Sister Bay sits on the western side of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, looking across the calm waters of Green Bay. The waterfront is the heart of the village, with a long public shoreline, a sandy beach, marina, restaurants, shops and plenty of places to sit and watch the boats come and go.
And then there are the goats.
Yes, goats on a restaurant roof. At Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, the goats have become one of Sister Bay’s most famous sights, happily grazing above the heads of visitors below. It is wonderfully unexpected and exactly the sort of travel memory you don’t forget.
But I wouldn’t come to Sister Bay just to see the goats.
I’d come for the feeling of the place: a morning coffee, a walk beside the bay, a browse through the shops, something good to eat outdoors and, if the timing is right, a beautiful sunset over the water. Sister Bay has enough going on to keep you busy, but it never feels as though you have to rush through it.
That, for me, is the appeal of this little corner of Door County.
Sister Bay got its name from the two islands off its coast, known as the “Sister Islands.” The name was inspired by these natural landmarks, giving the village a unique and charming identity tied to its beautiful waterfront location.
It’s located on the Door Peninsula’s western shore, right along Green Bay’s picturesque waters. If you’re heading up north it’s a scenic drive from major cities like Milwaukee (about 3 hours) or Green Bay (about 1.5 hours), and it’s a beautiful drive with plenty of scenic views along the way.
This lively village is the largest in the area and is packed with charm.
Nestled on a beautiful bay, it is known for and offers stunning waterfront views, a fantastic food scene, and a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere.
From boating and parks to a variety of great restaurants and cafes, there’s something for everyone.
It’s the perfect destination for a memorable getaway.
Sister Bay is also the kind of town where I’d happily make lunch last a little longer. Find a table outside, order something good, watch the boats on the bay and let the afternoon unfold without rushing on to the next attraction.
If you ask me, the waterfront is where I’d want to spend most of my time in Sister Bay.
There is a long stretch of public shoreline, a sandy beach, grassy areas, picnic spots and a marina, so you can wander along the bay, find a place to sit and simply watch the boats coming and going.
It has an easy, relaxed feeling that makes you want to stay a while.
Imagine starting the day here, coming back for lunch, and then finding my way back again in the late afternoon when the light begins to change.
Or you could visit a place that is quite unique and very special:
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik: Famous for its goats grazing on the roof and delicious Swedish pancakes. (Address: 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay) – Visit their website… and don’t miss out on the ‘Annual Roofing of the Goats Parade’, usually held in June each year.
Sister Bay has developed into one of northern Door County’s main food and drink destinations, with restaurants, pubs, bakeries, cafés and waterfront dining.
When visiting, you absolutely have to try the famous Swedish pancakes at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik. They’re a local favorite and a must-try dish that perfectly captures the unique culinary charm of the village.
Sister Bay is on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, about 35 miles north of Sturgeon Bay. The easiest way to get there is by car, and driving is really part of the experience — the road takes you through the countryside and into the quieter northern part of Door County.
From Green Bay, follow I-43 and then Highway 57 north towards Sturgeon Bay and Sister Bay. From Chicago, allow roughly 4¼ hours by car; from Milwaukee, about 2½–3 hours.
Flying in? Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport is the nearest major commercial airport. From there, you’ll want a rental car for exploring Sister Bay and the rest of Door County.
Once you’re in Sister Bay, things become much easier. The village centre is pedestrian-friendly, with parking close to the shops, restaurants and waterfront, and a free seasonal shuttle also operates around the village.
Don’t expect a big town centre or a long list of major attractions. Sister Bay is small, relaxed and easy to enjoy. The village is spread around its waterfront, with shops, cafés, restaurants, a beach, marina and places to sit and enjoy the view.
Your first impression may be that people come here to slow down. You’ll see boats in the bay, people walking along the waterfront, families heading to the beach and visitors browsing the little shops.
The nice thing is that you don’t need to arrive with a packed itinerary. Park the car, walk towards the water and start exploring from there. Have a look around, find somewhere for coffee or lunch, wander through the shops and give yourself time to simply enjoy the bay.
Good to know…
Photo: Randi Wilson
Home Base for Exploring: The bay’s central location makes it a great starting point to explore the rest of Door County. Many state parks and other attractions are within easy driving distance.
One of the nicest ways to see more of the area is simply to get in the car and follow the roads north from Sister Bay. The landscape changes as you leave the village behind, with wooded roads, open countryside and small communities leading towards Ellison Bay, Gills Rock and Northport at the northern tip of the peninsula. The route is part of the Door County Coastal Byway, which follows Highways 42 and 57 around the peninsula.
You don’t need a strict itinerary for this drive. Take your time, stop when somewhere catches your eye and enjoy seeing the quieter side of Door County. At Northport, you can watch the Washington Island ferries come and go, making the journey north feel like part of the experience rather than simply a way of getting somewhere.
Travel Tip –
Fly like a butterfly in and out of the airport! You can have your baggage delivered to your hotel instead of checking it in at the airport. This way you have a faster check-in, no baggage checks, skip the crowded baggage carousels, and no more baggage delays. Besides your baggage, almost anything goes, like golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and even boxes!
One thing to keep in mind: Sister Bay is seasonal. Some businesses reduce their hours or close after the main summer and fall tourism periods, so check ahead if you’re planning a late-fall or winter visit.
For somewhere to stay, I like these two options because they give you completely different Sister Bay experiences.
Country House Resort: Spacious rooms with water views.
The Sister Bay Haus: This 4-bedroom holiday home features 4 living rooms with a TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 3 bathrooms.
Here’s a little Sister Bay tip worth knowing: if the main beach feels too busy, look for Pebble Beach. It is a much quieter little stretch of shoreline, with smooth pebbles rather than the usual sandy beach. It doesn’t have the same convenient downtown setting as Sister Bay Beach, but that is part of its appeal.
And there is another local trick I’d keep in mind: don’t leave the waterfront when the sun starts to go down. Sister Bay faces west across the bay, making the waterfront a natural place to watch the sunset. The waterfront park often has summer music performances at that time too.
So perhaps the best Sister Bay plan is surprisingly simple: spend the day exploring, come back to the water in the evening, find a place to sit, and let Sister Bay finish the day for you.