WHAT TO DO

First of all, relax…you’re on an island, away from it all, one of the few places where you can really slow down, take it easy and smell the roses. When you’re ready to engage with small town life, here are a few of the activities on Washington Island:

BEACHES & PARKS

PERCY JOHNSON COUNTY PARK
Enjoy this lovely beach area with a view of Hog Island while enjoying a picnic in the only Door County Park on the Island. Ample picnic tables and grills are available.

JACKSON HARBOR RIDGES
The Ridges, a State of Wisconsin Scientific Area, is an outstanding example of beach, dune, boreal and shore meadow communities. Information about the Ridges and its program is posted on the bulletin board at the gate. The nature trail is open daily for nature study, photography and walking.

PEOPLE’S PARK
After looking for herons at Little Lake  and visiting the Jacobsen Museum, stop by the nearby Peoples Park to have your lunch on one of the picnic tables while admiring the scenic overlook of Green Bay.

RED BARN PARK/GISLASON PUBLIC BEACH
Alcohol-free park includes playground, picnic area, grills, volleyball, trails, benches on the beach. The Red Barn offers summer events: Thurs. 7:00 pm – Family Storytime; Fri. 7:30 pm – Live Entertainment! Local & visiting artists perform country, jazz, gospel, original music and perform theatrical events.

SAND DUNES BEACH
Walking a short distance on a sandy trail you’ll find a fine swimming beach located on the south side of the Island. No campfires. Picnic lunches permitted.

SCHOOLHOUSE BEACH
Schoolhouse Beach is one of five beaches in the world like it and is a part of the Niagara Escarpment. A protected harbor area and the Island’s original shipping port. Excellent swimming in a marked area with a diving raft. A favorite area for picnics. Picnic tables and grills amidst a breathtaking setting. Don’t care to swim? Great area for photos, too!

RECREATION

BASEBALL
Sunday afternoons during the summer, the Islanders play mainland teams in the Door County Baseball League. The Little League, sponsored by the Lions Club, play teams from the County on Friday evenings.

BIKING
Over 100 miles of paved roads provide scenic biking pleasure on the Island. Bike rentals are available at the Ferry Dock and Downtown.

BIRDING
Washington Island is a major birding flyway. All levels of birders are welcome to enjoy the incredible variety of species in their natural habitats. Opportunities to learn more about birding or other wildlife on the Island is available through the Art and Nature Center.

BOATING & FISHING
Protected harbors offer boaters and fishermen choices of marinas and docking facilities at Kap’s Marina and Shipyard Island Marina (see Business Directory). Public boat ramps are available at Jackson Harbor and also at the Welcome Center in Detroit Harbor. Excellent fishing spots are located in the waters around Washington Island; annual Bass, Walleye and Salmon Derby/Tournaments for those interested in a challenge!

KAYAKING
Washington Island has some of the best inland waters on the Great Lakes for kayaking. Annual Kayak Race and Symposium (see Events Calendar).

MOPEDS
Over 100 miles of paved roads provide scenic riding pleasure on the Island. Moped rentals are available to rent at the Island Clipper dock.

DOUBLE K-W OSTRICH & EXOTIC ANIMAL FARM

Feed the Ostrich. See the world’s largest egg. Feed and pet Icelandic sheep, pigmy goats, pot-bellied pig, water buffalo, mini-donkeys, and more. See Honey the bear and get a kiss from Ollie the camel. See the new surprise animal. Open 10-5, mid-May through mid-October. Try our Ostrich sticks, burgers and steak. Get your own egg. Email: doublek-wfarm@dcwis.com

DEER RUN GOLF COURSE & RESORT

Enjoy golf amid a landscape of mature maples, evergreens, grasslands, and a glistening pond. This challenging, nine-hole, regulation course offers demanding greens, elevated tees, and many doglegs. Relax and enjoy the view from our outdoor deck or clubhouse, serving lunch and refreshments. Gas and pull carts, rental clubs, pro/gift shop and motel adjoin. No tee times required. Free shuttle for golfers. Enjoy our 18-hole Adventure Island Miniature Golf, featuring a waterfall of native Island boulders and other natural obstacles. MC, V, DV accepted. Main & Michigan Roads. 847-2017 www.deerrunwi.com

RECREATION CENTER

This gracious gift to the Island community features a 32′ x 60′ indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, well-equipped exercise room, locker rooms, a meeting/game room and two outdoor tennis courts. The facility provides a year around exercise and relaxation center. A wide range of classes and programs are offered throughout the year ranging from health & fitness to the arts. Open to the public, annual pass and daily user fees. (920) 847-2226

HERITAGE NATURE TRAIL

A .7 mile woodland walk beginning near the Welcome Center. Brochures are available for a self-guided tour of plant life.

