orchard Market, the Door County Maritime Museum and Schoolhouse Beach.

One of my favorite things about Door County is that it has so many family-friendly activities! It is truly a vacation spot that caters to children! There are so many things to do in Door County with kids!  In this post, I will share some of our favorites with you (including Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm). I’ve included our Door County itinerary below will to help you plan your own family vacation there.

 

You may also be interested in: Fun Things to do in Wisconsin Dells in the Winter: Our 3 Day Itinerary

 

mom holding up toddler daughter wearing white in the middle of a lavender farm
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Planning Your Door County, WI Vacation With Kids Itinerary 

When traveling with kids, it’s important to plan your itinerary.  Door County has so many fun, family-friendly activities to choose from it might seem overwhelming. But, by deciding what you’d like to do and see ahead of time it takes some of the stress off of the trip. Plus, it can be a good way to spend time together pre-vacation. Get your kids involved and sit down and plan out where you’re going to eat and all the amazing things you will do!

 

Door County is definitely a vacation destination you want to visit when it’s warmer. A lot of the fun things to do are outdoor activities and specific to warmer weather. That is not to say the Door County wouldn’t be a good option in the winter, but this post focuses on things to do in the summer, late spring and early fall when it’s still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. 

 

How to Get to Door County, Wisconsin

The closest airport to Door County, Wisconsin is Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. From here it will take you a little over an hour to get to Door County. Door County is not easily accessible by public transportation so renting a car is a must. The airport had every national car rental company such as Alamo and Enterprise. You can rent a car seat or travel with your own, read my tips on traveling with a car seat here.

If you’re planning a trip to Chicago or live there it’s an easy three and a half hour drive from there. You can easily extend your trip and make it two in one or visit Door County on a long weekend if you’re a Chicago native.

girl in red shirt sitting in the cockpit of a plane
The pilots let my daughter sit in the cockpit on our flight to Door County.

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Flying with Toddlers

Where to Stay in Door County with Kids

On our Door County vacation we were booked for five nights at the Newport Resort in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. It’s located in the middle of Door County which made us equal distance to Sturgeon Bay and Sisters Bay, two towns in Door County we frequented. As far as staying here with kids they loved the playground on site as well as the two pools (indoor and outdoor so they could enjoy it despite the weather).

Playground in the middle of turf outside a hotel in door county, WI.

As someone traveling with my family, I loved that the rooms here are apartment style. We had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen (with all the supplies you need to cook), dining room, living room and a large patio. This is great as space is always essential with kids and being able to cook meals can save you money on vacation. Here’s a tour of our suite, suite 124.

Kitchen of Newport Resort in Door County, WI.

The downfall of Newport Resort to me is that it’s outdated and the rooms can definitely use some renovations. While the kitchen had granite countertops, the bathrooms did not but everything was clean most importantly. There was no vacancy during our stay and the resort was packed which leads me to believe it’s one of the best options when traveling to Door County with kids.

Bathroom of Newport Resort in Door County.

Things to do in Door County with Kids, Our Door County Itinerary 

Day One in Door County with Kids

Breakfast at Al Johnson’s

We arrived late the previous night so we had a full day ahead of us. Everyone says you didn’t do your Door County vacation right if you didn’t see the goats on the roof of Al Johnson’s so we started our day with breakfast there. It’s a Swedish restaurant and the roof is covered in grass and there are indeed real goats that walk, graze, and sleep on the roof! If you want a table get there early! We made the mistake of arriving around 10am, thinking “oh its Tuesday, there won’t be a wait”, well the wait was 90 minutes. Thankfully there is a play area for kids but 90 minutes is still too long to wait for a table. Our initial idea was to order our food to go and then eat it at the tables outside at their bar next door. When we went inside to order there were seats at the bar so we ate there instead and there were no issues with the kids sitting there too.

A boy and a girl outside playing with wooden building blocks.

3 plates of food including french toast, swedish pancakes, and eggs and potatoes.
Al Johnson’s is a must when visiting Door County with kids. They will love seeing the goats on the roof of the restaurant.

