Those in the know claim ‘Midwest is best’, but is that only because it’s a catchy rhyme?
Between so many underrated cities often overlooked by the coastal allure of sun, sand, and ocean breeze, much of the Midwest goes by the wayside.
With the exception of Chicago, travelers are missing out on some of the best fall escapes smack dab in the middle of the U.S., where fall colors transform city skylines and park treetops for miles on end.
One such place is even overlooked in their own state, let alone the entire Midwest region.
Forget Cincinnati and even trendy Columbus, and venture into Cuyahoga Valley National Park for epic waterfalls and a scenic fall train ride through a rush of vibrant foliage.
50 Years Of Year-Round Astounding Nature, But Fall is Best!
Located between Cleveland and Akron lies Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the Midwest’s most serene destinations to immerse in fall splendor.
Celebrating 50 years since being designated as an official National Park, the National Park Service (NPS) has announced ‘50 new ways to experience‘ this magical hidden gem.
Fall is when the crowds pick up, however.
The NPS recommends visiting on weekdays as early as possible or squeezing in a trip later in the day to better your chances of finding a parking space.
October is definitely the best month to leaf-peep and snap incredible photos throughout the 33,000-acre park.
There are ample hiking trails to check out the lush, vibrant scenery. NPS recommends these 3 trails for the best photo-ops this fall:
Brandywine Gorge Trail
Oak Hill Trail
Ledges Trail
Go Chasing Waterfalls! Cuyahoga Valley Boasts More Than Fall Colors
Majestic waterfalls often seem like a distant dream to reach, but that’s not the case at all.
Sure, you can jet off to natural wonders such as Iceland, or perhaps visit cheesy over-fluffed attractions like Niagara Falls, but there are actually many other places with similar scenery tucked away in our National Parks – Cuyahoga Valley being one of them.
There are at least 8 noteworthy waterfalls well worth a visit within the park grounds.
That being said, Brandywine Falls usually tops the list for visitors.
This flowing waterfall cascading nearly 70 feet into a picturesque gorge offers views both high and low, receiving rave reviews from recent visitors like, “This is a great waterfall. The boardwalk and stairs seems to be quite well maintained. It’s plenty wide enough for people (and their pets) to walk in each direction. The falls themselves were very picturesque.”
Plus, this waterfall is equipped to stay as long as you like with picnic areas, water fountains (no, not the actual waterfall!), and spotlessly clean restrooms, according to parkgoers in multiple reviews.
Grab A Window Seat On The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Hiking through the vast forestry of Cuyahoga Valley is a great time, but why not level up on a scenic train ride guided by the pros?
Sit back and relax as you pass through gorgeous scenery along the rapid Cuyahoga River, with promising chances to spot wildlife such as eagles, deer, and a variety of birds.
Suitable for all ages, the 2-hour round-trip is perfect to keep the kiddos entertained while the grown-ups enjoy an adult beverage on-board.
For fall, you’ll want to book the National Park Scenic excursion priced between $18 – 39 depending on your class selection.
The train departs from Peninsula Depot in Peninsula, OH and tickets are available for purchase online with plenty of dates to choose from.
Given the journey is only 2 hours in total, many visitors splurge on UpperDome seating, offering domed carts with panoramic views where there’s no such thing as a bad seat!
If you miss out on fall, keep an eye out for the train’s North Pole Adventure as well!
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Do NOT leave Door County unless you’ve tried Renard’s hoop cheddar and they’re squeaky fresh cheese curds (in case you didn’t already know — the squeakier the cheese curd, the fresher it is!).
We tried A LOT of cheese curds while in Door County, and these were definitely my favorite.
Macaroni & Cheese at Renards
Now let’s talk about Wisconsin’s other famous food product — cherries!
I may be in the minority here, but prior to my Door County trip, I didn’t know that Wisconsin was also famous for their amazing cherries.
There are so many ways to eat cherries in Door County, but I had two personal favorites that you should definitely try.
One of my personal favorites was the freeze-dried Montmorency Cherries that Destination Door County gifted me.
I wasn’t expecting to like them even more than the chocolate-covered cherries, but I did! If you like tart cherries, these were the perfect level of tartness.
My second favorite way to eat cherries while in Door County was, of course, in pie form. White Gull Inn had one of the top cherry pies of my entire trip.
Cherry Pie at White Gull Inn
We went to White Gull Inn for their traditional Fish Boil. The tradition of the Door County Fish Boil has been around for about 100 years. This was one of the coolest things we witnessed and should be added to your “must-do” list of things to do in Door County.
There were so many amazing restaurants to choose from, but I’m going to pick two more to highlight for you.
If you want incredibly delicious, fresh, and colorful food with an amazing atmosphere, then you need to go to Sip.
Lunch at Sip
When I tell you this was my favorite meal of my entire trip, I’m not lying to you. Please go to Sip.
They have a super cute store upstairs, and everything in the restaurant is also for sale — I actually bought the drinking glasses they served our water in!
White Lace Inn actually has four different Victorian-style homes that are all connected by beautiful gardens.
