Door County, WI, is by far one of the best places to bring our pets for a vacation. It’s located on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, so you can already picture the beautiful landscape this county has. Beyond majestic scenery, we can never run out of things to enjoy in Door County. In fact, Door County had all sorts of activities for every season. From cherry blossom viewing in spring, beach galore in summer, cherry and apple picking in fall, and ice festivals in winter. Whether you’re a beach person or a mountain person, Door County has it both. And whether you’re a beer person or a wine person, guess what? Door County is also famous for its beer gardens and winery. To top it off, you won’t need to worry about finding pet-friendly hotels in Door County since we got it all covered for you!
Table of contents
- Beach Harbor Resort
- Holiday Music Motel
- Motel 57
- The Nordic Lodge
- Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel
- The Lodge at Leathem Smith
- Best Western Maritime Inn
- Open Hearth Lodge
- Somerset Inn and Suites
- Beachfront Inn
- Country House Resort
- Our Verdict!
- Where To Stay in Door County, WI, with Your Pet
- Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in Door County, WI
- Pet-Friendly Activities In Door County, WI
- Best Pet Stores In Door County, WI
Beach Harbor Resort
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Best Location. Beach Harbor Resort is one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Door County, Wisconsin, for tourists traveling to Sturgeon Bay. Thanks to the resort’s budget-friendly pet policy, we were able to have a proper family vacation with our dog in tow for only a pet fee of $10/pet per night. The resort was also considerate enough not to have a pet size restriction, so even the chunkiest of all dogs can stay there.
Additionally, since it’s located right along the beach, we were provided with rental boats, free kayaks, and paddle boards. While our dog must always be on a leash, it didn’t slow him down from playing in the water and enjoying the outdoors. Plus, with the resort having a pet-friendly restaurant, we have no problem keeping our dog on our side at all times.
Furthermore, while the outdoors was an adventure in itself, the guestroom we got was just as great as the rest of the resort. Our was clean and pristine, with all the necessary amenities we needed. Our dog also seemed to be comfortable in the room, so all was well.
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Holiday Music Motel
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Holiday Music Motel is a charming pet-friendly hotel located in the heart of Sturgeon Bay. At first, we were wary of the motel’s age and would have to deal with a dated accommodation. Turned out that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, the motel embraces its history and turns it into a retro accommodation, complete with vintage furniture and interior design. To top it all, they are attentive to their furry guests and make sure everyone has a comfortable and fulfilled stay.
With a budget-friendly pet fee of $10/pet per night, the motel welcomes a maximum of two dogs per room with no size restriction. This time, we had one pooch with us, and the room we had was spacious enough for us to be comfortable. The furniture was tasteful, and the amenities were modern and blended well with the motel’s 50s vibe. While there wasn’t much when it came to pet amenities, the motel still provided a grassy area for pet relief.
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Motel 57
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We had the opportunity to stay at Motel 57 on our trip to Door Country, and it was a delightful experience. The motel is located just off of Green Bay Road in Sturgeon Bay and welcomes both cats and dogs. The pet policy was very inclusive, too, as there was no size restriction for the pets. The rooms at the hotel also opened directly to the courtyard, so we had easier access to the pet relief area.
As for the motel itself, it had a retro-style building, with the comfort of modern amenities in each room. Ours was equipped with a small kitchen and a cable TV. The room size was decent enough for us to be comfortable with our two cats, so we had no notes on that. We also loved that the room was clean and didn’t feel stuffy since we had natural lights coming in. All in all, it was a great place to stay, considering it’s a budget motel.
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The Nordic Lodge
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If looking for a quiet retreat in Wood Country with your pets, The Nordic Lodge is the perfect place for that. Located in Sister Bay, near Ephraim, The Nordic Lodge provides a nice secluded accommodation that welcomes dogs weighing up to 30 lbs. We had the most relaxed stay here, and the pet fee was only $50 per stay, which covers a maximum of two dogs per room. While the pet policy doesn’t allow us to leave our dogs unattended in the room, the hotel offers a spacious wooded area for our dog to frolic, so we had no problem staying outside with him.
That said, the room itself was nice and comfy. It was a bit dated, but in a sense we felt like we were in a time capsule to the past, adding to the quiet retreat experience with little technology to bother us. In addition to that, the hotel also provides a hearty breakfast every morning with fresh produce, accompanied by a 5-star quality service. The staff never failed to make us feel welcome and attended to our every need. While we had to take turns in enjoying the tub and indoor pool, it was still a nice break from the hustle and bustle.
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Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel
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This time, we relished genuine Door County hospitality at Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel in Fish Creek. The family-owned motel provided delightful accommodation for us and our dog, with an extra $15 pet fee per night. Surprisingly budget-friendly, our dog received a welcome basket in our well-appointed room, stocked with towels, waste bags, treats, and a guide to all pet-friendly spots in Door County.
“Staying at Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel felt like we were staying at a local friend’s place, with how hospitable they were towards us and our dog.”
