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• Hitting the trails in Trempealeau
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• Languid in Lanesboro
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• The beauty of Yooper land
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• Trail mix
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10 splurges in Door County

If you've been pinching pennies, here are some fun ways to reward yourself.

Door County isn't known as a budget destination. But this popular peninsula in Lake Michigan is like everywhere else — you can spend a lot if you want, but you don't have to.

We've already told you how to find deals on places to stay in Door County. Why did we go looking? Because sometimes, we like to do the rich man-poor man routine — that is, pinch pennies in one place so you can treat yourself in another.

And in Door County, there are so many good ways to treat yourself.

Here are 10 great ways to splurge in Wisconsin's playground.

Guided kayak tour for two on Lake Michigan or Green Bay. It's $110 for a group tour or $250 for a private tour from Door County Kayak Tours.

The most popular destinations are the caves around Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park on the Lake Michigan side and the bluffs around Peninsula State Park on the Green Bay side.

Half-day pontoon boat rental from Sturgeon Bay. It's $95-$150 from Door County Boat Rental. Operators at marinas farther up the peninsula also offer pontoon rentals, but they're more expensive.

Parasailing for two from Fish Creek. It's $100-$190 with Wisconsin Water Wings, depending on the length of the ride.

Half-hour sunset carriage ride for two in Ephraim. It's $110 from Mayberry’s Carriage Rides. Ephraim is famous for its sunsets, and people gather each night along its waterfront.

Two-hour private power-boat tour for two from Fish Creek. It's $120 from Classic Boat Tours of Door County and includes the itinerary of your choice, a photo and free rides for pets.

Cooking class for two in Ellison Bay. It's $120 at the Savory Spoon, including samples of five courses. Classes have themes, such as Paris Bistro, Flavors of the World and Asian Flair.

Zip-line tour for two near Ellison Bay. It's $90, offered by Gravity Trails from Rowleys Bay Resort on Lake Michigan. It's a fairly lengthy walk into the forest from the resort.

Segway tours for two in northern Door County. A 1½-hour tour of lighthouses and state parks is $168 from Segway the Door Tours. 

Two sailboat cruises at sunset from Fish Creek. It's $90 for a two-hour cruise on the 42-foot schooner Friendly from Friendly Charters, which also offers cruises at noon, $80 for two.

Three-course meal for two at the Inn at Kristofer’s in Sister Bay. You'd better count on paying at least $160 for a nice meal with wine at this renowned restaurant, which now has a patio facing the bay and waterfront park.

The Waterfront and Mission Grille in Sister Bay also are popular special-occasion restaurants, as are the Whistling Swan, White Gull Inn and Cookery in Fish Creek and, in Egg Harbor, Parador and Trio.

Cheap treats

If you can't afford a high-end splurge, you still can have a lot of fun. For nightlife, catch a first-run movie at Skyway Drive-in near Fish Creek — tickets for two are only $15.

You can tour the many wineries for little or nothing, and lighthouses for a few dollars.

Visits to all of the town and county parks and beaches are free, and you can hike and bike for nothing.

For more, see Outdoors in Door County.

Last updated on May 7, 2012