26 Fun Things to Do in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 2026
Green Bay is a city of about a hundred thousand people that somehow carries the weight of a national obsession. Fans know it as the home of the Packers, the only publicly owned team in major American professional sports, and many arrive with a stadium tour and little else on their list. They leave surprised.
The city also holds a quarter-a-ride amusement park with a wooden roller coaster that Elvis once loved, a botanical garden that lights up a one mile path every winter, a steam locomotive the size of a small building, and a waterfront that fills up with cyclists, kayakers and brewery regulars. Beyond the headline sights sit waterfalls on the Niagara Escarpment, a historic house where Wisconsin's constitution took shape, a Marian shrine, and food traditions you will not find anywhere else.
This guide covers twenty-six fun things to do in Green Bay, then sorts them for the way people actually plan: free picks, family picks, rainy day picks, couples ideas, seasonal picks, a game day weekend plan, where to stay, day trips, and itineraries for one, two and three days. Prices and hours shift with the season, so confirm them on each attraction's official site before you go.
| At a glance | What to know |
|---|---|
| Last updated | |
| Best time to visit | June to September for Bay Beach and outdoor sights. Late November to December for Garden of Lights and winter tubing. |
| Time needed | One day for the highlights, two to three days for a relaxed trip. |
| Parking | Free at Bay Beach and plentiful around Lambeau Field outside game days. |
| Getting around | A car or rideshare helps. The stadium and Titletown cluster is walkable, and so is downtown. |
| Payments | Titletown is cashless, so carry a card. Bay Beach sells ride tickets for 25 cents each. |
| Nearest airport | Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, a few minutes from Lambeau Field. |
Jump to: Lambeau · Titletown · Heritage Trail · Bay Beach · Wildlife Sanctuary · NEW Zoo · Children's Museum · Botanical Garden · Waterfalls · Baird Creek · Barkhausen · CityDeck · Fox River Trail · Fox River Locks · Meyer Theatre · Curling · Railroad Museum · Neville Museum · Heritage Hill · Hazelwood · Oneida Museum · Automobile Gallery · Mulva Center · Art Garage · Shrine · Minahan Crypt
Green Bay Map: Where the Fun Things to Do Are
Green Bay spreads out along the Fox River where it meets the bay, so it helps to think in clusters. This simple map groups the attractions by area and works on any phone screen, with no app to open.
Start in the yellow downtown box if you are staying in the center, and group each day by the boxes that sit close together. The zoo, Garden, Bay Beach and the waterfalls each deserve their own slice of a day, because a drive links them.
Start with the stadium, then let the city surprise you. The places below are grouped by the kind of day they make, and each one carries the practical detail you need to decide if it earns a slot in your plan. Every entry opens with the fun part, meaning what you actually get to do, before the practical detail. For a wider trip, our guide to the best things to do in Wisconsin shows where Green Bay fits in the state.
Fun Things to Do for Football and Packers Fans
1. Tour Lambeau Field
A cathedral of cold air, brass and bratwurst. The fun part is stepping into one of the most famous stadiums in sports and letting the size of it sink in. Lambeau Field opened in 1957 and sits in the middle of ordinary neighborhoods, which is part of its charm. Houses and bars crowd its edges, and on game weekends the air smells of charcoal and grilled sausage long before you see the stands. Stadium tours take you through the concourse and the bowl, and the Packers Hall of Fame inside the Atrium gives the franchise's championship history a proper room.
The Pro Shop next door is worth a lap even if you buy nothing. On or near a home game, reserve tours online ahead of time and expect hotels across the region to fill early. Behind-the-scenes tours also take in the locker rooms and the player tunnel, which is where the building's size finally sinks in. The Hall of Fame includes the Oneida Nation Walk of Legends, a nod to the Indigenous history of this ground.
Football knowledge is optional here. The stadium is a lesson in how a small city came to own a major league team, and occasional concerts and large events add variety outside the season. Give yourself two to three hours, and arrive early if you want to browse the shop before the tour.
2. Play at Titletown District
The Packers' backyard, open to everyone. Come ready to play, because this place is built for sliding, skating, lawn games and a drink afterward. Titletown sits just west of the stadium and turns the area into a year-round park. Ariens Hill is a 46 foot slope that serves as a snow tubing run in winter, with snowmaking machines keeping the lanes in shape and a 42 inch minimum height for riders. In warmer months it becomes open lawn, and the playground, games and a small football field are free to use.
Skating happens on Hy-Vee Plaza in winter. Titletown does not take cash, and adults complete a one time waiver online before tubing or skating, so do that on your phone beforehand and skip the line. 46 Below and Rockwood Terrace anchor the event and dining side, and current hours and prices are on the Titletown site.
The district works best as a pairing with a Lambeau tour, since the two sit within a short walk of each other. Families can burn off energy on the lawn while adults grab a drink at a nearby brewery, and winter visitors can stack tubing and skating into a single evening. Plan one to three hours depending on the season, and check the event calendar before you arrive, because concerts and game day programs change how busy the space feels.
3. Follow the Packers Heritage Trail
A city history lesson, one bronze plaque at a time. Think of it as a scavenger hunt for football fans, where each plaque is a small prize and the whole route is free. The Packers Heritage Trail is a self-guided route of commemorative bronze plaques scattered around downtown Green Bay, separate from Lambeau Field and Titletown. The markers point to places tied to the team's early decades, including sites linked to founder Curly Lambeau, old playing fields and railroad history that shaped the city.
Most visitors head straight for the stadium gates and never learn that the story began in ordinary downtown streets. Walking or cycling the trail connects the franchise to the neighborhoods it grew out of, and it costs nothing. You can sample a handful of plaques in an hour or turn the full route into a leisurely afternoon.
