Festivals, orchards, peak color, and short hikes in crisp air — all the things to do in Door County in October make a strong case for a fall getaway
October is one of the busiest months in Door County — and for a good reason. The trees along our highways and every back road turn every incredible shade of red, orange, and gold; there’s a festival nearly every weekend, and our delicious apple season seems to stretch on forever.
(This is probably a good time to say the obvious: if you’re thinking about a fall trip, our advice is to plan early and book now. October fills up much faster than people expect!)
Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in Door County in October. Bonus: most of them are just a short drive from Ephraim Shores Resort!
1. Catch peak color at Peninsula State Park
The fall colors are beautiful in virtually every pocket of Door County, but if you want to see them on full display, Peninsula State Park is where to get the best show.
If you only have a bit of time, our suggestion is to drive Skyline Road in the park and stop and take some photos at Sven’s Bluff, where you can see the water and coastline of Green Bay, the Strawberry Islands, and even parts of the distant Upper Michigan shoreline from your perch on the Niagara Escarpment.
Climbing Eagle Tower is also a must — the observation deck of the tower sits over 250 feet above Green Bay, perfect for taking in the changing trees. There are 100 steps to get to the tower, but if you’d prefer a more leisurely route, there’s an 850-foot, fully accessible canopy walk that winds above the tree line to the top of the tower.
No matter where you’re catching the colors, be sure to check in on the timing. Peak color usually lands somewhere in the first two weeks of October, so look at Destination Door County’s Fall Color Report before you commit to a weekend!
2. Pick your own apples
Door County is truly orchard country, and one of THE things to do in Door County in October is pick your own apples. A few of our favorite places:
- Seaquist Orchards Farm Market (Sister Bay) — a visitor favorite with pick-your-own on fall weekends, a bakery worth the stop on its own, a playground, and an indoor straw maze for the kids.
- Lautenbach’s Orchard Country (Fish Creek) — The closest to Ephraim, with U-Pick fruit plus a winery and cider company, a bakery, and yard games.
- Choice Orchards (Sturgeon Bay) — about 20 apple varieties, picking daily through the end of October, and a tree maze to wander.
U-pick availability always depends on the harvest, so it’s smart to call the day before. And, if you want the apples but don’t want to have to work for them (no judgement here!) all the locations above will also have freshly picked apples in addition to pies, pie filling, apple cider, and more.
3. Hit up a fall festival (there’s one almost every weekend!)
Door County’s festival calendar is one of the things to do in Door County in October you can build an entire trip around. Just pick your weekend:
- October 2–4: Fall Lighthouse Passport Days (Sturgeon Bay and countywide). The Door County Maritime Museum opens all 11 of the peninsula’s historic lighthouses for one weekend, including a few you can’t normally reach — Chambers Island, Plum Island, Rock Island, Sherwood Point.
- October 10–11: Pumpkin Patch Festival (Egg Harbor). The village’s largest annual event, and admission is free — carnival rides, live music, a magician, face painting, craft vendors, and scarecrow and pumpkin displays up and down the street.
- October 16–18: Sister Bay Fall Fest (Sister Bay). Door County’s largest fall festival turns 80 years old this year, and Sister Bay’s celebrating in a big way. Three days of live music, an arts and crafts fair with more than 100 vendors, a Lions Club fish boil, a Saturday pancake breakfast, a kids’ carnival, and the annual ping pong ball drop.
- October 31: Jack O’Lantern Days (Fish Creek). The definition of a “hometown Halloween,” with a costume parade, town-wide trick-or-treating, mask making, and a Haunted Trail.
One tip: festival weekends fill the dining rooms about as fast as they fill the streets. There’s no shortage of festival food — fish boils, pancake breakfasts, and a whole street of vendors — but if you want a real sit-down meal between the parade and the pumpkin patch, make a reservation. (If you need some ideas, here are our favorite family friendly restaurants in Door County to choose from!)
4. Take a short hike in the crisp air
The cool and dry October air is the best hiking weather of the year — no bugs, no humidity, and the trails are quieter than the towns. It’s also one of the things to do in Door County in October that takes no planning at all: no tickets or no reservations!
Here are three short hikes close to Ephraim Shores:
- Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park. This two-mile hike winds along the base of the bluff, right at the Ephraim end of the park. A beautiful walk through cedar and a close-up look at the Niagara Escarpment.
- Ephraim Preserve at Anderson Pond. This Door County Land Trust property is hiding in plain sight, right off Moravia Street. This is a mile of easy trail that starts on an ancient cobblestone beach ridge and drops through juniper fields to the pond.
- Ephraim Wetlands Preserve. You might have seen this sign if you’ve driven into Ephraim from Fish Creek. This trail consists of two short loops through forested wetland. A bit of cedar woods and birdsong, just five minutes off the highway!
However you decide to spend your trip, the list of things to do in Door County in October have a way of filling a weekend faster than you planned. Pack a jacket, book early, and let the beauty of October do the rest.
Ephraim Shores Resort — a waterfront Door County resort for the whole family
Located in downtown Ephraim, Ephraim Shores is a family-friendly resort for groups of all sizes. From our private sundeck overlooking Eagle Harbor and our many room types to our beautiful waterfront location, Ephraim Shores has everything your family needs for the perfect vacation. Some of our amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, an exercise room and game room, and bikes for our guests to use. To make your reservation, contact us at 877-854-2371 or visit our website at ephraimshores.com.