Key Takeaways– Square Rigger Lodge in Jacksonport captured the top spot for Best Roadside Motel for the second straight year in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
- Fresh Coast Motel in Fish Creek secured second place, highlighting the region’s growing reputation for modern yet retro‑styled accommodations.
- The Door County Coastal Byway ranked ninth nationwide for Best Scenic Drive, continuing the Peninsula’s streak of top‑10 finishes in this category.
- Both motels exemplify Door County’s blend of natural beauty, heritage hospitality, and contemporary amenities, drawing votes from a national audience.
Square Rigger Lodge – Repeats as Best Roadside Motel
The 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards announced that Square Rigger Lodge in Jacksonport retained its number‑one position among roadside motels across the United States. This victory marks the second consecutive year the historic property has topped the category, underscoring sustained guest satisfaction and brand loyalty. The lodge’s consistent performance outranked motels in states such as California, New Mexico, Florida, Massachusetts, Vermont, Nevada, Missouri, and North Carolina, reflecting its broad national appeal.
Square Rigger Lodge – Property Features and History
Square Rigger Lodge offers 16 rooms, four cottages, and a four‑bedroom house that formerly served as the owners’ residence, providing a range of lodging options from modest rooms to expansive weekly rentals. A beachfront coffee shop named “A Little Bit of Coffee” operates on‑site, serving baked goods, smoothies, cocktails, and mocktails, and remains open throughout the season with limited hours in September and October. The property’s roots trace back to 1984 when the LeClair family first built the motel; it was later sold in 2022 to a family consortium headed by Mary Riley, Molly and Hale Towns, Betsy Riley, Neil Anderson, and Katie Riley and Mike Kerr, who now manage the business and credit guest appreciation for the accolade.
Fresh Coast Motel – Second Place and Recent Renovations
Fresh Coast Motel earned the second‑place ranking for Best Roadside Motel, showcasing the growing popularity of modern yet retro‑styled accommodations in Door County. The motel opened in May 2024 after an eight‑month renovation by owners Mitch Ehly, Katie Wanzer, and Luke and Katie Nelsen, who transformed the former By‑the‑Bay Motel—originally opened in 1954 and expanded in the 1980s—into a contemporary contactless lodging experience. The property now features 15 rooms, off‑street parking on Fish Creek’s Main Street, a full bathroom upgrade with custom‑tiled walk‑in showers, and a newly installed dry sauna slated for spring opening.
The Refresh Collection and The Spruce & Shore Motel
The owners of Fresh Coast also comprise part of “The Refresh Collection Hospitality Group,” a venture that, in May 2025, launched The Spruce & Shore Motel, a re‑imagined version of the historic Fish Creek Motel & Cottages. By blending vintage charm with updated amenities, the group continues to diversify its portfolio within the Door County market, providing visitors with varied yet consistently high‑quality lodging choices along the peninsula’s scenic coastline.
Door County Coastal Byway – Ninth Place in Scenic Drive Rankings
The Door County Coastal Byway was voted ninth in the nation for Best Scenic Drive in the same 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST poll. Designated a Wisconsin Scenic Byway in 2010 and a National Scenic Byway in 2021, the route stretches from Sturgeon Bay’s north side to Newport on the mainland Peninsula. It weaves through key tourist villages—including Fish Creek, Ephraim, Sister Bay, Ellison Bay, Baileys Harbor, and Jacksonport—while skirting three state parks and ten county parks, offering abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Door County Coastal Byway – Highlights and Seasonal Appeal
Travelers on the byway encounter “Door County’s curvy road,” a final 15‑curve stretch of State 42 leading into Newport that ranks among the Peninsula’s most photographed stretches. The route passes by Lake Michigan shorelines, Green Bay vistas, and the 400‑million‑year‑old Niagara Escarpment bluffs. Officials emphasize that fall provides the most striking scenery, with fruit‑laden orchards and vibrant foliage turning the landscape into a kaleidoscope of crimson and gold. The byway’s nomination underscores the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region’s capacity to deliver compelling drives comparable to more widely recognized scenic routes.
Comparison with Other Top Scenic Drives
While the Door County Coastal Byway placed ninth, it was preceded by the Great River Road (2025 winner) and followed by Michigan’s Copper Country Trail National Byway in runner‑up position. The 2026 top‑10 roster also featured Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway at fourth, New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway at fifth, and the Blue Ridge Parkway spanning North Carolina and Virginia at sixth. Iconic routes such as Route 66, Louisiana’s Creole Nature Trail, the Pacific Coast Highway, and Montana’s Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road rounded out the list, illustrating the diversity of landscapes celebrated by readers across the United States.
Visitor Information and Resources
Prospective travelers can explore detailed maps, downloadable brochures, and comprehensive attraction listings for the Door County Coastal Byway at doorcountycoastalbyway.org. Additional resources include direct contact information for Square Rigger Lodge (920‑823‑2404, squareriggerlodge.com, facebook.com/squareriggerlodge) and Fresh Coast Motel (freshcoastmotel.com). Readers seeking the complete roster of 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST award winners are directed to 10best.usatoday.com/awards for further exploration.