The trail pairs well with the CityDeck, the Neville Public Museum and the Fox River State Trail, so it fits easily into a downtown day. It is also a good idea for travelers who want football flavor without a ticket, a tour fee or a crowd. Bring comfortable shoes, download or pick up a trail guide before you start, and treat each plaque as a small stop that rewards a few minutes of reading. Check the plaque locations before you go so you can plan a loop that fits your time.
Fun Things to Do with Family and Animals
4. Ride the Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach Amusement Park
Twenty five cents a ticket and the wind off the bay. The fun here is how cheaply you get to feel like a kid again, with a roller coaster ride that costs less than a coffee. Bay Beach has been operating on the shore of Green Bay since 1892, and it still runs on a ticket system that feels like a county fair. Admission and parking are free, tickets cost 25 cents each, and most rides take between one and four of them. The star is the Zippin Pippin, a wooden coaster rebuilt in 2011 from the Memphis original that Elvis Presley rode so often he rented the park.
Since the 2024 season it takes six tickets, which makes a ride $1.50, and riders need to be 48 inches tall. The Ferris wheel, bumper cars, giant slide, lakeside train and vintage flat rides round out a place where a family can spend an afternoon on a few dollars. The city runs two ticket windows, one near the main pavilion and one near the Zippin Pippin, and the park reported record ridership in May 2026.
The city's official Bay Beach page posts seasonal hours. The park runs from May through September, so it belongs in a summer plan. Late evening is the best time to ride, when the heat fades and the lights come on across the midway.
5. Wander Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
Quiet trails across the road from the screaming rides. Expect a slow, free wander where geese cross the path and wildlife turns up in unexpected places. Directly across from the amusement park, the sanctuary is a free urban refuge of more than 535 acres, open year-round. An indoor interpretive center explains the plants and animals of the region, and outdoor habitats have included wolves and a cougar, with Canada geese wandering freely along the paths.
The animals on display change with the rescues the staff are working on. Many first-time visitors confuse the sanctuary with the amusement park, so remember that they are neighbors and pair them in one afternoon. The sanctuary is the ideal first stop, since the trails are calm in the morning and the geese are at their most photogenic.
Because admission is free, it anchors the budget side of any Green Bay trip. Families with toddlers can wander the flat paths without a ticket system, and birders will find waterfowl and woodland species along the bay. Allow one to two hours, wear shoes that can handle mud after rain, and bring a camera or binoculars if you have them.
Rainy mornings thin the crowds, and the quiet makes wildlife easier to spot. The sanctuary also pairs well with a Children's Museum visit, since the two share the same stretch of Bay Beach Road.
6. Zip Through the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park
A small zoo that lets you get close. This is the stop for a little adrenaline, whether you glide along a zip line or walk a treetop canopy above the animals. The NEW Zoo at 4418 Reforestation Road is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and keeps more than two hundred animals, with a strong lean toward species native to Wisconsin. The Neil Anderson Canopy Tour lifts you above the treetops for a bird's eye view of the grounds, and the neighboring Adventure Park adds zip lines, a climbing wall and a ropes course.
The zip lines and ropes course close for winter. In summer, Twilight Tours on the canopy run on one Saturday evening a month at 6 pm, and the zoo has offered free admission on days such as Mother's Day and Father's Day. Current rates are on the NEW Zoo site.
The zoo suits families with children of mixed ages, because younger kids can stay at ground level while older ones climb or zip. Plan three to four hours if you want both the zoo and the adventure side, and book zip line time early on summer weekends. October brings Halloween evenings, and winter visits are quieter and often cheaper. Pack snacks and layers, since much of the visit is outdoors, and arrive near opening time to see the animals at their most active.
7. Play at the Children's Museum of Green Bay
The rainy day rescue for the stroller set. This is a place for hands-on play, where the kids lead and the grown-ups follow. At 1230 Bay Beach Road, directly across from the amusement park, the Children's Museum suits kids roughly between ages one and ten. It runs a peanut-free policy and is an easy indoor add-on when weather turns during a Bay Beach afternoon.
The location is the real advantage. A family can spend the morning at the museum, walk across to the Wildlife Sanctuary for a picnic and finish with rides at the amusement park, all without moving the car. That clustering matters on a trip with small children, when every extra buckle and unbuckle costs patience.
Plan about ninety minutes to two hours, and aim for a weekday morning if you want the exhibits to yourself. Check the museum's hours before you go, since they shift by season and holiday. In winter, when the park rides are closed, the museum becomes the anchor of a bay shore day alongside the sanctuary trails.
Pack a snack and a change of clothes for messy play, and use the museum as the quiet hour in a day that otherwise runs on sugar and sound. Families with two children of different ages often find the museum easier than the rides, because everyone can play at once.
Fun Outdoor Things to Do: Gardens, Waterfalls and Wild Places
8. Stroll the Green Bay Botanical Garden
A mile of light in the darkest weeks of the year. The fun is wandering through color in summer or walking a glowing mile of lights in winter, whichever season you pick. The Garden sits at 2600 Larsen Road on the west side and is worth a visit in any season, from spring bulbs to autumn color. Families head for the Children's Garden, a 2.5 acre space with a maze and play features. The Garden of Lights, presented by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, is its winter showpiece, a one mile path of lightscapes that runs in the evening.
The 2026 season is scheduled for November 27 to 29, December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 30, from 4:30 to 9 pm. The Garden of Lights page has ticketing and themed nights, so check it before you plan around a specific date.
Outside the holidays, a slow lap takes about two hours. Photographers like the display gardens in early summer, and the fall palette draws walkers who want a quiet hour. Dress warmly for the lights, since the path is outdoors and the evenings turn sharp, and consider going on a weeknight to avoid the largest crowds.
