5 Super Cool things you’ll only find on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Published
The Washington Island Ferry runs year-round between the island (shown) and Door County Peninsula, about 4.5 miles away.
At first glance, Washington Island, Wisconsin, might seem sleepy.
You can drive around the entire island in under an hour. It’s about 5 miles wide and 6 miles long, with around 700 year-round residents.
There’s no McDonald’s. No Starbucks. Just one grocery store and, depending on when you visit, a handful of restaurants open for business.
Then there’s the commitment it takes to get here.
The drive up the Door County Peninsula takes a little more than an hour. Of course, that’s assuming you don’t stop every five minutes to enjoy the small towns, farm stands and scenic spots along the way.
At the end of Wisconsin Highway 42, you’ll catch a 30-minute ferry across Death’s Door on Lake Michigan.
Back on dry land, the island vibes kick in. Things really do move more slowly here.
But sleepy? Nah. Not if you love scenic beaches, historic pubs and delightfully odd attractions.
Washington Island is home to five Super Cool things you won’t find anywhere else.
Unique finds on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Smooth limestone cobbles line the beach and the lakebed of Washington Harbor at School House Beach on Washington Island, Wisconsin.
The prettiest limestone pebble beach in the Great Lakes region
Let’s start with the obvious. You’re on an island in Lake Michigan. There must be some great beaches, right?
Correct.
You’ll find sandy shores at Gislason Beach, Sand Dunes Park, Percy Johnson County Park and other spots around the island.
But one beach stands apart from the rest, and it might just be the island’s top attraction.
School House Beach on Washington Harbor is renowned for its clear water and thousands upon thousands of smooth limestone rocks — the kind that are perfect for skipping across the water’s surface or stacking into cairns.
Walk across them. Pick one up and marvel at how smooth it feels.
Taking a rock from School House Beach can seem innocent enough. But the natural forces that formed the smooth limestone cobbles took millions of years. Removing them changes the beach and means future generations may not get to enjoy it as we do today. Just leave the rocks where they are.
What you don’t want to do is slip a rock into your pocket and take it home with you. Seriously. Removing rocks is prohibited and carries a $250 fine. Mother Nature took a long time creating these beauties, and she won’t be making any more.
It took hundreds of millions of years and a combination of geological forces to create these cobbles. A shallow sea, glaciers and freeze-thaw cycles all played a role. Then Lake Michigan's waves did their work, gradually smoothing and polishing the stones.
So while you’re there, take a moment to appreciate the effects of deep time. Leave with a sense of awe, and leave the rocks behind.
School House Beach
1860 School House Beach Road
Washington, Wisconsin 54246
Open daily
Free entry
Free parking
No dogs allowed
Swim area
Diving platform in summer
No lifeguards
Picnic tables
Restrooms
How much time to spend at School House Beach
1 hour for walking and exploring
2 to 4 hours if it’s swimming weather
Washington Island Stavkirke is a replica of Norway’s 12th-century medieval Borgund Stave Church. Its towering presence, with multitiered rooflines and dark timber, makes the surrounding trees seem delicate in comparison.
The only Borgund stavkirke replica anywhere with a wooded meditation path and a labyrinth
Architecture and history fans, this one’s for you.
Washington Island Stavkirke (Church of Staves) is a replica of Norway’s 12th-century Borgund Stave Church.
Borgund is both a village in Norway and a style of medieval stave church. The Borgund style is known for its multitiered silhouette, raised central roof and intricate timber framework, including free-standing interior posts called staves and cross-braces arranged in St. Andrew’s crosses.
The 12 hand-hewn staves of Washington Island Stavkirke were harvested from Wisconsin trees, and each stands 18 feet tall. Part of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, the stavkirke holds up to two services a week during the summer.
Inside Washington Island Stavkirke, 12 hand-hewn wooden staves stand vertically beneath a row of timber cross-braces arranged in St. Andrew’s crosses. The diagonal crosses are a distinctive feature of the Borgund style of Norwegian stave church architecture.
When services or private events aren’t going on, the stavkirke has an open-door policy. Come in to admire the intricate craftsmanship or to sit for a moment of quiet contemplation or prayer.
Then embark on a moving meditation through the grounds. A wooded meditation path loops behind the stavkirke, and a labyrinth invites you to slow down and follow its winding route.