Exploring Washington Island in Door County with Kids

After breakfast we drove twenty five minutes to Northport Pier where we would take the ferry to Washington Island. Unless you have someone taking you around the island you’ll need a car but don’t worry, you’re able to drive your car right onto the ferry. To bring your car on the ferry you’ll pay $26.00 plus $13.50 per adult and $7 per child 6-11. The ferry runs every 30 minutes but hours vary throughout the year so check the ferry schedule here.

Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm

When looking at things to do in Door County and Washington Island I came across Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm. It is a gorgeous farm with Lavender everything and has free entry! The kids enjoyed running throughout the fields and smelling the lavender. They saw so many butterflies and bees throughout the farm. At first they were scared of the bees but quickly realized the bees are only there for the lavender and leave you alone as long as you don’t bother them. Once they realized this they found it quite entertaining watching them.

Little girl standing in the middle of Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm in Door County.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm is too beautiful to leave off your Door County itinerary.
A boy and a girl both taking up close pictures of lavender.
Once the kids stopped being scared of the bees, they photographed them!

A little girl in a white dress posing for a picture on a lavender farm

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Taking Family Vacation Photos

Albatross Drive-In

You’ll soon notice a pattern that most of the restaurants in Door County have play areas for kids while you wait for your food. Our lunch spot, Albatross Drive-In on Washington Island was no different. There was a sand boy filled with buckets, shovels, trucks and a swinging chair that the kids enjoyed. There is even a jukebox and you can dance while waiting for your meal. It’s called a drive-in because you park, walk up to a window and order then pick a bench to sit and eat. This Washington Island restaurant serves burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

Boy and girl playing in a large outdoor sandbox waiting to eat dinner.

Little boy and girl sitting on a swing smiling and holding hands.

Schoolhouse Beach

After lunch it was time to hit the beach, there are many on Washington Island but we chose Schoolhouse Beach. It’s one of only five beaches in the world that has smooth limestone rocks instead of sand so your Door County itinerary isn’t complete unless this is on your list. The beach, which is really Lake Michigan is beautiful. The water is crystal clear, calm, and while quite chilly that didn’t bother the kids at all. It’s a public beach and free of charge.

A little boy and girl playing in a rive with a rocky bottom

Mom and daughter standing in a lake with matching swimsuits

Like our matching swimsuits? You can these exact suits here and check out the other matching swimsuits here.

Dinner at Wild Tomato

There are three Wild Tomato locations in Door County but we chose the one in Sisters Bay as it was on the way to our resort. Door County is quite popular amongst Wisconsinites so the wait was about 45 minutes. Again there is a playground right behind the restaurant that the kids played at while we waited and we avoided the “is our table ready, we’re so hungry comments”. At the table they also give the kids dough to play with while they wait for their food. 

pizza from wild tomatoe in door county, wi

Day Two of our Door County Vacation

We kicked off day two in Door County with kids having breakfast at Door County Coffee & Tea Company. Just go ahead and order the cinnamon french toast roll and thank me later!  There was no play area here but we played UNO while we waited and the food came out pretty quickly.

Door County Maritime Museum

After stuffing our faces we went to the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay (there are two locations). We explored the Shipwreck Exhibit as it’s interactive and the most kid friendly one. There is a simulated video where you can steer a ship wheel and see it crash as well as crates the kids can open and see the contents of what you’d find on a ship. The museum is open 7 days a week except major holidays. Hours for the museum are: January-March 10am-4pm, April-June 10am-5pm, July-Labor Day 9am-5pm, Labor Day-December 10am-5pm. Admission to the museum is $15 for adults, $10 for kids 5-17 and free for kids 4 and under.

After exploring the museum we were able to take a tour of the 100 year old tug boat, John Purves. It was a very good tour and the tub boat was named after our tour guides father so it was very special. We were able to see the engine room, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and captains quarters. Tug boat tours are only offered from 10am-3:30pm May 1- October 29. If you don’t want the tug boat tour admission is $5 cheaper.

Mom and daughter stand outside a tug boat

Mom and daughter posing with a large tug boat steering wheel.

