Located close to Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Wisconsin, is one of the most quirky and unique
places to spend a vacation in the Midwest.
While it's best known for its football-related attractions, being home to the four-time Super
Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers, this historic American town is a destination that
has a little something for everyone.
From sprawling world-class museums to breathtaking natural wonders, Green Bay is a city that
boasts countless attractions that are all well worth your time.
Beyond that, the city is a beer-lover or foodie's dream come true.
Green Bay is actually the oldest settlement in Wisconsin.
The French established a fur trade outpost in the region in 1634.
While Green Bay has some seriously old roots, it also boasts a lot of new and novel attractions
as well.
Throughout this video, we'll be taking a look at some of the best and most exciting attractions
waiting for you to discover in one of Wisconsin's most happening metropolitan cities.
From beer to cheese to football and everything in between, you might be pleasantly surprised
to discover all that makes “Titletown” such a fantastic vacation destination.
Viewcation Presents: The Best Things to Do In Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and Amusement Park
Where else in Wisconsin can you ride everything from roller coasters to bumper cars and even
a classic Ferris wheel for under a buck?
Some rides at the Bay Beach Amusement Park even cost as a little as a quarter!
On top of that, parking and admission to this historic park are completely free.
Talkin' about a good deal!
Across the road from the amusement park, you'll find the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
This beautifully preserved plot of land allows guests to take an up close peek at Wisconsin's
delicate ecosystem.
Be sure to bring your camera, as this place is perfect for bird watchers and nature lovers
of all kinds.
Recently the park has installed a new artificial waterfall which in our opinion is one of the
best spots to snap a family photo.
Lambeau Field
This stadium is the Packer's home turf.
It opened in 1957 and has gone through several renovations since then.
As such, what you see when visiting Lambeau field today is a more defined and refined
version of what has been drawing in thousands of people regularly for the last 60+ years.
Throughout the country, there are very few football stadiums that get as crowded as this
one.
To say that cheeseheads love football is an understatement.
Tours start with the field and wind up at the next featured destination we'll be addressing.
If you want to take a behind-the-scenes tour of this historic stadium, be sure to book
in advance, as spots fill up quickly.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
This massive space comprises an area of more than 15,000 square feet and is filled from
floor to ceiling with mementos, relics, and photos that document Packer’s history of
excellence.
The building has two floors to explore and can be found within the Lambeau Field Atrium.
NEW Zoo & Adventure Park
Open seven days a week, 365 days a year, this fabulous zoo is home to more than 90 different
species of animals from all over the world.
You can flush out your experience by putting your skills to the test at the facility's
1,000-foot racing zip line course.
There is also an aerial adventure course as well as a 40-foot climbing wall.
If you consider yourself to be both an animal lover and an adrenaline junkie, this is the
perfect attraction for you!
The Art Garage
Situated inside of a 100-year-old "Cream City" brick building, the Art Garage is one of the
best places in town to see the arts.
It's also a fantastic spot to attend hands-on classes and live events.
If you're a lover of the arts, this is definitely one destination that you should add to your
itinerary.
Geen Bay Botanical Garden
Green Bay Botanical Garden was built and organized by a team of dedicated nature lovers back
in the 70s.
These aspiring minds had the idea to open up what would eventually evolve into one of
the leading educational and horticultural attractions in Wisconsin.
The garden spans an area of nearly 50 acres and offers fun things to do for both children
and adult visitors.
Because of this, it’s one of the best attractions in the city for families.
Here you can see more than 65,000 plants, a children’s garden, and a perennial garden.
Easily you could spend all day exploring everything there is to see.
Springtime tends to be the most popular time of year to visit as there is an abundance
of colorful flowers in bloom.
During the summer, the facility hosts outdoor concerts at the garden’s amphitheater.
During the holidays, you can see the garden’s holiday light show while also taking a trek
though it’s snowshoeing trails.
Regardless of what season you decide to visit, you’ll be blown away by the garden’s lush
and vibrant scenery.
If you’re planning on visiting Green Bay for a week or more, you might want to consider
enrolling in one of the Botanical Garden’s adult classes.
They offer a wide variety of courses covering topics like paper-making, herbs and health,
and even Civil War Botanicals.
National Railroad Museum
While the US is home to numerous railroad museums, the National Railroad Museum of Green
Bay is the only railroad museum in the country that is congressionally designated.
Despite this status, the museum does not receive any city, state, or federal funding.
Instead, it's operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that receives support
through private donations, fundraisers, grants, and admission fees.
