For many visitors to the county, Sturgeon Bay isn’t seen as part of the Door County to which they escape from the noise and hustle of everyday life. However, Sturgeon Bay is actually the midpoint of the 90-mile peninsula, with all its own charm and fun just waiting to be explored. With just under ten thousand inhabitants, Sturgeon Bay is the most populated city in Door County, where most locals live year-round or spend their time during the quiet seasons. Even if you’re just passing through to get up north, don’t overlook it—we highly encourage you to stop in Sturgeon Bay on one of your trips and spend some time getting to know the quaint city and seeing all of its amazing sights!
History of Sturgeon Bay
How did Sturgeon Bay come to be on the Door County peninsula? Originally known as Graham, in 1857, the state legislature recognized the community as Ottumba, but not long after, the name reverted back to Graham! In 1860, a petition was submitted to the county board to change the name of the town to Sturgeon Bay, which was the same moniker as that of the adjacent fish-shaped bay.
Sturgeon Bay grew as a lumbering community at first, suppling materials to surrounding villages and cities, and expanded with five quarries that mined for limestone. In the 1880s, the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was constructed to link the bay to Lake Michigan, finally providing a safe passageway for ships that once had to navigate Death’s Door between the mainland and Washington Island. The new strait attracted thousands of ships, quickly turning the small city into a center of maritime traffic and shipbuilding. In fact, Sturgeon Bay was one of the many cities in the Midwest that contributed to shipbuilding production during World War II, hence the rich maritime history.
To this day, Sturgeon Bay is known for its shipbuilding and relaxing coastal living, with plentiful opportunities to spend time on the water or to lounge on land.
Attractions in Sturgeon Bay
The water surrounding Sturgeon Bay, on both the lake and bay sides, offers several recreational activities for you to partake in all year round, from kayaking to sailing to ice fishing to snorkeling for shipwrecks!
Some of the most popular activities to do in the summer is to kayak or hike around Cave Point County Park, one of the most beautiful natural areas on the peninsula. Wind your way through thick trees to the shoreline, where you can stand on limestone cliff faces and watch the waves of Lake Michigan thunder and crash below you. On a calm day, take a guided kayak tour into the caves and coves around Cave Point, which can only be seen from the bright turquoise water.
Just a short hike away from Cave Point County Park is Whitefish Dunes State Park, one of the two state parks in Sturgeon Bay. This park is home to stunning white sand dunes on the eastern side of the peninsula, which you can even climb on the Old Baldy trail, which rises 93 feet above lake level. It’s the perfect place to relax with a book on the beach, play in the water on a hot summer day, or hike on the trails to see stunning fall foliage.
The other state park in Sturgeon Bay is Potawatomi State Park, which contains the eastern terminus of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail that travels all throughout Wisconsin. With a sprawling 1,200 acres, hike along the shoreline or through the forest of trees, or bring your boat to the launch for some peaceful fishing. Whether you’re fishing on your boat in the summer or from an ice shanty in the winter, you can find bass, walleye, salmon, rainbow trout, and whitefish in Sturgeon Bay’s deep blue waters.
Learn more about Sturgeon Bay’s maritime history at the Door County Maritime Museum. Dedicated to preserving the history around the Great Lakes, there are fun educational displays and cultural resources for visitors young and old to explore. With interactive exhibits, tours on the restored John Purves tugboat, and detailed stories of past maritime figures, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Sturgeon Bay’s origins.
Another fun tour to take around Sturgeon Bay is visiting the several lighthouses that lit the way for ships navigating the water. The North Pierhead Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque areas in the county, a cherry-red lighthouse located at the U.S. Coast Guard Station on the Lake Michigan side of the canal. Not far from it is the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Light, which is well-maintained by the U.S. Coast Guardsmen stationed there. The last lighthouse in Sturgeon Bay is the Sherwood Point Lighthouse, which is only open to the public for a select time during the year. The majority of its time is spent operating as a getaway destination for active members of the U.S. military, and you can see its historic and still beauty from the water by boat.
If you’re looking to spend more of your time on land, Sturgeon Bay has a vibrant and rich culture rooted in the arts! Stroll downtown to view a variety of art galleries and shops, and stop by the Miller Art Museum to view a rotating selection of contemporary art produced solely by Wisconsin artists. Open all year round, there are a variety of programs and events that take place throughout the seasons that enrich the community and spread appreciation of the arts. Not far from the museum is Third Avenue PlayWorks, Door County’s premier professional theatre. Known for its captivating and compelling performances, watch a powerful story unfold on stage put on by local actors, and catch a comedy, drama, musical, or holiday play at any time of year.
Restaurants in Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay’s culinary scene is one of the most diverse and delicious throughout the entire peninsula. From wineries to breweries, and from bakeries to fine dining restaurants, there’s something to satisfy anyone’s palette.
Just a few miles north of Sturgeon Bay is Door 44 Winery, a six-acre vineyard with a state-of-the-art facility. You can take a tour behind the scenes and around the vineyard, and sample a flight of their award-winning wines on their expansive patio or inside at the wine bar.
