"Door County's OTHER State Park" Newport State Park by MaxCunningham

Should you find yourself on the "thumb" of Wisconsin, in the area that would likely correspond to its "thumbnail", you might be torn between more than one State Park. Certainly, Door County is one of Wisconsin's most popular areas for the great outdoors. It also seems to contain the highest concentration of unincorporated towns with the sole purpose of providing nick-knacks, kitsch do-hickeys, home-made confectioneries, and cherries. These cherries might be found in anything from wine, beer, soda, pie, ice cream, soap, candles, or anything else you could consume or rub on your body.

Commercial appeal aside, Door County IS a good place to go to get away for a weekend, just don't expect to sneak off quietly into the woods.

Of course, the point of this article is to convey a little something of Newport State Park. This park lies on the Lake side of the peninsula and covers more than enough land for a day or two of exploring. It offers beaches and camping, and provides for a discrete escape from the tourist-centric Main Streets.

Elsewhere I will be writing about the nearby Peninsula State Park. But to sum things up... If you're torn between Peninsula and Newport State Park, choose Newport. While Newport does not have the bluffs that make Peninsula famous, it does offer a much more accessible coastline as well as a better chance to view wildlife.