Fall Sailing in Door County Attracts Visitors from the Midwest

For lots of people from Milwaukee County, autumn in Door County is the most ideal time of year for visiting the Door Peninsula.

Fall drives from Milwaukee County on Door County’s winding roads are a beautiful site: Countryside lands as well as fallow fields take on golden hues under colorful autumn skies. Whether you’re hiking Peninsula State Park, Newport State Park, or one of the many county parks, the cool waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan surround the fall foliage in all its splendor.

High aloft on the Peninsula’s bluffs the Sail Door County fleet can be seen in Northern Door waters. White sails against a bright blue sky push the Edith M. Becker, our sixty-five foot wooden schooner along a autumn festival tour on a shoreline journey. Nearby, the Passage North, our classic 40 – foot racing sloop skips over waves in pursuit of a freshening breeze.  Beauty abounds on the crisp days of autumn as the boats sail further into Green Bay waters giving you an ever expansive view of the peninsula with each mile logged in the 2hr sail.

Evening cruises are by far the delight of most Milwaukee County visitors. Shore-bound onlookers click their cameras toward the sails as we toast to the autumnal twilight in the wake of the setting sun that lights up the peninsula’s gold and red forests. Hues linger, then change with each passing minute during the sunset over this ancient glacial sea. The end of this sail climaxes in a cannon salute as we return to shore.

Autumn lighthouse tours are slated aboard our tall ship, the Edith M. Becker. Partnering with the Door County Maritime Museum, Sail Door County sails the wooden schooner on two cruises in October to the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park. 

Fall colors are at their best at this time.  There are always limited spaces on these trips that sail the coastline in full view of the autumn colors. It is only fitting to sail a 19th century schooner to a 19th century lighthouse, the Eagle Bluff Light. A historical story is given for the well storied lighthouse aboard the twice circumnavigated schooner. The light and tall ship are replete with rich histories, and both have had books written about their maritime significance.

If you're traveling from Milwaukee County and you’re looking for the acceleration of our 40- foot racing sloop or a tall ship experience, Sail Door County will ensure you a front row seat to beautiful autumn colors from the peninsulas beautiful waters and shoreline.