Algoma is a lakeside destination known for fishing
Algoma rests on the southeastern edge of the Door Peninsula, along the shores of Lake Michigan. The city was once a center for the commercial fishing industry, but today, many locals run sportfishing charters for the warm-weather tourists. “The place is hopping every weekend from May through about mid-October,” says Eric Dean, a broker associate with JC Realtors, who has lived in Algoma for around 15 years. “About 3,000 of us live here year-round, but on any given weekend during the season, the population easily swells to about 6,000.” Tourists and full-time residents alike appreciate the city’s access to water recreation and local businesses. “It has a small-town vibe with a lot of owner-operated shops,” Dean says.
From beach volleyball to snowmobiling, Algoma offers year-round fun
Lake Michigan’s Crescent Beach is one of the main destinations during the summer months. Beachgoers sunbathe, play volleyball and fly kites. Algoma also offers a variety of other outdoor activities, including fishing on Lake Michigan, kayaking on the Ahnapee River and playing sports at the 20-plus-acre Peterson Park. Perry Field Park has a playground and gaga ball pit, and at Christmas Tree Ship Point, the benches provide a vantage point to watch the sun rising over Lake Michigan. Along Perry Street, people can link up with the nearly 50-mile Ahnapee State Trail, which winds through Kewaunee and Door counties. “It’s an old railroad line, and it’s phenomenal for year-round recreation — hiking, biking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling,” Dean says.
Downtown shops, dockside bars and local hangouts
In downtown Algoma, Italianate and Queen Anne-style row buildings house art galleries and a variety of shops. In addition to boutiques like Hello Dolly, the city also has hardware stores, bookstores and Denny’s Supervalu, a small, full-service grocery. “For the most part, it’s got everything you need,” Dean says.
Many of the restaurants and pubs are seasonal, such as Smashed on the Rocks, a dockside bar that’s a favorite among sport fishermen and recreational boaters. “They often have live music and they’re known for their Bloody Mary — it has chicken wings, tacos and donuts on top,” Dean says. Many locals prefer the Ahnapee Brewery taproom and Son of Skaliwags, which are both open year-round. Son of Skaliwags is a second generation-owned business that began as a dive bar, but it now serves handmade pasta and fresh seafood. “It’s a destination — people come in from all over the state,” Dean says.
Condos and single-family homes near the water
Sidewalks line most streets in the center of Algoma, connecting homeowners to parks and downtown amenities. “I could even walk to my doctor or dentist,” Dean says. A few condo complexes rest along the Ahnapee River and Lake Michigan, and units sometimes sell from $250,000 to $290,000, plus HOA fees of around $500 per month. Some Colonial Revivals date back to the early 1900s, and ranch-style homes and bungalows are also common. Sales may range from $120,000 to $340,000. The housing market tends to reflect Algoma’s seasonality. “Some people wait until the end of summer to sell, because they want to get their last summer in,” Dean says. Parts of the community are prone to flooding, so lenders may require flood insurance.
Algoma families have a choice between public and private school
Children may attend Algoma Elementary School from prekindergarten through sixth grade. It earns a C rating from Niche. Algoma Middle/High School gets a B-minus. During the summer, rising seniors have the opportunity to participate in Leadership Through High Adventure, an 11-day camping and whitewater rafting trip. St. Paul’s Lutheran School is a private option that serves prekindergarten through eighth grade.
Seasonal festivals and cruise traffic boost downtown activity
During the summer months, the city hosts a nearly constant stream of activities, including concerts, art walks and car shows. Since 2023, Viking Cruises has been making stops in Algoma, often bringing a noticeable uptick in downtown traffic on cruise days.
Algoma’s biggest event is Shanty Days, a multiday festival named for the fishing shanties that used to line the river. “It’s like an Algoma homecoming,” Dean says. “They close off the downtown, and there are parades and a craft fair that takes up several streets. It brings in people from all over.”
Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay are key hubs for commuters
Algoma’s main industries are tourism and manufacturing, and proximity to larger cities like Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay enables some residents to commute for work. State Route 54 leads toward Green Bay, less than 35 miles away, and state Route 42 connects with Sturgeon Bay, about 20 miles north. These two-lane roads may pose a challenge after snowstorms. “They plow them well, but they get snowdrifts, so you’ve kind of got to ask yourself, ‘Do I want to go out in the storm, or should I just wait?’” Dean says.
Kewaunee County provides limited transportation services, but most people depend on cars for travel. The Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is about 45 miles west, and the Door County Medical Center is around 20 miles away.
