-Our Fall Trip To Eastern Wisconsin-
As Summer ends and Fall enters in Wisconsin, change is all around us. Many of us dread the long cold winter days ahead. But before all of that we have a most amazing autumn to get out and enjoy!
This fall Jenny planned for a weekend in and around Door County, WI. The trip would include a visit to Holy Hill Basilica in Hubertus WI, a stay in Manitowoc and lots of scenic roads traveled during our exploration of Door County. Joining us on our trip were both of our mothers, Jenny’s youngest son and her granddaughter.
-Holy Hill Basilica-
Our first destination was a 3.5 hour drive to Hubertus, WI. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, Holy Hill Basilica is surrounded by over 400 acres of wooded land. The Basilica sits at 1350 feet above sea level and is one of the highest points in southeastern Wisconsin. On a clear day, downtown Milwaukee is visible from the observation tower that is 178 steps in total. More than a half a million visitors from all over the world visit Holy Hill each year.
This historic shrine is equally impressive to view on the interior and exterior. The brickwork and detail on the massive exterior is an engineering feat. The stained glass windows inside are beautiful and are viewed in amazement by all who visit. Serenity fills the air within the church and offers us a few moments to forget about all of our everyday problems. Holy Hill also has a large on site gift shop, a cafe and a paved walking path to view Stations of the Cross monuments.
We enjoyed the few hours we spent here and would highly recommend seeing it in person for yourself. The area surrounding Holy Hill is very scenic and a great place to view some spectacular fall colors!
-Pike Lake Unit Hike-
Just up the road from Holy Hill about 6 miles we made our second stop of the day at Pike Lake Unit. Located within the Kettle Moraine State Forest the park offers a picnic area, shelters and access to several miles of hiking trails.
We chose the hike to Powder Hill which was around a 1 mile round trip from the parking lot next to Pike Lake. The 60 foot lookout tower at the trails end gives you a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding glacial area. The elevation gain of the trail is moderate but we all made it to the top of the tower without issue
-Manitowoc, WI-
Our final stop of the day would be Manitowoc. After our visit to Holy Hill and our hike at Pike Lake we were all ready to relax and check into our hotel.
We ended up choosing Manitowoc due to its proximity, half way between Holy Hill and Door County. This time of year is also very busy and nearly impossible to find affordable accommodations within Door County. The Baymont hotel right on Lake Michigan’s lake shore ended up being the perfect place to stay.
The views of the Lake were great and despite chilly temps we enjoyed morning walks along the shore. The kids were very happy to have a swimming pool to use at the end of each day as well.
-Door County-
-Egg Harbor-
Day two had us heading north into the Door County Peninsula. Another nice drive on Highway 42 along Lake Michigan and through Sturgeon Bay , WI.
Our first stop in Door County was the small town of Egg Harbor. On this second weekend in October the annual Pumpkin Patch Festival was underway. Live music, arts and crafts vendors and pumpkin and scarecrow displays lined the main street. If you’re into shopping or tasting homemade foods and treats this is the place for you!
There are also many great little eateries in town. We tried Casey’s BBQ and Smokehouse, which had good food and was an overall nice place to grab a bite to eat.
-Peninsula State Park-
Another short drive brought us to Fish Creek, WI. Jenny had reserved a scenic boat ride but due to the weather it was cancelled.
Between Fish Creek and Ephraim, WI is Peninsula State Park. We decided to make a stop here and check it out. This turned out to be one the highlights of our time in Door County. The weather was nasty but just driving through the park and stopping at the scenic lookouts was well worth the entry fee. This park offers many hiking and biking trails, a campground, an outdoor theater and a golf course.
We will definitely be returning to Peninsula State Park in the future to utilize all of its recreational opportunities.
-Scenic Highway 42-
Our journey continued on northward on Highway 42 towards the Washington Island Ferry. Along the way we stopped at Door Bluff County Park just off the highway near Ellison Bay, WI.
This park had just a small parking area at the end of a dirt road but offered some great views. A hike though a dense forest area that opened up into awesome views of Green Bay.
Back on the road, we drove the famous winding stretch of Highway 42 that curves through the brightly lit leaves of the forest. This is a very popular place to be so to avoid the crowds try to get here early in the day.
Just past this winding stretch, Highway 42 ends. Your only options now are to turn back or take the Ferry to Washington Island. Washington Island is packed with things to see however, our time was limited so we will go on our next trip here.
-Cana Island Lighthouse-
Heading back south we veered off onto Hwy 57 at Sister Bay. From here we drove towards Baileys Harbor, WI, home to Cana Island Lighthouse.
The Cana Island Lighthouse is currently only accessible by way of a tractor ride across a causeway that lies underwater. This turned out to be a fun ride and something we will always remember.
Once on the Island we exited the wagon and toured the lighthouse and museum. The views from the top of this 150 year old structure are awesome! After exploring the rest of the island we waited for our tractor ride to take us back to the main land.
During our visit the construction of a new interpretive center on the Island was in progress and should be a nice addition to a worthwhile destination in Door County.
-Cave Point County Park-
The last destination on our fall trip was Cave Point County Park. Located just north of Sturgeon Bay, WI this park is packed with beauty and is another must see while visiting Door County.
A short walk from the parking area brings you to dozens of rocky bluffs that overlook a crystal clear Lake Michigan. The contrast of the color in the leaves, the white rocky shoreline and the aqua blue water is stunning! The crashing waves of Lake Michigan have carved out the shoreline here to make a beautiful landscape.
This park is also a great kayaking destination in the summer months and we look forward to exploring the caves by kayak.
All in all our weekend getaway was filled with fun adventures and time well spent with family. Memories made cannot be taken away and we are always thankful to be able to spend time with the people who mean the most to us! Thanks for visiting our website! Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
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