Winter visitors should wear boots and hats, since the path is long and the cold settles in quickly after sunset. Spring and summer visitors can take their time over the display gardens and rest on benches along the way.
9. Chase Waterfalls at Wequiock Falls and Fonferek's Glen
The Niagara Escarpment runs straight through town. A short walk buys a big payoff here, since you end up beside a real waterfall that turns into an ice sculpture in winter. The same limestone and dolomite ridge that Niagara Falls spills over runs through the Green Bay area, and two small county parks let you see it up close. Fonferek's Glen, at 2825 Dutchman Road in Ledgeview, is a 75 acre park with a 30 foot waterfall, dolomite cliffs and a stone archway. A trail leads to an overlook, and the park is about fifteen minutes from Lambeau Field.
Wequiock Falls, at 3426 Bay Settlement Road northeast of the city, is a tiny three acre park tucked beside a bridge. A set of stone stairs leads down into the gorge for a close look at the falls, and the whole visit can take five minutes or an hour of photography. Both falls are strongest in spring and after rain, and they freeze into ice formations in winter.
Fonferek's Glen is open from 8 am to sunset and asks visitors to stay on the trail because the cliffs can be unstable. Pets are not allowed, and the waterfall may run thin in a dry summer. Both stops are free, which makes them a perfect pair for a nature-minded afternoon between bigger attractions.
10. Hike Baird Creek Greenway
A wild ravine inside the city limits. Lace up and get a little muddy, because this is the spot for trail running, mountain biking and a surprising amount of wilderness. Baird Creek Greenway is a stretch of rugged, undeveloped ravines, hardwood forest and creek valley that runs through Green Bay itself. Wooden footbridges cross the creek, and single-track trails draw mountain bikers, trail runners and walkers who prefer dirt to pavement.
Where the Botanical Garden offers manicured beds and ticketed events, the Greenway offers hundreds of acres of free, unpolished woods. Birders walk it in spring and fall for migrants, and snowshoers and cross-country skiers use it after a good snowfall. It is a favorite local secret, so you will find more locals than tourists on the trails.
Plan an hour or two, wear sturdy shoes, and expect mud after rain. The trails are best for travelers who like to move, and they pair nicely with a morning run before a day of sights. If you only have time for one green space and want something different from the usual garden walk, the Greenway delivers the wilder side of the city.
Park at a trailhead and keep your first walk short, so you can learn the terrain before you commit to a longer loop. Strollers are better suited to the smoother sections, and mountain bikers should be ready for roots and tight corners.
11. Go Birding at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve
Marsh, boardwalk and open sky north of the city. The fun is quiet and patient, a long boardwalk walk where one flock of birds can change your whole afternoon. The L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve sits in Suamico, just north of Green Bay, and covers nearly a thousand acres of coastal marsh and hardwood forest along the bay. More than nine miles of quiet trails and elevated boardwalks cross the wetlands, and the preserve lacks the commercial crowds that gather at the more famous stops.
It is a serious birding destination, especially during spring and fall migration, when waterfowl and shorebirds pass through in large numbers. In winter, the trails serve cross-country skiers who want silence and snow. The wide skies and long boardwalk views make it a good place to slow down after a busy day.
If wildlife is the draw of your trip, our guide to the best places to see bald eagles in the USA will help you plan beyond Wisconsin. Bring binoculars, bug spray in summer and layers in winter, and allow two hours for a first walk.
Go early in the morning or near sunset, when the light is soft and the birds are most active, and check conditions before a winter ski visit. The boardwalk stretches are flat and easy, so even casual walkers can enjoy them.
Fun Things to Do Along the River, Downtown and at Night
12. Stroll the CityDeck and the Fox River
Downtown's long, lazy front porch. Grab a patio table, watch the kayaks drift by and let an easy evening turn into a longer one. The CityDeck is a boardwalk along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, lined with restaurants and patios and busy on summer evenings. Kayakers and boaters share the water, and the walk connects easily to the Neville Public Museum and the downtown breweries. It is the best place in the city to watch the light fade over the river with a drink in your hand.
On summer Saturdays the Farmers Market on Broadway brings fresh produce and local makers to the nearby streets, which makes the waterfront a natural morning stop as well. The boardwalk is flat and stroller friendly, with benches along the way for a short rest.
Because the CityDeck is free to walk, it anchors a budget evening. Pair it with dinner at a riverside patio, and you have a plan that suits couples, groups and families alike. It is also close to the Packers Heritage Trail and the Meyer Theatre, so a single downtown day can cover all three on foot.
Parking is easiest in downtown lots and ramps, and an evening stroll after dinner is a good way to see the lights on the water. Rain tends to empty the boardwalk quickly, which also makes it a quiet place for a coat and umbrella walk.
13. Bike the Fox River State Trail
Free miles that start in the middle of downtown. Hop on a bike or just start walking, since the trail is flat, free and ready whenever you are. The trail begins in downtown Green Bay and follows the Fox River before running far into the countryside along a former rail corridor. Walkers can take a short riverside stretch from the CityDeck, and cyclists can go for a long day with almost no planning. It costs nothing, suits every season except deep snow, and ranks among the easiest ways to feel the city's relationship with its river.
Riverside parks such as Hagemeister Park and Voyageur Park give you places to stop, picnic or watch anglers cast into the current. The path is paved and gentle, which makes it friendly to families, casual cyclists and anyone who wants a long, easy stretch of fresh air.
Plan an hour for a short walk or a full day if you cycle far out of town. Bring water, since services thin out away from downtown, and check the weather before you set out. The trail also makes a good morning warm-up before museums and a downtown lunch.
