9 Family Friendly Places to Visit in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Looking for your next travel destination? I have a spot for you! Head to Green Bay in Northeast Wisconsin. Located in Brown County on a sub-basin of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Fox River, When most think of Green Bay they think football, but I am here to tell you that there is so much to see and do for families beyond their legendary football team. Green Bay is the perfect place to experience all year round! Families will enjoy the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, free activities, great food and drink, football, and much more.
Take a look at my top 9 family-friendly places to visit in Green Bay to create a memorable experience for the whole family.
Bay Beach Amusement Park
Address: 1313 Bay Beach Rd, Green Bay, WI 54302
Bay Beach is truly a gem in Green Bay and is one of the oldest-running amusement parks in the country. This amusement park is run by the city with free entry and free parking which is unheard of today. The only things you pay for are ride tickets and any snacks at the concession stands. Tickets are $0.25 each with the majority of rides requiring one or two tickets except for the Zippin Pippin which takes six tickets. This makes it incredibly affordable to the entire family!
The amusement park reminded me of a mash-up of a carnival and our local amusement park in Des Moines, Adventureland. You can find a large Ferris wheel, Merry Go Round, Scrambler, Sea Dragon, train ride, and of course the Zippin Pippin! The Zippin Pippin holds some history and is known to be Elvis Presley’s favorite ride where he rented it out and took a ride on the rollercoaster for two hours straight. This was also the last public appearance of Elvis before he died. So much history and so much fun can be found at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
In addition to the rides, Bay Beach also offers an inclusive playground, shelter rentals, and special events. Take a look at their upcoming events which include storytime, Late Night, concerts, and more.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 1660 E Shore Dr, Green Bay, WI 54302
Located just across the street from Bay Beach Amusement Park sits the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary which also offers free entry. Being a huge animal lover myself, I love visiting places like this to see wildlife up close and to hear how others are helping to rehabilitate these creatures. At the center of the wildlife sanctuary is a nature center filled with interactive exhibits and educational resources for folks of all ages to learn about the wildlife found in the state. This is a great place to start and/or finish if it’s a hot day. After you have explored the nature center, head outdoors and follow the Wildlife Habi-Trek Trail to see Native Wisconsin animals including a cougar, bobcat, wolves, snakes, and more. The main goal of the sanctuary is to treat and release the animals back into the wild.
The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary offers 4.8 miles of trails to hike or ski with many sitting areas. It is easy to plan an entire day exploring the grounds. Make sure you take a look at the map before you go to plan out your day!
Farmers Market On Broadway
Address: Located in Downtown Green Bay
I love myself a good farmers market especially while traveling. I believe visiting a local farmers market is a great way to get a look at a local cities produce, flowers, small businesses, and more. The Farmers Market On Broadway did not disappoint! I tried a refreshing local beer, walked away with a gorgeous bouquet, listened to fun live music, and purchased local cheese curds to take home. This farmers market is every Wednesday evening from May through September. Keep up-to-date on all the details.
TIP: Looking for a great, local spot to sit down for dinner while in Downtown Green Bay? Visit Jake’s Pizza which proudly serves Green Bays “Superior” pizza.
Green Bay Botanical Garden and Children’s Park
Address: 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay, WI 54303
Another incredible gem filled with family fun is the Green Bay Botanical Garden and Children’s Park. You will find Rose Gardens, exotic plants, produce, and so much more. In addition to all the beautiful plants and flowers, they offer a variety of programs, family-friendly activities, summer camps, and more.
If you have children, the highlight of the garden is the Children’s Park area. I was extremely impressed with how well-designed and extensive this space was. You will find art sculptures, a splash pad, a maze, a large above-ground playground that includes five treehouses, a rainbow garden, and so much more. This is where nature and play become whimsical. You could easily plan an entire day playing at the botanical garden.
TIP: If you hold a membership at your local botanical garden, they offer reciprocal memberships for entry.
