Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay

Black Walnut Guest House
454 N. Seventh Ave.
Sturgeon Bay
920-743-8892
877-255-9568


No matter which room you choose of the four available here, you’ll relish the attention to detail and conscientious service.  

The Black Walnut Guest House is located on a quiet residential street in Sturgeon Bay on the Door Peninsula.  It’s about a half block north of Jefferson St., and there is parking available on Seventh Ave. as well as in back of the inn (for six cars).

The Victorian-style farmhouse, circa 1899, was converted to an inn in 1999. It is somewhat understated, so keep your eyes peeled for it as you drive. The wood exterior is painted yellow with white window trim.  An American flag hangs outside, as does a subtle sign, The Black Walnut Guest House. Oh, and there are black walnut trees on the front lawn, of course.

Checking in
Make a note to come back and sit on the lovely front porch. Your first stop is the Reception area, where you check in.  This is also the place to borrow a movie to watch later in your room (three have DVD players; one has a TV/VCR). Also, pick up brochures on area attractions. If you prefer to get information online, there is wireless Internet in the guest rooms.

Enjoy the lovely décor and architectural details—exposed pine floors, 10-foot ceilings, oak wood trim, large tall windows and decorative radiators—before going up just one flight of stairs to the guest rooms. Each has a private bath.

On the top of the staircase, there is a phone for making local calls, and a supply of restaurant menus.  Don’t miss the nearby buffet cabinet, where the homemade cookies are stashed in a jar (like Door County cherry cookies with chocolate chips and oatmeal). In the late afternoons, cold drinks are here, while hot water, teas and cider are available evenings.  

Guest rooms
Here are some the common amenities: a homemade breakfast brought to your room’s doorstep, small refrigerators in rooms, gas fireplaces, two-person whirlpool tubs, queen-size beds, wet bars, air conditioning, ceiling fans, tall windows and natural light.

We especially loved the fresh flowers on the breakfast tray as well as in each room. “I’m big on flowers. In the summer, they come from our garden. And in the winter, I buy them,” says Geri Ballard, the innkeeper.

Each room has its own unique theme and interior design. Here’s a look:

Eastlake Room: Victorian style and modern conveniences converge in this spacious room. The furnishings stay true to the room’s name. That is, they are Eastlake style—dark wood finishes with simple and elegant motifs such as geometric ornaments, spindles and carvings.

The Eastlake-style bed is a focal point. So is the winding stairway. It actually leads to the whirlpool tub (the other portion of the bathroom is on lower level). “A guest recently told me she liked sitting in the tub and looking at the stars at night,” Geri says.

Speaking of guests, most people take the time to write in the guest book, found in each room.  “Thanks for making our getaway outstanding. ...” a couple recently penned.  And rest assured that your comments will be read by the innkeepers. In fact, it’s a priority for Geri.

“The first think I do (after guests check-out) is read the book. It makes me feel good . . . like what we do is worth it,” she says.

Cottage Room: This is an adorable room. It’s light, bright and affords access to a private outdoor porch (where there are outdoor furnishings).  Geri recently refashioned the bed, coming up with a unique headboard made from repurposed vintage French windows. 

There is exposed brick on a bathroom wall. And an aquarium, built into the wall near the whirlpool, makes it possible for you to take a dip while resting your eyes on pretty fish.

Cabin Room:  You really feel like you have escaped from it all in this rustic hideaway.  Check out the vaulted wood ceilings, gas stove and exposed brick on a wall. The furnishings are highlighted by a vintage wood bed frame. The accents include pine cones and lanterns. A rare find is the old farm sink in pristine condition in the bathroom. There are skylights and access to an outdoor semi-private deck.

The Arts and Crafts Room: If you like to spread out and appreciate Mission style, this is the room for you. The two-sided fireplace kind of separates the sleeping area (with Mission-style bed frame) and a sitting area (where the whirlpool tub also is located).  The doors out to the semi-private deck emit plenty of natural light into the space.

Breakfast
You’ll love the privacy of having breakfast in your room each morning. It’s brought to your door between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.  “We knock and say ‘good morning,’ and take off,” says Geri, who owns the inn with her husband Mike Shatusky.

Some items on the tray are homemade by Geri, such as granola and muffins. A yogurt fruit parfait includes her granola, fruit and yogurt. Geri also serves fresh fruit (organic when possible), organic orange juice and accommodates, upon request, special dietary requirements. 

Travel green Wisconsin certified
The Black Walnut Guest House is Travel Green Wisconsin certified. This means that the inn has met requirements set by the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.  For example, a recycling program is in place, and guests are asked to help conserve water by reusing towels. Also, biodegradable and non-toxic laundry and dishwashing detergents are used, and organic fertilizers and products help maintain the abundant gardens.

As to why she pursued Travel Green certification, Geri commented on the growing green awareness among people.  “I think if you work at something at home, such as recycling, when you are somewhere else, you want to continue that,” she says. 

Nearby attractions
The Black Walnut Guest House is located just steps from Jefferson St., where people can find shops specializing in clothing, home accents, antiques, jewelry and more.  

Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay, also is within walking distance and has many more shops as well as the Third Avenue Playhouse, Fairfield Art Center and restaurants.

Geri also encourages her guests to visit the state parks located throughout the Peninsula and the theaters including Peninsula Players Theatre and American Folklore Theatre.  She feels Sturgeon Bay and the Black Walnut Guest House provide a good base for people to see Sturgeon Bay and the Door Peninsula, and we agree with her.

“You’ll find peace and quiet here,“ Geri says. “You are able to stay here and go to places where there is hustle-bustle and come back to where it is quiet.”

So check out The Black Walnut Guest House – we think you will love what you see, and please remember to tell them that DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!

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