Families can ride out and back to keep the distance flexible. In autumn, the trees along the river turn the route into one of the prettiest free rides in the region.
14. Watch Boats at the Fox River Locks and De Pere Riverwalk
Living engineering history along the river. Watching a boat rise or fall in a historic lock is oddly satisfying, and the riverwalk makes it easy to linger. The Lower Fox River lock system dates to the mid-nineteenth century, when locks let steamships bypass rapids that had blocked the river for generations. In De Pere, the riverwalk and the Lock Tender's House let you see that history up close, with the dam and lock area just steps from the water.
Most travelers who walk the paved Fox River trails never realize they are beside one of the great working legacies of the region. The locks reward a short stop, and a few minutes of watching boats pass through makes the old system feel alive. In spring, the De Pere dam area draws anglers after walleye, who stand in the rapids right against the city skyline.
The riverwalk is free and pairs well with a coffee or lunch in downtown De Pere. It also fits neatly with the Mulva Cultural Center and the Oneida Nation Museum, so a southern day can combine river history, art and Indigenous heritage. Plan one to two hours for the riverwalk alone.
Bring a camera for the dam and the old stone work, and check the lock schedule if you hope to watch a boat pass through. The setting is calmer than the stadium district, which makes it a pleasant pause in a busy trip.
15. Catch a Show at the Meyer Theatre
A historic downtown stage for the evening. A night out here means live music, comedy or theatre in a historic room, followed by a late bite nearby. The Meyer Theatre is a restored downtown venue that hosts touring musicians, comedians and local productions. For larger performances, the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on the UW-Green Bay campus is the other major stage. Check both calendars when you book, since a good show can anchor an evening you have otherwise left open.
The Meyer's historic exterior is a downtown landmark, and the room feels intimate compared with a stadium or arena. Show nights bring a steady flow of diners to the nearby restaurants and breweries, so the surrounding blocks feel lively. A pre-show dinner on the CityDeck or at a downtown taproom makes a complete evening.
Tickets for popular acts sell out, so book early if a performer you love is passing through. The theatre suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants to spend a night off from football and rides. It also gives winter visitors an indoor option after a day of tubing or skating.
Arrive thirty minutes early to find parking and settle in. Smaller shows tend to feel close to the stage, which suits travelers who prefer an intimate night over a large arena.
16. Try Curling at the Green Bay Curling Club
Slide, sweep and stay for the drinks afterward. This is the most unexpected thing on the list and probably the one you will talk about longest, because you get to throw a stone down the ice and shout at your teammates to sweep. Curling is an iconic Upper Midwest passion, and the Green Bay Curling Club hosts learn to curl sessions where complete beginners can try the sport. Newcomers throw granite stones weighing about forty pounds, sweep the ice with brooms and discover how much strategy hides inside the slow glide.
The social side is half the fun. After a match, players take part in broomstacking, the tradition of sitting down for a drink with your opponents, so even a first-timer leaves with a handful of new acquaintances. It is a fresh answer to the question of what to do in winter, when most guides send everyone to the same tubing hill.
Sessions run in the colder months and fill up, so check the club's schedule and book ahead. Dress in layers, wear clean flat-soled shoes and plan on about two hours. Groups of friends, couples and curious families all enjoy it, and it makes a memorable story to bring home.
Wear layers you can shed, since the ice is cold but the sweeping warms you up quickly, and keep your phone in a zipped pocket. A beginner session is also a rare chance to meet locals in a relaxed setting.
Fun Things to Do for History, Art and Culture Lovers
17. Climb Aboard at the National Railroad Museum
Iron giants parked on the prairie. Climb aboard, stand beside a giant locomotive and let the kids play engineer. The star here is the Big Boy, one of the huge articulated steam locomotives built for the Union Pacific and often described as the largest steam locomotive ever built. Standing beside it, you notice the wheels first, taller than a person. The museum also holds General Dwight Eisenhower's World War II command train, and in season it runs train rides on the grounds.
The outdoor collection is the main event, so go on a dry day and check the museum's calendar for ride dates. Interactive exhibits indoors explain how railroads shaped Wisconsin towns, which makes the visit worthwhile for adults as well as children.
Plan an hour and a half to two hours. Kids enjoy climbing aboard the preserved cars, and rail fans will want extra time to read the details. It sits on the south side of the city, a short drive from Lambeau Field, so the two combine into one big west side day.
The grounds are large, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat in summer. Photographers enjoy the way the locomotives look against open sky, and rail fans can spend an hour just walking the length of the Big Boy and reading the details.
18. Explore the Neville Public Museum of Brown County
The region's story, told along the Fox River. The fun here is discovery, since each gallery turns local history into a story you can follow at your own pace. Downtown on the Fox River, the Neville Public Museum combines art, history and science under one roof, with exhibits on the people and industries that shaped northeast Wisconsin. It is a reliable rainy day stop and fits neatly into a downtown walk that continues to the waterfront.
The permanent Generations Gallery holds relics and stories from Green Bay's past, and new exhibits arrive regularly, so a return visit rarely repeats the last one. The museum also keeps an online archive of thousands of historic photographs, which is handy for travelers who want to trace a family connection or just browse the old city.
Allow ninety minutes to two hours. The Neville also oversaw the creation of the Hazelwood Historic House Museum in 1964, so the two make a natural pair for history lovers. A small gift shop on site sells regional books and souvenirs.
Pair it with lunch in downtown Green Bay and an afternoon stroll along the river. The museum is a good first stop on a rainy morning, because its exhibits give context to everything else you will see around the city.
