Recently rated one of North America's "Ten Best Places to Vacation" by Money magazine, Door County, is a haven for Milwaukee and Chicago travelers alike. In this two-part series, Door County-native Jordan Dechambre uses her hometown expertise to highlight the resort area's often-overlooked hot spots -- restaurants, lodging, shopping and leisure -- that give Door County its flair.

Door County offers more things to do than your average amusement park. Although roller coasters aren't common, the villages that make up this traveler's paradise offer the best in performing arts, natural beauty and recreational activities. If you're staying for a weekend or a week, try to fit in as many of these activities as you can! For part two, click here.

Whitefish Dunes State Park
3701 Clark Lake Rd.
(920) 823-2400

The park offers more than 6,000 feet of sandy beach and dunes. Although the hiking trails and observation deck with priceless views of Lake Michigan are the most common tourist activity at the park, making a stop at Cave Point is a must. Cave Point, which features rock formations and cut outs on the Lake Michigan shoreline, is one of the most beautiful spots in Door County. Climb the rocks down to the beach for a great view of the jagged formations.

Door Peninsula Winery
5806 Highway 42
(920) 743-6431 or (800) 551-5049

Every wine lover must visit this winery. And, don't forget to take home a bottle of Razzle Dazzle champagne -- it's the best! The winery was won numerous awards for its vino, and offers guided tours to show how it's made. The best part -- free wine samples!

The Farm
4285 Highway 57
(920) 743-6666

A living museum of rural America, the farm is the ultimate place to take the family (everyone needs to feed a goat with a baby bottle at some point). In fact, you can bottle feed lambs and piglets too, and even milk a goat and see a chick hatch. The kids will love you for it, and it's a great way to say goodbye to the city and hello to county living.

Maxwelton Braes
7620 Highway 57
(920) 839-2321

An 18-hole championship golf course nestled on the "quieter" side of Door County. This is a gorgeous spot that is surely any golfer's paradise. Plus, there's a restaurant and sports bar on site. If you check out one golf course in Door County, this is the one.

Birch Creek Music Performance Center
3821 County E
(920) 868-3763

This is a wonderfully unique music school in a beautiful setting. From late June through mid-August, the talented musicians that teach at the school perform concerts in symphony, percussion and Big Band styles. And, the students even hop on stage and perform with their teachers, or at the open air gazebo before the concert and during intermission.

Alpine Golf Course
7670 County G
(920) 868-3000

Thirty-six holes! That's a lot of golf. But the Alpine offers even more -- terrific bay views, breathtaking bluffs and abundant natural hazards that make for a great day or weekend of golf.

American Folklore Theatre
Peninsula State Park
(920) 854-6117

The American Folklore Theatre: This talented musical theatre knows how to put on a show. With a look at this summer's lineup, featuring the sci-fi inspired football musical Packer Fans from Outer Space, box office summer hit Loose Lips Sink Ships and a tribute to the co-founder of American Folklore Theatre, Beneath the Northern Sky, there's no reason to not stop in and check out a performance.

Peninsula Players: From tragedies to in-your-face comedies, Peninsula Players has been making audiences laugh and cry for almost 70 years. The surroundings are exquisite -- a theatre in the midst of a cedar forest with views of the bay. A personal favorite, Peninsula Players is a once in a lifetime theatric experience. Talented actors and well-chosen works only accentuate the outdoor experience.

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