FISH CREEK, Wis. (WFRV) – While many are eagerly anticipating the NFL Draft in Green Bay, others are looking for an escape. Door County is preparing to welcome both visitors arriving for the draft and those from the Green Bay area seeking a peaceful retreat.
“If anybody is looking to escape and get out of Green Bay those couple of days, Door County is certainly a wonderful spot to go,” said Jon Jarosh, chief communications officer for Destination Door County. “They certainly would be finding lots of things to do in Door County during those days.”
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Locals anticipate an influx of guests avoiding the draft, in addition to the usual out-of-town travelers.
“We know quite a few people that live [near Green Bay], and it’s a running joke among most of them that they’re going to be out of town that weekend,” said Ryan Gallant, owner of the Settlement Inn. “Door County’s just a few miles away, and it’s a great place to visit and have a little peace and quiet.”
Local businesses are hopeful for an early-season boost in visitors.
“We have heard of a few people that are looking to rent out their property for the draft and get out of the city, because it sounds like it’s going to be pretty crazy busy down there,” said Carrie Lautenbach-Viste, director of sales and marketing at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market. “Traditionally, that is not a busy time for us, so it might be a little boost to have an influx of visitors that wouldn’t normally come during that time of the year.”
Many businesses are opening earlier than usual, including Gallant’s Settlement Inn, which will welcome guests a few weeks ahead of schedule.
“We have a lot of great restaurants, it’s all locally owned businesses,” Gallant said. “A lot of our friends are opening early, doing things for the draft.”
For those considering a getaway, booking early is recommended.
“I don’t know how long that’ll last. I imagine once people are starting to really look into booking, they’ll find that the NFL already has about 80% of the hotel rooms in the Green Bay area already booked,” Gallant said.
Even those attending the draft but seeking a quieter stay may find Door County to be the perfect option.
“Maybe you don’t want to be in the hustle and bustle of the draft and you want a little peace and quiet and still go to the draft,” Gallant said. “Well, staying in some of the other areas around gets you to do that.”
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Gallant and his wife have owned the Settlement Inn for seven years, drawn in by both the property and its location.
“We just fell in love with it from the second we saw it,” he said. “Fish Creek is great because it’s in the middle of everything. You’re a half-hour from Sturgeon Bay and a half-hour from the tip of the county, and it’s just a great base to explore Door County.”
