Enjoy Autumn in Door County with Fun, Food & Festivals

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(Door County, Wis., September 13, 2011) – Attention Leaf Peepers!  Say goodbye to summer and hello to cooler weather, gorgeous fall color and beautiful scenic drives throughout Door County!  Now’s the time to plan a fall getaway that includes leaf peeping along some of the county’s most picturesque scenic roads, fun fall festivals, bountiful harvest goodies and fantastic accommodations!
Selected by Travel + Leisure Magazine and TripAdvisor as one of the best fall foliage destinations in the United States, Door County sits in the “catbird seat” of color—because Door County consists of a long narrow peninsula and more than 30 islands spanning nearly 70 miles from south to north, true peak fall color in mid October can usually be seen for at least a week or more; and very good fall colors can be seen for the better part of four weeks each September and October.
One of the best ways to see Mother Nature’s big show is to drive the Door County Coastal Byway (www.doorcountycoastalbyway.com). The third in the state to receive the Wisconsin Scenic Byway official route designation, the new Door County Coastal Byway runs along the peninsula’s Green Bay and Lake Michigan coastlines and includes the northernmost sections of state highways 42 and 57. This scenic 66 mile long route loops around the northern two-thirds of Door County and follows two lane roads, connecting many of Door County’s quaint waterfront towns, inland communities, lighthouses, three of the county’s five state parks and a variety of picturesque vistas.
The Door County Circle tour is another self guided drive that takes visitors up one side of the peninsula, over to Washington Island via the Death’s Door water passage, then back down the other side of the peninsula. The tour could technically be completed in a day, but ideally it should be spread out over at least a few days to take advantage of Door County’s great fall packages, festivals and fruits of the harvest season.
With the sweet smell of apples (both baked in sweet treats and fresh from the orchards), pumpkin patches, orchard markets and “you-pick” farms around every turn, visitors will “fall for fall” in this idyllic Wisconsin setting.   Door County is home to more than a dozen orchards and farmers markets where visitors can pick fresh fruits or fill a shopping basket with apples, gourd vegetables, jams and pies all while basking in the dazzling reds, golds and browns of changing leaves.
 
Interested in a Door County Leaf Peeping Fall Harvest Getaway?  Check out the following sample activities during a visit:
Begin at Orchard Country Winery and Market in Fish Creek for your first real taste of estate grown handpicked apples, including the Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Gala and Golden Supreme varieties.  After a “pick your own” apple outing, visit the market and tasting room to sample locally made jams, dressings, salsas and pie fillings, in addition to wine made from the grapes, apples and cherries from the 100+ acres of orchard and vineyard. (www.orchardcountry.com)

Special Event:  Saturday, September 24th, 2011, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., free to public
7th Annual Orchard Country Fall Harvest Fest—Celebrate the apple and grape harvest with live music, horse drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting and complimentary wine and beer tasting.

Visit Wood Orchard in Egg Harbor and shop for fall craft gifts and farm treats like pumpkins, Indian corn, squash and gourds.  Be sure to try a new variety of apple called SweeTango®, a sweet and tart cross between Honeycrisp (the mom) and Zestar (the dad). Kids of all ages can enjoy corn maze, peddle cart tracks, scarecrow decorating and cider pops.  (www.woodorchard.com)

Special Event:  Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9, 2011, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, free to public
Pumpkin Patch Festival—Fall family fun abound throughout the village of Egg Harbor with children’s activities, scarecrow and pumpkin displays.

Head north to Sister Bay and stop in at Seaquist Orchards, a popular family owned and operated farm market that is home to more than 30 acres of apples and grows 12 varieties.  Be sure to warm up with a cup of hot apple cider. (www.seaquistorchards.com)

Special Event:  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 14-16, 2011, all day, free to public
Sister Bay Festival—The Granddaddy of Door County Festivals (held annually since 1945) features a huge parade, juried arts & crafts fair, ping pong ball drop and live entertainment throughout the village of Sister Bay.

Drop in at Koepsel’s Farm Market in Bailey’s Harbor, the oldest farm market in Door County with recipes for jams, jellies and canned goods dating back from before they opened for business in 1958. Selections include homemade jams, jellies, fruit butters, canned goods as well as fresh bakery items, meats, smoked fish, cheeses, fresh vegetables & fruits, Door County wines, Door County maple syrups, antiques and souvenirs. (www.koepsels.com)

Special Event:  Saturday, September 16th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., free to public
Annual Autumn Fest—Held since 1980, visitors can peruse at arts & crafts fair, entertainment and yummy fall food in and around the Bailey’s Harbor town hall.

Don’t miss the Saturday’s Farmers Market in Sturgeon Bay where visitors can meet the people producing the food on the plate. Find your local Door County fruits, herbs and vegetables to get a true flavor for the peninsula.

Special Event:  Saturday, September 16th, 2011. 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., free to public
Harvest Festival and Harvest Moon Celebration—Festivities welcoming autumn featuring a craft market, car show, live music and entertainment and a street dance under the stars held throughout Sturgeon Bay.

For a complete listing of special lodging packages available in Door County for the perfect fall harvest getaway, visit:  www.doorcounty.com/so-delicious-so-door-county/lodging-packages.

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