You might be wondering why there’s a stavkirke replica on Washington Island. It pays homage to the Scandinavian immigrants who, alongside other settlers, helped shape the island through fishing, farming, carpentry and other trades.
Washington Island Stavkirke
Town Line Road
Washington, Wisconsin 54246
Across the street from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is at 1763 Town Line Road
Open daily
Free entry (donation boxes onsite)
Free parking
No restrooms
Natural surface meditation path
Gravel footing through the labyrinth
How much time to spend at Washington Island Stavkirke
1 to 2 hours to explore the stavkirke, meditation path and labyrinth
From the outside, Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club is a pretty unassuming building, with pale yellow siding and a green metal roof. Inside: complete visual overload. There’s a vintage wooden bar back, draft taps from Wisconsin's Door County Brewing and New Glarus Brewing, mounted guns and decades of memorabilia. You won’t find another pub like it. It’s unmistakably Washington Island through and through.
The first and only Bitters Club on the planet
If you want to go deep into local lore and join a one-of-a-kind club, this is the spot.
Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club isn’t just a place to enjoy fried cheese curds and a broiled whitefish sandwich — both exquisitely delicious. Though, of course, you can simply walk in, order, eat, pay and leave.
But with all of the old island photos and memorabilia, you can’t help but be drawn into the story of this place. It’s a story you won’t hear anywhere else in the world.
The building that houses the restaurant dates back to 1899. It’s been a dentist’s office, an ice cream parlor and a movie theater, which explains the vintage movie projection equipment. The pub, with its vintage 1850s barback from Michigan, was added in 1902.
And this is where the story really takes off.
Tom Nelsen bought the property in 1907 and operated a dance hall and bar. Thirteen years later, Prohibition happened, making it illegal to make, sell or transport alcohol. But Tom didn’t close like so many other pubs across the U.S.
He pivoted.
I was legit a little intimidated to join the Bitters Club. I worried taking a shot of Angostura would make me cough and gag. To my surprise, it was actually smooth and delicious. Not that I’ve kept up the habit — don’t tell Tom.
Each day, Tom drank a pint of 90-proof Angostura Bitters as a stomach tonic. During Prohibition, he applied for and received a pharmacist license, which allowed him to dispense his tonic to others. A loophole that cemented his pub in history.
Nelsen’s Hall is Wisconsin’s longest-running “legally” operated pub.
Tom passed away in 1960 in an upstairs room of his pub at age 90. And people are still drinking bitters on Washington Island today.
According to the menu, Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club sells more Angostura Bitters than anywhere else in the world. Each year, more than 10,000 people join the Bitters Club by drinking a shot of Angostura.
You’ll get a membership card when you join the club. Dip your thumb in the bitters still lingering in your glass after taking the shot and press it to the card to seal your membership, good for one year. You can also buy a Bitters Club t-shirt.
The membership shot costs $5, a small price to pay to be part of island history.
Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club
1201 Main Road
Washington, Wisconsin 54246
Hours change seasonally
Expect a wait during summer
Sandwiches, pizza, appetizers and more
Draft beer and cocktails
How much time to spend at Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club
1.5 to 2 hours depending on the size of your party and the waiting time
How could you see this vintage, wood-paneled golf cart with shelves of pickled vegetables, maple syrup and more and not stop? John’s Garden is one of the unexpected delights on Washington Island, Wisconsin.
The best sauerkraut you’ve ever tasted
There’s always that moment on the road when you see something unexpected up ahead — a park, a store, a viewpoint — and you ask, Should we stop?
Of course, behind that question are other questions. Will stopping derail our schedule? Will it be worth it? Is there something even better up ahead?
But we were on island time, so of course we stopped.
We had just climbed Mountain Tower for a 360-degree view over the island and out to Lake Michigan. We were about to exit the parking lot to the north when I saw it: a little wood-paneled golf cart by the road. And, wait, it’s a farm stand?
A pure moment of surprise and delight.
Pickles were the obvious choice. But I went with the sauerkraut instead, slipping my cash into the PVC pipe at John’s Garden farm stand and taking a chance on a jar of fermented cabbage. Turns out, I made the right call.
John’s Garden is cash only, and we didn’t have much. I had a tough choice. Maple syrup? Pickles? Pickled carrots or beets? Sauerkraut?
Since J-Wo is a huge fan, I chose sauerkraut.
I slipped the cash into the pipe, picked up the jar and walked back to the van. So happy with this charming little discovery.
