Winter is considered the Quiet Season in Door County for good reason. While some local shops and services do close for the winter season, there are still many wonderful places to discover here. Some of our most loyal guests actually prefer to come during the Quiet Season. You are able to enjoy the relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere and see a whole new side of the Peninsula. Others come specifically for the ice fishing, cross country skiing, and other winter recreational activities. Whether you are looking for cozy or adventurous, we know you will find it here at the Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort.

A few of our favorite Quiet Season days:

The Door County peninsula is home to acres of state parks and nature preserves. The resort is adjacent to both Tofts Point and The Ridges Sanctuary.  Meander the wooded trails, perfect for snowshoeing or cross country skiing, take the kids (even the big ones!) sledding, or ride a snowmobile down one of the specially designated trails. The Ridges sponsor guided snowshoe walks in addition to their winter nature walks. Peninsula State Park is just one of the state parks in Door County that sponsor winter recreation. They offer separate trails for classic cross country, skate skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Bring your camera and capture the memories. Look for special events, like the Candlelight Skis that are traditionally scheduled at the state parks during January and February. Enlist one of the local guides to take you ice fishing.

Door County Trolley is known for their wonderful tours of Door County all year round. In November, you can hop on a Premier Wine Tour for a “cellar door” tasting tour of four award-winning wineries and a gourmet lunch. That is sure to stave off the winter blahs!  From December through March, embrace the season with a Winter Wonderland Trolley Tour & Sleigh Ride, which combines the wine tasting with a sleigh ride and a fireside lunch.

If you prefer a horse to the sleigh, we still have an adventure for you. Make an appointment for a weekend ride with Kurtz Corral in Sturgeon Bay. They are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November through May. See their stable here… and don’t forget a carrot!

Door County’s restaurants provide many excellent choices for a magical New Years Eve, but what about New Years Day? A local favorite is the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club. Will you brave the frozen waters of Lake Michigan or stand by with a hot drink and a smile?  New Years Day parades are another wonderful tradition and you don’t always have to be on the sidelines!

The Fish Creek Winter Games are a family-friendly festival in Clark Park.  It features food, music, raffles, and games under a large heated tent. The games are always inventive and guaranteed fun, so check out what they have planned for this year. Most of the action occurs on Saturday, but don’t miss Sunday’s Fruit Loop Fun Run!

Prefer to stay in? Watch the snow fall from the comfort of our heated indoor pool and whirlpool. Take advantage of in-room DVD players and plenty of movies to pick from at the Front Desk. While there you can take a board game or play a friendly game of chess. Warm up with a cup of hot tea or cappuccino from our lobby and relax in front of the fireplace. We think you’ll agree that it really doesn’t get much better than this.

When you’re ready, our staff at the Front Desk would love to help you with information about dining. It’s our pleasure to help you find the perfect place for breakfast, track down a delicious lunch for your active family, or plan a romantic dinner for two.