The Farm

You cannot visit Door County with kids and not visit The Farm, honestly even if you don’t have kids this should be on your Door County itinerary. The Farm is a living museum of rural America and here you get the opportunity to see what goes into running a farm. Kids can feed baby goats a bottle of milk, feed cows corn, check out the chicken coops and even milk a goat. Our visit to the Farm was one of the highlights of our trip, the pictures below show you why better than I can tell you.

Mom and daughter feeding a baby goat as one of their things to do in door county with kids.

Little girl milking a goat at the farm in door county

The Farm is only open Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October from 9am-5pm. Adults and anyone over 13 costs $8.50 and children 3-12 are $5. In addition to the entry fee if you want to feed the goats it’s $0.25 per bottle of milk or bag of corn.

PC Junction

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know my motto is “if kids live there, kids can visit”. I never really fell into the whole “kid friendly” destinations theme but Door County seriously caters to families. PC Junction is a casual restaurant that has a train track in the kitchen/bar area. Once you place your order the train which is constantly going around actually brings your food and drinks to you. The excitement on these kids faces was priceless, maybe if I install one of these at home they’ll be more excited about dinner. 

We came here for lunch and I’m glad we did as we heard the wait to sit at the few seats that the train delivers to during dinner hours can be brutal. However, if you haven’t noticed a theme yet of course there is a playground right on site that kids can play at while you wait. Even though we were seated right away the kids played there after we ate.  I would definitely include this restaurant as one of the things you do with your kids on your itinerary.

Wood Orchard Market

We were originally going to do a cheese tasting across the street from Wood Orchard Market but learned the shows are in the morning so instead we ended up at Wood Orchard Market and we’re so happy we did. They make the best fresh treats and sell fresh fruit as well. You have to try the Apple Cider Donuts and try to get them when they are warm, they literally melt in your mouth. They too have a big playground, tractor bikes, hop scotch and more to entertain kids. Since we had already done two activities for the day and the kids wanted to play we hung out here until dinner.

Picture of a little boy and girl sticking their faces in a cut out of a tractor and pumpkin hauler at woods orchard market in door county.

Fish Boil

Fish boils are a big thing to do in Door County so we had to see what they were all about. There are a few restaurants that offer them on different days of the week but we went to Rowley’s Bay Restaurant for their Wednesday boil. The boil is open to everyone so you can see while they make the fish. After its ready it’s taken inside and served buffet style with other meats and side dishes.

a fish boil kettle
Attending a fish boil is one of the top local things to do in Door County.

Day Three in Door County

Door Artisan Cheese Company

Even though we found out there is way more to Wisconsin than cheese we still had to have some. Did you know the University of Wisconsin has the only Master Cheesemaker Program in the United States? In order to get in you the program you must currently be making cheese in a Wisconsin plant and hold a Wisconsin cheesemaker’s license for a minimum of ten years. With those types of requirements we know the cheese had to be good. The Door Artisan Cheese Company has their kitchen behind huge glass doors and you can visit anytime from 9:30-11:30am to see the process of how the cheese is made.

A cheese maker in WI separating the curdles.

The head cheesemaker wears a microphone and you can ask him questions about the process. He even comes out to give samples of the freshly made cheese. After watching, we asked for a tour of the cave where they age all of their cheese. Anyone can get this free tour, you just have to ask!

Cheese vaults in door county, WI

 

Cana Island Lighthouse

After getting our cheese fix we headed to Cana Island to climb the lighthouse. It was on every list of things to do in Door County I read while doing research for our trip and I see why. Just getting to the island is an adventure! You used to be able to walk on a pier to get to Cana Island but unfortunately due to extensive snow this past winter the lake levels have risen so much it’s underwater. Now you can get there by taking a complimentary tractor ride across the lake.

Little girl smiling at the camera with a tractor and pull behind her.

Once on the island we paid the $12 admission fee for adults, kids under 4 are free and kids 5-17 are $10. The lighthouse is open from 10am-5pm, with the last admission at 4:30pm. You are not able to hold kids while climbing up to the top of the lighthouse but Kennedy (3 years old) climbed all 97 steps with no issues. The view from the top is gorgeous!

