Northern Door is on the tip of the scenic Door County peninsula, known for its 300-plus miles of coastline. Waterfront recreation and real estate are the hallmarks of this community, shared by tourists, snowbirds and full-time residents, especially during the busy summer season. The community is a collection of small towns, some quiet and others buzzing with shopping, dining, arts and cultural opportunities. "I always tell people, if I can make a living and live in a place like this, I'm the luckiest person in the world," says Amy Jorgenson, a resident of Northern Door's Washington Island for over 30 years. She is also a broker and co-owner of Dwell Door County Real Estate. "It's like living where you play."
Waterfront homes and farms with acreage
This rural area blends waterfront real estate with spacious farms. Wood-paneled cabins and farmhouses are common. Lots average about 1 acre, but are often larger, allowing for barns, guesthouses and other outbuildings. Maintaining the agricultural heritage is a sentiment shared throughout the area, according to Jorgenson, who herself has horses and cows. While many residents are seasonal, most homes are winterproofed for year-round living. The median single-family price is about $690,000, over twice that of nearby Green Bay. Waterfront properties can cost between $1 and $5 million. Jorgenson says water levels can rise seasonally and potentially damage docks and erode land. "It's not a big deal, it's just something we know is going to happen," she says. Condos are also widely available.
Boating, camping, stargazing and other outdoor activities
For Jorgenson and many other residents, it's all about being outdoors. "Hiking, biking, walking, fishing, boating — we do all those things on a regular basis," she says. Sandy beaches are located along the sprawling shoreline. Washington Island's Schoolhouse Beach is unique for its smooth, glacier-polished limestone rocks. At the peninsula's far end, Newport State Park is a designated dark sky park with ideal conditions for stargazing. Locals kayak alongside tall bluffs and camp at Peninsula State Park, with over 460 campsites to claim. "We go to camp there even though it's only 20 minutes away because it's so beautiful," Jorgenson says. "It's like you're getting away even though it's not far away." In the winter, many residents take up ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Downtowns with bars, restauarants and boutiques
Fish Creek, Egg Harbor and Sister Bay are the main shopping and dining destinations, with bars, restaurants and boutiques.The options are more limited in the winter when many businesses close for the off-season. "In the last 10 years, the town of Sister Bay has purchased a lot of waterfront, and that was the smartest thing they ever did because they've left it open so that everyone can enjoy the water," Jorgenson says. Franchises are uncommon, and most towns have an independent market with fresh produce and other grocery items. Sister Bay also has a Piggly Wiggly. Al Johnson's is Sister Bay's famous Swedish restaurant where goats graze on the grass roof. Inside, servers wear traditional Swedish attire and patrons enjoy Swedish meatballs, lingonberry pancakes and other breakfast and lunch items.
Public and private school options
Three of Door County's school districts fall in this area, each offering one elementary, middle and high school. Sevastopol School District and Gibraltar Area School District earn overall A-minus grades from Niche, and Washington Island School District earns a C-plus. With small enrollment sizes, students benefit from more individual attention. The A-minus-rated Gibraltar High School boasts strong athletic and academic programs, including 18 advanced placement classes. Private school options include St. John Bosco Catholic School and St. Peter's Lutheran Elementary School.
Events and activities throughout the year
Northern Door has a creative spirit, from local theater troupes to art classes, galleries, open mic nights and concerts. In its 90th season, the Peninsula Players Theatre performs summer shows in an open-air venue near the lake. Events and festivals fill the calendar throughout the year, from Fourth of July fireworks to wine and beer fests and fishing tournaments. Dating back about 80 years, the Sister Bay Fall Fest has become one of the peninsula's largest gatherings and features an arts and crafts show, a fish boil and parade. The winter brings a European-style Christmas market with Nordic foods to enjoy while shopping.
Highways and ferry services
Highways 42 and 57 are the main arteries through the peninsula. Traffic can pick up in Sister Bay during tourist season. The Door County-Washington Island ferry carries locals to and from the island. It operates throughout the day during the busy season and is more limited in the winter months. Green Bay is about 85 miles south from the tip of the peninsula. Fixed bus routes aren't available, but Door County Connect offers on-demand rides.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Northern Door, Sturgeon Bay sell after 111 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Northern Door, Sturgeon Bay over the last 12 months is $499,950, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Immaculate Stony Ridge Condo ? This beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath upper unit combines comfort, style, and convenience in the heart of Sister Bay. Enjoy granite countertops, hardwood floors throughout, tile baths, vaulted ceilings, a cozy gas fireplace, and handicap accessibility. The attached garage provides added convenience, and reasonable HOA fees include cable and internet.
Leah Gieseler-HantkeShorewest Realtors-Door County
Discover this beautifully updated and fully furnished condo at Landmark Resort, featuring new cabinets, counters, and vanity added last fall. This well-maintained unit offers exceptional value with $25K in future bookings for 2025. Enjoy full access to resort amenities, including a fitness center, walking trails, tennis courts, and a playground. Perfectly situated near golf courses, shopping, and
Amazing views and spectacular sunsets await at this private Door County estate on 2.75 acres with 200 feet of Green Bay shoreline. Over 11,000 sq ft of refined living space showcases stonework procured from Colorado and exposed wooden beams milled from white cedar trees on the property. Features include 4 bedrooms, 8 baths, 3 fireplaces, a four-season porch, full fitness center, game room,
76 acres in the heart of Door County with no restrictive covenants—bring your vision. Ideal setting for a private estate, small development, vineyard, or a creative mix of allthree. Gently rolling land with 65+ tillable acres, wooded pockets, and wide-open skies. In the southeast corner, wildflowers bloom untouched, waiting for you to carve a quiet path where theonly sounds are wind, birds, and
When you call The Glen Estates home, youll find yourself surrounded in a beautiful, lush, park-like environment. Our spacious, luxury, two bedroom, two bath apartment homes include a variety of great amenities. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.You will love the vast array of apartment amenities available at The Glen Estates: private
Experience the best of Door County's fall colors and crisp air at The Rushes, located in the Town of Jacksonport, just 1.5 miles off the Highway 57 corridor along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Feel at home in this welcoming resort, complete with a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and exercise room, all available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. The Welcome Center offers food, refreshments, clothing
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