19. Step Back in Time at Heritage Hill State Historical Park
Four eras of Wisconsin life, with the doors open. Step through the gate and the past starts talking back, with costumed interpreters ready to show you how daily life worked. Heritage Hill is an outdoor living history museum where costumed interpreters walk visitors through historic buildings that span the region's pioneer, rural, industrial and small town past. It operates seasonally, so confirm open dates before you plan a day around it. It also works well alongside the Neville Public Museum for travelers who like local history.
Visitors can try hands-on activities, such as building a log cabin or learning about eighteenth century life from a costumed actor. Children respond well to the characters, and adults appreciate the detail in the period buildings.
The park rewards a slow pace, with two to three hours enough to cover the main areas. Go on a clear day, since most of the experience is outdoors, and check the event calendar for demonstrations and seasonal programs. The setting gives context to the Hazelwood house and the Oneida Nation Museum, and the three together tell the layered story of the region.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen in summer and a jacket in fall, and take advantage of weekend programs that bring the buildings to life. A guided demonstration is often the best part of the visit.
20. Tour Hazelwood Historic House Museum
A Greek Revival house on a Fox River hillside. Part of the fun is feeling like a guest in a Victorian parlor, then learning that a state constitution took shape under that roof. Hazelwood at 1008 South Monroe Avenue was built in 1837 and is the only public historic house in Green Bay that still stands on its original site. Inside, ten rooms are furnished in the Victorian style of the 1880s and 1890s, and the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Brown County Historical Society runs it, and it keeps a seasonal schedule that has centered on late spring and summer afternoons, with walking tours and evening events added through the year.
The house belonged to Morgan L. Martin, who served as president of the convention that drafted Wisconsin's constitution, and much of his work on the document was done at Hazelwood. That detail turns an elegant parlor tour into a visit to the place where a state took shape. The furnishings include original Martin family pieces and painted dishes by a local artist.
Confirm the open days before you go, since a short visit pairs naturally with the Neville Public Museum downtown. Allow about an hour.
Ask about guided tours and seasonal events, since the house offers more than a quiet walk-through. The hillside setting above the river adds a pleasant view.
21. Discover the Oneida Nation Museum
The older story of this land, told by the people who live it. This is a hands-on way to learn, with stories, crafts and a replica longhouse that bring a living culture into focus. The Oneida Nation Museum, founded in 1979, covers the Oneida Creation Story, the lace makers of the early 1900s and the Oneida Code Talkers who used their language to protect troops in World War II. A replica longhouse stands nearby, and the Oneida Nation Pow Wow each summer fills the region with music and dance.
Exhibits also show native basketry, beadwork and contemporary art. Many travel guides focus on European settlers at Heritage Hill and skip this older history, which makes the museum one of the most valuable stops on a thoughtful itinerary.
The Nation is moving the museum to a new building at 760 Airport Drive in the Town of Oneida, with completion expected in 2026, so check the Nation's website for the opening date and address before you plan around it. The Oneida Nation Walk of Legends at the Packers Hall of Fame offers another way into the same story.
Visit with curiosity and respect, and allow time to read the exhibits instead of rushing through. The Pow Wow and other community events are special chances to learn directly from Oneida people, so watch the calendar if your trip falls in the summer.
22. Admire Classic Cars at The Automobile Gallery
Classic cars, hung like paintings. Wander at your own speed and play favorites, picking the car you would drive home if someone handed you the keys. The Automobile Gallery treats rare and historic automobiles as works of art. Housed in a sleek, converted mid-century Cadillac dealership downtown, it displays classic cars and memorabilia in a clean gallery setting that looks more like a museum of design than a garage.
The vehicles span more than a century of automotive history, from early machines to polished postwar icons. Even visitors who know nothing about engines enjoy the lines, colors and chrome, and car lovers can spend an hour reading the details.
It is an excellent rainy day choice and an easy add-on to a downtown walk. Check opening days before you go, since smaller museums often keep limited hours. Pair it with lunch nearby, then continue to the Neville Public Museum or the CityDeck to round out an indoor and outdoor afternoon.
Many visitors are surprised by how different the experience feels from a typical car museum. Instead of crowded rows, each vehicle gets room to breathe, with lighting that highlights curves, paint and chrome. Parents can use it as a calm indoor stop with older children, who often enjoy spotting cars they have seen in movies and old photographs. Photographers will find plenty of reflections and details to capture.
23. See Exhibits at the Mulva Cultural Center
A modern landmark on the De Pere riverbank. Come for the shows and stay for the building, with changing exhibitions and films that feel like a big-city night out in a small riverside town. The Mulva Cultural Center in De Pere is a newer architectural centerpiece along the Fox River. It hosts rotating international traveling exhibitions and immersive films, which gives the region a cultural program that rivals much larger cities.
The building itself deserves a look, with big glass and river views that make it pleasant even between shows. Exhibitions change, so the center rewards repeat visits, and it often suits a rainy day or a cold winter afternoon.
Check the current exhibition schedule before you go, and pair the visit with the De Pere riverwalk, the Fox River locks and a bite in downtown De Pere. Together, they make a half-day itinerary on the south side of the river, away from the usual stadium crowds. Plan about ninety minutes inside.
Families with older children often enjoy the immersive films, and couples can make the visit part of a relaxed De Pere afternoon. Bring a light jacket, since galleries can run cool, and ask staff about upcoming exhibitions that might suit your interests. The riverside location also makes it easy to extend the visit with a stroll along the water before or after your tour.
24. Browse The Art Garage
An indie arts hub in an old cannery. Poke around the studios, meet working artists and take home something one of a kind. The Art Garage is a nonprofit community arts center housed in a historic green cannery warehouse in downtown Green Bay. It hosts local artist studios, workshops and open galleries, and it gives travelers a view of the working creative scene instead of a polished tourist version.
