This article is reprinted from the April, 2004 issue of Family Circle magazine. It was written by Mary Beth Sammons. The Landmark Resort was prominently mentioned in the sidebar to the main article.

Five hours north of Chicago lies the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," Door County, Wisconsin. This narrow peninsula, located just east of Green Bay, juts out like thumb into Lake Michigan. With 250 miles of shoreline dotted with 10 lighthouse sites, miles of hiking and biking trails, beaches, fishing villages, art galleries and more than 4,000 acres of cherry and apple orchards, Door County is the perfect scenic outdoor destination for families.

Playtime: Spend a day bike riding or hiking through Peninsula State park, stopping along the way to picnic on pristine Nicolet Bay Beach. On Cana Island, one of four island sites, visit the historical lighthouses that once guided passenger steamers to the villages. Door County hosts its annual Lighthouse Walk in May, a celebration of the county's bounty of lighthouses, with self-guided tours.

Eats: No visit to the area is complete without participating in the boisterous local custom known as the fish boil. Lake Michigan whitefish caught by local anglers is cooked outside over an open fire. As folks sit campfire style, a master boiler tosses a small amount of kerosene on the flames under the pot, causing a great burst of flames and the famed boil-over. The food is less the point than the music and company. Afterward everyone treks to Wilson's Restaurant, family run since 1906, for ice cream.

Night moves:  The American Folklore Theatre offers musical theater under the stars in the woods of Peninsula State Park. Door Shakespeare brings the bard to life outdoors in summer. For teens a favorite escape is the Skyway Drive-In Theatre between Fish Creek and Ephraim, where a double feature plays nightly. 

For more information:
www.doorcountyvacations.com