Lambeau Field and Hall of Fame Tour
Address: 1265 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304
While in Green Bay, right? If you are spending time playing and exploring Green Bay, a tour of Lambeau Field and the Hall of Fame should be at the top of your list. Not a Packer fan? No worries! The Packers are the most storied franchise and Lambeau Field is the second-largest stadium in the NFL. If you are a football fan in general, you will not regret the stadium tour. Get an inside look at a VIP Suite, walk through the game day tunnel, and walk out to the field (but, don’t touch it!). It brings all the goosebumps no matter what team you cheer for.
The Hall of Fame Tour allows you to look deeper into the history of football and the Packers. There are also some kid-friendly exhibits within the Hall of Fame for kids to see how tall football players are, take fun pictures, and see how high they can jump. Before you leave do not forget to walk through the giant Green Bay Packers Pro Shop to bring a souvenir home. This is not an ordinary gift shop. Anything you can put the Packers logo on, they probably have it.
TIP: Grab lunch or dinner at 1919 Kitchen & Tap located inside the stadium before you leave!
NEW Zoo and Adventure Park
Address: 4378 Reforestation Rd, Green Bay, WI 54313 in
If you want to encounter 200+ animals, visit the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park. You will find everything from penguins and giraffes to bears, wolves, and more. Of course, a stop to check out the baby animals in the Zoo’s nursery is a must. Younger kids (or possibly all ages) will love the hands-on children’s area of the zoo. They also offer unique experiences such as feeding the giraffes and other fun encounters. We had a chance to get up close and personal with the penguins. Pip became my new friend when I visited!
Their newest offering the Neil Anderson Canopy Tour takes visitors on a treetop walk from the Adventure Park to the NEW Zoo. You will follow through the trees and cross over animal habitats which provides a fun way to experience the zoo and unique views.
TIP: Grab lunch or dinner at Chives Restaurant located just around the corner from the NEW Zoo. They serve fresh seasonal cuisine and rumor has it that this is one of Aaron Rodgers favorite places to eat.
Oneida Nation’s Salt Pork Avenue
The Oneida Nation came from New York many, many years ago and made Green Bay home. They are known for their Three Sisters Garden which you may hear several times while visiting. This refers to a way of gardening when the crops of corn, beans, and squash are grown together. Today, there are many opportunities to learn more about the Oneida Nation including their culture and history. As you travel through Green Bay you will notice many things are named after Oneida including the Oneida Hotel & Casino where we stayed, the Oneida Buffalo Overlook, and more. During our visit, we had a chance to visit Salt Pork Avenue which has five reconstructed log homes that date back to the mid-1800s. As you walk through the grounds, each log home tells a story.
Packers Training Camp
Packers Training Camp only happens a certain time of year, but if you are in the Green Bay during this period you must take a morning to check it out! The highlight of the training camp is the American Family Insurance DreamDrive Bike Tradition. This was the cutest thing I have seen! This is when the football players ride on a young fan’s bike from Lambeau Field to Ray Nitschke Field where the practice is held. You will find so much joy in seeing the “larger than life” football players riding tiny bikes and talking to young fans while they carry their helmets to practice. Kids of all ages are welcome to line up outside to see if a player will choose them!
After you watch the bike tradition (and possibly grab an autograph), head to the stands to watch training camp!
TIP: Before you head to training camp, make a stop at Leaps and Bounds Cafe to fuel up! This cute cafe is filled with fun Packers decor and serves delicious coffee and breakfast dishes.
Titletown
Address: 1065 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304
Titletown is a 45-acre development just west of Lambeau Field. It offers a large public park, a full-size football field for the public to play on, outdoor games, plenty of seating, event space, playgrounds (with rubberized ground), Hinterland Brewery, restaurants, The Turn Top Golf Suite, and so much more. Regularly they offer free concerts and other free programming to the public. This entire area is a pretty impressive community space! You will find many families having a picnic and playing all morning or afternoon.
When winter rolls into Green Bay, that does not stop the fun at Titletown! Portions of the space are transformed into an ice skating area and the large building, Ariens Hill becomes a tubing hill. They provide tubes for you and will make snow if needed. The entire area creates spaces for multi-uses for the community to enjoy. Make a visit on Game Day for a whole new and fun experience before football games!
BONUS! Other places to check out when you visit Green Bay
