Experience Door County’s peak autumn splendor with this comprehensive guide to what’s going on this October in the Door.
Introduction: Why October is Door County’s Golden Month
October transforms Door County into a dazzling spectacle of fall colors, with peak foliage typically appearing in mid-October. The changing of seasons brings with it a dramatic change in scenery as the forests which create the backdrop for our beautiful county are painted in fiery hues. With the Door County peninsula stretching an entire 80 miles, this change in color begins at the tip of the peninsula & works its way down.
Major October Festivals & Events
Sister Bay Fall Fest (October 17-19)
This is the big one. Luring in close to 40,000 visitors a year, Fall Fest is perhaps the most highly anticipated event of the entire year here in Door County. This behemoth of an event spans over three days (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) that are jam-packed with live music, delicious food & drinks from local businesses & organizations, a dazzling variety of unique treasures from the Arts & Crafts Fair (which attracts close to 100 vendors), carnival games & attractions including BOUNCY HOUSES, & even events WITHIN the event such as the Fall Fest Parade, the Ping Pong Ball Drop, & the Derby Race which always takes place on Sunday morning.
Oh, & it’s FREE ADMISSION!
Where to Stay: Julie’s Park Café & Motel is a mere 15 minutes away from Sister Bay, making it an ideal homebase for savvy festival-goers. Did we mention they have pet-friendly rooms?
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival (October 11-12)
This one’s for the kids (& kids-at-heart)! Located just TEN minutes from Julie’s Park Café & Motel this time (wink wink), Egg Harbor’s annual autumn celebration consists of live music, wildly creative pumpkin & scarecrow displays, mouth-watering seasonal treats & hot food, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, face painting, magicians, kids’ games & activities, a bucket raffle, & more! (Phew!) And all for FREE ADMISSION once again!
Jack O’ Lantern Days – Fish Creek (October 25)
Okay, it’s actually only one day, but that’s not important. Another one for the kids, but only the brave ones, because this festival puts the “Eek!” in Fish Creek! (Okay, it’s not actually THAT scary.) Highlights include a costume parade, kid’s carnival games, townwide trick-or-treating, late-night costume contests, & the Fish Creek Haunted Trail—a 1/8-mile adventure through the trails & bridges of Fish Creek Park at dusk! Not to mention, you guessed it, FREE ADMISSION!
Perfect Location: Oh & hey, whadda ya know, Julie’s Park Café & Motel is located right there in Fish Creek, too! So close, in fact, that Jack O’ Lantern Days is within WALKING DISTANCE! How convenient.
Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival (October 4)
Don’t we all have that one person in our family who’s obsessed with lighthouses? Maybe it’s you! Either way, this festival allows lighthouses-lovers to see ALL ELEVEN historic Door County lighthouses, surrounded by fall colors! That means that visitors get an EXCLUSIVE chance to see lighthouses that are not typically open to the public, including the Chambers Island & Plum Island lighthouses. How cool is that?
Fall Foliage & Scenic Drives
Peak Fall Color Timing
Door County’s fall colors typically peak in mid-October, with the vibrant-colored trees for which the peninsula is known starting to peek out around the end of September.
Best Fall Color Viewing Spots
- Peninsula State Park: The park’s Eagle Trail leads you to fascinating caves, a beautiful shoreline, dramatic limestone bluffs & amazing views of Eagle Harbor. Surrounded by cedar forests, the trail gives you incredible water views as well as a close-up look at the exposed karst topography.
- Bayshore Drive: One of the prettiest drives in Door County along Green Bay’s shore!
- County Road Q: Scenic rural roads PERFECT for ogling over the fall colors.
Julie’s Advantage: Stay at Julie’s Park Cafe & Motel and you’re located RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE of Peninsula State Park, making it easy to access the area’s best hiking trails.
Apple Orchards & Farm Activities
Apple Picking Season (Early September – Mid October)
Door County offers abundant apple-oriented activities each fall. Apple picking is more than just an activity, but a family tradition. Door County’s orchards offer the pick-your-own experience that fall-lovers yearn for, with varieties like McIntosh, Honeycrisp, SweeTango & more! (Are you drooling yet?)
Featured Orchards Near Julie’s:
- Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market (Fish Creek) – Offers apple picking, market shopping, & wine tasting. And oh hey—some of their products are sold at Julie’s (wink wink)!
- Seaquist Orchards Farm Market (Sister Bay) – a multi-generation family farm, cultivating around 30 varieties of apples, famous for APLE CIDER DONUTS! And oh hey—once again, some of their products are sold at Julie’s! What a neat place.
Farm Market Shopping
Stock up on fresh apples, apple cider, APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS, preserves, & local Door County products perfect for taking home.
Outdoor Adventures
Peninsula State Park Fall Hiking
Peninsula State Park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails showcasing the vast landscape of the area. The previously mentioned Eagle Trail is for those looking for a bit of a challenge (nothing too crazy), while the Sentinel Trail offers more of an easy-going hiking experience.
