When you think of spring, what comes to mind? Birds singing to one another, green leaves unfurling on tree branches, or the sun rising just a little earlier each morning? In Door County, a sure sign that spring is on its way is the cherry blossoms blooming in orchards across the county.
Situated halfway between the equator and the North Pole, Door County’s climate and geography make it the prime location for growing and nurturing cherry trees. While the harvest is one of the most exciting and busiest times of year, there’s a small window of time in the pre-season for visitors to see the breathtaking flowers bloom on the trees, usually for one to two weeks in May. Here are some of the best locations to see cherry blossoms in Door County before they’re gone!
1. Schartner’s Farm Market
Less than ten minutes away from the Landmark Resort is Schartner’s Farm Market, a small fruit and vegetable market with big cherry orchards! Take a stroll through the gorgeous white trees and breathe in the cherry-tinted air. This is the perfect first stop on your cherry blossom hunt!
After getting your fill of early blooms, stop inside the market for their farm-fresh rhubarb, maple syrup, and deliciously fresh pies, all locally grown in their own gardens and orchards.
2. Door County Fruit Connection
Continue your drive down Hwy 42 to see even more cherry blossoms in Carlsville at the Door County Fruit Connection. There is ample parking at Door County Coffee or Door County Candle, or you can take a seat at Door Peninsula Winery’s outdoor patio by the warm firepit and sip on some sweet fruit wine as you watch the soft pink and white petals swirl in the wind.
3. Wood Orchard Market
Further north in Egg Harbor, Wood Orchard Market is home to not only several acres of cherry groves but to apple trees as well! Apple blossoms tend to bloom a week after cherry blossoms, and they’re just as beautiful and amazing to see!
After touring over 200 acres of lush and cherry-scented farmland, stop into the market for Wood Orchard’s famous cherry donuts, cherry pie, or homemade fudge made fresh on-site daily!
4. Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market
Not far from Wood Orchard Market is Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market, possibly the most renowned family farm in Door County. Since cherry blossoms bloom later in the north compared to the south, the best time to view blossoms here would be mid to late May.
Even if you’re only visiting for the blossoms, give the Cherry Pit Spit a try! Free cherries are always available inside the market for pitting and spitting!
5. Reynolds Rd
If you’d like to avoid the crowds and find someplace a little quieter to enjoy the cherry blossoms, this location is a bit of an insider’s secret. Next to Hwy 42 is a country road called Reynolds Rd, and it’s lined with cherry orchards that contribute to Door County’s cherry boom. While there isn’t any parking available along this road, sometimes simply relaxing and enjoying the ride through the springtime scenery is all you really need!