Later, we were having girl lunch — cheese curds, cheese spread, crackers, salami — and J-Wo opened the sauerkraut. “You have to try this,” he said. “This is the best sauerkraut I’ve ever had.” And he was right.
I don’t eat much sauerkraut, but John’s Garden made me a fan.
The farm stand’s a must-visit spot if it’s open when you’re on Washington Island.
I’ll seriously never forget that kraut.
John’s Garden
1641 Mountain Road
Washington, Wisconsin 54246
Roadside farm stand
Cash only
Honor system
How much time to spend at John’s Garden
15 minutes tops
The only clock forest in the world
Yikes! When I went looking for my clock forest photos, I realized I hadn’t taken any. Just videos. So this is a screenshot, which gives the clocks a bit of a Dalí-esque distortion. Kind of appropriate for a roadside attraction with more than 300 timepieces all set to 5 o’clock. Perhaps time is just an illusion after all.
A proper road trip isn’t complete without a roadside attraction. Something curious. Something strange. Something really big.
Or perhaps, like on Washington Island, a clock on a tree.
That’s how it started, with just one clock on one tree. Then it grew from there.
In a 2024 Door County Pulse article, Larry (no last name given) said the idea came to him while spending time at the bar on his woodsy property. Before long, he was anointing the trees lining his driveway with clocks. Other trees followed.
There are Harley Davidson clocks, Mickey Mouse clocks, wristwatches, alarm clocks and even a grandfather clock.
Larry keeps adding to the collection, which now numbers more than 350 timepieces. He finds them at thrift stores and garage sales, and gets clocks from friends and strangers, too.
Look closely and you might notice an interesting detail. Each timepiece is set to 5 o’clock. Yes, it’s on purpose. And, yes, it’s a nod to the Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson hit, “5 O’Clock Somewhere” — everyone’s favorite excuse for day drinking.
This roadside attraction is sort of a non-attraction. No signs directing you there. No parking lot when you arrive. Just all of a sudden, a clock on a tree. And then another. And another. And another.
Drive by slowly and admire the clocks. Then turn around and come back down the other side of the road.
If you’re like us, your next move will be to go join the Bitters Club. Because, if it’s 5 o’clock anywhere, it’s 5 o’clock on Washington Island.
Clock forest
1427 East Side Road
Washington, Wisconsin 54246
A collection of clocks hanging on trees
Viewable from the road
Private property
How much time to spend at clock forest
20 minutes tops
What else to do on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Checking off the five unique finds on Washington Island doesn’t mean you’re done. There’s still more to see.
As you drive around the island, there seems to be a park, beach or natural area around every bend. Here are a few more highlights:
Giant coffee pot
A giant folk art coffee pot? Just one of the unexpected sights on Washington Island, Wisconsin. Built in 1941 to help the local Girl Scout troop raise money for a cabin, this roadside landmark features Norwegian rosemaling and the word “Velkommen” — welcome.
A favorite spot for kitschy-cute photos, this giant coffee pot features Norwegian folk art and the word “Velkommen” — welcome in Norwegian and Danish.
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm
Fourteen lavender varieties, plus a shop and café.
Mountain Park Lookout Tower
Climb 186 steps from the parking area to the top of this wooden tower for panoramic views.
Washington Island Farm Museum
We had the grounds at Washington Island Farm Museum to ourselves, except for the Jacob sheep. To my delight, food pellets for the sheep were free from a bubble-gum-style machine. To their delight, I was more than happy to feed them a few handfuls.
Don’t worry if it’s not open. You can still walk around and see the vintage farm equipment. Don’t miss the Jacob sheep, a heritage breed known for its multiple horns.
Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum
Again, don’t worry if it’s not open. You can still see plenty of cool old boats.
Rock Island State Park
A seasonal ferry takes you to this island, where no bikes or cars are allowed.
Jacobsen Museum
Another place to explore even if the museum is closed. See hand-built log cabins, a steamship rudder and more.
Butterfly House
Open seasonally, with a butterfly garden and a room where you can see their larvae.
When to visit Washington Island, Wisconsin
If you don’t mind a little drizzle, like these two friends perched on a stern gantry at Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum, you’ll love Washington Island, Wisconsin, in late spring. A stern gantry is a U-shaped structure at the back of a fishing vessel that helps hoist nets out of the water, keeping them clear of the boat's motor and propeller down below.
