Husby's Food & Spirits

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

We all like to eat, and Sister Bay has some fabulous restaurants. Husby's is a favorite bar-restaurant of the locals, as is the Sister Bay Bowl. Both serve everything from hamburgers to prime rib. Another place open year round is Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, which has a menu that doesn't quit. You can't miss it; it's the one with the goats eating grass on the roof! Pancakes with syrup and lingonberries are a favorite as well as pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. Al's serves three meals a day, and at mealtime during high season you may find people lined up on the sidewalk waiting to get in.

Almost across the street from Al Johnson's is the Sister Bay Cafe, which specializes in Norwegian dishes. This is also a favorite place of the locals to eat, but unfortunately, it is only open in the summer. Both restaurants have boutiques which sell items from their respective countries.

The Inn at Kristofer's

If you are looking for elegant dining, the Inn at Kristofer's is the place to go. The Mission Grill is also an upscale restaurant and is located in the former St. Rosalia's Church. The Viking Grill and Lounge, in Ellison Bay, is the home of the original Door County fish boil and is a great place to try a fish boil for the first time.

Mission Grill

Legend has it that the first fish boil was served on a fishing tug which couldn't get into port due to a storm, so the fishermen boiled some of their catch for their dinner. Present day fish boils can be either trout or whitefish; whitefish is more mild. The fish are cut into sections and boiled with potatoes and onions. Cole slaw is served with most and, of course, any fish boil must end with Door County cherry pie!

Three restaurants offer water views; Alexander's, which is in the Hotel du Nord, Fred and Fuzzy's Waterfront Bar and Grill (which also offers outdoor seating), and the Waterfront Restaurant. Sister Bay has two ethnic restaurants: the Village Wok in the Country Walk Shops and JJ's La Puerta Restaurant which serves both Mexican and American cuisine. If you have a hankering for an ice cream snack, don't miss the Door County Ice Cream Factory and Sandwich Shoppe which serves 35 flavors of ice cream made right in the store. 

If shopping is your cup of tea, last year Midwest Living Magazine named Door County as the best place to find the most unique gifts. Little Sister Bay has a shopping mall at the top of the hill, across from Door Community Auditorium, where you can find everything from fudge to tee shirts. At the top of the hill at the south end of the village are the County Walk Shops which have a bakery, handcrafted items of wood, metal, glass, etc., home accessories, clothing, specialty foods - whatever. Antique shops abound in this area. For that rainy day, visit Passtimes Books downtown, or take the ferry to Washington Island. 

Recreational activities abound. Peninsula State Park has swimming , hiking, nature walks, lots of roads which are safe for bicyclists, and an overlook tower for viewing the countryside, in addition to a golf course. The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor also offers nature walks, guided nature tours and informative programs about native plants and animals.

Santa at Al Johnson's Restaurant

The Gills Rock "Island Clipper" offers narrated cruises to Washington Island; on the Island is the Viking Tour Train which offers a narrated tour of the Island. The Island was originally settled by Icelanders and many of the stores reflect their heritage. Shoreline Charters offers a narrated lighthouse cruise, charter fishing trips, and scuba charters to shipwrecks. Johnson's Park and Pirate's Cove have miniature golf; Johnson's Park also has bumper cars. 

For music lovers there is the annual Midsummer's Music Festival, which features about three weeks of concerts and chamber music during the first part of August. The American Folklore Theater produces musical shows in Peninsula Park all summer. These are comedies, mostly based on local lore. Just outside of Jacksonport is Dan Meunier's piano studio. Dan puts on recitals and sells recordings.

Door County Confectionery

Birch Creek, just outside Egg Harbor, is a music school which has a concert almost every night of the week during the summer - everything from jazz to classical is covered here. Another evening venue is the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek. Open year 'round, it has shows with local talent, as well as national productions. Folks interested in art may want to visit The Clearing in Ellison Bay which offers one week and multiweek art classes as well as classes in Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.

Old Anderson House Museum

And for history buffs there is the Old Anderson House Museum operated by the Sister Bay Historical Society. This 1875 renovated farmhouse is located on Highway 57 at Country Lane and Fieldcrest Road.

And now, after your full day of eating, shopping, and whatever, enjoy a little nostalgia and go to the Skyway Drive-in Theatre on the outskirts of Fish Creek. Double features every night and, of course, a snack bar, just in case you get hungry!

Sister Bay Marina