Winter in Door County. The quiet season. It’s beautiful, serene and deeply restorative. Just escaping for a few days to a Door County vacation home could do the trick. Peaceful mornings with coffee and a good book. Cozy evenings in front of the fire with a lovely glass of wine. Sign us up! You can find some winter wellness on your own. Or you can let the parks, businesses and restaurants of Door County guide you.
Here’s what we mean…
1. Embrace the Outdoors
Getting outside is one of the easiest ways to achieve winter wellness in Door County. Fresh air. Take it in! Door County has an abundance of it. Step outside your beautiful vacation home and take a walk. The neighborhoods are lovely. If you want to venture further, the hiking trails in Door County are gorgeous in the wintertime. Layer up, grab your boots, snowshoes or skis and head out the door. And just like that, you’ve improved your mood and boosted your immunity.
And really, the locations are endless. State Park and Land Trust trails are open and lovely in the winter. Take a hike at Three Springs Nature Preserve. Go for a stroll along a quiet, frozen shoreline. Cross-country ski at Peninsula or Newport State Park.
After a day of Door County winter hiking or skiing, there’s nothing better than warming up back at your vacation rental. Think hot tea (or a hot toddy), a blanket, and a view of falling snow.
2. Take a wellness class for mind and body
You certainly could do a yoga class in the comfort of your Door County vacation rental. Just pull up a video on YouTube to guide you. Or, you could check out the many options available in the local villages. Looking for a hot yoga class? Ironwood Yoga and Pilates offers classes year round. We’ve never sweated more than during a heated vinyasa class! Or you could go for a more restorative non-heated hatha slow flow. If you are more the type to enjoy a beer after your yoga flow, head to Door County Brewing on Sunday mornings. The Baileys Harbor Community Association offers free yoga every other Sunday all winter long. Bring your mat, stay for a free beer!
3. Nourish your body
Winter is the season for slow cooking and hearty meals. One of the perks of staying in a Door County vacation home, is having a full kitchen to prepare your own meals. Bring your own ingredients, or find some locally sourced one at nearby shops and grocery stores. Cooking in allows you to eat mindfully. But if you’re like us, sometimes it’s more relaxing to let others do the cooking for you!
Several Door County restaurants that are open during the winter months offer hearty and healthy options: Blue Bear in Ellison Bay has a Power Bowl with organic Buckwheat, quinoa and loads of veggies. Sip in Ephraim also serves a hearty grain bowl and other fresh and healthy options all day long. Many of the restaurants offer healthy fish options for a fancy night out. Think Chives in Baileys Harbor or Chop in Sister Bay.
4. Relax with a Door County Spa Experience
Spa. Just the word is relaxing. And Door County has plenty of options. When it comes to winter wellness, what could be better than a deep tissue massage, or a body treatment, to help relieve tension. Our friends at Destination Door County has some great ideas of where you can go throughout the peninsula.
5. Winter wellness for the whole family
This is easy. Get a day pass at the YMCA. Or find some sleds and a hill. (You can rent sledding tubes at Nor Door Sport and Cyclery). We also love taking the kids to the Sister Bay Ice Rink. The center offers skate, stick, and broomball rentals. There’s also a concession stand for snacks and hot bevs. When the conditions are right, this is the place to be. You’ll feel like a local. And for us, there’s no better feeling!
If your family prefers inside activity, a trip to Hands on Art Studio might be the answer. Immersing yourself in an art project can do wonders for your well-being.
Winter Wellness Starts Where You Stay
We know. That was a lot to take in. And we didn’t even mention the small music events, cozy cafes, and art galleries you could add to the list. But pick one or two of the above. And then settle in. It’s all about living well. And choosing the right environment can make all the difference. Let Northern Door Vacations help you pick the right spot for your Door County Winter getaway.