If we knew in advance about the open space on the island we would have packed a blanket and a picnic basket to have lunch after. Even though we didn’t we took advantage of the grass and were running all around the island. Pets are all and plenty of people were playing fetch or throwing around frisbees. 

Cana island lighthouse a Mom and daughter running through the grass.
Running around Cana Island was one of our favorite things to do in Door County.

Like our matching rompers? You can order the same ones here, or see all the matching rompers/jumpsuits available here.

Two moms with their children standing in front of a lighthouse smiling for a picture.
Enjoying exploring Door County with kids with my friend Karen from @themomtrotter!

Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

Since we didn’t bring food to Cana Island we had la late lunch after we left. We sat in the outside patio of Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse. I’d recommend coming here for dinner instead as half of the menu is only available after 5pm. We didn’t realize that and were too hungry to look for somewhere else to eat. 

Lunch at Caseys' BBQ and smoke house in door county with a chicken smoked chicken breast, mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and corn.

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard

We had driven by Not Licked Yet a few times on the way to other places and each time the line was crazy long. We had to see what all the fuss was about so we went and thankfully beat the evening crowd. They sell sandwiches and other snacks but people really come here for the frozen custard so that’s what we got. It reminded me of soft serve ice cream but it was delicious. They also have a big playground where kids can play before or after a treat. There are so many ducks with babies that were adorable and you can purchase duck food to feed them if you’d like.

Day Four in Door County with Kids

Village Cafe

Just three minutes from our resort is a quaint breakfast and lunch restaurant, Village Cafe. The breakfast potatoes were so good so I definitely recommend getting a side of those. We arrived early, around 7:30AM and were seated immediately. However, when we drove by later around 10AM, the line was out the door.

Breakfast at the village cafe in door county with scrambled eggs, homefries and french toast.

The Ridges Sanctuary

If you are an outdoorsy family you have to visit Ridges Sanctuary. As we were walking inside to pay our admission fee we saw two staff members catching butterflies to tag them before their migration. The kids were able to see them up close and personal which they enjoyed. Outside  the nature center there is an interactive area for kids. They can make mud pies, add to the insect house and more. It was a really unique and fun thing to do for the kids.

When we went inside there were tables with different activities for kids. These included coloring butterflies, making caterpillars, and making a diagram showing the process of how butterflies come about. The activities in the nature center are free but if you want to hike any of the trials it’s $5 for adults while anyone under 18 is free. Ridges Sanctuary is open daily from 9am – 5pm May – October and only Monday – Saturday from 10am – 4pm November –April.

The kids making caterpillars out of buttons.

After enjoying the nature center we finally headed to our hike. We did the Family Discovery Trial which was amazing. At the start of the trial there are backpacks in a bin for the kids filled with binoculars, a magnifying glass, compass and more for their adventure. 

The ridges sanctuary hiking trail in door county, WI one of the many fun things to do with kids in door county.

Along the path there is a paleontologist area with additional tools for them to find fossils. We saw so many real animals as well including a toad, caterpillars eating on milkweed and more.

A girl looking through binoculars while on a hiking trip in door county, Wi.

Children on a hiking path between trees.

Be sure to pack and put on both sunscreen and bug spray before heading on this trail. The mosquitos were out there and we got bitten several times as we weren’t prepared. Other than that the trial is amazing! Just use the bathroom at the welcome center, there is only a port a potty at the beginning of the trial. 


Fred and Fuzzy’s

For lunch we went to Fred and Fuzzy’s, known for having one of the best sunset views in Door County. I didn’t enjoy the food as much as some of the other restaurants we visited but it seems their Cherry Margarita is the real draw on why it’s a favorite amongst locals. Still the views here are amazing and worth a visit just for that!

Fish tacos served with chips and salsa from Fred & Fuzzy's in Door county

A little boy and girl sit on red and yellow stripped lounge chairs by lake Michigan.

