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Port Washington · Lake MichiganPear & Simple’s local guide
A day in Port Washington, Wisconsin
Walk the harbor, have lunch by the marina and spend an afternoon on Franklin Street.
From Milwaukee About 30 minutes
From Chicago About 2 hours
Time to allow 5–7 hours
Best for Friends, families & road trips
Downtown Port Washington
From the marina to Franklin Street
You can see the boats from the end of East Main Street. Turn your back to the water and you’re a short walk from the shops on Franklin, including ours.
Morning to afternoon
The Port Washington itinerary
Start at 9:30 for the full route, or join it at lunch if you’re driving up for the afternoon.
Stop one9:30 AM
Breakfast before the harbor walk
For breakfast downtown, Daily Baking Company serves breakfast Friday through Sunday, 6 AM to 2 PM, at 211 N. Franklin Street. Java Dock Cafe on West Grand is open at 9:30 every day.
If you’re driving in, stop at Tulip Café on South Spring Street before heading downtown. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday. Our order is an iced salted caramel latte and the Butcher Bowl.
Just after coffee? Sacred Bean pours lattes inside Cavelier Wine Bar on East Jackson, Thursday through Sunday from 7 to 11 AM.
Stop two10:30 AM
Walk along the harbor
Start at Heart of the Harbor and follow the water past the marina. You can see the Pierhead Light from shore, so even a short walk gives you a look at the lighthouse.
If you head toward the breakwater, follow posted closures. Stay on shore when waves reach the walkway or the surface is icy.
Easy
Marina loop
A short walk past the boats from East Main Street.
Classic
Pierhead Light
Look toward the end of the north breakwater.
Relaxed
Coal Dock Park
Head south for a different view across the harbor.
Stop three11:45 AM
Browse Franklin Street
From the marina, walk west on East Main and turn onto Franklin. Look up as you go. You’ll see Cream City brick above the shop windows and St. Mary’s on the hill.
Our shop is at 314 N. Franklin. Come in for a look at the Jellycats and seasonal gifts, or ask us for directions to lunch.
Stop four12:45 PM
Lunch near the marina
From Franklin Street, it’s a short walk to lunch. You can grab a sandwich to take down to the marina or sit down for a burger and a beer. If you’re here on Sunday, the pub and the brewpub are both open.
East Main Street
Fork & Tap
Fork & Tap opens at 11 AM Monday through Saturday and closes on Sundays. Stop here for a sandwich at 203 E. Main.
East Washington Street
Inventors Brewpub
Wednesday through Sunday, try Inventors Brewpub for a burger and a house beer at 305 E. Washington. If you’re coming for lunch on Monday or Tuesday, call the brewpub first.
East Main Street
Dockside Deli
Dockside Deli at 218 E. Main serves soup, sandwiches and wraps. It closes at 2 PM Monday through Saturday and is closed Sunday.
North Franklin Street
Schooner Pub
Schooner Pub is at 114 North Franklin Street. It opens at 11 AM daily for burgers and cheese curds.
Stop five2:15 PM
After lunch
Wine
Cavelier Wine Bar
At 2:15 on Saturday or Sunday, you can get a wine flight at Cavelier, 407 E. Jackson. On Friday, save it for 3 PM. Monday through Thursday, it opens at 4.
History
Maritime history
On Wednesday or Thursday, the Historical Society Resource Center is open 1–4 PM. For a lighthouse tour, check the 1860 Light Station’s seasonal schedule before heading up the bluff.
Outdoors
Beach or bluff
For more time by the water, walk South Beach or head up to Upper Lake Park. Save Lion’s Den Gorge for a drive south of town.
One last stop3:45 PM
Ice cream or chocolate
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, look for Frankie’s in the Airstream across from our shop at 313 N. Franklin. When Frankie’s closes for the season, walk over to The Chocolate Chisel on West Grand. They make their own ice cream and truffles.
Around town
What’s on while you’re here?
Check the local calendar for the date of your visit. If there’s music downtown, you might want to stay after lunch.
Chicago → Door County
Stopping on the way to Door County
Leave I-43 at Port Washington and head downtown. Here’s what we’d do with the time you have before getting back on the road.
Getting here
Drive times to Port Washington
These are rough estimates. Allow extra time for traffic, especially coming through Chicago or Milwaukee.
West Bend~35 min.
Milwaukee~30 min.
Waukesha~1 hour
Oconomowoc~75–90 min.
Chicago~2 hours
Your Franklin Street stop
Come say hello at Pear & Simple.
We’ve been in downtown Port Washington since 2010. If you have a gift in mind, tell us who it’s for and we’ll show you around.
314 N. Franklin Street · Port Washington, Wisconsin
Before you go
Parking and walking downtown
Parking
Parking downtown is easy.
Look for a spot on the street or in a downtown public lot. From April 1 through October 30, skip the marina lot and walk down to the water.
Weather
Bring a layer.
Lake Michigan can feel cooler and windier than inland communities—even when the forecast at home looks perfect.
Walking
Downtown is compact.
The central district and marina are close together. Beaches, bluffs, and the Light Station may add stairs or a short drive.
Planning your visit
Port Washington day-trip questions
Do I need to move my car between lunch and the harbor?
You can park once for both. From the lunch spots on East Main, walk toward the water to reach the marina. From Schooner Pub on Franklin, turn east on Main.
How much time should we spend in Port Washington?
Allow five to seven hours for breakfast, the harbor walk, lunch and an afternoon stop. For a shorter visit, pick lunch and a walk along the marina.
Can we walk around downtown?
Yes. Historic Franklin Street and the marina are close together. Upper Lake Park, South Beach, Lion’s Den Gorge, and some historical attractions may be easier by car.
Is Port Washington a good stop on the way to Door County?
Yes! Pull off I-43 for lunch on Franklin Street and a walk along the harbor. When you’re ready to head north again, it’s about five minutes from downtown back to I-43. It’s an easy stop on the way home, too, if you’d rather break up the southbound drive.
What should we do if it rains?
Shop, obviously! Come say hi at Pear & Simple, poke around the other shops on Franklin Street, then settle in for a long lunch. If it’s a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, stop by the Historical Society Resource Center, too.