Visitors can browse exhibits, talk with artists and pick up original work that makes a better souvenir than a mass-produced magnet. The building's industrial bones add character, and the programs change through the year, so check what is on before you arrive.
It pairs naturally with the downtown Farmers Market, local coffee shops and the summer ArtFest. Plan an hour, and treat it as a quick, rewarding stop between the CityDeck and the museums. For travelers who want a taste of local life beyond the headline sights, it is a small place that leaves a lasting impression.
The programs run through the year, and workshops can turn a free afternoon into a hands-on memory. Ask staff about open studio hours, and leave room in your budget in case a piece of local art catches your eye. The creative energy here balances a trip that might otherwise skew toward sports and amusement rides.
25. Visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help
A quiet pilgrimage site about twenty minutes from downtown. The draw here is quiet curiosity, with a story that surprises people who expected only a roadside chapel. The shrine in Champion, northeast of Green Bay, marks the only Marian apparition site in the United States that the Catholic Church has officially approved. It honors the 1859 visions reported by a Belgian immigrant named Adele Brise, and the Church recognized the site in 2010.
The chapel's survival during the catastrophic 1871 Peshtigo Fire adds a historic layer that interests even non-religious travelers. Local accounts describe people sheltering on the grounds while the fire swept through the region, and the property was spared. Today it is a peaceful place of worship, with a chapel, quiet grounds and a sense of long devotion.
Visit respectfully, dress modestly and keep your voice low, since pilgrims come to pray. The drive makes a good half-day addition alongside Wequiock Falls, which sits nearby. Check the shrine's hours and any event schedule before you go, and allow about an hour on site.
Weekends and feast days can draw larger groups, so a weekday morning is the best time for quiet reflection. Even if you are not religious, the story of the chapel and the fire is one of the most striking pieces of Wisconsin history you can hear on a short drive.
26. Visit the Minahan Crypt at Woodlawn Cemetery
A Titanic story tucked into a quiet Allouez cemetery. For travelers who love a surprising story, this is the offbeat stop, a Titanic connection hiding in a neighborhood cemetery. At 1542 South Webster Avenue, Woodlawn Cemetery holds the mausoleum of Dr. William Edward Minahan, a physician from Fond du Lac who died when the Titanic sank in April 1912. He boarded as a first class passenger with his wife Lillian and his sister Daisy, and both women survived.
His body was recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett and sent to his family in Green Bay, where he was laid to rest within the month. The Minahan family was among Green Bay's most prominent, and the mausoleum sits above the Fox River on the city's south side.
Cemeteries rarely appear on cheerful travel lists, but this one is a genuine piece of global history in a quiet neighborhood. Visit with respect, stay on the paths and keep the visit short. It pairs with Hazelwood and Heritage Hill, which sit nearby on the south bank, for a day of regional history.
The story has a sad edge, but it also shows how the global Titanic tragedy reached into a small Midwest city. The Brown County Historical Society has also held cemetery walks that bring local stories to life, so check its calendar if you want a guided look.
Fun Things to Do in Green Bay at a Glance
| Attraction | Best for | Cost level | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lambeau Field tour | First-timers, football fans | Ticketed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Titletown District | Families, winter fun | Free park, paid tubing and skating | 1 to 3 hours |
| Bay Beach Amusement Park | Families, budget travelers | Free entry, 25 cents per ticket | Half day |
| Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary | Nature walks, kids | Free | 1 to 2 hours |
| Green Bay Botanical Garden | Photographers, holiday lights | Ticketed | 2 hours |
| NEW Zoo and Adventure Park | Families, thrill seekers | Ticketed, extra for zips | 3 to 4 hours |
| National Railroad Museum | Trains, history | Ticketed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| CityDeck | Evening strolls, dining | Free to walk | 1 to 2 hours |
| Fox River State Trail | Walkers, cyclists | Free | 1 hour or more |
| Wequiock Falls and Fonferek's Glen | Nature, photos | Free | 1 to 2 hours |
| Hazelwood Historic House | History fans | Ticketed, seasonal | 1 hour |
Free and Budget Fun Things to Do in Green Bay
A city that rewards the careful spender. Green Bay is one of the friendlier places in the Midwest for travelers watching their wallets. Bay Beach Amusement Park charges no admission and no parking fee, and Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is free as well, so a full afternoon can cost whatever you spend on ride tickets and a snack.
The Titletown playground and lawn games are free to use, the CityDeck and Fox River paths cost nothing to walk, and the Garden and the zoo both run discounted or free days through the year. Wequiock Falls, Fonferek's Glen and Baird Creek Greenway add three free nature stops. Stack a free morning at the sanctuary with a few dollars of Zippin Pippin rides and you have a day that would cost far more in most cities.
Fun Things to Do in Green Bay with Kids
Fifteen minutes between almost everything. Families have an unusually easy time here because the best kid stops sit close together. Bay Beach, the Wildlife Sanctuary and the Children's Museum share the same shoreline road, the NEW Zoo adds animals and a canopy walk for older children, the Botanical Garden has its 2.5 acre Children's Garden, and Titletown gives energetic kids a playground and a hill to run up.
In winter, tubing at Ariens Hill is the family headline. Remember the 42 inch minimum at Ariens Hill and the 48 inch minimum for the Zippin Pippin when you plan, and keep an indoor option like the Children's Museum in your back pocket. Younger children usually do best with one big activity per half day, so pick a morning anchor and an afternoon anchor and leave the rest of the list for next time.