The museum got its start with the idea of preserving the city's steam locomotives.
In 1956, it was established as a full-fledged railroad museum.
These days, the museum spans more than 30 acres and features over 70 pieces of tracks
and rolling stock.
One of the most famous pieces on display includes "Big Boy" #4017, one of 25 Union Pacific Locomotives
that are housed indoors.
"Big Boy" weighs over a million pounds and is close to 50 yards in length.
With hands-on children's exhibits, boardable train cars, and rare railroad artifacts, this
museum is sure to be a hit with visitors of all ages.
Guests can even take a ride around the museum on a functioning steam train.
Heritage Hill State Park
This park is a must-visit for history buffs.
It's situated on the banks of the Fox River and comprises an area of nearly 60 acres.
Within the park is an outdoor museum that is divided into four distinct areas; Fort
Howard, Growing Community, The Fur Trade, and Belgian Farmstead.
As you explore these exhibits, you'll receive a revealing glimpse back in time at the history
of Green Bay's industry.
The Fur Trade area gives visitors a look at what the beginning of Wisconsin's fur trade
industry looked like.
The Growing Community exhibit educates visitors about Green Bays' expansion in the late 19th
century.
Over at the Belgian Farmstead Area, you can see how immigrant farming had an impact on
Green Bay's history during the 20th century, and at Fort Howard, you can see a faithful
reconstruction of the original fort that was built during the War of 1812.
Heritage Hill State Park features 24 buildings related to Green Bay's past – many of which
were moved here from other locations while others were reconstructed.
Some of the historical buildings that you can see include an old schoolhouse, cotton
house, and fur trade cabin.
One of the most entertaining things about this outdoor museum is the costumed performers
that help bring it to life.
As you explore the grounds, you'll see folks in period-appropriate garb doing things like
pounding away art iron at the blacksmith building or participating in military drills at Fort
Howard.
Neville Public Museum
This museum was named after Green Bay's 25th Mayor, Arthur Neville.
It's a general-purpose museum dedicated to science, art, and history and features a wide
array of artifacts tied to the region.
Since opening its doors in 1915, the Neville Public Museum has accumulated more than a
million items ranging from football memorabilia to dinosaur fossils.
Currently, exhibits feature things like artwork, films, photographs, archaeological objects,
and historical artifacts.
Outside of the museum, before entering its doors, you'll be greeted by a sizeable mixed-media
art display that is comprised of steel, vinyl, and digital print media.
These installations are meant to symbolize various facets of the State's history and
were made by a team of local artists.
You’ll also find an entrance to what’s called the Packer’s Heritage Trail.
This self-guided tour will tell you the story of the people and places that have played
a contributing role in the Green Bay Packer’s history.
Maps of the trail are available within the museum at the front desk.
Peninsula State Park
With 18 miles of pristine shoreline, an 18-hole golf course, a lighthouse, hiking and biking
trails, and more than 500 campsites, this park is unlike any other in the Green Bay
area.
It's the perfect destination for nature-loving families and features numerous outdoor activity
opportunities like canoeing, kayaking, and cycling.
If you work up an appetite, head on over to the Nicolet Bay Camp Store to fill up on pizza,
burgers, and ice cream.
If you're planning a camping trip, this store is sure to be a lifesaver, especially when
you're tired of making campsite meals.
At the Northern Sky Theater, families can watch live theatrical and musical performances
during the summer months.
We also highly recommend touring the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
This lighthouse is more than 150 years old and still guides ships through the Strawberry
Channel.
Back in 1970, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Meyer Theater
Initially known as the Fox Theater, the Meyer Theater was established in 1930, built in
the Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival architectural styles.
Initially, it was created as a movie and vaudeville house and was owned by William Fox of the
Fox Theatres Corporation.
In the time that company grew into what is now known as the Fox media empire.
This historic theater has featured performances from legends like Louis Armstrong, Nat King
Cole, and Dale Evans.
Today, the theater hosts more than 170 performances and 70,000 guests annually.
We could probably go on for hours discussing all of the amazing attractions that make Green
Bay one of our favorite Midwestern vacation destinations, but we're going to go ahead
and wrap this video up by handing the mic over to you.
In the comments, let us know what you're most excited to see on your upcoming Green Bay
trip.
Did you know that Green Bay, Wisconsin, is the oldest settlement in the state and was
originally set up as a fur trading outpost?
And were you aware that Green Bay is known for far more than football?
Share your thoughts down below, and as always, happy travels!