Two breweries can be found in downtown Sturgeon Bay: Starboard Brewing Company & Bridge Up Brewing. Door County’s first nano-brewery offers a lineup of unique in-house brewed craft beers that rotates seasonally! Enjoy the bold flavors of Starboard’s brews with a plate of delicious tacos at the bar. Bridge Up Brewing is located beneath Sonny’s Pizzeria, featuring an eclectic taproom to lounge in and a stunning panoramic view of the bay. Sip on local favorite beers all year round!
Speaking of favorites, Sonny’s Pizzeria is a staple in Sturgeon Bay for its homemade Italian food and generous portion sizes. As a massive restaurant on the bay, Sonny’s is one of the best waterfront dining experiences in Door County, with a rooftop dining room and tiki bar open during the summertime!
There are other local staples in Sturgeon Bay that are a must-try for visitors looking for a bite to eat. In the morning, stop by Scaturo’s Baking Co for fresh baked pastries and treats that will make your mouth water! For dinner, there’s no place better than the Nightingale Supper Club, a Sturgeon Bay favorite since 1913. In a traditional supper club atmosphere, enjoy expertly crafted prime rib, perch, and tenderloin, with a classic old fashioned or delicious ice cream drink for dessert!
Shopping in Sturgeon Bay
While Fish Creek may be known for its several boutiques and shops, Sturgeon Bay has three different shopping districts, each with something unique and fun to offer!
On the west side of the bay, back on the mainland, you’ll find quaint boutiques, resale stores with incredible varieties and stories, and cozy coffee shops. On Madison Avenue, take your pick from three cafes for your morning cup of coffee—Lawlss Coffee for a unique blend with attitude; Pinky Promise Coffee where the beans are roasted locally in Sturgeon Bay; or Get Real Café, where you can enjoy fresh, organic, and locally-sourced food and drinks. Walk down the street to Bayside Bargains on the corner, where you’ll find an amazing assortment of resale gifts and furniture. On the water across from Sonny’s Pizzeria is Bayshore Outfitters, a premier store for outdoor clothing and gear. You can rent kayaks during the summer or schedule a tour around Cave Point County Park, Eagle Harbor, and other picturesque areas in the peninsula.
Across the water and over the bridge is the historic Third Avenue, full of artist’s galleries and showcases, specialty shops, clothing stores, and restaurants. The Pearl of Door County is an art gallery and gift shop in one, where you can find everything from hair care to candles to jewelry to décor to artwork! Popelka Trenchard Gallery & Glass Studio is a fine arts gallery that specializes in glass blowing, and you can take classes there to make your own art at any time of year!
To add to your wardrobe, check out On Deck Clothing Company for great deals on fashionable clothing or Wilkins & Olander for boutique clothing from curated collections. One of the largest stores downtown is Bliss, a retailer filled with several small shops offering spectacular gifts, artwork, clothing, and so much more! You’ll never be bored entering Bliss and perusing the aisles, and you never know what you might find!
Events in Sturgeon Bay
Since Sturgeon Bay has a higher local population than most of the peninsula, there are fun events that take place year-round as the seasons change. In the beginning of the year, the Fire & Ice Festival takes place over an entire weekend in February, starting with a candlelight hike on Friday night and followed by an ice carving competition all throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay. Watch professional and amateur ice carvers turn blocks of ice into incredible works of art, and sip on some hot chocolate as you window shop, stroll through the winter market, and see a professional dance team! On Saturday night, the fun continues with the Fire & Ice Gala, a fine dining event featuring live music and a silent auction, concluding with a stunning fireworks show over the bay.
Further into the year in May, Sturgeon Bay hosts the annual Fine Art Fair over Memorial Day weekend, which features over 80 artists from across the Midwest! There’s live entertainment, children’s activities, good food, and amazing art across a wide spectrum of mediums, from sculpture to glass to jewelry to fiber to metal, and so much more! Original works of art are on display and for sale, and awards are given to participating artists. This festival is an exciting event that pays homage to Sturgeon Bay’s artistic community, and it draws hundreds of visitors every year.
Another popular festival is Sturgeon Bay’s Harvest Fest in September, one of the first celebrations of fall in Door County. It begins with an amazing classic car parade through downtown on Friday night, and the car show takes place the next day on Saturday. From Third Avenue to Jefferson Street, all through the weekend, you can peruse the craft fair, eat at several food vendors, check out the in-store specials, and listen to local live music. On Saturday, the mayor will tap the first “Oktoberfest firkin,” and a steinholding contest for adults and a root beer holding contest for kids shortly follows!
Finally, at the end of the year, celebrate the holidays in Sturgeon Bay with Christmas by the Bay in November. This event takes place over TWO weekends for twice the fun! It begins in mid-November with the annual Christmas by the Bay parade, indoor winter market, and the Festival of Trees at the Door County Maritime Museum. Later in the month, there’s an old-fashioned tree lighting at the Old Bell Tower, and the next day is the Holiday Hop Sip & Shop, where you can sample local wine and light appetizers and hop on the Door County Trolley to visit several stores for special discounts and deals.
Next time you visit Door County, don’t drive through Sturgeon Bay without a second look! There’s still so much to see and do in this small city, just waiting to welcome you and show you around. Dive deep into Sturgeon Bay’s rich maritime history, check out the amazingly talented arts community, or appreciate the natural beauty on the water or on land. You’ll soon see why Sturgeon Bay is such a fun place to live and visit!