Complete with a handsome marina and beautiful shoreline, quaint and friendly lodging establishments, delectable restaurants for every budget and palate, and many opportunities for shopping and other activities, the village of Sister Bay is Door County Wisconsin’s year-round vacation destination.

A village rich in history, Sister Bay was settled by Norwegian immigrants, working mostly in the logging trade. Originally two communities, Little Sister Bay and Big Sister Bay, the village of Sister Bay was formally established in 1912. In early days, Sister Bay’s economy was lumber-based – until visitors from Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond recognized the area’s potential as a summer respite. Quickly the village became a hub of tourism – a buzz that still resonates today with visitors from across the United States and beyond.

With a waterfront that is close to downtown and within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants, and shops, the views off the waters of Sister Bay are nothing short of magnificent. Not only is there a wonderful stretch of sandy beach right in the heart of downtown, but the waterfront is also the sight of a summer-long “Concerts in the Park” series during the summer. Whether watching the sunset on a park bench along the Sister Bay marina or listening to world-class jazz, folk, or blues for a park concert, exploring Sister Bay’s waterfront is a must.

Dining in Sister Bay offers the pleasant dilemma of many choices. From fine-dining restaurants with carefully selected wine lists and expertly prepared entrees to a more traditional family-friendly atmosphere with tasty and inexpensive hamburgers and perch dinners, Sister Bay is sure to accommodate any taste or price range. Some of our restaurants proudly serve Swedish and Norwegian fare to proudly show off the village’s heritage. However you choose to spend your dining hours, one thing is for certain – you will not go away hungry in Sister Bay.

The village is a lively place all through the year, but especially so when we host our traditional festivals. Perhaps the best known of all of these is our annual Fall Festival, traditionally held the third weekend in October. Fall Fest is a fun-filled weekend of food, arts and crafts, music, and, to cap the weekend off, the famed Ping-Pong ball drop, where 10,000 ping-pong balls are dropped from the sky and the folks catching them can win free prizes. But the spirit of Sister Bay doesn’t stop at one festival – we are also host to Blossom Festival in May, Marina Fest over Labor Day weekend, the Door County Festival of the Arts the third weekend of August, and “Capture the Spirit” at the end of November. Please join us at one of these lively festivals – we’d love to have you!

Besides having a wealth of activities in the village, Sister Bay is also centrally located from many of Door County’s arts, entertainments, and nature activities. We are just a few minutes away from the breathtaking beauty of Door County’s Peninsula State Park as well a short drive to the acclaimed Peninsula Players theatre, the American Folklore Theatre, and the Door Community Auditorium.

With so many things to do and such a beautiful place to do them, the only problem you might have in Sister Bay is how to fit it all in! If you’re having trouble, we encourage you to stop in at our Sister Bay Visitor Information Center, located in our historic 130-year-old schoolhouse. Our friendly staff will be happy to give you advice and answer questions. For more information on our lodging establishments, festivals, restaurants, and other activities, please visit the other pages of our website.