Set on the bay of Lake Michigan where the Fox River meets the water, Green Bay is Wisconsin’s oldest settlement and its third-largest city. Once a fur-trading and papermaking hub, it’s known worldwide today as “Titletown” — home of the Green Bay Packers. Beyond football, you’ll find botanical gardens, riverfront parks, living-history museums and Niagara Escarpment waterfalls. Here are the 25 best things to do in Green Bay.
Fun Facts About Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is Wisconsin’s oldest permanent settlement, tracing back to a French trading post established after Jean Nicolet landed here in 1634.
It’s nicknamed “Titletown USA” for the Green Bay Packers’ record haul of NFL championships.
The Packers are the only community-owned team in major American pro sports, held by hundreds of thousands of shareholders rather than a single owner.
At around 107,000 residents, Green Bay is the smallest market in North American major pro sports, yet packs Lambeau Field for every game.
Founded in 1919 by Earl “Curly” Lambeau, the Packers are the third-oldest franchise in the NFL.
The surrounding Niagara Escarpment gives the area dramatic dolomite cliffs and waterfalls, seen at Fonferek’s Glen and Wequiock Falls.
Lambeau Field is the beating heart of Green Bay and its single most iconic attraction. Home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers, this open-air stadium at 1265 Lombardi Avenue carries the name of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Book a stadium tour and you'll walk the same player tunnel the team runs through, soaking up decades of gridiron history along the way.
Beyond game day, the stadium is a year-round destination. Explore the Packers Hall of Fame to trace the franchise's storied past, wander the soaring Lambeau Field Atrium, and grab a meal at the 1919 Kitchen & Tap. Whether or not you catch a game, this is the place where Green Bay's football legacy truly comes alive.
Green Bay Botanical Garden invites you to wander through more than 10 distinct garden areas, each capturing one of northeastern Wisconsin's four seasons. This botanical garden at 2600 Larsen Road pairs bright flower displays with rare plants, so there's always something in bloom no matter when you visit.
Climb the Stumpf Belvedere for a sweeping viewpoint over the grounds, then let the little ones loose in the whimsical Children's Garden. Keep an eye out for the storybook Hobbit house tucked among the plantings. Open year-round, it's an easy, rewarding stop in any season.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame holds a special place in football history as the first hall of fame ever built to honor a single professional American football team. Since the 1970s, more than 160 individuals have earned induction, their stories woven into a tribute that celebrates one of the sport's most storied franchises and its deep community roots.
You'll find it spread across two levels of the Lambeau Field Atrium, where interactive displays and treasured artifacts trace the Packers' history from the early days to the present. It pairs naturally with a Lambeau Field visit, making it an easy addition to any day you spend exploring the stadium.
At the mouth of the Fox River, Bay Beach Amusement Park has entertained families for well over a century. Set right beside the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, it packs in around 23 rides, including a Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars and a giant slide, plus a food pavilion when you need to refuel.
The star of the show is the Zippin Pippin, a historic wooden roller coaster that delivers all the rattle and rush of a classic coaster. Best of all, the park is famous for its historically low-cost ride tickets, making it one of the easiest places in the city to keep the whole family happy without stretching your budget.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a 600-acre urban refuge where you can wander past live animal exhibits, watch wildlife up close, and browse educational displays that explain the ecosystems around you. It is a genuine pocket of wilderness inside the city, and admission is free, making it an easy stop for families or anyone craving fresh air.
Beyond the exhibits, miles of trails invite you to hike in warmer months or ski once the snow falls, and you can cast a line for some catch-and-release fishing. Keep an eye out for the free public programs too, from wolf feedings to owl talks, which turn a casual visit into a hands-on lesson in local nature.
NEW Zoo & Adventure Park sits on Reforestation Road and invites you to get closer to the animals than you might expect. This accredited zoo lets you hand-feed giraffes, join behind-the-scenes tours, and even sign up for a Zookeeper for a Day experience. For a bird's-eye view, ride the zip line out to an observation tower perched above the animal habitats.
Right next door, the Adventure Park keeps the energy going with ropes courses, more zip lines, and climbing challenges built for families and groups. It's an easy pairing for a full day out: meet the wildlife in the morning, then test your nerve on the aerial courses in the afternoon, all on one shared stretch of Green Bay countryside.
National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon is one of the oldest and largest institutions dedicated to preserving US railroad history, and it delivers on that scale. Wander through the 1940-1960 Passenger Experience, then stand beside the Union Pacific Big Boy #4017, one of only 25 of these colossal locomotives built during the 1940s.
