Kids Beat: Tips

Beach Bumming

Door County is full of galleries and shopping for mom and dad, but what is there for the little ones in tow? You can start your day at Alpine beach in Egg Harbor. Located next to Alpine resort, the beach looks over the bay of Egg Harbor. There is plenty of sand for building sand castles, clean restrooms, and lots of space to swim. Bring a cooler with drinks and lunch and you can spend the whole day here.

Another option is to start at the Fish Creek beach in the center of town. Dad can hang at the beach with the kids while mom scoots down the block to peek into a few shops for an hour. In Sister Bay, you’ll find the beach and playground in the center of town, not far from the marina. There are several restaurants within a block of this beach. For older kids and teens, the dock provides a great jumping in spot, making it more than just a “little kids” beach. When the kids are ready to get out of the sun, the playground is well shaded and offers lots to entertain the school age set.

Every town has beaches – look around and you’re bound to find one!

Throwback Alley

For those who love to bowl, and those who have never touched a ball, the Sister Bay Bowl offers an uncommon experience. With six old-school bowling lanes, this throwback alley will quickly become a family favorite. There are no bumpers, but they will provide a slide for the wee ones to use. And there are no computers to track your score, so you better be honest. Bowling here is a step back in time. Even if you’re not a big time bowler, you’ll just find something very satisfying sitting here and rolling your ball down the lane.

Crashing Cana Island

On the county’s eastern shore, your kids will love hiking to an island. Cana Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. When Lake Michigan water levels were higher, the causeway was submerged in water. Today, the causeway is always dry and you can walk right over to the island where a working lighthouse still stands. Children will love visiting a real working lighthouse, but they will also have fun venturing out on the rocky shoreline. There are plenty of rocks to toss back into Lake Michigan and a myriad of little tidal pools to explore. Finding a tidal pool filled with tiny minnows is very common and if you are really lucky you will find crayfish, snails and even a few leaches. Don’t rule out visiting in the rain either. Fog, rain and crashing waves can be just as fun for the kids to watch.

Goodnight, Sun

After a day exploring the county, go to any waterfront and sit down to watch a Door County sunset. They truly are some of the best in the world. The kids will be captivated watching that final sliver of sun disappear beneath the horizon. If you’re worried they will get a bit antsy waiting for that final moment, then watch it in Ephraim where you can walk across the street to Wilson’s to grab a cone or sundae. This will certainly keep the kids happy while you enjoy the scenery, and you will be able to go home and say you visited this 100-year-old Door County institution.