Door County, Four Hours North of Chicago

Sturgeon Bay, the gateway to Door County, is about 250 miles and roughly four hours north of downtown Chicago by car. Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay add another 30 to 45 minutes. The usual route is I-94 to Milwaukee, I-43 to Green Bay and Highway 57 into Sturgeon Bay, and leaving the city outside rush hour makes the biggest difference.

Yes. American and United fly nonstop from O’Hare to Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) several times a day, a flight of a little over an hour, and Sturgeon Bay is about 50 minutes from GRB by car. Private and charter aircraft use Door County Cherryland Airport (SUE) in Sturgeon Bay, and Ephraim–Gibraltar Airport serves the northern villages.

Door County waterfront homes range from the high six figures into the multi-million-dollar range, with Sister Bay, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Egg Harbor and Baileys Harbor among the most sought-after areas. Current listings are updated below from the MLS.

The Green Bay side, on the west, has the sunsets, sheltered harbors and the busier villages of Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim and Sister Bay. The Lake Michigan side, on the east and often called the quiet side, has sunrises, long sand beaches and more space around Baileys Harbor and Jacksonport. Buyers who sail or want dinner within walking distance often choose the bay, and buyers who want quiet often choose the lake.

About 30,000 people live in Door County year-round. Sturgeon Bay has the county’s hospital, airport and full-time shops and services. The northern villages are busiest from May through October, and fall color, cross-country skiing and quiet winters draw a smaller crowd the rest of the year.

Often, depending on the home. Short-term rental rules are set by each town and village, and rental homes need a tourist rooming house license and room tax registration. We confirm the rules for a specific address before an offer is written.

Yes. Christie’s International Real Estate | @properties elleven is part of the same Christie’s International Real Estate | @properties network Chicago buyers already know, so your Chicago agent can refer you to our Door County team and stay involved from first showing to closing.

Yes. Erika Skogg and the Door County team represent buyers and sellers across the whole county, from Sturgeon Bay and the southern towns through Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor and Jacksonport, out to Washington Island.

Erika Skogg grew up in Door County, comes from three generations of local real estate and is the first Christie’s-affiliated agent based on the peninsula. Reach her at 920.603.8111 or erika@doorcountychristiesrealestate.com.