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Wisconsin

Door County: Lighthouses, Lake Views, Orchards & Artists

Program No. 12334RJ
Explore idyllic Door County where you'll discover centuries-old orchards, historic lighthouses, alluring lake views and artists who capture the beauty of this unique peninsula.
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Start
Regional StudiesSmall Group
Length
6 days
Rating (4.79)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,399
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
5 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring you nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Check-in at the resort's registration desk. After you have your room key, come over to the Road Scholar table to meet the Group Leader and pick up your welcome packet. If you arrive after 5:30 p.m., the Group Leader may not be at the table, and you will receive your welcome packet during dinner or orientation.
Dinner:
In our private meeting room
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions. Unless specified otherwise, transportation will be provided primarily by trolley/motorcoach, which will require going up/down a few steps when getting on/off. Periods in the schedule designated as "Free time and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile; approx. ½ hour on grass and paved road. Steps up into trolley/motorcoach.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room
Morning:
By now, we have noticed how incredibly beautiful Door Country is, and we will have an opportunity to learn about the amazing artwork by a local watercolor artist. Our artist will share his love of watercolors with us as he explains his process and gives a quick demonstration; then it will be our turn to give it a try. Don't think, just do! You'll be surprised with the results and you'll have a great memento to take home.
Lunch:
From the resort's restaurant, we will have a special boxed meal exclusively for our group.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will travel by motorcoach to Seaquist Orchards to see a family operation typical of orchards in Door County. At one of the area’s largest cherry and apple orchards, we will ride the motorcoach through the orchard and learn about the fruit industry from an orchard staff member. At the end of the ride, we will stop at the farm market and explore its local products.
Dinner:
We will experience a Door County fish boil at a local restaurant.
Evening:
When we return to the resort, we’ll have another artist share his photography work with us, Door County style.
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile on park trails and boardwalks. Steps up into trolley/motorcoach.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room
Morning:
We will meet a naturalist at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor to learn about the formation of the Niagara Escarpment and the unique flora of the Door County peninsula. The Niagara Escarpment is most famous as the cliff over which the Niagara River flows, creating Niagara Falls, but the escarpment runs from near Rochester, NY to northwest of Chicago. The Door County peninsula is on a tilt so there are steep bluffs on the Green Bay side and sandy beaches on the Lake Michigan side. Then, we will walk the boardwalk through The Ridges to look for seasonal wildflowers. The boardwalk ends at the Range Lights. At the Upper Range Light, we will board the motorcoach/trolley to travel to lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Fish Creek
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll travel to Peninsula State Park for a docent-led visit to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse where we’ll visit the living quarters of the lighthouse keepers and their families and hear docent-told stories of shipwrecks and the life of “keeping the light.” This beautifully restored lighthouse sits atop a bluff above the bay of Green Bay. We’ll then visit the Eagle Tower to get a bird's eye view of the bay before returning to the resort.
Dinner:
In our private meeting room
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking about 2 miles total throughout the day; combination of paved walkways, woodchip paths, lawn, uneven ground. Getting on/off a ferry; ferry crossing to Washington Island takes about 1/2 hour each way.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room
Morning:
We’ll board our motorcoach for a trip north to where the main part of the peninsula ends at Northport Pier. The motorcoach will drive onto the Washington Island Ferry for a 30-minute crossing of Death's Door. When we get to the other side, we will explore the island, its history and culture. Washington Island sits about 7 miles north off the tip of the Door County Peninsula. A long-time home to native peoples due to the abundant fish and fresh water, the island was settled by Icelandic and Scandinavian immigrants in the late 1800s. Today there are about 800 residents who live year-round on the island as well as thousands who visit. Everything must be transported over by ferry including food, furniture and even livestock. You never know what you'll see while waiting for the ferry. Depending on the season and if the lavender farm is open, we may stop for a visit. If we stop, we may see newly-planted lavender, the beautiful purple haze of lavender in bloom, or plants being harvested for oil to be used in a multitude of products.
Lunch:
At a local island restaurant
Afternoon:
We'll make another Washington Island stop at Schoolhouse Beach. This rocky shore of super smooth rocks is a popular place for residents and visitors alike. You might try skipping a rock over the water or building a cairn, but please don’t take the rocks. The rocks are protected by law. Our next stop is at the replica medieval Norwegian stave church (Stavkirke) built to honor the Scandinavian heritage of the islanders. Take some time to view the charming weathered exterior and dragons overlooking the roofs, and then go inside to see the remarkable stave construction. After our day-long field trip on Washington Island, we’ll head back to the ferry for another 30-minute crossing to the mainland. Back on the main peninsula, we will stop at Sister Bay for some independent exploration. Known for its beautiful beach, art galleries, fantastic restaurants, and stunning sunsets, Sister Bay will give you a feel for the livelier side of Door County.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Sister Bay
Evening:
We'll return to the resort around 7:30 p.m. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure.
Activity Note
Walking in and around museums; about 2 hours of standing and walking. Steps up into motorcoach.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room
Morning:
On the way to our first museum in Sturgeon Bay by motorcoach, we will stop at Cave Point County Park. Cave Point, with its iconic shoreline, is the most photographed location in Door County. Located along Sturgeon Bay’s busy waterfront, the Door County Maritime Museum showcases the area’s rich maritime roots. Hard-working fishermen, brave ship captains, skilled craftsmen, bold inventors and solitary lighthouse keepers are just some of the personalities we’ll discover in the galleries of the museum. A docent will lead us around the museum and its exhibits.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Sturgeon Bay
Afternoon:
Before visiting another museum, we will be joined at the restaurant by an award-winning taxidermist to learn about the art of taxidermy. We will see examples of fish, mammals, and birds. Don’t shy away from this surprise hit presentation! Our next stop will be the Door County Historical Museum, voted “Best Small Museum in the Midwest” by the Chicago Tribune. Educational displays portray Door County’s unique history including early settlers, orchards, industries, and more. The Pioneer Fire Station showcases three beautifully restored fire trucks including a rare 1920 Oldsmobile. The spectacular "Seasons of Life" wildlife diorama features over 100 native species. The taxidermist will follow us to the museum and share how he created the exhibit, from the bird and animal mounts to the painted mural with realistic rocks and leaves. The amount of detail is truly amazing.
Dinner:
At the resort restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
This busy day concludes with a professional musical at a local theater. The production features original stories and songs to further the knowledge and appreciation of the local culture and heritage. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Check-out by 11:00 a.m. The airport shuttle leaves the resort at 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your information packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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