Before I talk about the room I stayed in, I must bring up food one more time. Breakfast is served every morning in the Main House.
Breakfast at White Lace Inn
One of the most popular dishes that they serve is their stuffed French Toast.
I’m not kidding when I say I would come back to stay here just for the stuffed French Toast.
In all seriousness, though, I would absolutely live in the suite I had at White Lace Inn.
I stayed in the Victorian Suite of the Washburn House, and I’ve never felt more at home. The suite was filled with beautiful antique furniture and a two-sided fireplace.
There was a separate sitting room and a beautifully large bathroom complete with a whirlpool bathtub.
I could have spent my entire trip in that room, and I wouldn’t have been mad about it.
The great thing about Door County is that it has so many beautiful Inns and Bed & Breakfasts up and down the entire peninsula.
The Pembrooke Inn B&B was another beautiful Victorian Inn located in Sturgeon Bay, but there were some really picturesque inns in Fish Creek, which was probably my favorite little town we visited in Door County.
Arts And Culture
One of the things that surprised me most was the beautiful artsy culture filling the heart of Door County.
The artwork displayed in the gallery was simply one-of-a-kind. However, the coolest part of visiting the gallery was the glass-blowing demonstration.
The owners were incredibly kind and informative. Watching them work so flawlessly in sync together was a form of art in and of itself.
Their glassblowing technique was mesmerizing; I could have watched them for hours on end.
Popelka Trenchard Glass Fine Art Gallery & Studio
Another hidden artsy gem within Door County is the Miller Art Museum.
The museum’s curator had an incredible way of choosing pieces that provoked strong emotions from its viewers.
The thought and intentionality behind the displays were clearly visible. I was deeply moved by the artists’ work displayed in the museum.
Nature
Cave Point County Park
If you love being surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, then you’re in luck because Door County is in no short supply.
From beautiful nature preserves to stunning beaches, you won’t be disappointed at Door County’s endless beauty.
One of the best ways to get out and see Door County’s nature up close and personal is by e-biking with Door County Kayak Tours.
Our tour guide was super nice! She took us to Cave Point County Park for a stunning view of the limestone sea caves and dramatic icicles hanging along the cliff edges.
Group eBike Tour in Door County, Wisconsin
After taking in Cave Point, we took a short ride over to Whitefish Dunes State Park to soak up the sun on its beautiful beach.
Just kidding, there was still ice on the shore, but we soaked up as much sun as we could through our endless amounts of layers.
Even though summertime is way better for swimming and sunbathing at the Whitefish Dunes, it was serenely peaceful to have the beach to ourselves in the winter.
No matter what season, you can absolutely still enjoy it, and the views are worth it!
Another place for a stunning view is in Peninsula State Park at its Eagle Tower.
The tower isn’t always open in the winter, but it was unseasonably warm while I was there, and we were lucky enough to head to the top to look over the ice-covered Lake Michigan.
View From Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park
That’s a view I won’t soon forget, and I can’t recommend it enough. Peninsula State Park also has plenty of beautiful but easy hikes that people of all fitness levels can enjoy.
The Bay Shore Blufflands Nature Preserve is another peaceful and easy hike that shows the impressive rock bluff of the Niagara Escarpment.
This is the perfect hike for just about any fitness level.
Out of all the nature-filled excursions we took, there was one that stood out among the rest.
I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I was blown away with how much I loved every aspect of the sanctuary.
Oslo The Snowy Owl at The Open Door Bird Sanctuary
We were immediately greeted by Oslo, a Snowy Owl, who was breathtakingly beautiful, and I just wanted to hang out with him for the entire time.
Little did I know, there were even more incredible birds waiting for us!
They have about 20 permanent bird residents, including a Bald Eagle, a Golden Eagle, a Red-tailed Hawk, and one of my favorites Twig, a tiny Screech Owl.
Trust me when I say that this is a must-do in Door County.
I never would have expected to love it as much as I did, and I would love to go back!
History
The Thorp Cabin in Founder’s Square, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
There is so much history throughout Door County.
I already mentioned the beautiful Victorian inns, most of which date back to the 1800s.
In my favorite little town, Fish Creek, there’s a section called Founder’s Square where you can find the tiny Thorp Cabin. The cabin was built by the founder of Fish Creek in 1849 and is still standing in the middle of the town today.
The museum is built into a tower overlooking the beautiful waterfront, and each floor of the museum tells a different portion of Door County’s history.
My favorite parts were learning about the early American Indians in the area and how massive ships were built in the bay and transported all the way from Lake Michigan to the ocean.
This was definitely another must-do to add to your list of places to visit in Door County.
Liz is the Press and Marketing Manager at Travel Off Path, and the genius behind The Upgrade newsletter, where she connects our readers to the best travel tips, secrets and advice, twice weekly. An avid adventurer herself, Liz loves horseback riding, exploring historic sites, and hiking through gorgeous landscapes, embodying the adventurous spirit that Travel Off Path stands for.
**Travel Off Path was a guest of Door County, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
