When you think girls’ weekend, does Green Bay, Wisconsin come to mind? Maybe not. But we’d argue it’s worth consideration for your next adventure.
I spent an action packed weekend exploring Green Bay with my teen daughter. Turns out there’s a lot going on here.
Green Bay consistently ranks among the best places to live in America by U.S. News & World Report. Some of what makes Green Bay so great is its affordability, thriving job market, quality of life, and overall amenities. And, of course, its home to an iconic football team.
Things to Do in Green Bay
While Green Bay exudes a small town charm, it has plenty of big city amenities to keep you busy. If only we’d had more time!
Saturday Farmers Market
We’re always in search of a farmers market when we travel. We love sampling seasonal, local foods. The Saturday Farmers Market is a staple in Green Bay, celebrating its 109th season. My daughter was excited to compare the Michigan peaches to the ones she enjoys back at home. Hot tip: don’t miss out on the free cheese samples. The market is open every Saturday from late May to late October at South Washington and Doty Streets. It stretches several city blocks and features more than 100 vendors.
Green Bay Botanical Garden
The Green Bay Botanical Garden (2600 Larsen Road) is serene spot to spend the day. The 47-acre garden is home to 120,000 plants. The spring and summer blooms are stunning, but the garden has something to offer year-round (like snowshoeing in the winter).
KidTripster Tip: If visiting with younger kids, make a beeline for the Bell Children’s Garden. It’s an expansive exploration space with a playground and splash pad, surrounded by lush nature.
The Green Bay Botanical Garden is open daily, hours vary depending on the season. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids 3-17. You can save a buck per ticket by purchasing online.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
Another beautiful natural space is the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (1660 East Shore Drive). The 535-acre urban wildlife refuge is the largest park in the Green Bay park system. The sanctuary cares for orphaned and injured animals, and is a haven for birds. It has nearly five miles of trails for walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is open year-round, and is free to visit.
Bay Beach Amusement Park
Located nearby is the Bay Beach Amusement Park (1313 Bay Beach Road). There are kiddie rides, family rides, and even a few thrill rides. We loved the classic wooden roller coaster, the “Zippin Pippin,” and the ferris wheel provided gorgeous panoramic views of the bay.
Bay Beach Amusement Park operates between May and September. It’s free to enter the park. To go on the rides, you’ll need to buy tickets. We purchased 40 tickets for $10 and went on a bunch of attractions.
Although the amusement park is only open seasonally, the inclusive playground is open all year. This is Green Bay’s first all-inclusive playground allowing everyone to play. It has ziplines, swings, rockers, spinners, and more.
KidTripster Tip: If traveling with younger kiddos, The Children’s Museum of Green Bay (1230 Bay Beach Road) is just across the street from Bay Beach Amusement Park. The museum is all about play. The museum has a construction zone, fire station, farmers market, vet clinic, diner, and an auto garage where kids can learn through hands-on fun. There’s also water play activities and an indoor and outdoor play structure. The Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $8.
Mulva Cultural Center
Another great place to take kids, from tots to teens, is the Mulva Cultural Center (221 S Broadway Street in De Pere). The Mulva Cultural Center opened in 2023 and the building itself is a work of art. Inside, there’s an exhibition hall and cinema, that blend art, science and history. During our visit, we got to experience “Explore Your World” which examines the role of mapping and navigation in everyday life. The other highly interactive exhibit was “Top Secret: License to Spy” in which the visitor acts as a secret agent who uncovers facts to solve a crime. Both of these exhibits are now closed, and have been replaced by other engaging exhibits.
It’s free to walk into the Mulva Cultural Center and check out the art and gift shop on the ground floor. The gift shop had lots of unique local treasures. It costs extra to see a film, or to experience the special exhibits. Exhibition ticket prices are $20 for adults, and $10 for kids 4-17.
KidTripster Tip: Just a short drive away, you’ll find the De Pere Riverwalk & Wildlife Viewing Pier (925 S Sixth). Take an easy paved walk along the Fox River to see birds and fish, and catch a sunset.
Green Bay Packers Game
By coincidence, we arrived in Green Bay the weekend of the first pre-season football game. Everywhere we went people were wearing Green Bay Packers gear and talking about the upcoming game. The energy was palpable.