Families will appreciate the children's discovery depot, where younger visitors can explore hands-on. When the weather warms, seasonal vintage train rides let you feel the rails firsthand. Between the towering engines and the stories they carry, this Broadway destination makes railroad heritage genuinely come alive for every kind of traveler.
Heritage Hill State Historical Park spreads across 56 acres near the Fox River as an open-air living-history museum. Its restored buildings walk you through four eras of northeastern Wisconsin, beginning with the region's early fur trade and the military days of Fort Howard, when this stretch of the river anchored frontier life.
From there, the grounds trace the growing community and the ethnic agricultural settlement built by Belgian and Brabant farmers. Wandering between the eras, you get a grounded, hands-on sense of how the area took shape, making it a rewarding stop for anyone curious about Green Bay's deeper roots.
Oneida Casino is Green Bay's largest gaming destination, run by the Oneida Nation and conveniently located near the airport. Spread across multiple locations, it packs in more than 2,400 slot and video games, so you'll never be short of a machine to try your luck on, whatever your budget or style.
Beyond the slots, you'll find table games, poker, bingo and off-track betting to round out the action. When you need a breather, the lounge hosts live music and performances, and several on-site dining options keep you fueled. It's an easy, all-in-one spot for an evening of entertainment.
The Automobile Gallery puts you behind the velvet ropes of a jaw-dropping car collection housed in the former Denil Cadillac dealership building in Green Bay. Many of the classic and rare vehicles here come from private collections, so the lineup rewards a slow, appreciative wander past machines you rarely see gathered in one place.
Range is the real thrill, spanning a 1923 T-Bucket and a 1934 Morgan to modern icons like a 2006 Ford GT and a 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo. Beyond the showroom floor, the venue doubles as event and meeting space, so you might catch the gleaming rows dressed up for a private gathering during your visit.
The Neville Public Museum sits near the Fox River between downtown Green Bay and the Broadway District, gathering the region's history, art and science under one roof. Its permanent collection tops a million items chronicling northern Wisconsin's past, from a mammoth tusk to ancient Egyptian artifacts and even a letter penned by George Washington.
Plan on lingering here, because the range of exhibits rewards a slow wander through deep time and local heritage alike. Traveling with kids? The hands-on Discovery Room gives them space to touch, explore and play, making this an easy stop that keeps every age curious and engaged.
Zippin Pippin recreates one of America’s oldest wooden roller coaster designs, and riding it puts you on a genuine piece of amusement-park history. The original Zippin Pippin dated to the 1910s in Memphis; this faithful replica was rebuilt at Bay Beach Amusement Park in 2011, giving the classic a second life. Its wooden frame and classic dips deliver an old-school thrill you rarely find anymore.
It is easy to see why this is one of the park's most popular rides. Families line up for the nostalgic charm, while thrill-seekers appreciate the rattling drops that only a vintage wooden coaster can offer. Whether you are chasing history or simply want a fun ride, the Zippin Pippin makes for a memorable stop during your visit to Green Bay.
Packers Heritage Trail winds through Green Bay and De Pere, tracing the roots of one of football's most storied franchises. Maintained by the Packers Hall of Fame since 2011, this free self-guided trail marks 25 historic sites with bronze commemorative plaques, each telling a piece of the team's early story across the city where it all began.
Fourteen of those plaques sit downtown, forming an easy walking loop you can tackle in an afternoon on foot. Prefer to cover more ground? The trail also lends itself to biking or driving, letting you connect the outlying markers at your own pace. However you explore it, admission is free and the history is yours to discover.
Titletown is a year-round entertainment district the Packers built right next to Lambeau Field, so there's always a reason to visit no matter the season. On game days it buzzes with pre-kickoff activities, while the rest of the year brings restaurants, bars, and lively seasonal night markets to explore.
Families gravitate to the huge playground and the open field of outdoor games and fitness programs. Come winter, the district transforms into a snowy playground of its own, with ice skating and tubing that turn a cold Wisconsin afternoon into one of the best reasons to bundle up and head outside.
Fonferek's Glen is a Brown County conservancy park just southeast of Green Bay, where the Niagara Escarpment shows off in miniature. Across roughly 75 acres you'll find a 30-foot waterfall spilling over dolomite cliffs, plus a natural stone archway carved from the same ancient rock. It's a pocket of dramatic geology hiding close to the city.
