Crossroads At Big Creek - Sturgeon Bay, WI
Crossroads at Big Creek, located in Sturgeon Bay, is a 200-acre Nature Preserve, Learning Center, and Heritage Village History Museum. It caught my eye when researching the area last fall, but I didn't have a chance to visit then, so I wasn't leaving this time without checking it out.
The preserve includes four main habitat trails: Field, meadow, forest, and creek. Wildflowers, birds, bees and other pollinators make their home here. There are easy boardwalks, and moderate natural trails as well. Two additional nature preserves reside across from the southern end of the campus: The Cove Preserve, and Ida Bay Preserve.
I wandered a bit of each trail, as they overlap. I was hoping to see some migrant birds, and could hear them call from the surrounding trees and bushes. Eventually, I got lucky and spotted a blue grosbeak. My first-ever sighting of this beautiful bird. My photo wasn't a prize capture, but I was thrilled to get to see it in person just the same.
Location: 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI (Door County)
For more information, click here.
The preserve includes four main habitat trails: Field, meadow, forest, and creek. Wildflowers, birds, bees and other pollinators make their home here. There are easy boardwalks, and moderate natural trails as well. Two additional nature preserves reside across from the southern end of the campus: The Cove Preserve, and Ida Bay Preserve.
I wandered a bit of each trail, as they overlap. I was hoping to see some migrant birds, and could hear them call from the surrounding trees and bushes. Eventually, I got lucky and spotted a blue grosbeak. My first-ever sighting of this beautiful bird. My photo wasn't a prize capture, but I was thrilled to get to see it in person just the same.
Location: 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI (Door County)
For more information, click here.
Heritage Village at Big Creek
This historical park includes 11 prominent buildings that depict the life and times of early settlers to Door County. Buildings include a general store, a one-room schoolhouse, a village chapel, blacksmith shop and more. Some of the buildings were moved to this location and refurbished or reconstructed.
They include many original furnishings and artifacts, and provide historical information of the buildings and their inhabitants. I particularly found the one-room schoolhouse interesting. Special events are held at the historical park throughout the year.
Location: 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay
Tours are self-guided, Admission is Free
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm (Closed Monday/Tuesday)
This historical park includes 11 prominent buildings that depict the life and times of early settlers to Door County. Buildings include a general store, a one-room schoolhouse, a village chapel, blacksmith shop and more. Some of the buildings were moved to this location and refurbished or reconstructed.
They include many original furnishings and artifacts, and provide historical information of the buildings and their inhabitants. I particularly found the one-room schoolhouse interesting. Special events are held at the historical park throughout the year.
Location: 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay
Tours are self-guided, Admission is Free
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm (Closed Monday/Tuesday)
Leif Everson Observatory and Star Garden
The main campus at Crossroads at Big Creek also includes an Astronomy Center and the Star Garden dark sky viewing area, including a planet walk and observatory. Since the moon was nearly full during my visit, there weren't any dark sky viewing events. I had trouble figuring out where the dark sky viewing area was along the trail when I visited a couple nights earlier, so I was glad to find it during my daytime visit.
The trail leading to the viewing area features signage along the way about the planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. Viewing events are held on-site by the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society. Viewing nights are free and open to the public.
Locatioon: 2200 Utah St.,
Sturgeon Bay
The main campus at Crossroads at Big Creek also includes an Astronomy Center and the Star Garden dark sky viewing area, including a planet walk and observatory. Since the moon was nearly full during my visit, there weren't any dark sky viewing events. I had trouble figuring out where the dark sky viewing area was along the trail when I visited a couple nights earlier, so I was glad to find it during my daytime visit.
The trail leading to the viewing area features signage along the way about the planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. Viewing events are held on-site by the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society. Viewing nights are free and open to the public.
Locatioon: 2200 Utah St.,
Sturgeon Bay
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