WOW Travel
Beyond that, the motel’s services were exemplary. We especially enjoyed getting breakfast at the motel’s cafe. When we were not exploring the nearby Peninsula Park, we would let our dog play with the other furry guests in the motel’s courtyard. Additionally, our room was impeccably clean and spacious, with the unexpected bonus of board games that proved to be a delightful amenity during our stay.
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The Lodge at Leathem Smith
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The Lodge at Leathem Smith is yet another pet-friendly hotel in Sturgeon Bay. The hotel welcomes a maximum of two dogs with no size restrictions in its pet-friendly rooms. While there was a pet fee of $25 per pet per night, it was worth the hospitality we experienced here.
The hotel itself had a pretty extensive pet policy, which shows that they truly care for their guests, both humans and four-pawed ones. We were instructed to not leave our dogs in the room, and must always have them on a leash. However, when we wanted to get breakfast or enjoy the pool, we were allowed to leave our well-behaved kenneled pets in the room for a short while. While the dogs aren’t allowed in the restaurant and pool area, the hotel had a spacious green area for us to take our dogs for walks and potty breaks.
Beyond that, everything was up to our taste. The pet-friendly room that we got was pleasantly comfortable. It had a plush bed and ample space for our dogs to be comfortable. All in all, The Lodge at Leathem Smith is a great choice for pet-friendly lodging in Door County, WI.
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Best Western Maritime Inn
5
Our stay at the Best Western Maritime Inn was a satisfactory one. While there wasn’t anything special per se about the hotel, it was still a comfort that we had no problem staying there with our pets. Plus, the pet policy extends to welcoming a maximum of two dogs per room, weighing a maximum of 80 lbs. There’s also a pet fee of $20 per pet per night, but it was quite the standard. We were also asked for a $150 refundable cleaning and damage deposit, which is understandable. As pet parents, we wanted to make our pets comfortable while also not being a nuisance to other guests.
That said, the hotel itself provided decent hospitality. While our dog didn’t get much in terms of pet amenities, the staff still welcomed him with warm smiles and friendly scratches. The staff also made sure we got a room near the pet relief area for our convenience. The guestroom itself was to our liking. Our dog had ample space to be comfortable and not feel cramped. We weren’t allowed to leave our dog unattended in the room, but the hotel’s ideal location made it easy to check out the nearby restaurants. Beyond that, we especially appreciated the extra facilities like the indoor pool, free breakfast, and free parking.
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Open Hearth Lodge
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Best Hotel With Pet Parks. Open Hearth Lodge won our hearts for being one of the coziest pet-friendly accommodations we’ve been to. True to its name, staying here exudes a certain warmth akin to gathering on a hearth. At the hotel, we were welcomed with nothing but smiles and enthusiastic staff.
It’s also fantastic that the hotel pays extra attention to its pet guests by providing all sorts of pet-friendly amenities. For starters, our dog was super excited when she found the hotel’s designated pet park, where she got to play with the other dogs. Other than that, the hotel staff were also considerate enough to give our dog a gift basket. It was filled with toys, treats, water bowls, and a doggy bed. We did have to pay a $15 pet fee per pet per night, but it was a small price considering the length the hotel would go for our dogs. Furthermore, the pet policy also extends to allowing a maximum of two dogs per room with no size restriction.
While having our dog happy was fantastic enough, we also had an amazing stay, too. We thoroughly enjoyed the facilities the hotel provided. From the heated indoor pool, the free breakfast, the BBQ facilities, and especially the surrounding nature where our dog also got to run around at. The guestroom was beyond comfortable, too. It has all the necessary amenities included, and since we were allowed to leave our well-behaved dog in the room, we got extra time to indulge in the hotel’s many facilities.
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Somerset Inn and Suites
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Best Hotel For Cats. Traveling through Ephraim, Door County, we found ourselves staying at the quaint Somerset Inn and Suites. The inn itself is family-owned, so we were fortunate enough to experience firsthand Door County hospitality here. The staff were so attentive and made sure both us and our pets were taken care of. And thanks to the inn’s inclusive pet policy that welcomes both cats and dogs, we were able to bring our furball of a cat with us. That said, there is a pet fee of $35 per pet per stay, but it was reasonable, especially since it covers two pets with no size restriction per room.
Beyond that, everything was as pleasant as it can be at the Somerset Inn and Suites. Our cat, like the diva that she is, only cared about lazying around in our naturally bright room. And as for us, we loved the inn’s services and facilities. There was a picnic area with BBQ facilities and an outdoor pool with a sundeck for us to lounge at. The compound had a lot of nature surrounding it, making it the perfect place for a relaxing getaway.
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Beachfront Inn
2
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor, the Beachfront Inn trumps as the ideal vacay destination for our family, which extends to our pets, too. Thanks to the hotel’s considerate pet policy, every guest got to bring their honorary furry family and enjoy the hospitality and services available here.
As for us, we brought our pooch here and made sure he got to enjoy as much of the hotel as we did. From playing at the beach, teaching him to get up on the paddle board, and having a BBQ feast with him. Since the hotel allows for dogs to be unleashed on the beach area, we never had a dull moment with our dog. That said, beyond the beach, we did have to put him on a leash, but as long as he got to have a splash on the beach, it was no biggy.
