Washington Island Door County Wisconsin North of the Tension Line

Welcome to Washington Island, Wisconsin!

Washington Island, located 6 miles off the tip of the Door County Peninsula, is a favorite Midwest destination for tourists year-round. Washington Island.com, the original web site for Washington Island, WI, is dedicated to providing its visitors with information about the Island and its scenic rural beauty. Its public beaches (School House Beach, Percy Johnson Park, Sand Dunes Park, The Ridges, Rock Island State Park) and the Island’s interior rural spaces are a treat for the tourist’s eye. Other Island attractions include the Mountain Tower, Jacobsen’s Museum, the Washington Island Farm Museum, or historic Jackson Harbor. Another short ferry ride to Rock Island and visitors can experience Thordarson’s Viking Hall Boat House and a couple of mile hike to the restored Rock Island Light House. For more information about things to do on your visit, click on the events button above.

People come to Washington Island to get away from the tension of urban life, to travel “North of the Tension Line” and enjoy a slower, relaxing pace of life. The Island is well known for its tranquility, and the gentle sounds of waves lapping on the shores soothe those who come from the noise and bustle of mainland life. Northern Lights dance on the dark evening sky, with the Milky Way being very visible on most nights. Separated from the mainland peninsula by “Death’s Door,” the Island is accessible by the Washington Island Ferry Line’s car and passenger ferries, by the Island Clipper passenger ferry, by plane, or by private craft.

22 square mile Washington Island is surrounded by four smaller islands; Rock Island (a State Park), Detroit Island, Pilot Island, and Plum Island. Sheer limestone bluffs rise up along the western shores of the Island. Smooth sand beaches are set along its eastern and southern shores, while northern shores have smooth stone beaches. Prehistoric glaciers left the Island with a diverse topography which continues below the surface of the water. This is a boon for the many fishermen who find their catch of salmon, trout and small-mouth bass in the Island waters.

Washington Island is unique destination and the ferry crossing helps the visitor to be more aware of this. It is difficult to express the attraction this community has for its many visitors, because it has always been for me more about what isn’t here than what is. The Island is an excellent place for people to relax, enjoy nature, refocus their energies, while having many choices for entertainment and activities throughout the year. In June we enjoy ferries to the Island on the hour throughout the day with extra trips Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Please browse the Island directory in the navigation bar above as most businesses are listed, alphabetically and by category, or select the lodging tab to find a place to stay for a night, weekend or longer. Find the answers to your questions in the FAQ section. Or use the “Ask Us” feature of the site where you can ask the other visitors to the site by leaving your email or get an answer to your own Island questions from me.

Embrace Island Living! Island Homes and Properties for Sale Please Contact Washington Island Realty, Inc. owned by Jerry Rupiper, Licensed Real Estate Broker and Realtor. You can afford to own a piece of the Island! Washington Island real estate is the best value for property in Door County. For information call the office at 866-847-9473. Become part of the Island Community!

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