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Beyond Legendary

By September 1, 2024September 3rd, 2024No Comments

When most people think of Green Bay, they think about football. Others think about cheese, farming or paper. Although those things are important parts of the story, there is so much more to love about Green Bay!

Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a city full of rich history and natural beauty. Combine the area’s small-town hospitality with big-city amenities and you have a boating destination that is truly “beyond legendary.”

Green Bay is a top choice for boaters due to the charming waterfront, vibrant community and an array of convenient boating amenities. In fact, the city was named one of the “10 Best Places to Live and Boat” in 2020 by Boating magazine!

You could spend an enjoyable day touring Lake Michigan, Green Bay and the Fox River, then dock your boat at South Bay Marina to explore all that Green Bay has to offer on land.

From trading post
to major port city

Green Bay’s history as a port city dates back centuries, beginning with its early days as a trading post for Native American tribes. Later, its location on the shores of Lake Michigan was utilized by European settlers and it became a key port for fur trading and transportation.

In the 19th century, Green Bay experienced quick growth due to the arrival of the railroad and the rising popularity of the lumber and paper industries. Fun fact: Did you know Green Bay was the birthplace of the first splinter-free toilet paper? You’re welcome!

Due to this surge in growth, Green Bay became known as a major port city, attracting many people and businesses to the area. You can see this evidenced along the waterfront, where historic plaques and landmarks pay homage to the city’s fascinating maritime legacy.

Boating in the bay

Spanning approximately 120 miles in length and varying in width from 10 to 20 miles, Green Bay covers an impressive area of 1,626 square miles. It’s a great place to spend quality time on the boat with your favorite people. The bay is an extension of Lake Michigan. It is separated from the main body of the lake by the scenic Door Peninsula in Wisconsin, the Garden Peninsula in Michigan and a picturesque chain of islands formed by the Niagara Escarpment.

If fishing is your thing, you’ll be thrilled by the bay’s diverse ecosystem. Walleye, perch and smallmouth bass are just a few prized catches that attract anglers to the area.

“The Fox River is the biggest tributary in Green Bay and it’s one of the very few rivers in the world to run in a northerly direction,” says Nick Meisner, vice president of digital marketing and communications for Discover Green Bay. “If you’re after walleye, you can catch trophy-sized fish in the spring when they’re spawning.”

Tie up

Located at the mouth of the Fox River on the southern end of the Bay of Green Bay, South Bay Marina is the premier full-service marina for the greater Green Bay area. South Bay Marina has over 200 slips on state-of-the-art floating concrete docks, capable of handling boats up to 70 feet. All dockage is available for seasonal or transient boaters.

The fuel dock offers premium diesel, premium 91-octane ethanol-free gasoline and pump-out facilities. Slip holders and transient slip guests have access to South Bay Marina’s heated in-ground swimming pool, private patio with grills and beautiful gas firepits. There is also on-site laundry, showers and dockside Wi-Fi access.

The marina district is home to a handful of small businesses. You can grab a delicious homestyle meal at Captain Jack’s at Louie’s Lagoon; take a behind-the-scenes tour of Paradise North Distillery; and stock up on fishing supplies at Smokey’s on the Bay Bait & Tackle. It’s all right there — talk about convenience.

Above: Green Bay Trophy Fishing website; South Bay Marina website; South Bay Marina website

Wiki/chris rand

Resources

public museum facebook

Discover Green Bay
greenbay.com

South Bay Marina
southbaymarina.com

Downtown Green Bay
downtowngreenbay.com

Lambeau Field
packers.com/lambeau-field

Titletown
titletown.com

Neville Public Museum (pictured)
nevillepublicmuseum.org

Travel Wisconsin

Lambeau Field Website

Explore downtown

Just a few short miles from the South Bay Marina you will find the heart of Green Bay — the Downtown District. This area is booming with fun things to do, cool things to see, and a diverse selection of locally owned restaurants to tempt your taste buds.

For a family-friendly adventure, start with a visit to the Neville Public Museum. In the permanent Generations Gallery, you can experience Green Bay’s preserved history, dating back more than a century. From fossils to footballs, you will get a chance to see it all, with several hands-on displays for kids who want to engage with the exhibits.

After the museum, why not see some of the public art on display throughout the district? You’ll really get a sense of the city’s culture as you take in the dozens of murals, sculptures, monuments, statues and mosaics, all thoughtfully created by talented local artists.

Of course, all of this learning and exploring will make you hungry. For a casual meal, check out White Dog, Cheesesteak Rebellion or Jake’s Pizza. For something a little more elevated, try Angelina Restaurant, Republic Chophouse or Chefusion.

After your meal, stroll along the quarter-mile CityDeck, which stretches along the Fox River. On certain Friday nights throughout the summer, the CityDeck hosts outdoor concerts, and you can tie up your boat along the riverwalk to listen and explore downtown.

