Yes, the Packers. The Pack is nearly ubiquitous in Green Bay, from street names to the ever-present green, gold and white “G” of the team logo on tees, hats, and more…But there is much more to this city of 100,000+ on Lake Michigan. Whether you are in town for a Packers game or a wedding, on a road trip to Door County, or just a curious traveler, there is much to do, see, and eat.
Green Bay, so named for the bay’s greenish water, is the oldest city in Wisconsin, settled as a fur-trading post in 1634. Due in part to the Fox River that runs south from the bay, it became an important port and economic center, particularly in manufacturing, paper production, and agriculture.
We found Green Bay (also nicknamed Titletown) to be a very pleasant place to spend a few days. The people we encountered had a friendly, Midwestern charm, the city is clean and well-kept, and there is plenty to do. We expected a fair northern chill in late September but lucked into sun and 70s during the day, crisp 50s at night.
Here are our favorite things about Green Bay. When applicable, we share adult ticket prices for reference. Rates may be lower for students, seniors, and other eligible groups.
BAY BEACH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (free admission) is the largest park in the area at 535 acres. It immediately feels remote. Shocking that downtown Green Bay is just 15 minutes away. The Sanctuary hosts more than 6,500 orphaned and injured animals each year, and you can see and learn about many of them as you roam the park. We saw a diverse array of animals, including otters, a cougar, a coyote, a tarantula, turkeys, an owl, and a snake that slithered across our path on one of the several walking trails.
We really enjoyed our stroll through the woods and marshland, which hold great opportunities for bird-watching. And the Sanctuary hosts a full slate of events, including educational programs, urban fishing, and weddings.
The Sanctuary is located off of Bay Beach Road, where you will also find the Bay Beach Amusement Park with rides, games, and playgrounds, and a handful of waterfront parks along a pretty drive where you can enjoy the shoreline.
Ledgestone Vineyards
Ledgestone is located in Greenleaf, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Green Bay at the foot of “The Ledge,” or the Niagara Escarpment, which provides ideal soil for growing grapes. The vines occupy about seven of the property’s fifteen acres. Ledgestone was established in 1999, and the current owners, an enterprising wine-loving couple, purchased the business in 2017. While the Vineyard imports some grapes from the West Coast, its primary focus is on crafting the finest wines from Wisconsin grapes.
We tasted seven different wines and found them to be quite good, easy-drinking. Ledgestone describes the flavors as “approachable and fruit-driven,” and we agree..We also appreciated the artful label designs.
Ledgestone also produces a range of craft beers — unfortunately, we didn’t sample them on this visit — and serves local favorites. The indoor bar/restaurant is cozy and looks out to a patio where the vineyard hosts concerts that sometimes draw an audience of hundreds to a sprawling lawn that abuts rows of grapevines. Wonderful spot to spend an afternoon.
THE GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Green Bay Botanical Garden ($15 for adults) is a 47-acre gem. Well-conceived and a lovely place for people of all ages to spend a few hours among more than 120,000 plants, and grounds dotted with charming modern structures and sculptures.
The Botanical Garden also has a large pond, plenty of benches for quiet moments, and a large, fancifully designed children’s play area, including a splash pad. Walking paths are clearly marked, and about half are wheelchair-friendly. Electric scooters are available. Educational programs are held throughout the year, and there is a very nice amphitheater for concerts during warm weather.
FAVORITE BREAKFASTS/BRUNCH/LUNCH – THE CREAMERY & OAKLEY’S
THE CREAMERY
The Creamery is located downtown on the City Deck, a pedestrian walkway along the Fox River. Great location. This cozy establishment serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch–handcrafted dishes that incorporate locally sourced ingredients.
The menu is a mix of comfort-food staples, local specialties, and playful interpretations of Eggs Benedict and hash. We tried several dishes, including a flight of Benedicts, all delicious, flavorful, and generously portioned: Smokehouse Hash (pulled pork), solid biscuits and gravy, and a moist and satisfyingly dense skillet cornbread with honey butter. Hard to pick a favorite, but the Pork Carnitas Benedict was special, and the Smokehouse Hash wasn’t far behind. (Do you sense a theme?)
OAKLEY’S
Oakley’s is a cute cafe in nearby De Pere, five miles from downtown Green Bay on the banks of the Fox River. Charming. (Bonus charm: it’s named after the owner’s dog). They serve breakfast, lunch, and brunch, featuring elevated, creative options, like pancake flights and fancy Benedicts. We had the Wisconsin omelet and French Toast sticks, both of which were quite tasty. The service was very friendly and warm.