Time your visit for early spring or the days after heavy rain, when the falls run their fullest. A designated overlook offers an accessible vantage point right over the water, so you can take in the cascade and the layered cliffs without a scramble. It's an easy, rewarding detour when you want nature without venturing far.
Meyer Theatre has anchored downtown Green Bay's stage since 1930, and one look at its Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival design tells you why locals treasure it. As one of the few historic Fox theatres still operating anywhere, it carries a rare pedigree, and it continues to host live shows and performances that fill the seats.
The showstopper is the venue's restored Wurlitzer pipe organ, a towering instrument that rises roughly 16 feet and voices its music through more than 500 pipes. Catch it in action and you will understand why this beautifully preserved theatre remains a cornerstone of the city's arts scene and a genuine treat to experience.
Green Bay Distillery pairs a working craft distillery with a full restaurant, just off Mike McCarthy Way near Ray Nitschke Field and within walking distance of Lambeau Field. It produces Green Bay Vodka and other small-batch spirits, so you can sip the results right where they are made. Game-day or not, it is an easy stop.
Settle in at the full bar for signature cocktails, then dig into a menu built around Wisconsin flavors. When the weather cooperates, the garage doors roll up to open the indoor/outdoor patio to the air. A large banquet space handles bigger gatherings, so you can arrive solo, with friends, or with a whole crowd.
The Children's Museum of Green Bay is a hands-on playground for young minds, sitting just a short stroll from Bay Beach Amusement Park. Kids climb into interactive exhibits like Get Up & Get Moving, which explores how muscles work, wander through a giant walk-through Digestive System, and play pretend caretaker at the on-site Vet Clinic.
There's more here than open-ended play. The museum runs hands-on workshops and events throughout the year, from LEGO literacy building sessions that pair storytelling with construction to Science Saturdays packed with experiments. It's an easy, energetic stop that keeps curious little ones engaged while sneaking in plenty of learning along the way.
Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve spreads across roughly 920 acres of forest, meadow and wetland along the west shore of the bay of Green Bay. This Brown County refuge invites you to slow down and take in a quiet mix of habitats, where the landscape shifts from wooded stretches to open marsh right at the water's edge.
Stop by the Interpretive Center for hands-on programs covering maple syrup, orienteering and wilderness survival. About nine miles of scenic hiking trails wind through the preserve, giving you plenty of room to roam on foot in the warmer months and to explore on cross-country skis once winter snow settles in.
The City Deck is a quarter-mile riverfront boardwalk running along the east bank of the Fox River, stretching between the Walnut and Main Street bridges in the heart of downtown Green Bay. Platforms reach out over the water, giving you front-row views of the river and a genuine sense of being part of the city's social pulse.
As the social heart of downtown, this boardwalk earns its keep with a splash pad for cooling off, plenty of room for evening walks, and open space that hosts yoga classes, dining, and live music. Come for a quiet stroll along the Fox River or linger for whatever gathering happens to unfold.
Ashwaubomay Lake is a family-friendly, man-made lake just outside Green Bay in Ashwaubenon, tucked near the Fox River. Its zero-depth sand beach eases you gently into the water, making it a favorite with families. Splash around the swimming beach, launch off diving boards and slides, or spike a game on the sand volleyball courts.
When you need a break from the water, there's a shaded picnic area to spread out a lunch and a playground to keep the kids busy. It's a classic summer swimming spot, so plan your visit for the warmer months when the beach is open and the water is calling.
Wequiock Falls sits in a small Brown County park northeast of Green Bay, just off Highway 57, where a stream tumbles into a ravine carved from the Niagara Escarpment. An old stone bridge crosses above the falls, and stone stairs lead down into the gorge so you can take in the cascade from below.
Time your visit for spring or the days after heavy rain, when the water runs strongest; by dry summer the flow slows to a trickle. While you are here, look for the Jean Nicolet monument, a nod to the region's early history that gives this quiet roadside stop an extra layer of interest.
Leicht Memorial Park sits on the west shore of the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, and it's a favorite riverfront gathering spot. Through the summer, the grounds host festivals right by the water, including the Tall Ship Festival, where you can watch historic wooden ships glide in and even climb aboard to explore their decks.
When the crowds thin, the park is just as rewarding for a quiet visit. Follow the walking trails as they trace the riverbank, or drop a line from one of the shore fishing spots and watch the Fox River drift past. It's an easy, scenic stop that anchors the downtown waterfront.
Hazelwood Historic House Museum stands in Green Bay's Astor Historic District at 1008 South Monroe Avenue, and it's one of the earliest houses in Brown County still sitting on its original site. This Greek Revival home is furnished to reflect the Victorian era, offering you an intimate look at how a prominent local family once lived along the river.