We decided to buy some cheap tickets. Fortunately, there were plenty to choose from as it was a pre-season game. We spent Saturday doing other things and when game time approached we headed back to our hotel. As we got closer to the stadium fans were streaming down the streets, people were tailgating in driveways and parking lots, we even witnessed a street-side wedding.
Lambeau Field was about a 5-10 minute walk from our hotel, The Legacy. It was very convenient to park in the hotel lot and walk over. While the game itself was a blowout (the Packers lost to the New York Jets), we had a great time being fans in one of the most storied stadiums in America. It’s worth visiting Green Bay just to attend a Packers game.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re a true football fan, there are lots of opportunities to go deeper into football lore. You could make a whole weekend out of it. There’s the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, the Packers Heritage Trail Trolley Tour, and the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes on a Lambeau Field Stadium Tour.
Places to Eat in Green Bay
You might assume that the Green Bay food scene is all beer and cheese. Yeah, you’ll find that, but you’ll also experience many other local flavors and culinary delights.
We squeezed three great breakfasts into our trip. It’s the most important meal of the day, right? They take it seriously in Green Bay. We loved the simple, but elegant French decor in the Crepe Bistro & Cafe (520 North Broadway). The menu offered a selection of sweet and savory crepes. The savory crepes are made with gluten-free batter.
You may have to wait for a table at Oakley’s (614 George Street in De Pere), but it’ll be worth it. This hot spot serves up brunch favorites with a twist. Make your breakfast even more fun with a Bloody Mary or mimosa flight.
Toast & Co (2200 Dickinson Road in De Pere) is a bit tucked away, but worth seeking out. We recommend the stuffed hash browns, but the Benedicts looked tasty, too.
Our hands-down favorite lunch was 888 Cheese & Co (1582 Lineville Road in Suamico). In fact, my daughter said she’d specifically return to Green Bay just to eat at 888 Cheese & Co again. She ordered the grilled cheese flight which included three sandwiches and a tomato soup.
For a light midday bite in the De Pere area, we’d recommend stopping at Pages and Pours (415 Main Avenue in De Pere). This cute space is a wine shop, coffee shop, cafe, and bookstore. Grab a glass of wine and browse the curated selection of new and used books. Snack on one of the charcuterie boards that showcase local cheeses.
For dinner, we headed to Cedar & Sage Grill House (2040 Airport Drive). As we pulled up, we were a tad skeptical. The restaurant was across from the airport, inside a casino, but the dining experience was a real treat. The menu features locally sourced foods, and favorite Midwestern drinks and dishes.
Another night, we dined at The Heritage Supper Club (1004 Brett Favre Pass) inside The Legacy Hotel. The menu is largely steak and seafood focused, with a priority on local ingredients and seasonal flavors. It’s an elegant space with a high-end menu.
Where to Stay in Green Bay
The Legacy Hotel (1004 Brett Favre Pass) is ideally situated in Green Bay’s Stadium District, just a short walk to Lambeau Field. Beyond the location, there’s a lot more to love about this locally-owned, boutique hotel.
If traveling with family, we’d recommend booking a Premier Double King Suite. The large suite has two king beds, in seperate rooms. The full bathroom has a soaking tub and shower. There’s also a half-bath with a toilet and sink. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide lots of natural light, adding to the spacious feel of the suite. The custom furnishings and in-room amenities, like fluffy bathrobes and a stocked mini-bar, add to the luxury vibe.
The hotel offers several dining options including Press Coffee & Juice Bar, Heritage Restaurant, and Cardinal’s Crest Rooftop Gastropub. There are several other sports bars and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.
Getting Around Green Bay
The best way to explore the Green Bay area is by car. There’s a rental car desk located inside the Green Bay International Airport (GRB) at baggage claim.
Sometimes navigating a new place can be stressful, but we found driving and parking to be very easy in Green Bay. Everything was within a 20 minute drive from our hotel.
As with any place we visit, we have a list of things we want to do when we return someday. Next time, we’ll bring the boys with us. While Green Bay made for a great girls’ getaway, it also holds a lot of appeal for my tween son.
The author and her daughter were guests of Discover Green Bay and received hosted accommodations and meals for the purposes of this article.
