10 Weekend Trips That Feel Like a Month-Long Journey

3. Door County, Wisconsin — Lakefront towns, lighthouses, and local food

Door County stretches across a peninsula of small towns, orchards, and shoreline that invites slow exploration. Rent a house or stay in a boutique inn and move at a local pace: morning farmers market visits, midday ferry rides to Washington Island, and evening fish boils or locally sourced dinners. That combination of island time, shoreline walks, and culinary focus gives the weekend a long, relaxed arc. Logistics: driving from Milwaukee is about 3.5 hours; from Green Bay under 1.5 hours. Budgets (per person, As of November 2025): budget $90–$180; mid-range $180–$320; splurge $320+. Best season: late spring through early fall for ferry service and orchards. Accessibility & family note: town centers and many parks are family-friendly; beaches and trails vary. Quick itinerary: Friday evening — main-street dinner and sunset walk; Saturday — farmers market, ferry trip, lighthouse photo stops; Sunday — shoreline walk and slow drive home.