Cared for by the Brown County Historical Society, the house opens seasonally for guided tours. You can choose the standard visit or add on special options, including a tour paired with formal tea or an architectural walking tour that explores the surrounding neighborhood and its historic homes.
Green Isle Park spreads along the East River in Allouez, just outside the city proper in the Green Bay metro area and a short hop from Heritage Hill State Park. It is one of those year-round spots that rewards every kind of visitor, whether you are chasing a workout, a lazy picnic, or a quiet afternoon by the water.
Sports fans will find courts and fields for basketball, baseball, softball, tennis and soccer, while families gravitate toward the playgrounds and designated picnic areas. Cast a line into the river, wander the walking and biking trails, or rent the pavilion for a bigger gathering. The park is managed by the Village of Allouez.
Getting to Green Bay
Green Bay sits at the northern end of Wisconsin’s main interstate spine. Interstate 41 runs up from the Milwaukee metro and the state’s southeast, meeting Interstate 43 in the metro area, while I-43 arcs around the city as its northern and eastern loop and continues down the Lake Michigan side toward Milwaukee; US 41 and US 141 also feed into the same interchange, and a beltway route carries the southern loop. If you are driving in from anywhere in the eastern half of the state, you will almost certainly arrive on one of these.
The city has its own commercial airport a few miles southwest of downtown, with regional and connecting service, so it is easy to fly in directly. Many travelers who want a wider choice of flights instead land at the larger hub airport in the Milwaukee area and drive up, roughly two hours south along the interstate. There is no direct passenger rail into Green Bay, but the city is a stop on intercity bus routes, and its downtown transit and bus center serves as the arrival point for long-distance coaches.
Getting Around Green Bay
The compact downtown and the riverfront district along the Fox River are pleasant to explore on foot, with walkable blocks of shops, eateries, and public spaces, and the stadium district on the west side is its own tidy cluster you can wander once you have parked. Beyond those pockets, though, Green Bay is a spread-out, car-shaped city: the botanical garden, the amusement park and wildlife sanctuary on the bay, and the zoo and adventure park on the outskirts are all far enough apart that a car makes the trip far easier.
A local bus network links downtown with the main neighborhoods and shopping areas, and rideshare and taxis are available for shorter hops, so a determined visitor can manage without driving. Cyclists benefit from a growing set of riverside and rail-trail paths. Parking is rarely a headache away from the immediate downtown core, and even in the center you will find lots and garages; the one predictable exception is a Packers game day, when the streets around the stadium fill up and it pays to arrive early.
Where to Stay in Green Bay
For a first visit, basing yourself downtown along the Fox River puts you within walking distance of restaurants, the riverwalk, and nightlife, and keeps you central to the rest of the metro. The stadium district on the west side is the natural choice for anyone whose trip centers on Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame, with a dense knot of lodging, dining, and game-day energy built up around the ground.
Travelers who want quieter nights and an easy in-and-out often stay near the interstate interchanges and the airport corridor southwest of the center, where getting back on the highway for a day trip is simple. Families drawn to the bayfront attractions may prefer the north and east sides closer to the amusement park, wildlife sanctuary, and open water, while the university area on the east side offers a calmer, residential base still within a short drive of everything.
Where to Eat in Green Bay
Downtown and the Broadway district on the west bank of the Fox River hold the densest run of restaurants, cafes, and taprooms, while the neighborhoods around the stadium lean into hearty, tailgate-friendly cooking. This is Wisconsin, so cheese is everywhere: expect fried cheese curds, cheese-topped everything, and a strong craft-beer and supper-club tradition, the last of which means a relaxed sit-down meal built around a broiled or fried fish, a hand-cut steak, and a brandy old fashioned.
Local specialties to seek out include a Friday fish fry, a beer-brat simmered and grilled the Wisconsin way, and the region’s booyah, a slow-simmered communal stew with deep local roots. Belgian heritage shows up on the east side in the pillowy fruit-filled pastry known as a Belgian pie, and the German and Central European bloodlines of the area surface in sausages, schnitzels, and bakery rye. Cap a meal with frozen custard, the Upper Midwest’s richer answer to soft-serve.
One Day in Green Bay
Green Bay rewards a day that starts outdoors on the bayfront, works its way through Titletown’s green-and-gold heart, and lands downtown for dinner and a show — here’s how to string the best of it together.
