Private Tour

A Self-Guided Drive of Southern Door County's Natural Heritage

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Discover the natural and maritime heritage of southern Door County on this self-guided driving tour. Journey through Carlsville and follow the Sturgeon Bay Canal, where you'll learn how this engineering marvel reshaped the region’s shipping industry. Pass the bustling shipyards of Sturgeon Bay and spot the Coast Guard station that still protects these waters. Along the way, hear about Native American settlements, Scandinavian influences, and Door County’s cherry orchards. Take in stunning views at Whitefish Dunes, Cave Point, and historic lighthouses. There are plenty of opportunities to stop your car and explore on foot, uncovering the rich stories behind the scenic spots. By the end of this journey, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the beauty, history, and resilience of Door County. Whether you're here for a day trip or a weekend getaway, you’ll leave with a newfound understanding of this remarkable place, and with plenty of ideas for what to explore next.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is a self-guided driving tour, so while the tour itself does not involve physical activity like walking tours, some of the locations (such as parks or lighthouses) may have limited accessibility depending on the terrain.

Public transportation options in Door County are limited, so it's recommended that travelers have a car to fully enjoy this driving tour. Most of the landmarks are best accessed by vehicle.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

App for Android and iOS

Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Smartphone and headphones

Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour

Food and drink

Transportation

What To Expect

As you begin your journey, you’ll pass this cozy coffee roastery, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air. A local favorite, this family-run business has been perfecting its small-batch roasting process for years, offering some of the best coffee in the county.

Admission Not Applicable

Door County Maritime Museum

Driving through Sturgeon Bay, you’ll spot this waterfront museum, which stands as a tribute to the area’s long history of shipbuilding and maritime adventure. Inside, exhibits tell the story of Great Lakes sailors, historic vessels, and the shipyards that have shaped the local economy for over a century.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

A Self-Guided Drive of Southern Door County's Natural Heritage

Reviews

4.94

17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Door Co never disappoints!
douggQ1538PN,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great time following Dave's route. We learned fun facts and tried a new resturant along the way. The drive was easy and very scenic.
This is a must self guided tour ! I highly recommend it!
georgettem699,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was very easy to do . The app is user friendly . David explained how to use this in detail . I downloaded the app on my phone. I parked in the Door County Tea and Coffee shop. I put in my code . We were up and ready to go ! We had a great day . The tour is as long as you make it . You can park and walk through the parks and museum or drive by them. He is very detailed and knows his history . Even our friends who live in Door County , learned new things . David tells you the roads to take , even the bumps in the road. It was so cool. Well worth the $20!
Perfect time gap filler
nancycR3675FM,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thought this was such a great way to explore the area and from a local’s perspective. Loved it as my time was my own. Had a bit of trouble with leaning the app and how to work it when I when I went off course. I had a rental car and I couldn’t get it to sync to my google maps on the car’s navigation panel. But that could just be me. Loved hearing about the history with just enough detail. Missed the best cheese curds place though as the directions came a little too late for me to stop. Would highly recommend!!
Very informative self-guided driving tour
Netter82,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This self-guided tour was well worth the price. It took you on roads and showed and told you things you wouldn't see or read about in guide books. We enjoyed it very much, would highly recommend!
Wonderful way to explore and learn
Mary L,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful way to explore Door County. I purchased both the North and the South Penninsula tours, and although they are noted to be about 3 hours long each, I actually took 3 days to complete them both and loved them. The byroads and insider notes were fascinating and helpful, and the self guided tour leaves lots of opportunity to explore further (which I did considerably). David does a wonderful job of guiding you safely through the twisty bendy roads and pointing out interesting places. I also loved learning the history of the settlements, the shipyards, the lighthouses and the farming families of the area. It is unlikely that I would have found many of these places on my own, and following the tour made for a very enjoyable 3 days. Thanks!
south door county tour
JOHN M,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The start of the program was sketchy didn't quite understand the beginning. But one it was running it was great.
Great guided tour- very easy to navigate
441magdaq,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I loved that it was on my time, not being rushed. I probably would never visit the spots on my own. Tour is educational and interesting, it can easy last 5 hrs if you get out at each stop. If you don’t want to be long you just keep driving. Tour is Very well guided.. The only hiccup I had there was detour due to power outage so the tour just stopped, but I followed the detour and gotten back on my tour. I’m not the best of tech person and I found it very easy to navigate. I recommend this tour.
Door County Tour
Amy C,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great area and very beautiful. We liked it was self guided so we could go at our own pace and get out and explore. The information provided was interesting.
Saw and experienced things we never would have if we tried this on our own.
D9244SVdaveh,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great day. The synchronization with our location was amazing. Very informative narration. We will use VoiceMap again.
Nice experience. Learned...
Lynne K,
Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Nice experience. Learned a lot about the area and its' history. There were a couple of areas on the route that did not have good reception , so we had to drive to an area to pick up reception, but it was easy to get back on the route. It was nice that we could travel at our leisure, and stop at some of the sites. Got back in the car and you can pick up where you left off.