Fun Things to Do in Green Bay If You Do Not Follow Football
The city has a life outside the stadium. A trip to Green Bay does not require a single yard of football knowledge. The arts and nature side is strong, with the Botanical Garden, the Neville Public Museum, Heritage Hill and the Meyer Theatre. The outdoors side runs from the Wildlife Sanctuary to the Fox River, and the food side is a Wisconsin education, from cheese curds to butter burgers to the Friday fish fry.
Even Lambeau Field is worth a look as architecture and community history, since a small city owns the team that fills it. Travelers who skip game weekends also find hotels cheaper and restaurants calmer. Waterfalls, a Marian shrine, a Titanic crypt and a classic car gallery give non-fans plenty to talk about at dinner.
Fun Rainy Day and Indoor Things to Do in Green Bay
When the sky closes over the bay, the city goes indoors gracefully. A wet day in Green Bay has plenty of good options. The Packers Hall of Fame and the stadium tour at Lambeau Field keep you dry for hours, the Children's Museum handles the youngest travelers, and the Neville Public Museum and Hazelwood suit history lovers.
The National Railroad Museum has indoor exhibits to pair with its outdoor trains, the Automobile Gallery is a quiet surprise for car fans, and the Mulva Cultural Center and the Art Garage cover the arts. The Meyer Theatre or a brewery taproom covers the evening. Many of these sit within a short drive of one another, so you can chain two or three in an afternoon.
Fun Romantic Things to Do in Green Bay for Couples
Slow evenings by the river and under the lights. Couples do well with the Garden of Lights in late November and December, when the one mile path glows through the cold. In winter, skating at Hy-Vee Plaza followed by a drink at one of the Titletown venues makes an easy date night.
Other seasons suit a dinner on the CityDeck, a long walk on the Fox River State Trail and a show at the Meyer Theatre. For an upscale base, Lodge Kohler is the luxury stay that Wisconsin's official tourism site highlights for the region. A sunrise walk to Wequiock Falls makes a quiet, free start to a romantic weekend.
Fun Things to Do in Green Bay in Winter and Summer, Month by Month
Two cities in one, depending on the month. Summer belongs to the water and the open air. Bay Beach runs on long evenings, the CityDeck fills with diners and kayakers, the Botanical Garden is in full bloom, and the NEW Zoo adds its canopy walks and zip lines.
Winter changes the entire script. Tubing and skating arrive at Titletown, the Garden of Lights turns the Botanical Garden into a glowing winding path, and the city's taprooms become the warm rooms where everyone ends up. Spring and fall are quieter and cheaper, with the best autumn color along the Fox River and at the Garden.
By month, the rhythm runs like this. December through February is tubing and skating season at Titletown, with the Garden of Lights lasting until the end of December. Spring brings Hazelwood and the Garden back to life, and from May through September Bay Beach runs on its seasonal hours.
Summer evenings belong to the CityDeck and the zoo's Twilight Tours on the canopy. October brings Halloween events such as the zoo's Zoo Boo evenings, and the fall color along the Fox River is at its best around then. Frozen waterfalls at Wequiock Falls are a bonus in the coldest weeks.
Fun Game Day Weekend Things to Do in Green Bay
One town, eighty thousand fans, a lot of charcoal. On a Packers home weekend the area around Lambeau Field turns into one long tailgate, with fans grilling in lots and yards from early in the morning. Titletown has hosted Gameday Live events and opened tubing and skating hours before kickoff, so check its calendar for the weekend you pick.
Book your hotel the moment the schedule is announced, reserve any stadium tour or restaurant table ahead of time, and plan on slow traffic near the stadium. If you are not attending the game, a Saturday trip to Bay Beach, the Garden or the zoo is calmer than a Sunday near the stadium.
Where to Stay in Green Bay
Choose the neighborhood before the hotel. Three bases cover most trips. Near Lambeau Field and Titletown, hotels such as a Hampton Inn by the stadium put you within walking distance of the tours, the playground and Kroll's West. In downtown Green Bay, Hotel Northland and the Hyatt Regency place you close to the CityDeck, the Meyer Theatre, the Neville Public Museum and the breweries.
For a resort feel outside the center, Lodge Kohler offers the upscale option. Whichever base you pick, remember that the zoo, Garden and Bay Beach are each a short drive away. Families often prefer the stadium side for the pools and free parking, while couples and groups lean downtown for restaurants within walking distance.
Fun Food and Drink Things to Do in Green Bay
Butter, cheese and a good cold pint. The local signature is the butter burger, a patty served on a bun with a generous swipe of butter. Kroll's West, directly across from Lambeau Field, is the most famous address, and Kroll's East offers the same idea on the other side of town, which has started a lively friendly argument about which is better. The Friday fish fry is a Wisconsin tradition, and supper clubs and cheese curds are worth a stop for anyone who wants the regional table.
For drinks, Titletown Brewing Co. pours in a historic railroad depot, and Hinterland Brewery is another long-running name among the city's craft options. The Meyer Theatre and the CityDeck make natural pairings with a late dinner.
Kroll's Versus Al's Hamburger Shop
Green Bay takes its burgers seriously. The local style centers on a charcoal or griddle patty topped with melted Wisconsin butter on a toasted roll. Kroll's is known for its retro look and for curbside and intercom ordering, and its wax paper wrappers let the butter soak in. Al's Hamburger Shop has served downtown since 1934 from a tiny counter, with classic griddle technique.
Order at both and settle the debate yourself. It is a cheap, entertaining way to taste the town.
Belgian Booyah
Booyah is a slow-cooked stew of chicken and beef that Walloon Belgian settlers brought to northeast Wisconsin in the 1800s. It simmers for hours in big kettles, often outdoors, and turns up at church picnics, parish fundraisers and community festivals. Ask locals where to find a bowl, and keep an eye out for fundraiser signs in the fall.
