You’ve just stepped out of your vacation rental in Door County, Wisconsin for a walk in nature. A fresh, clean breeze welcomes you as you walk along the tip of the Niagara Escarpment. Over yonder, you see rounded, apricot-shaded lush trees forming an island in Lake Michigan.
But goodness, look at the time!
You’ve been hiking for hours — it’s time to retreat to the main town. You see people strolling, happily shuffling into one of the local restaurants serving farm-fresh fare with a friendly, small-town ambiance. Music dances along the wind in the distance as performers visit more than six days a week.
Nature, history, and culture fuse harmoniously here. Welcome to Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
About Fish Creek
Photo Credit: Matt Sampson Photography
A small town of under 1,000 residents kisses the shores of Green Bay on Lake Michigan. Door County is home to Fish Creek, an adorable little town full of charming shops, inspiring art galleries, multiple theaters, and great outdoor activities all huddled around Fish Creek Harbor.
Downtown Fish Creek is highly walkable and boasts supper clubs, coffee shops, live music, and family-friendly activities. With the easy-breezy feel of a port town, you’ll never get bored with its lighthouses, beautiful trails and lake views, cultural activities, and nightlife.
History
Fish Creek starts with the story of a middle-aged pioneer who hiked thirty miles and settled in Fish Creek. His name was Increase Claflin. A true American patriot, Claflin fought in two wars and struggled to find a home base for his family, intersecting with Indigenous folks in Sturgeon Bay before settling in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
For a long time, he was the sole inhabitant of Door County until another man named Asa Thorp discovered the area’s charms. Eventually, Fish Creek became one of the many popular Lake Michigan towns where city dwellers flocked to escape the summer heat.
When To Visit
Do you crave a vacation chock-full of sunny outdoor activities like golfing on the greenest golf courses, paddling on Lake Michigan’s shimmery waters, grilling BBQ fish for the family, and camping in Peninsula State Park’s natural glory? If so, late spring and summer may be the best times to visit.
Ultimately, the most popular time to visit Fish Creek is the summer season, when almost all businesses and seasonal activities are open. Still, the winter and other seasons bring a slower and more intimate experience for the laid-back vacationer when sports like snowshoeing, nordic skiing and snowmobiling are optimal.
The Weather
Winter
Fish Creek winter weather is typical of the northern Midwest states on Lake Michigan. January and February are especially chilly, with highs in the mid-20s to low 30s and lows in the 10s. Ice bowling, anyone?
Spring
The spring warms up quickly, with highs in the 40s in March, 50s in April, and 60s in May. You might find a group of elderly friends painting the blooming flowers dotted across the town.
Summer
Summer is warm and comfortable, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. So grab a headband to pull back your hair — it’s time to go mountain biking in Peninsula State Park!
Fall
Autumn is a gorgeous time to stroll through the forest, taking in the inspiring views of each orange-hued leaf and fluttering birds in the trees. Unfortunately, the fall temperatures drop as quickly as the spring warms up. September has highs in the 70s, October cools down to the mid-50s, and November gets chilly in the low 40s.
Who Travels to Fish Creek
Fish Creek is full of diverse activities and beautiful scenery, offering a wonderful, entertaining vacation to any solo traveler, couple, or family. But along with its gorgeous outdoor surroundings, Fish Creek has a lively arts scene, with theaters and unique galleries, making Fish Creek a fabulous choice for both art and nature lovers.
Things to Do in Fish Creek
From state parks to drive-in theaters, there are plenty of options for activities to suit all types of travelers in Fish Creek! Check out some of the best ways to pass the time in this charming lakeside town.
Visit Peninsula State Park
- Notable features: Check out the events that the park offers! Take a candle-lit snow-shoeing excursion with your loved ones, or learn to cook wild game.
- Address: 9462 Shore Road, Fish Creek
Fish Creek has a plethora of outdoor activities and spaces to enjoy them. Peninsula State Park is superbly family-friendly and is considered the most “complete” state park in Wisconsin.
Its reputation for having just about everything is evident in its amenities. A sandy beach, bike trails, campgrounds, and even an 18-hole golf course await to entertain you for the day!
This park is known for hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, and the White Cedar Nature Center, which hosts outdoor education programs. Amenities include a summer theater site, a picnic area, and restrooms.
Plan a Date at the Peninsula Players Theater
- Notable features: If you’re on an adults-only date night, check out Peninsula Players’ Beer Garden and Luna Bar. You can sip alcoholic beverages 90 minutes before or after the show on Saturdays.
- Address: 4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek
Situated along 16 acres of forest on the Green Bay, Peninsula Players Theater is the United States’ oldest professional resident summer theater. Often performing original plays and musicals, the theater provides a grand time regardless of what you see.
If you’re curious, peruse the synopsis of each play on the Peninsula Players’ website before you buy tickets. Then, head to the theater’s canteen next to the will-call booth for candy and other snacks before the show.
Travel Back to the 50s at Skyway Drive-In Theater
- Notable features: Stay for a double feature and get two movies for the price of one!
- Address: 3475 WI-42, Fish Creek
Looking for a unique summer date spot? First opened in the summer of 1950, the Skyway Drive-In Theater is a one-screen drive-in that operates exactly how it did in the 1950s.
This business takes great care to uphold traditions while implementing valuable upgrades to make the theater run smoothly with the times. Speakers still hang in the first few rows, but you can also listen to movies on your car radio.
In addition, the snack bar is filled with classic movie theater snacks like pizzas, popcorn, hot dogs, warm pretzels, ice cream, and soft drinks. Want to bring your furry friend? They’re welcome, too. Just make sure you leash them!
Explore Your Creative Side at Hands On Art Studio
- Notable features: Some projects, such as ceramics and fused glass, must be fired overnight. Fortunately, shipping is available if you’re leaving the next day.
- Address: 3655 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek
Bring a little piece of Fish Creek home with you! Hands On Art Studio is a fantastic spot to check out if you're the spontaneous and artistic type! No reservations necessary — just walk right in and pursue the project that calls to you within the 8,000 square feet of creative space. The average project is about $10-40, offering a flexible price point for any budget.
The Hands On Art Studio is also open year-round, so you can indulge your artistic side regardless of the time of year you visit! Of course, there’s nothing like a handmade souvenir from your latest vacation.
Catch a Show at Northern Sky Theater
- Notable features: The Northern Sky Theater has both the indoor Gould Theater and the outdoor park amphitheater, located in Peninsula State Park.
- Address: 9058 Co Road A, Fish Creek
Northern Sky Theater is excited to share fantastic dramas and musicals with the people of Fish Creek and beyond! Many of the shows performed are original and focus on the specific cultural lore of the Wisconsin area.
One of the shows on the 2023 docket is called “Cheeseheads! The Musical” and is inspired by the story of 100 cheese factory workers in Wisconsin who won the Powerball. Who doesn’t love a chipper, creative twist on a funny news story?
Visit the White Gull Inn on Main Street after the show for one of their traditional fish boils, a staple in Wisconsin culture. Fish Creek is the largest producer of whitefish and cherries in Wisconsin. You’d be remiss if you didn’t try some perfectly boiled whitefish served with butter and lemon and a delectable piece of cherry pie for dessert!
Enjoy Fish Creek
Are you ready to take your loved ones on a trip they’ll remember forever? Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is full of diverse experiences to appeal to any traveler. So embrace the welcoming culture of the Midwest and head on up to Fish Creek on Green Bay!
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