STABLE & TRAIL RIDES

Field Wood Farm, 2118 West Harbor Rd, offers regular & mini lessons, Trail & Pony rides, Family Time Groom & Learn (new) with rare, hypoallergenic ICELANDIC HORSES. We try to accommodate those with Special Needs. Stop in or by appt. Check in early if you’re only here for the day. Weather can affect availability. Late May-mid Oct. 920-847-2490. icehorse@dcwis.com.

PLACES TO VISIT

ART & NATURE CENTER
Located in an old schoolhouse. The Art Gallery features the work of local artists. The Nature Center is family-friendly with hands-on exhibits. A Naturalist leads hikes and classes. Open June 12-September 19. Hours: 10:30-4:30. Sunday 11:30-4:30. After Labor Day, 11:00-3:00. 8472025 or 847-2657

JACKSON HARBOR MARITIME MUSEUM
A former fishing village continues to expand into refurbished buildings with artifacts from the commercial fishing past, photographs and videos on local maritime history. Coast Guard, Ferryline and area shipwreck displays are also featured. Open daily, 10 am-4pm, Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.

JACOBSEN MUSEUM
This museum is located on the south shore of Little Lake, in a vertical log building. See an outstanding collection of natural and historical artifacts of the region. Also, a small log cabin, once owned by Jens Jacobsen after 1930, has been restored with authentic furniture and a mannequin of Jens which adds realism to the cabin. Museum open 10am-4pm daily, Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.

SIEVERS SCHOOL OF FIBER ARTS
Sievers School of Fiber Arts on Jackson Harbor Road has received national recognition for the week-long and weekend classes it offers for adults, May through October. Dormitory facilities are also available for students. The staff consists of professional teachers/fiber artists, offering a large variety of classes to an annual student enrollment of 500-plus. Original fiber art works are sold along with quality knitting and weaving yarns, fiber art books and supplies. www.sieversschool.com

WASHINGTON ISLAND FARM MUSEUM
Open daily, Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. A non-profit museum founded for the public enjoyment and education about farm life on the Island. Live animals, 3 acres and 6 original buildings, including pioneer log cabin, blacksmith shop, weaving shed and sawmill. Field machinery, hand tools, photo exhibits. Farmer’s Market Thursdays 3-6 PM. Children’s programs on Wednesdays. Picnic area. Free admission – donations appreciated.

MOUNTAIN PARK & LOOKOUT TOWER

Climb 186 steps to the top of the Island and enjoy majestic views of the land and water! Great photo opportunities year-round. Picnic tables available for your enjoyment at street level.

NORSE HORSE PARK

Visit our farm that features Scandinavian Heritage Animals. We will introduce you to Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish horses; Finnish and Icelandic sheep; Icelandic chickens; Swedish ducks and a rare herd of Swedish Russ horses. Hourly tours from 10 am to 3 pm. www.norsehorsepark.com

VEBLEN STUDY CABIN

From 1896 to 1926, the world-famous economist Thorstein Veblen spent his summers on Washington Island. In 1916, he built a study cabin and a home for his wife and two step-daughters. The study cabin has been moved and is being restored on the shore of Little Lake. The Washington Island Heritage Conservancy is responsible for this and other Heritage promotions on the island. Learn more at www.islandheritageconservancy.com

EXPLORE

Driving the quiet country roads of Washington Island…slowly, observing…is a must. This is a place that takes you back to how people everywhere once lived…calmly, with open eyes and a wave to their neighbors.

READING

Pick up a good book, grab sunscreen and something to drink, head to the beach. Remember? Relax!

ROCK ISLAND STATE PARK

Drive to Jackson Harbor, buy a ferry ticket, get on the Karfi, take a 20-minute ferry ride, explore an even smaller island (900 acres), Wisconsin’s only state park that’s an island! No cars, no bikes, no stress…just beautiful trails, a white sand beach, and visit the first commissioned lighthouse in these waters, Potawatomi.  Lighthouse keepers provide guided tours of this maritime treasure from May to October. For questions, contact the Rock Island State Park Office at 920.847.2235.