Fish Creek, WI is a prime example of all that Door County Wisconsin has to offer.
Not only does Fish Creek have it’s own representation of nearly any attraction you might expect to find in Door County, it’s location places it in an ideal starting spot to visit the rest of the county. Located roughly half way between Sturgeon Bay and Northpoint, WI on Highway 42, the entire county is reachable by a 30 minute drive in any direction. Of course, Fish Creek itself has plenty to offer.
Outdoor Activities in Fish Creek Wisconsin
With the Peninsula State Park bordering Fish Creek, there are plenty of trails for biking and hiking. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like strapping a bike to the top of your car. There are places to rent bikes and mopeds in Fish Creek. You’ll need to pay a fee to drive a car in the state park. I would suggest an annual Wisconsin state park pass which will allow you access for the entire year to any of the state parks. The annual sticker does not cost much more than a pizza.
Fish Creek has a public beach as well as a public marina. The municipal dock is right at the end of Spruce St. which continues the road where WI State Hwy 42 turns onto Main Street. The beach is just off of State Hwy 42 (Main St.). It offers a great view nearly any time of year. In addition to the public marina, there is a private marina available also.
Shopping in Fish Creek.
When it comes to shopping in Door County, I think Fish Creek may be one of the best locations. There are many stores and a couple different shopping areas. You’ll find a large cluster of shops near the corner of Spruce Street and Main Street. Many of the shops here are connected by paths and walkways in the back as well as the sidewalk on Main. Don’t forget to check some of the other streets as there are shops down Cedar St. as well. You’ll find artwork unique to Door County. While some shops may be a bit touristy, there is a lot to choose from.
There is a gem dealer in a cabin dating back to one of the first area settlers. It’s a bit cramped but it is very interesting to see all the different types of minerals and gems as well as all his tools. Might be just the place to get a special birthstone for someone.
One of the more interesting stores is right on the corner. The Hide Side Corner Store Ltd. offers some unique items as well as quality leather goods. It’s easy to spot this store. It has (for lack of a better description) two whirligigs in the front on the corner. I have no idea how the artist that did these got them to spin in so many different directions at once. I think I would love one of these for the backyard at home.
Fish Creek is home to one of the three locations for Door County’s own On Deck clothes stores. Some of On Deck’s style’s seem to have a bit of an outdoor, sporty theme. My impression is something of a yacht club look as well as clothes suitable for Wisconsin type weather (always changing). I tend to like the Columbia – Patagonia look (for men) while my wife likes the more dressy non-sport looks. We can both find something we like here. One thing that I really like is a couple of the On Deck locations (including Fish Creek) have an old wooden motorboat (the type from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) inside. I don’t own a boat but they are beautiful. Fish Creek also has On Deck’s outlet Below Deck where my wife likes to hunt for bargains.
There are some stores all along State Highway 42 (Main Street) through Fish Creek. There is a full service bike store, Nor Door Sport and Cyclery. A hat store. The Fish Creek Kite Company. There is an additional small mall where Hwy 42 intersects with County Rd F. Lots of stores with women’s clothes and some home furnishing and decor stores. The mall is called Top Of The Hill Shops. My wife found a store she liked had moved to this mall from Egg Harbor. She was thrilled to find it again.
Restaurants in Fish Creek, WI.
There is not a shortage of nice places to eat in Fish Creek. One of the popular things to do is a fish boil. Pelletier Restaurant and Fish Boil has a huge fire pit behind the building. If you’re not a fish boil person (that would be me) there are still lots of fine restaurants in the area. There are a couple of pizza places if you like pizza (that, again, would be me). We ended up eating at Sonny’s Pizza in Sturgeon Bay one day during a drive only to find they were also in Fish Creek just a minute away from where we were staying. Good pizza and I’m sure the location in Fish Creek is good too. Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard was also highly recommended to us as some of the best custard in the state.
Again, something for nearly any taste. Except you will probably not find the typical fast food chain stores. They tend to be rare in Door County.
Hotels and Lodging in Fish Creek.
Just like the rest of Door County, Fish Creek lodging seems to be more of the locally run hotel, motel, lodge, resort, or bed and breakfast. I don’t remember seeing anything by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Best Western, or even a Motel 6. That does not mean Door County and Fish Creek lodging is second rate by any means. You’ll find that they are well run and have fantastic service. We stayed at the Parkwood Lodge in Fish Creek our last time and enjoyed it much more than a chain suites that we stayed in previously. I would definitely recommend staying at one of the local placed instead of trying to find a hotel chain and driving. It’s also surprisingly economical.
We really fell in love with Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
It’s the perfect place to stay to enjoy the rest of Door County. Nearly all of Door County is an equal short drive from Fish Creek. Of course, Fish Creek itself has plenty to offer too! For that spur of the moment adventure, Fish Creek has a tourist information center right on Wisconsin Highway 42.
Fish Creek, Wisconsin on Google Maps:
View Larger Map
Want more information on Fish Creek, WI?
You can call the Fish Creek Information Center or visit the website:
800-577-1880 or 920-868-2316
[…] is on the norther edge of Fish Creek. Fish Creek just about perfect if you want to visit the rest Door County. Nearly all of Door County is within a short drive (the longest distance probably being Sturgeon […]