By Visit Fish Creek
“Roses are red, violets are blue. We love Fish Creek, and so do you!”
Ok, bad poetry attempts aside, it’s impossible to hide our unwavering admiration for this charming fishing village nestled between the bluffs and the bay. And with an abundance of activities still in full swing, February is the perfect time to plan a last-minute getaway to Fish Creek. Here are five reasons why:
A Million Dollar View
When you think of Fish Creek, many beautiful views likely come to mind! If you ask us, there’s one that tops them all — but you’ll have to look quickly or you might miss it!
As you travel north on Highway 42, just past the sign welcoming you to Fish Creek, there’s a bend in the road just before the road descends downhill into the village. If you look out to your right, you’ll catch a breathtaking panoramic view of Main Street below and the bay and Peninsula State Park in the distance. One look and you can feel the tension leave your body as the landscape seems to whisper, “Welcome back.” (We’ve actually heard this happens.)
Dine Like the Locals
To start your day, we highly suggest admiring the frozen bay over a steaming cup of locally brewed coffee. Or following up a morning hike in the park with a late morning brunch — you’ll find plenty of options over on the Visit Fish Creek website.
When a night out with friends is in order, take your pick of Fish Creek’s dining options, whether you’re craving a late-night hangout paired with drinks and apps or a fine dining experience that’s anything but stuffy but always delicious (and there may or may not be ice cream drinks).
Morning or night, winter is one of the best times to discover those cozy corner tables and must-try dishes at the local dining establishments The slower-paced ambiance will make you feel right at home!
So Much Culture
Even though the main season is still a few months away, plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the arts—performance and visual — await in Fish Creek. So pick up an Arts Guide at our Visit Fish Creek Information Center (or head here for a list!) and plan your own art tour with stops at galleries, the Peninsula School of Art, and take in some of the special off-season events at Door Community Auditorium (their Coffeehouse Concerts are local favorites!) and Northern Sky Theater (like this weekend’s Door County Short Film Festival!).
Shop Til You Drop
Many of Fish Creek’s shops and boutiques remain open throughout the winter, especially on the weekends. Clothing, gifts, art, jewelry, home decor—whatever you’ve got on your “treat yourself” list, you’ll have no issue finding it! Although you’ll want to confirm winter hours over at the Visit Fish Creek website, you’ll have no trouble at all picking up that perfect gift—for you or someone else—that keeps Fish Creek close in mind long after you return home.
Take a Hike
Explore Fish Creek’s great outdoors in winter for a fresh perspective! At Peninsula State Park, Hill 17 offers golfers a breathtaking view of the park and waters beyond. But in the winter, it offers chilly thrills as the place to go sledding and tubing. (Be sure to check the state park’s website for hill conditions!)
If you’re looking to slow the pace a bit, consider taking a walk along the quiet trails at Fish Creek Park or check out one of the Door County Land Trust nature preserves. If you prefer traveling by wheels, skis, or snowshoes, you can rent fat tire bikes, skis, and snowshoes locally for enough winter fun to fill an entire day or weekend!
It may be the quiet season here in the Peninsula, but it’s certainly not sleepy. Once you visit during the winter, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with Fish Creek in a whole new way!
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