DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As the seasons change, and we get closer to winter, Door County tourism leaders want to let people know the area isn’t just for summertime visits. , there is plenty to do in the coming months.
Jon Jarosh, with the Door County Visitor Bureau, tells FOX 11 there’s plenty to do in the coming months.
“So many of the things that you can see in Door County, other times of the year, are available in the winter. It’s just a little different. Maybe a little quieter, maybe a little chillier.”
But Jarosh says the area offers more than just natural beauty.
He says of the two million Door County visitors each year, about a quarter visit in what’s known as the shoulder season, from November to April.
“If you haven’t come to Door County in the wintertime for maybe 10 or 15 years, you’ll be amazed at how many places are open now in the wintertime.”
Places like Bay Shore Outfitters in Sturgeon Bay. The store features all-things outdoors, and they sell and rent snowshoes and cross-country skis as well.
“We feel that we want to stay open year round just because of servicing the community too. With the locals coming in, with the rentals on the weekends, during the week to over the Christmas break time,” said Julie Wilson, Bay Shore Outfitters.
Across the shipping channel along 3rd Avenue, open signs are all around the downtown.
Carol and Dave Hackett noticed. They moved to Sturgeon Bay four years ago, in part, for the year-round conveniences.
“I think probably the quaintness of the area, and our downtown’s got a lot of cute little shops. And they’re really high on selling local,” said Carol Hackett, Sturgeon Bay.
“It’s very important. It’s good for everybody. It’s good for the tourists, and it’s good for the locals because it gives us more opportunities to spend,” said Dave Hackett, Sturgeon Bay.
And there’s more. Jarosh says from wineries to restaurants, to places to stay, the Door County Winter booklet is packed with information including a calendar of the major winter events.
“Give them an idea, maybe an excuse to want to come back and see what Door County is like in the colder months of the year.”
From a pond hockey tournament on a frozen lake to a snowshoe trek through the woods,
“People are realizing that Door County, while it’s different in the winter, it’s still just as magical. And there are still some wonderful things to see and do while they’re up here.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, visitor spending was nearly $12.7 billion dollars statewide last year.
Door county made up almost $358.7 million of that, ranking it 7th of 72 counties.
