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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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.
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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
)
4 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
Day
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
D
Stay:
Landmark Resort
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to meet with the Group Leader and pick up your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule and other important information. 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 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 questions. •We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. 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.
Day
2
Watercolor Artist, Orchard, Fish Boil
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Landmark Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1/2 hour on grass and paved road.
Breakfast:
In our private meeting room.
Morning:
By now most of us will 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 the 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 test orchard and learn more 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, another artist will share his photography work with us, Door County style.
Day
3
Local Geology, Flora, Lighthouses, Local Entertainment
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Landmark Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach/trolley. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour on park trails and boardwalks.
Breakfast:
At the resort restaurant.
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 peninsula. The Niagara Escarpment is most famous as the cliff over which the Niagara River flows, creating Niagara Falls, but runs from near Rochester, NY to northwest of Chicago. The 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 ride 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 stories from the docent 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 before returning to the resort.
Dinner:
At the resort restaurant.
Evening:
This day concludes with a professional show at a local lakeside theater featuring classic and contemporary productions.
Day
4
Ferry Crossing to Washington Is., Stave Church, Local Life
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Landmark Resort
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; crossing 1/2 hour each way.
Breakfast:
At the resort restaurant.
Morning:
We’ll board our motorcoach for a trip north to where the main part of the peninsula ends at Northport Ferry Dock. The motorcoach will drive onto the Washington Island Ferry for a 30-minute crossing of Death's Door to the island to explore the island, its history and culture. Washington Island sits about 7 miles north off the tip of the Door County Peninsula. A longtime home to native peoples due to the abundant fish and fresh water, the island was settled by Icelandic and other 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 is 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; they 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:
Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure.
Day
5
Cave Point, Historical & Maritime Museums
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Landmark Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking in and around museums; about 2 hours of standing and walking.
Breakfast:
At the resort restaurant.
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 museum staff member will lead us around the museum and its exhibits.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Sturgeon Bay, located along the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. If we’re lucky, we’ll see the Michigan Street steel bridge open for a sailboat to pass through.
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 is 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 the exhibit was created, 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:
At leisure.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Egg Harbor, WI
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out by 11:00 a.m. The airport shuttle leaves the resort at 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the resort restaurant. 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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