A special feeling envelops you when you cross the bridge over the bay that divides Door County from the rest of Wisconsin. Everyday hassles and worries evaporate as you drive northward through miles of orchards interspersed with farm fields, cedar forests and small towns. One of those historic coastal villages is Fish Creek, settled in the 1880’s by loggers and fishermen. Fish Creek has a natural harbor that separates it from Peninsula State Park. Three blocks from the only stop sign, at the end of maple-shaded Main Street, you arrive at the White Gull Inn, the peninsula’s oldest operating inn.

     Warmth, charm and tradition are here in abundance. For more than 110 years, generations of guests have loved the original antiques, fireplaces and unforgettable food. Prepare to step back into history as you open the front door and enter the lobby to warm your hands by the glowing wood-burning fireplace. Settle into an antique Windsor chair and sniff the aroma of freshly baked coffee cake or the evening roast from the kitchen. The rooms and cottages have been lovingly renovated and maintained, with furnishings characteristic of the turn-of-the century. However, comfort is strictly up to date, with modern plumbing, luxurious mattresses and little touches that will make your stay as relaxing as can be.

     Breakfast at the White Gull, included in every stay, means waking up to the aroma of freshly baked coffeecake. Eggs Benedict, White Gull granola, hash browns and cherry-stuffed French toast are only a few of the selections that have made our breakfasts so popular. Lunches include hearty soups, sandwiches, omelets, salads and tempting desserts from the bakery. Entrees at the quiet candlelight dinners feature fresh “catch of the day” whitefish and other regional specialties.

     The White Gull is famous for its traditional Door County fish boil, where guests watch freshly caught Lake Michigan whitefish cooked outside over an open fire, as the “master boiler” explains the history and unique regional recipe. Inside, guests sample the fish, served with melted butter, red potatoes, coleslaw, fresh baked breads and home made cherry pie a la mode for dessert. From the White Gull's doorstep, there are back roads to explore and islands and lighthouses to visit. Antique stores and galleries can be found in every nook and cranny of the Peninsula. Within a few minutes of the inn, you’ll find live theater, professional summer symphony and every imaginable recreational activity, from golf to wind surfing, from hiking to charter fishing. Bike or cross-country ski for hours, then curl up before the fire in your room or the lobby.

     People tell us that the White Gull Inn is warm, friendly and hospitable – that it represents the best of what Door County has been and what they hope it continues to be. For 34 years, we’ve been proud to be a part of this tradition. This year we hope to greet you among new and returning guests, whether it is for a meal, a night or a week.