Beyond that, the pet policy is pretty chill. The hotel welcomes a maximum of two dogs with no size restriction per room for a $20 pet fee per pet per night. All the pet-friendly rooms are on the first floor, which was good for us, as it’s closer to the pet relief area. In addition to that, the staff also provided us with sheets to cover the bed and couch in our room to keep things clean. As for our guestroom, it was big and had plenty of amenities, including a microwave, a couch, and a dining table.
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Country House Resort
1
Overall Best. At the Country House Resort, we were provided with an elevated and romantic resort getaway in Sister Bay. Among the other pet-friendly hotels in Door County that we had on this list, this one stole our hearts with its hospitality, location, and overall atmosphere. The hotel was surrounded by nature, which created a quiet, relaxing, and secluded feel to the compound. It’s also named as one of the most romantic hotels in Wisconsin.
Most importantly, the pet policy was inclusive enough to ensure that our dogs would also have the best time here. We brought two dogs with us on this trip, and they were allowed to be off-leash for most of the grassy areas at the property. We were able to enjoy the beach together and go hiking on the nature trails by the hotel. So even though our dogs weren’t allowed to be unattended in the room, we still had plenty of activities to do at the hotel.
Furthermore, the pet fee was pleasantly budget-friendly, considering the quality of hospitality we got. For only a pet fee of $20 per pet, per night, our dog got a gift bag all to herself. She got treats, bowls, beds, towels, and sheets for the room’s furniture. All in all, everything went beyond our expectations. Even the guestroom was lovely and had a balcony looking over the lake. Truly the epitome of serenity.
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Our Verdict!
The Country Side Resort won our hearts with its romantic setting and extensive pet amenities that it provided us. That said, we still have other pet-friendly hotels with features that especially stood out to us. These features might be the one you’re looking for in our ideal pet-friendly hotel in Door County.
- Best Location: Beach Harbor Resort
- Best Hotel With Pet Parks: Open Hearth Lodge
- Best Hotel For Cats: Somerset Inn and Suites
Where To Stay in Door County, WI, with Your Pet
Our experience in Door County, WI, was a mix of relaxing by the lake shores, running by the water, and lazy afternoon under the setting sun with our pets. The county had so many adventures to offer, and throughout our stay, we found Sturgeon Bay, Sister Bay, Fish Creek, and Baileys Harbor to be some of the best places in Door County to take our pets with us for a vacation.
For starters, Sturgeon Bay is the biggest town in Door County, so it’s a must-visit while exploring the area. The town is livelier and has more pet-friendly attractions, with Cave Point State Park being our favorite place to savor the town. Sister Bay has a unique vibe. The town’s attractions range from tranquil beach shores to a unique glimpse of Scandinavian culture in Door County.
Furthermore, Fish Creek also has plenty of pet-friendly attractions to do. They mainly centered around hiking and exploring the nearby Peninsula State Park. That said, plenty of the pet-friendly hotels in Fish Creek also offer direct access to the beach. So we always look forward to getting wet with our pets when staying in the area.
Lastly, Bailey’s Harbor is known for being the quietest town of the bunch. While the other towns also offer plenty of relaxation and tranquility, Bailey’s Harbor especially centers around nature. So if you feel like going back to the roots and want to escape your busy life with our pet companion, go to Bailey’s Harbor.
Now, if you’re planning to explore more of Wisconsin, check out the best camping sites in Wisconsin and the top pet-friendly hotels in Wisconsin Dells.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in Door County, WI
- Wild Tomato – Great service and fantastic food- need we say more? The staff was kind enough to seat us and our pooch under a shaded seat on the patio. They also gave our furry buddy a water bowl and served us some of the best pizza we’ve had!
- Stabbur Beer Garden at Al Johnson’s – For a taste of a genuine Swedish “Biergarten” experience, this is the place you’d want to be. They have a variety of cold beers on tap and serve authentic Swedish cuisine and other dishes. Their outdoor lawn is a great place to relax and hang out with our pets when the weather’s especially nice.
Pet-Friendly Activities In Door County, WI
- Peninsula State Park – In this 3,775-acre park, we hiked on the White Cedar Natural Trail and watched a play at the Northern Sky Theater. It’s regarded as one of the best places to take pets on an adventure.
- Lauthenbach’s Orchard Country – At this winery and market, we got to explore the farm and wander through the cherry blossoms and apple trees. We also had some wine tasting and brought back lots of souvenirs from the market. When the season’s right, the winery allows patrons to cherry picking and apple picking at the farm.
Best Pet Stores In Door County, WI
- Door County Dog Store – Dog Country Dog Store was our go-to pet store while traveling to Door County. It’s located in Sturgeon Bay and carries a variety of pet products for both cats and dogs. They have all sorts of nutritious pet food and treats. Their fresh frozen yogurt is a fave among our furry babies. There’s also a pet-washing station to keep your pets clean throughout your travel.
- Country Store – The Country Store in Sturgeon Bay carries more than pet products. While they have all the standard pet supplies for dogs and cats, they also have pet supplies for rabbits, ferrets, birds, and various other small animals. There are also farm products, hunting supplies, and more.