FAVORITE DINNERS – JAKE’S PIZZA & BISTRO BUCHANAN
JAKE’S PIZZA
We loved this lively and casual downtown pizza spot. Jake served his “Superior” pizza on the East side for 40 years, and now sisters Cara and Brook serve his original recipes and others at this West Side location with plenty of indie charm, tin ceilings and walls, a friendly community vibe.
Note: Jake’s is not your place if you are in a rush. Service is attentive and welcoming, but the pizza famously takes about 45 minutes to prepare. We met up with an old college friend of Chris’s, and while we waited, we enjoyed some local beers, their signature meatball and Tracy Bread, a soft, flat bread with melted cheese accompanied by our choice of dipping sauce, which was Asiago. Both apps were delicious.
We ordered two pizzas – one pepperoni and onion, one with mushrooms and sausage. They arrived cut into small snack-size pieces, great for sharing. From the looks of the thin, crunchy crusts with curled edges, they appeared to have been cooked in skillets. Both were scrumptious.
BISTRO BUCHANAN
If you’re looking for something more upscale, try Bistro Buchanan, which recently opened in the historic Bellin Building downtown—great spot for a well-made cocktail followed by an elegant meal. One oddity is the practice of sitting customers at the bar while the table is being prepared, but we didn’t mind because the bartender made a mean Old Fashioned, and we enjoyed chatting with her.
The kitchen is run by Chef Bernard Beronio, who also consults at other restaurants in the area. We started with the Calimari, and for mains, Chris had the Steak Frites, and Trae had the Seafood Ravioli. The food was delicious all around, especially the ravioli, which was one of our favorite dishes from this trip. Be aware that the restaurant closes at 8 pm, so plan accordingly.
FAVORITE DRINKS & SNACKS – TITLETOWN BREWERY & COPPER STATE BREWERY
At the recommendation of the folks at Budget Rent-A-Car, we checked out Titletown Brewery, the area’s original craft brewery, founded in 1996. It was initially located in the historic Chicago & Northwestern Railway Passenger Depot, but in 202, it moved across the street to the likewise historic Larsen Canning Buildings. The large ground-floor Tap Room has high ceilings and a wall of vintage pinball machines.
We went up to the rooftop Sky Lounge, a large open indoor bar space with an outdoor patio overlooking the depot and the Fox River. Their in-house craft beers were very good, as were the signature cocktails, including the Huckleberry Mule. Our two snacks were also quite good: the giant pretzel with beer-cheese dipping sauce — a local staple — and the pork tamale.
We also liked the Copper State Brewery downtown, where we sat at a table on their outdoor patio and enjoyed delicious craft beers and a delicious margarita. The indoor bar was also comfortable, and the staff were on point and gracious. We didn’t eat there, but the food looked tasty. Another good find!
NICHE: HERITAGE HILL & THE AUTOMOBILE GALLERY
HISTORY
If you’re a history buff, the Heritage Hill State Historical Park ($13 per adult) is an interesting place to stroll the grounds and learn more about local history and culture.
The park, which opened in 1977 and sits on 50-plus acres provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is home to 25 historic buildings that were relocated to the grounds, and a handful of reconstructed buildings. These include a fur-trade cabin, blacksmith and printing shops, a young men’s club, a medical clinic, and Fort Howard, originally built in 1833-1835, complete with jail and officers’ residences. You can take a self-guided tour, on which you’ll encounter period-costumed guides demonstrating techniques of baking, printing, and so forth. We spent a fair bit of time talking with a few of the guides, and we’re glad we did. We also witnessed a reenactment of a canoe landing on the Fox River shore.
CARS
Car enthusiasts will enjoy the Automobile Gallery & Event Center ($15 per adult), which opened in 2016 in a former Cadillac dealership. The several rooms feature dozens of meticulously maintained vehicles from a 113-year-old Model T to a 1941 Buick Roadmaster and a rare 2020 Ford GT. The venue also hosts rotating exhibits and events. We lucked into an extensive James Bond exhibit courtesy of The Ian Fleming Foundation, featuring several cars that we immediately recognized from Bond movies, including the amphibious white sports car from The Spy Who Loved Me.
WHERE WE STAYED – HOTEL NORTHLAND
The Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection, has been operating since 1924. The building is gorgeous inside and out. The main lobby merits a special nod for its original tile floors, dark woodwork, and the grand main desk. The rooms have been updated, but are stylish and quite comfortable. Ours offered a nice view of downtown.
The Northland has 160 guest rooms and event spaces for meetings and weddings, including the eye-catching Art Deco Crystal Ballroom. There are two restaurants/bars on site: the upscale Walnut Room and the casual Poke the Bear. The Northland also has one of the best hotel gyms we’ve used, and it was almost always empty when we went. *Several of the above establishments hosted us. This did not affect our recommendations.
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