Sister Bay Scenic Tours Live Music Sunset Cruise

Every night we were in awe of the sunsets so it was only right to go on a sunset cruise on our last night. We did the Scenic Tours cruise out of Sister Bay but they have another one out of Fish Creek. The sunset cruise has live music and the nicest Captain ever. He let all the kids drive the boat and wear his Captain’s hat. Even if you were a big kid you could drive the boat as well!

girl driving boat on Lake Michigan one of the many things to do in door county, WI with kids
If you’re visiting Door County with kids they will love getting the chance to drive the boat!

The way the sun reflects on the lake is absolutely gorgeous. The purple and pink hues of the clouds are what really make the Door County sunsets so special. The sunset cruise costs $39 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. The cruise lasted a little over an hour and a half.

Be sure to include this sunset cruise in your  list of things to do while in Door Count, WI.

Boathouse on the Bay

Right across from the marina is Boathouse on the Bay. They have two outdoor patios and often have live music in the evenings. Most of the restaurants we ate at had mostly sandwiches on the menu so this was a nice change. They offer pasta dishes, oysters, and a wider variety of options. The food was great and we all enjoyed our meals.

Shrimp fettucine Alfredo with a piece of garlic bread from the boathouse restaurant in door county, WI.

Day Five, The End of Our Door County Vacation

Unfortunately, today was the day we were going home. We stopped at the Wood Orchard Market one last time to get our fix of Apple Cider Donuts. 

Little girl biting into an apple cider donut after visiting the farmers market in door county, wi.

Things to Do in Door County with Kids That We Didn’t Have Time For

When we were first told our Door County vacation was going to be 5 nights I wasn’t sure if there would even be enough for us to do. We quickly discovered there are so many things to do in Door County and we didn’t even have enough time to do them all. Here are some other options to include in your Door County itinerary.

  • Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar – Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar is great for rainy days or in the evening if you are looking for something to do late at night. They are open until 2AM and have an arcade and a bowling alley. If you have tweens or teenagers traveling with you then this would be a great place to stop and hang out!
  • Hands on Art Studio – Hands on Art Studio is another rainy day activity. Here you can make your own art from painting ceramics to fused glass. I don’t know a kid that doesn’t love making an art project (or adult for that matter!) If you haven’t visited one of these DIY art studios with your family before it’s definitely worth trying out.
  • Skyway Drive- In – Skyway is the local drive in movie theater showing two movies each night. One low price allows you to stay for both movies! This is something to do with older kids as well. Unless you’ve been blessed with littles that will sit through a whole movie it might be better to skip this until they’re a little older. 
  • Cherry Picking – We just missed cherry picking season but if you come to Door County with kids this would be such a fun activity. We’ve done strawberry picking in Miami before and loved it.
  • Apple Picking – Like cherry picking, apple picking is also a fun thing to do in Door County. The season for picking apples is the fall which we were too early for. 

Door County, WI Really Nails Down the Family Aspect & Is the Perfect Vacation Destination for Kids

Door County is a family-centric county and there’s no shortage of things to do with kids. There are so many fun things to do with kids and adults alike in this beautiful location. It’s best to visit door county during warmer months when you can enjoy outdoor activities on green spaces like beaches, parks, and forests. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended vacation stay, there are plenty of family-friendly accommodations for all budgets that will make your trip a memorable one!

We had an amazing time experiencing all the things to do in Door County with kids. We heard fall is a stunning time to visit and hope we can return to see the leaves change. Until then we hope this Door County itinerary helps you plan your own trip to Wisconsin. Did you find this blog post helpful? If so please share it on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter!

Looking for other domestic trip ideas? Our other favorites include Wisconsin Dells,  Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, our Southwest road trip, our Colorado ski trip, and New Orleans.

*Our visit to Door County, Wisconsin was sponsored by Door County Visitors Bureau and Travel Wisconsin. We were so happy to be able to complete this trip with Karen and Aiden from The Mom Trotter. All opinions expressed are my own and true. *

We had a blast discovering all the things to do in Door County with kids!

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Comments

  1. Devesh says

    August 30, 2019 at 11:38 am

    Thanks for sharing a great post!

  2. Karen says

    September 9, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    Oh wow, book me a ticket….. goats on the roof, cheese making and those sunset views! Door County looks amazing.

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Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

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