Morning: Beat the crowds with an early hour at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, the free 700-acre refuge on the east shore where boardwalk trails loop past ponds, resident raptors, and grazing deer while the day is still cool and quiet. When the gates next door open, drift over to Bay Beach Amusement Park to ride the Zippin Pippin — the reborn wooden coaster once said to be Elvis Presley’s favorite — and let the little ones burn off energy before the heat sets in. Families traveling with young kids can swap in The Children’s Museum of Green Bay, a short hop up the same eastern corridor.
Afternoon: Point the car southwest to the one address every visitor comes for. Lambeau Field anchors an afternoon on its own: tour the bowl, then dig into a century of Vince Lombardi trophies and frozen-tundra lore at the adjacent Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Stretch your legs across the street in Titletown, the plaza-and-park district built around the stadium, before shifting downtown for a riverside walk along The City Deck, the boardwalk that stitches the Fox River waterfront back into the city’s core.
Evening: Stay downtown as the light softens. Book a seat for a concert or touring act at the restored 1930s Meyer Theatre, or trade the marquee for craft cocktails and a hearty supper at the Green Bay Distillery in the shadow of Lambeau. If you can steal a second day, save it for the drives that deserve one — the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park north of town, or the modest cascade at rural Wequiock Falls out toward the Door County road.
Free Things to Do in Green Bay
You don’t need to spend a cent to enjoy some of Green Bay’s best experiences. The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary offers free admission to its 600-acre urban refuge, complete with animal exhibits, trails and free public programs like wolf feedings and owl talks. The self-guided Packers Heritage Trail lets you follow 25 bronze plaques through the city’s football history at no charge.
Downtown, the riverfront City Deck boardwalk is free to stroll, with a splash pad and frequent live music, while Leicht Memorial Park hosts waterfront festivals through the summer. For a scenic drive out of town, the Brown County parks at Wequiock Falls and Fonferek’s Glen are free to explore, offering waterfalls and Niagara Escarpment cliffs just minutes from the city.
Day Trips from Green Bay
The obvious escape is the peninsula that reaches northeast into the lake, about an hour up the shore, a string of small harbor villages, orchards, lighthouses, and state parkland that is the region’s signature getaway. Roughly an hour south along the lakeshore, Sheboygan pairs a working harbor and beaches with celebrated dune-and-lake scenery just beyond town, and it makes an easy half- or full-day outing.
For a bigger adventure, drive a bit under an hour south to the ferry port on Lake Michigan and cross by car ferry to the Michigan shore: Ludington sits right where the boat lands, with its own state-park beaches and dunes, and Traverse City lies less than two hours further up the Michigan coast in cherry-and-vineyard country. Either crossing turns the lake itself into part of the trip rather than a detour around it.
FAQ: Visiting Green Bay
What is Green Bay best known for?
Green Bay is best known as the home of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field, earning it the nickname “Titletown.” It’s also Wisconsin’s oldest settlement, with deep roots in the fur trade, papermaking and Fox River shipping.
How many days do you need in Green Bay?
Two to three days is ideal. That’s enough time to tour Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame, explore museums and the botanical garden, and take a half-day trip to the area’s waterfalls and nature preserves.
When is the best time to visit Green Bay?
Green Bay rewards visitors year-round. Summer brings festivals, boating and the Bay Beach Amusement Park; fall pairs vivid color with football season; winter offers ice skating and cozy indoor attractions; and spring is the best time to catch the waterfalls at full flow.
Is Green Bay worth visiting if you’re not a football fan?
Absolutely. Alongside its football landmarks, Green Bay has a botanical garden, a wildlife sanctuary, a zoo and adventure park, historic house museums, a riverfront boardwalk and scenic county parks — plenty to fill a trip without stepping inside a stadium.
Is Green Bay a good destination for families?
Yes. The historically low-cost Bay Beach Amusement Park, the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, the Children’s Museum and the sandy beach at Ashwaubomay Lake make Green Bay an easy and affordable family trip.
What outdoor activities are there around Green Bay?
The area offers trails and wildlife viewing at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, waterfalls and cliffs at Fonferek’s Glen and Wequiock Falls, riverfront walks along the City Deck, and summer swimming at Ashwaubomay Lake.
How far is Green Bay from Milwaukee?
Green Bay is roughly two hours’ drive north of Milwaukee, following I-43 up the Lake Michigan shore, making it an easy weekend trip from southeastern Wisconsin. Break the drive along the shore in Sheboygan, the lakefront surf-and-bratwurst town roughly halfway down I-43.
