Idlewild is located at the juncture of the waters of Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer Harbor. The rejuvenating scent of the forest, the pristine waters and the closeness with nature makes it easy to take a break from the cares you left behind.
The historic Sherwood Point Lighthouse is located about a half mile from Robertson’s Cottages making it a perfect destination for a cheerful morning meandering or an adventurous sunset voyage by boat. Operations of Sherwood Point Lighthouse began in 1883. Its construction was intimately connected with the completion of the canal in Sturgeon Bay. The site consists of a one-and-one-half story house made of red brick with a square tower. This is the only Door County lighthouse which was constructed with red bricks, rather than limestone or cream-colored Milwaukee brick that was used to build other lighthouses in the Door County area.
In 1941 the United States Coast Guard took over operations of the lighthouse, and Coast Guardsmen continued to man the light until it became automated in the autumn of 1983. Sherwood Point Lighthouse was the last manned lighthouse on all of the Great Lakes…one hundred years after its installation. The Coastguard continues to maintain the lighthouse and grounds. The actual lighthouse buildings are closed to the public, but you may still view this historic old lighthouse from the grounds, by boat from the water of Green Bay or visit for a full tour during the annual Lighthouse Festival of Door County in June.
Surrounded by a brilliant array of native flora, fauna and the magnificent Niagara Escarpment rising up into neighboring Potawatomi State Park, a challenging 18-hole Championship Golf Course greets you as you enter the densely wooded peninsula of Idlewild. The lovingly cared for, IdleWild Golf Course is a quick drive through Idlewild’s scenic and winding tree-laden road just 1.7 miles from Robertson’s Cottages. “Whether you’re a high-handicapper or a low-handicapper”, they offer “the right set of tees for your level of expertise”.
Smack-dab across Sawyer Harbor from Robertson’s Cottages sits a beautifully enchanting, magnificently enormous, densely wooded limestone bluff. That ‘heart of the harbor’ is a defining feature of Potawatomi State Park and part of a gargantuan geological formation which extends hundreds of miles from Northeast Wisconsin, across southern Canada and all the way to Niagara Falls in New York State called the ‘Niagara Escarpment’. The Niagara Escarpment was formed about 450 million years ago when much of the eastern region of the United States was blanketed by a calm, shallow, tropical sea. Over the ages deposits of calcium rich shells and skeletons solidified into limestone and dolomite, forming an extensive rock shelf. Views of this section of the escarpment are nothing short of awe-inspiring. A simple gander of this mighty marvel along with a few deep breaths can melt a monkey mind and soften even the most prickly spots of stress in a body. The unwavering presence of that purely natural, raw, undeveloped, and wild sanctuary is really, in our opinion, the ‘cherry on top’ of each gently cultivated getaway to Robertson’s Cottages in Idlewild for yourself and your closest loved ones.
Potawatomi State Park has just over 1,200 acres of gently rolling upland terrain edged by lofty slopes and rugged limestone cliffs. Spanning two miles of Door County’s 300 mile shoreline, the park displays stunning, scenic views and offers a diverse selection of recreational opportunities. A 75 foot wooden observation tower rises above the wooded bluff for a breathtaking view 225 feet above Sawyer Harbor, and on a clear day the view can stretch as far as 16 miles across the water of Green Bay. Potawatomi Park is a hub for biking, birding, boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, and is the eastern trailhead of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and bicycle rentals are available at the park. A vehicle admission sticker or state trail pass is required to visit the park and may be purchased at the entrance to the park or in advance by calling the DNR at 888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Then: In the era of great grandparents, lower lake levels and television-less cottages, this was Idlewild’s ma and pa, last stop, and end of the road general store go-to for milk, eggs, butter, fresh baked bread, odds and ends and even gas! Now: Your ‘no frills’, ‘classic’ Wisconsin, family friendly, fish on the walls, local watering hole and local ice cube provider (YES-they now sell ice!!). The drinks are cold, the food is hot and everybody knows your name. All are welcome here. A ‘local’ favorite for a Friday fish fry and Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned (Wisconsin’s official state drink!). The Fishing Hole is a quarter mile down the road from Robertson’s Cottages. Arrive early for immediate seating and eating, or traipse over later for drinks at the bar while you wait for your table. Regular events and live music are are scheduled weekly throughout the summer and fall. A ‘go-to’, feel good hangout for long time guests of Robertson’s Cottages and first time visitors alike!