Trail Recommendations:
- Eagle Trail (Difficult): Dramatic cliff views & shoreline access
- Sentinel Trail (Easy): 2-mile educational loop perfect for families
- Skyline Trail (Easy): Passes picturesque Sven’s Bluff Overlook
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
This lighthouse, built in 1868, has guided historical tours detailing the life of a lighthouse keeper, with authentic artifacts on display. You can also climb the three-story spiral iron staircase to see the Fresnel lens!
Julie’s Proximity: We would be remiss not to mention that Julie’s guests can easily walk or bike into the park for forest explorations & lighthouse visits. Wow, that Julie’s place is just so convenient.
Under-the-Radar Experience: Ghost Tours & Maritime History
Fall Maritime Ghost Tours
October offers a unique opportunity to explore Door County’s maritime history with a spooky twist. The crew at Door County Maritime Museum regales you with tales of sunken ships, haunted lighthouses, & mysterious occurrences rumored to have taken place on the peninsula.
This lesser-known activity combines Door County’s rich maritime history with the Halloween season, offering visitors a unique perspective on Door County’s past all while enjoying October evenings as crisp as a SweeTango (You know, from two sections ago).
Cozy Fall Dining
Julie’s Park Cafe – Your Fall Comfort Food Destination
We haven’t mentioned Julie’s for like two whole paragraphs! Start your October mornings with a hearty breakfast at Julie’s Park Cafe, featuring:
- Breakfast All Day: Perfect for fueling up before apple picking, hiking, or whatever else you’re up to!
- Local Door County Products: Products from some of your favorite businesses WITHIN another one of your favorite businesses! A baffling yet wonderful enigma.
- Pet-Friendly Patio: Bring your furry family members!
Door County Fall Specialties
- Fresh apple cider donuts from local orchards
- Cherry products (year-round)
- Local craft beer (which comes in fall flavors)
- Classic Door County fish boils at various locations
Where to Stay: Julie’s Family of Properties (What else did you think we were gonna say?)
Julie’s Park Cafe & Motel (Fish Creek)
Perfect for: Festival-goers, Peninsula State Park visitors, couples & families. And pets!
- Location: RIGHT IN FISH CREEK, walking distance to Peninsula State Park
- Pet-Friendly: accommodations for your furry friends
- Room Types: King Rooms, King Whirlpool Suites, 2 Queen Rooms, & a Café Suite
- Amenities: Courtyard with firepit & yard games
Countryside Cottages (Fish Creek)
Perfect for: Families seeking a quieter, wooded setting
- Location: Peaceful countryside just 2 miles from Fish Creek
- Pet-Friendly: $15/night pet fee
- Options: Motel units, cottages, & duplex units sleeping 2-6 people
- Amenities: Large yard, deck with grill, & firepit
Evergreen Hill Condominiums (Fish Creek)
Perfect for: Extended stays, families wanting home-like amenities
- Location: Behind Julie’s, even CLOSER to Peninsula State Park!
- Upscale Option: Full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, whirlpool tubs, fieldstone fireplaces
- Amenities: EV charging stations, daily housekeeping
Planning Your October Visit
Weather & What to Pack
- Temperatures: Cooler evenings (It’s starting to get chilly, folks!)
- Essentials: WARM LAYERS, comfortable hiking shoes, & camera, of course
- Apple Picking Gear: Bags for apple-picking, comfortable clothes
Booking Tips
- Reserve Early: October is peak fall season – book accommodations well in advance!
- Festival Planning: Check specific dates & plan around major events.
- Julie’s Advantage: Three different properties offer options for every type of traveler.
Fall Color Updates
Did you know Door County has a Fall Color Report with the most current information about fall foliage? It’s true! You can find it online, here: https://www.doorcounty.com/fall
Conclusion: Your Perfect October Experience is Here in Door County
October in Door County offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, festive celebrations, & delicious eats. Whether you’re here for fall festivals, apple orchards, colorful fall forests, some fourth thing, or a combination of these activities, Door County is the place to be during the fall.
Make Julie’s Your Home Base: Julie’s Park Cafe & Motel, Countryside Cottages, & Evergreen Hill Condominiums are all conveniently located close-by, or, in some cases, RIGHT NEXT TO, the best fall activities the county has to offer, making any of these properties the perfect launching pad for your October adventures. Each of these charming properties offers its own unique lodging experience, making it so you don’t even have to step out from under the Julie’s umbrella to find your perfect Door County home-away-from-home!
Book Your Fall Getaway: Contact Julie’s at 920-868-2999 or visit juliesmotel.com to book your stay at any of the three Julie’s properties. And don’t forget to have a delicious meal (or two, or three…) at Julie’s Park Cafe in order to get the full Door County experience!