FISH CREEK, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Memorial Day weekend kicked off another busy tourism season in Door County, bringing thousands of people from out-of-state.
The state’s Department of Tourism reports last year about a quarter of a million people visited Door County.
Shopping, restaurants, and the views, are all reasons why people from Illinois, like Marianne Gapen, tell WLUK they love visiting Door County.
“We both grew up in the Chicago area and really didn’t know anything about Door County, but other parts of Wisconsin, and we just fell in love with it immediately” Marianne and her husband have been visiting Door County for 35 years.
“I’ve been coming up to Door County since I was born for vacation” said Becky Brantman, from Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Brantman spent Memorial Day weekend in Door County for a bachelorette party.
“About 10 of us girls staying in a cottage, we went boating, went to the restaurants, right now we’re going to breakfast, and then we’ve just been hanging around exploring” Brantman added, the relaxing atmosphere is one reason the group chose to celebrate in Door County.
“Door County has a really low key vibe, but it also has a lot of different options for things to do”
“Tourism is our life blood, and people and families depend on tourism. And frankly I think we as a destination offer a lot to people” says Jon Jarosh, with the Door County Visitor Bureau.
Jarosh said tourism brought in nearly $348 million last year. A large chunk of that number comes from out-of-state visitors.
“We’re happy to roll out our welcome mat to our visitors” “You just feel so welcomed by everybody”
The friendliness is what keeps Monika Allen coming back from the west suburbs of Chicago year after year.
“The nicest people, the nicest scenery, the nicest beaches, the calmest bay, the great food, the great shopping, it’s a great getaway” And because Door County isn’t a long drive from Illinois, Brantman says it’s a vacation without having to go far.
“It’s so different from home, so it makes it feel like you went really far away, but you can just come up here for a short weekend”
Short weekends, neighbors from Illinois will keep enjoying all summer.
