Best little towns in northern Wisconsin?

I grew up in the area and we still have a “Cottage” there. I would recommend looking in the Door County peninsula area. Lots of water all around. Lots of quaint villages with good restaurants and stuff to do off the water. And easy and relatively quick to get to from Green Bay or Appleton airport.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door_County,_Wisconsin

 

Door County is the Midwest's Cape Cod. If that's what you want, there's nothing like it elsewhere. Recent WSJ article suggests it's been discovered by others than just 'Wewillannoy" to the South.
What time of year?

 

No "cottages" in northwestern Wisconsin, but we have some mighty fine cabins! Not sure where the "cottage/cabin line" actually lies. Perhaps somewhere near Appleton? Anyone?

 

Try the Lake Nebagemon area.

 

My brother Brad & sister-inlaw Tracy, own Sidelines Bar & Bait there.

Sidelines Bar,Bait, and Resort | Facebook

 

Ha! A special watering hole on the way to Bayfield for Big Top events. I like to play "trail boss" and choose fun stops. This one is a "bloody" favorite!

 

Bayfield and Hayward can be very pretty. Door county is very popular. Minoqua is where many of my southern Wi friends go. Delafield in the SE part of the state is a nice little town for a night if you’re passing through on your way up north. Remember to allot for the 5 hour long “Midwest goodbyes” when meeting people.

 

Eagle River area, and then take a day drive up to the Porcupine Mountains and check out the Lake of the Clouds.

The WI chapter of the FCA does an annual drive (or 2) up into Door County, perhaps tag along to check it out.

 

www.stgermaincabin.com This is my place and you can rent it. It's on Big St. Germain lake. It's a duplex so you can rent one side or the other or both sides as they connect through the closet. A true Northwoods cabin.

 

Cool place!!

 

Eagle River! No question. Our family has been there since the 1930's. They have the chain of lakes (28 lakes) that has great fishing and is the most beautiful spot on earth as far as I'm concerned. Pack a lunch and enjoy a whole day out there! Boat Sport is on HWY70 just out of Eagle River 3miles that is on the chain, you can rent whatever type of boat you which there and bam, you're gold. sorry, I just saw this thread now. St. Jermaine is quaint and is like 17miles East along with other tiny towns up there. Many with bars/restaurants/motels on some water. There's over 1,300 lakes in Vilas Co. You won't be disappointed! Oh, their referred as both cabins or cottages - MOSTLY as cottages though.
Jim

 

Eagle River is great. I grew in Spread Eagle, about an hour east, which is my favorite of all, but I'm biased. Great driving roads up there for sure!