Spring on Washington Island
Late spring is a lovely time to visit, with highs in the 60s and 70s. Not all businesses are open, and rainy weather is possible.
🐦 The Washington Island Art & Nature Center hosts a birding festival in May.
Summer on Washington Island
Summer is the busiest season, with businesses open and tourists out in full force. Expect highs in the 70s.
🎶 Local bands play the Washington Island Radio Bash in late July. In early August, the Washington Island Music Festival features classical chamber music.
Fall on Washington Island
The crowds thin, the weather cools (highs in the 50s) and the trees put on their autumn colors.
🍎 Check out the Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party at the Washington Island Farm Museum in October.
Winter on Washington Island
The Washington Island Ferry runs year-round, but winter brings highs in the 20s and about 49 inches of snow. It’s not a popular season for tourists.
Where to stay on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Campsites, vacation homes and hotel rooms — Washington Island has options for every kind of traveler. Here are a few places worth checking out.
Details are current as of October 2026. Be sure to read the latest reviews and policies before you book your Washington Island stay, as things can change. If you book a vacation home or hotel room using one of our links, we may receive a small referral commission. You won’t pay anything extra. It’s just how places say ‘thanks’ for sending people like you to their site.
Camping on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Washington Island Campground
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google Maps
Open seasonally (late spring to mid-autumn)
Campsites and cabins
Hookups and other amenities vary by site
Book early in the year for the season ahead
Pet-friendly
Close to Percy Johnson County Park
Top-rated vacation homes on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Addresses are private until a reservation is made.
Home with access to a private beach
Rated 10 out of 10 on VRBO
Sleeps 8
Garage apartment for 2 people also available
Pet-friendly
Close to the ferry terminalPicturesque log cabin in the woods
Rated 10 out of 10 on VRBO
Sleeps 6
No pets
Near the Clock ForestCharming cabin on the lakeshore
Rated 10 out of 10 on VRBO
Sleeps 4
No pets
Close to Percy Johnson County ParkLakefront cottage with incredible views
Rated 9.8 out of 10 on VRBO
Sleeps 6
No pets
Close to the ferry terminalLog cabin surrounded by trees
Rated 9.6 out of 10 on VRBO
Sleeps 8
No pets
Near Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club
Hotels on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Jackson Harbor Inn
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google Maps
Open seasonally
8 rooms and 1 pet-friendly cottage
Up to 2 people each
Next door to the Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum and close to the Rock Island State Park ferrySunset Resort
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google Maps
Open seasonally
11 rooms
Up to 2 or 4 people, depending on the room
No pets
Close to the ferry terminalHotel Washington
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Google Maps
Open seasonally
8 rooms and 2 pet-friendly cottages
Up to 2 people each
Onsite restaurant
Near Gislason Beach
How many days to spend on Washington Island, Wisconsin
If a woodsy walk that ends at a Lake Michigan beach speaks to your soul, spend at least three days on Washington Island, Wisconsin. You’ll want time to wander, linger and do it all again. Sand Dunes Park is a pretty good place to start.
1 day on Washington Island, Wisconsin
If you catch an early ferry to the island, you should have time to cover many of the highlights in a single day. Then, take the ferry back to the mainland that evening. Just be sure to check the ferry schedule before you go.
3 to 4 days on Washington Island, Wisconsin — recommended
With a few days, you can slow down, linger in your favorite spots and explore more of the parks and natural areas. You’ll likely even have time to visit Rock Island State Park if the ferry is running.
5+ days on Washington Island, Wisconsin
Summer is your best bet for a longer stay. More businesses and attractions are open. You’ll have time to settle into the island vibes and for repeat visits to your favorite spots, such as taking a dip at School House Beach every day.
All good road trips eventually point you toward home. But first, crossing Death’s Door on Lake Michigan again and returning to Door County Peninsula aboard the Washington Island Ferry. This trip left us wanting more island time.
We took a chance on Washington Island. We stayed two nights on the Door County Peninsula before we got there, and I had begun to think maybe the trip was imbalanced. We should spend three nights on the peninsula, where there’s more to do, and two nights on the island.
What if we get bored? What if we run out of things to do in mid-May?
But boredom wasn’t the problem. Leaving was the problem.
We could’ve stayed longer. Walked the beach longer. Watched the pelicans longer. Driven the quiet roads longer.
Washington Island is a special place. It’s small but not sleepy. It’s hard to get to. It’s off the beaten path.
And that’s 100% the point.
