Jacksonport offers “parks and more along the shore” for visitors to the area. Join us now for a day of suggested activities in this part of the Door County peninsula.
Morning
Begin the day with coffee and pastries at the Little Bit Of Coffee and watch the sunrise on the shores of Lake Michigan.
A full breakfast is available at Mike’s Port Pub.
You can spend the day at beautiful Lakeside Park in downtown Jacksonport with picnic areas, an awesome sand beach and bathrooms with changing areas and a foot wash.
Enjoy your picnic lunch while the kids play on the beach or on the playground toys.
Drive two miles north on Hwy 57 to Meridian Park, which is located exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole, and go for a hike in the Lyle-Harter Sanctuary.
And/or
Drive three miles south on Hwy 57 and left on Loritz Road to the Logan Creek Property and hike in an old-growth forest that overlooks Clarks Lake and Logan Creek.
And/or
Drive south on Hwy 57 to County Road I and turn right to find Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery. This award-winning winery has free guided winery tours.
Lunch
A pleasant and delicious variety of choices await your lunchtime pleasure.
Mike’s Port Pub and Grill features the ‘best burger in Door County’ along with other menu choices including homemade soups, fish and chicken.
Island Fever Rum Bar and Grill specializes in Mexican and American food along with their renowned margaritas and salsas and flatbread pizzas.
P.C. Junction where ‘it’s all about the kids’ features a train motif- where your food is delivered to you on a model train that circles the dining counter.
Groceries and Farm Markets
Jacksonport Farmer’s Market
On Tuesdays, mid-May through October, weather permitting, Lakeside Park hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There you’ll find fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, fruit, bakery, meat and more. It also features a nice variety of local Door County arts and crafts.
Bley’s Grocery in downtown Jacksonport features a nice variety of snacks, sandwiches, and other goodies for a picnic in nearby Lakeside Park on the Lake Michigan shore.
Waseda Farms Country Market, 7281 Logerquist Road north of Jacksonport, is a Certified Organic farm raising beef, pork, poultry, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Open Year-Round. Come explore our garden and farm and shop at our farm store! Summer-daily 10am-5pm and Winter-Thurs-Mon 10am-4pm.
Welsing’s Foodland at 4436 Whitefish Bay Road on Hwy 57, Valmy. Open daily. Summer hours, 6am-10pm. Winter Hours, 6 am-9 pm. Homemade brats, summer sausage, ring bologna, and metwurst. Full line of groceries plus beer, wine & liquor. Gas available 24 hours daily.
Afternoon
While in Jacksonport stop in and browse Jacksonport Cottage Gifts and Gallery.
This unique shop, a destination for 35 years, features Door County’s premier collection of authentic Amish Quilts, Fine Arts, and Craft with the works of over 100 local and regional artists.
Martinez Studio, located one mile south of Jacksonport on Hwy 57, features contemporary hand-spun wool tapestries created by Wence and Sandra’s paintings and more.
Plum Bottom Gallery, 4999 Plum Bottom Road (Egg Harbor) showcases work of resident porcelain artists, Chad Luberger, and jewelry artist, Angela Olson-Luberger plus other nationally collected artists. Beautiful gardens and Door County Art Destination.
Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery, 3831 Clark Lake Rd. (County WD) Gallery offers fiber art, felted work, hand weavings, and yarn, plus pottery. Open seasonally.
After that delicious lunch, it’s time to head to two of the most popular parks in Door County. Cave Point County Park features picturesque shoreline cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan. On a windy day thrill to the waves crashing and splashing 25-30 feet into the air.
Drive 1 mile south to Whitefish Dunes State Park and visit the most popular day-use park in all of Wisconsin. Enjoy the mile-long beach, hike some of the 14 miles of trails, visit the nature center, or climb the highest sand dune in Wisconsin-“old baldy,” which is 93 feet high.
Entertainment and Recreation
Looking for special activities for friends and family? Visit these in the Jacksonport area.
Door County Adventure Center – Kayaking
Door County Adventure Center – Zip Line
Door County Kayak Tours and Bike Rentals
Jacksonport Disc Golf – Located on County V behind the softball field. Free to the public.
Open Door Bird Sanctuary
Peninsula Kayak Company
Plum Loco Animal Farm
Kurtz Corral & Riding Stable
Dinner
Another variety of delicious choices awaits you as you satisfy the hunger built up from all of the day’s activities. Lunch places listed above also serve dinner.
Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant has you sitting at tables in a beautiful rustic restaurant just a very short distance from the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Hitching Post Bar and Grill, at the corner of County T and Glidden Drive, boasts great lunch, dinner drinks, and coffee and is the friendly bar and grill with a happy something for everyone–the meat-eater or the vegetable muncher!
Mr. G’s Logan Creek Grille features a beautiful sunroom to dine in while enjoying prime rib, barbeque ribs, fresh broiled whitefish, and a delicious salad bar.
The Valmy Happy Hour has great pizza and broasted chicken.
Still More Choices . . .
And to enjoy another day in the Jacksonport area you might want to visit some of the same places you enjoyed yesterday or venture into some new activities.
Door County Kayak Tours offers a tour of Cave Point County Park from the water with a stop at the beach at Whitefish Dunes State Park.
Grizzly Scenic Air Tours offers an unparalleled view of Door County from the air with scenic flights of different lengths.
Kurtz Corral offers horseback rides for all ages and abilities on beautiful trails.
Plum Loco Animal Farm offers a variety of activities for children and adults to see and enjoy and explore their imaginations in a hands-on play farm village.
Plum Bottom Pottery is just down the road where you can see a working studio gallery.
Winery Tour
Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery, off County Road I between State Hwy 42 & 57.
Theater
Door Shakespeare
On the banks of Lake Michigan, under a magnificent maple tree, people of all ages gather to enjoy the works of William Shakespeare. Join them as some of the finest performing artists across the region come together to share these timeless stories with you. It’s a journey you will remember for years to come. 2020 Season: May through August.
Lodging
Tired out from your busy day in Jacksonport? There are several places offering excellent overnight accommodations in the Jacksonport area.
Door County Beach Rentals at Sunrise Shores Condos
Glidden Lodge Beach Resort
Innlet Motel
“It’s All About The Lakeshore Cottages
Lakeshore Retreat
Runaway Lodge @ Valmy
Sand & Sun Cottages
Square Rigger Lodge
Special Events
Polar Bear Swim – Annually on January 1 at 12 noon sharp – Lakeside Park
Annual Candlelight Ski – Last Saturday in January at Whitefish Dunes State Park
Easter Egg Hunt – Easter Saturday at Lakeside Park, downtown Jacksonport
Maifest – Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend at Lakeside Park
Farmer’s Market – mid May-mid Oct., weather permitting, 9-1, Tuesdays, Lakeside Park
State Park Open House Days– Whitefish Dunes State Park, the first weekend in June.
Annual FFA Alumni Dairy Breakfast, in July, Thresheree Grounds, Country View Road
Amish Quilt & Craft Show at Mr. G’s Fernwood Gardens Ballroom – July and October
Cherry Fest – First Saturday in August, Lakeside Park
Annual Valmy Thresheree & Antique Machinery Show – mid-August, Club Grounds
Annual Candlelight Walk –Whitefish Dunes State Park, mid-August, weather permitting.
Thanksgiving Day Parade – Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m. Downtown Jacksonport
Jacksonport is a small community that offers lots to see and do and can meet everyone’s vacation activity choices. Come to Jacksonport where there are “parks and more along the shore.”