The Wisconsin Supper Club Ritual
A traditional supper club has its own rhythm. Dinner often starts with a relish tray and an Old Fashioned made with brandy, usually ordered sweet, and Friday brings perch or cod plates. Choose an older, family-run place and linger over the meal, since the experience is part of the point.
Fun Day Trips from Green Bay
The region rewards a longer leash. De Pere sits just across the Fox River and has its own downtown, riverfront and, for now, the current Oneida Nation Museum. Door County, the peninsula to the north, works as a full day trip or a weekend, with lighthouses, orchards, fish boils and small harbor towns. The Fox Cities of Appleton, Neenah and Kimberly lie to the south and southwest and add museums, parks and restaurants.
Closer in, Fonferek Falls, the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum and Buffalo Overlook are local outdoor stops that Wisconsin's official tourism site lists for the Green Bay area. Green Bay also slots into a longer loop through our guide to the best places to visit in the Midwest, and drivers can combine it with our picks for the best road trips in the USA.
Maribel Caves County Park
About twenty-five minutes south, Cherney Maribel Caves County Park carries natural dolomite caves carved from the same escarpment that shapes the waterfalls. Tartarus Cave and Cooper's Cave sit along the trails, and the stone ruins of a turn-of-the-century mineral spring hotel stand nearby. Locals call the ruins Hotel Hell, and ghost stories cling to the site.
Check the park's current rules on cave access before you go, since access can change. Bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes and a sense of curiosity, and plan about two hours.
Fun One, Two and Three Day Itineraries for Green Bay
Short on time or happy to linger. Green Bay spreads out a little, so group your stops by area. Lambeau Field and Titletown sit together on the west side, downtown and the CityDeck cluster on the Fox River, Bay Beach and the Wildlife Sanctuary sit on the bay shore, and the zoo and Garden lie further out and are best given their own time.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (also the one day plan) | Lambeau Field tour and Titletown | Bay Beach and the Wildlife Sanctuary | CityDeck dinner or a brewery |
| Day 2 | National Railroad Museum or Botanical Garden | NEW Zoo and Adventure Park | Meyer Theatre or a taproom |
| Day 3 | Hazelwood and the Neville Public Museum | Fox River State Trail, De Pere or the Oneida Nation Museum | Garden of Lights in season, or a Packers game day experience |
If your trip lands between late November and December, swap an evening for the Garden of Lights. If it lands in summer, give the zoo's canopy tour a spot on day two, and remember that Hazelwood keeps seasonal hours. Add Wequiock Falls and Fonferek's Glen to day three if you want a nature break.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Small decisions that save a day. Check the Packers schedule before you book a hotel, because a home game turns the whole region into one long traffic jam and pushes room rates up sharply. Bring a credit or debit card for Titletown, and carry a few dollars in cash or a card for Bay Beach tickets. Dress in layers near the bay, where wind off the water cools summer evenings and bites in winter.
Reserve Lambeau Field tours and any Garden of Lights tickets ahead of time rather than counting on walk-up availability. Finally, double check every hours and price detail on the official site of each attraction, since these change from season to season. If you are flying in, Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport sits close to the stadium, and a rental car makes the zoo, waterfalls and shrine far easier.
Quick Answers About Green Bay
Is Green Bay worth visiting if you do not like football?
Yes. Bay Beach, the Botanical Garden, the NEW Zoo, the Railroad Museum and the Fox River waterfront fill several days with no football at all.
How many days do you need in Green Bay?
Two days covers the main sights. One day works if you choose Lambeau Field, Titletown and Bay Beach.
What are the best free things to do in Green Bay?
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, free entry and parking at Bay Beach, the Titletown playground and lawn games, and walks along the Fox River.
Is Green Bay walkable without a car?
Only in clusters. Lambeau Field with Titletown and downtown with the CityDeck are walkable, but the zoo, garden and Bay Beach need a car or rideshare.
When is the best time to visit Green Bay?
Summer for Bay Beach and outdoor sights, late November to December for Garden of Lights and winter tubing.
What are fun things to do in Green Bay for adults?
Try curling, tour a brewery or supper club, catch a show at the Meyer Theatre and stroll the CityDeck at night.
Are there waterfalls near Green Bay?
Yes. Fonferek's Glen has a 30 foot waterfall, and Wequiock Falls sits in a small gorge park northeast of the city.
Green Bay rewards the traveler who arrives for one reason and stays for five. Come for the stadium, then give the bay shore, the garden path and the river a few extra hours. You will leave with more stories than a scoreboard can hold.
I've been to Green Bay a few times and have always been looking for more to do; appreciate these suggestions!
I've never been in Wisconsin and i feel so bad about it. The state is awesome and now that you mentioned Green Bay i can't wait to visit it.
Glad to learn there are so many things to do in WI. I would love to do museum hopping as I love to learn about history of a certain area and their culture too.
Museum hopping sounds like so much fun! We always love visiting museums when travelling!
Nice things to do there but I think I like the part of discovering their food.
Ive never been to Wisconsin but it really sounds lovely. I think the natural sights and the food scene piques my interest the most! Thanks for sharing.
I have yet to visit Green Bay. I passed the area before but did not stop by and do some fun things.
This place sounds absolutely lovely! I'd love to visit Green Bay and your guide is great!
I love trying new food. We have yet to explore Wisconsin. Now, after reading your post I'm even more excited to go.
When I travel I gotta find the town foodie staples! Go Green Bay!!
never been to wisconsin myself. but i love trying new foods when i travel. maybe i'll have to make the trip up there
Would love to visit Wisconsin someday. This looks like a great guide to the city. Thanks!