Do you live in IL? Stay outta my state, damn FIB!
I kid, I kid. I go up to DC at least once a year, sometimes just for a day drive but usually for a long weekend, rent a cottage somewhere. There’s so much to do in the stretch between Egg Harbor and Gill’s Rock, and a decent amount of it doesn’t require money, or at least not much.
If you want something off the beaten path but closer to the action than Sturgeon Bay, check out this place:
Experience the charm of Countryside Cottages near Fish Creek, WI. Enjoy spacious accommodations, modern amenities, and a peaceful retreat perfect for families.
www.juliesmotel.comI doubt it’s still the same owner (she’d have passed by now), but these use to be as cheap as a Motel 6. It was an unbelievable deal. They’d likely have increased rates by now, but it might be worth looking at. I loved them because they were quiet and didn’t feel like a HoJo. There are lots of cottages and cabins for rent in DC, but they’re typically pretty costly.
Oh, and shopping? Depending on what you’re looking for, I think you’ll be in for a treat. Fish Creek and Sister Bay have tons of little shops, and in Fish Creek, most are reachable by walking from a single place.
Check out the “Ellison Bay lookout” that’s north between Sister Bay and Gill’s Rock. The sign on the road isn’t big/obvious, but more than worth finding this spot. We typically would see other people there, but it’s not busy or heavily trafficked. I don’t think most tourists know about it, and the locals don’t mention it unless you ask specifically about it by name.