Calling all cheeseheads!

If you’re a fan of the Green Bay Packers, you’ll definitely want to set aside some time to check out the Stadium District. Located in the vibrant suburb of Ashwaubenon, this area is only about 3.5 miles away from downtown Green Bay.

The Green Bay Packers have played their home games at Lambeau Field since 1957, which makes it the oldest stadium with an NFL team in continuous residence. But it’s so much more than just a football stadium — it’s a shrine to professional football in the NFL’s smallest city.

Unlike many NFL stadiums, Lambeau Field is open year-round to visitors. It’s home to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Packers Pro Shop and 1919 Kitchen & Tap. Guided stadium tours are offered daily, except for on home game days. This behind-the-scenes experience is your chance to walk in the footsteps of generations of Green Bay Packers greats.

After your visit to Lambeau, head across the street to explore Titletown, a community park located just west of the stadium. In the winter, visitors can enjoy the ice skating rink and snow tubing hill. In the summer, there are free outdoor games, a huge playground, and a full-size football field to challenge your friends and test your skills.

Make family memories

Greater Green Bay is home to dozens of family-friendly attractions but the top three — aside from Lambeau Field, of course — are Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Bay Beach Amusement Park and Green Bay Botanical Garden.

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is an urban wildlife refuge located less than two miles from the South Bay Marina. It’s an amazing place where you can connect with nature, see live animals and interact with educational exhibits in the Nature Center. The sanctuary is open year-round and there’s no admission fee. The only thing you’ll pay for is a bag of corn to feed the ducks!

Just across the street from the wildlife sanctuary is Bay Beach Amusement Park. In its early days, it was primarily a dance hall and swimming beach. These days, it’s an extremely popular amusement park with two Ferris wheels, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, a giant slide, and the famous Zippin’ Pippin’ Roller Coaster… just to name a few. The best part? Ride tickets only cost $0.25, so it’s a great way to spend an afternoon in the summer without breaking the bank.

Finally, the Green Bay Botanical Garden is a great outdoor destination for nature lovers of all ages. The garden features 98,000 plants from Wisconsin and around the world spread over 47 beautiful acres. It has year-round programming and special exhibits that you won’t want to miss, and its newly opened Bell Children’s Garden has tons of opportunities for young ones to engage in age-appropriate multi-sensory play.

Beyond legendary

Whether you’re all about exploring the outdoors, discovering hidden gems, or hitting up some local events, there’s something here for everyone.

“Visiting Green Bay means pulling up a chair, pouring a drink and making new friends,” Nick Meisner says. “There’s no subway to catch or traffic to beat. Just four beautiful seasons and some of the friendliest faces around.”

From football to sailing, cheese curds to burrata, bike trails to public art, Green Bay is a unique place that deserves a spot on your “must-visit” list of waterfront destinations. Spend a day here and you’ll see why everyone refers to the city as “beyond legendary.”

Above: Botanical Garden/John Oates; Travel Wisconsin

More Information

ANNUAL SUMMER EVENTS

Farmers Market on Broadway: Wednesdays May to September
One of Wisconsin’s largest farmers markets with more than 110 local vendors.

Saturday Farmers Market: Saturdays May to October
Peruse hundreds of booths with fresh produce, prepared and packaged goods, handmade creations, flowers and more!

igNight Market: June & August at Leicht Memorial Park
Hot Air Balloon Glow lights up the sky, with live music, vendors, aerial and fire dancers, magic shows, food trucks and more.

Nicolet Bank’s Dine on the Deck: Wednesdays June – August at CityDeck
Downtown restaurants offer lunch at the CityDeck.

Levitt AMP Green Bay Music Series: Sundays June – August at Leicht Memorial Park
A free weekly concert series.

 

Fridays on the Fox: June – August at CityDeck
The ultimate Friday night destination for free live music, food and drinks.

CityDeck Family Shows: June – August at CityDeck (Select Mondays)
Live music, interactive children’s shows, a kid’s mural, family games and food.

Fire Over the Fox: July 4
Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at Green Bay’s downtown waterfront.

ArtFest: July 20 – 21, 2024
This art festival features musical performances, food, demonstrations and interactive activities!

Visit downtowngreenbay.com for more events and more details!

Photos: Night Market Facebook; Artfest Facebook; levitt.org; Travel Wisconsin

More Information

2025 NFL DRAFT

April 24 – 26, 2025

Green Bay will host the 2025 NFL Draft, which will take place at Lambeau Field and within the Titletown campus. The festivities will include several days of activities throughout Green Bay and will feature the NFL Draft Experience — a massive free football festival where fans of all teams can come out and enjoy games, interactive exhibits, player appearances, sponsor experiences, youth-focused activities and opportunities for fans of all ages to test their football skills. packers.com/draft25

Travel Wisconsin