The Best Things to Do in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Heritage Hill brings history to life with its open-air museum sprawling across 54 acres. Dedicated to the preservation of the history of Northeast Wisconsin, the park includes 24 historical and reproduction buildings, including a log cabin, buildings from Fort Howard, and stores from the late 1800s. During the summer season, live history interpreters don period costumes to provide a hands-on look into the state’s past.

If you’re looking for a fun family day out in Green Bay, Bay Beach Amusement Park is the go-to spot. The park is home to more than 20 rides, including the Zippin Pippin roller coaster, and all the amusement park favorites. The Bay Beach attractions are relatively inexpensive, and it offers plenty to do for all ages.

Part of the Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest park in Green Bay and the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in the state. In this 600-acre complex, you can find live animal exhibits, wildlife-viewing opportunities, a nature education center, and miles worth of hiking trails.

Any trip to Green Bay would be incomplete without visiting Lambeau Field. The stadium is home to the Green Bay Packers, and many of the football greats have played on the frozen tundra. It’s always packed on game day, but take a tour during the week to get a behind-the-scenes look at where the football magic happens.

You don’t have to be a Green Bay Packers fan to be fascinated by the pieces of history found in this football hall of fame. The first of its kind, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is conveniently located in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Visitors will have a chance to listen to players tell their own stories about historic games, view the team’s four Lombardi trophies, and check out a replica of Vince Lombardi’s office.

Green Bay’s National Railroad Museum is one of the oldest museums in the country dedicated to preserving railroad history. Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with locomotives and railroad artifacts spanning more than a century. If you want to take in the trains from above, then climb to the top of the 80-foot (24-meter) observation tower and enjoy the view.

The NEW Zoo and Adventure Park includes more than 92 exhibits with over 215 animals for the animal lover to enjoy. The stunning park in the Brown County Reforestation Camp also features zip-line racing, a climbing tour, and an aerial adventure course.

Green Bay’s Meyer Theatre is a city landmark. This historic building, constructed in 1929, incorporates the Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco architectural styles. A taste of grandeur in the Midwest, the theater has hosted the likes of Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Liberace, The Beach Boys, and Johnny Cash. While attending a show here, be sure to pay close attention to the light fixtures, all of which are original.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, then a visit to the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay should definitely be on your list. The museum offers engaging exhibits covering the history, art, and science of the region and a number of exciting programs and events throughout the year.

Wine aficionados will enjoy a lighthearted wine tasting at Green Bay’s Captain’s Walk Winery. The laid-back atmosphere takes the snobbery out of wine tasting, creating a fun atmosphere for trying new wines. If you’re interested in learning more about how it’s made, be sure to join the Green Bay Winery Tour.

The Green Bay Botanical Garden is a place to spend a relaxed day in the city; it’s open daily throughout the warmer season and on the weekends in winter. The 47 acres include apple trees, roses, a children’s garden, and designs inspired by the Scandinavian, English, and Greek styles. During the holiday season, the botanical garden glows with over 200,000 festive lights.