Situated at the intersection of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Sturgeon Bay is the heart of the beautiful and historic Door County area. The region features unique attractions such as the Door County Maritime Museum and the Cana Island Lighthouse, dating back to 1869.
Sturgeon Bay is located on Sturgeon Bay itself, which is an inlet in the southern part of Green Bay, and is connected to Lake Michigan via the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, which cuts across the Door Peninsula.
Bridges across Sturgeon Bay, WI
The population of Sturgeon Bay is just under 10,000 inhabitants and it is the main city and county seat of Door County (name after the Door Peninsula).
Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) - just over 54 miles southwest of Sturgeon Bay. GRB serves several major airlines with flights to various cities in the United States.
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) - the Milwaukee airport is located just over 160 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. It serves both domestic and international destinations and is the primary airport for the Milwaukee area.
Wisconsin state highway 42 heads north from Sturgeon Bay towards Egg Harbor and eventually, the ferry service to Washington Island. To the south, it heads towards the Lake Michigan shore past Manitowoc before eventually ending at Sheboygan.
Wisconsin highway 57 arrives in Sturgeon Bay from Green Bay and heads north to Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor before joining the 42 at Sister Bay.
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Prior to European settlement, the region was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ojibwe. They used the area for fishing, hunting, and trading.
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the French established a fur trading post in the area, which attracted European settlers.
The first permanent settlers arrived in the 1830s, and the town of Sturgeon Bay was officially founded in 1853. The town was named after the large population of sturgeon fish in the bay.
In the mid to late 19th century, Sturgeon Bay experienced rapid development due to its thriving shipbuilding and lumber industries. The city's location on the water made it an ideal location for shipbuilding, and the construction of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in 1881 further boosted the industry. The lumber industry also flourished due to the abundance of timber in the area.
The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal entering Lake Michigan
As the lumber industry declined in the early 20th century, agriculture and tourism became more important to the city's economy. Door County, where Sturgeon Bay is located, became known for its cherry orchards and beautiful scenery, attracting visitors from around the region.
The Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center is located at 36 S 3rd Avenue and is open Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings. Brochures are available 24 hours a day.
The Door County Maritime Museum actually operates three locations in the region, with the museum itself being located on the Sturgeon Bay waterfront. Exhibits in the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower help explain the nautical heritage of the area, while visitors can also take a tour of the restored tug John Purves.
The tugboat outside the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay
The other locations operated by the Museum are the Cana Island lighthouse on Lake Michigan and Death’s Door Maritime Museum near the tip of the Door Peninsula.
The Door County Historical Museum offers a varied look at the culture and life in Door County, ranging from wildlife dioramas through to vintage fire trucks. The museum is open seven days a week in the summer season.
This 1,225-acre park is situated along the shores of Sturgeon Bay. It features a 75-foot observation tower offering panoramic views, a variety of trails for hiking and biking, fishing opportunities, and winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The eastern end of the Ice Age Trail (which connects geographical features in Wisconsin) is also located here.
The trail is organised by a group of wineries in Door County, who also organise an annual wine festival which takes place in June each year.
This park protects the largest and most significant Great Lakes dunescape in Wisconsin. With 865 acres, it features a mile of sandy beach, a boardwalk that leads to an observation platform, and trails for hiking and nature study. It's also adjacent to the Cave Point County Park, known for its underwater caves and wave-worn limestone cliffs.
Wisconsin state parks in Door County
Established in 1909, Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek is a 3,776-acre park known for its stunning bluffs overlooking Green Bay, the historic Eagle Bluff lighthouse, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a popular summer theater. The park also offers a golf course, sandy beaches, and campgrounds.
Located at the tip of the Door Peninsula, Newport State Park is Wisconsin's only formally designated wilderness park. With 2,373 acres of forests and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, it's a perfect spot for quiet recreation. The park offers backpack camping, hiking, swimming, and stargazing in its designated International Dark Sky Park.
Accessible only by boat, Rock Island State Park off Washington Island at the tip of the Door Peninsula offers a remote and rustic experience. The 912-acre island has no vehicles allowed, ensuring a peaceful environment. It's known for its historic lighthouse, stone buildings built by a wealthy inventor, 10 miles of hiking trails, and rustic camping.
The city of Kenosha offers a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Kenosha's lakefront is a standout attraction, with the Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and electric streetcar system that connects to the HarborPark and downtown area.
Port Washington is a historic city of approximately 12,000 people, located on a picturesque bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Unique features include the 1860 Light Station, which is the oldest operational lighthouse in Wisconsin, and the annual Port Fish Day.
Sheboygan is known as the "Malibu of the Midwest" for its excellent surfing conditions. The city's lively arts scene is highlighted by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and its annual Levitt AMP Music Series, which hosts free concerts in the heart of Sheboygan.
Manitowoc is a city with an interesting maritime history. It is known for constructing submarines during World War II and it hosts the annual Sputnikfest, celebrating the 1962 crash landing of a piece of the Soviet Sputnik 4 satellite. It is also the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger ferry.
Destination Sturgeon Bay : sturgeonbay.net
Destination Door County : www.doorcounty.com
Wisconsin Maritime Museum : www.wisconsinmaritime.org