So, if you’ve ever been to Green Bay, Wisconsin during football season, you know our city gets a bit rabid…in a fun, hungry for a win sort of way. I have to say, we’re probably the friendliest city in the NFL and while we like to rib our opponents, it’s always…and I mean ALWAYS done in fun…unlike some stadiums I’ve visited and won’t mention.
There’s a distinct buzz that settles on the city in July…no, it’s not the July 4th fireworks…it’s training camp! And from that point forward, Green Bay becomes the mecca for Green Bay Packers lovers from around the world.
History of Rivals
If you live under a rock and never heard of the Green Bay Packers, the team was founded by Curly Lambeau (the namesake of our stadium) and George Calhoun in 1919. After some financially tough years, in 1921 the team came back to life as the Acme Packers and joined what was then the American Football Association. It was right around that time that the rivalry between the Packers and the Bears started, when George Hallas tattled that the Packers had college students on its team…and da Bears still suck! Anywhoooo…
The Packers are a publicly owned professional team. While you can buy stock shares when they’re sold (there are only occasional stock offerings), they really have no residual value except to allow you to say you’re a Packers owner…and that, my friends, for true fans is the appeal. The team is located in the smallest professional sports market – while the “metro Green Bay” area is around 250,000 people, the city of Green Bay proper is just over 100,000.
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field opened in 1957, and was named City Stadium. That original stadium was finally, fully enclosed in 1965, the same year Curly Lambeau died, and the name was changed to Lambeau Field. While it’s had “just a bit” (translated A TON) of remodeling done since then, the original bowl still stands. It is truly an amazing place, and they’ve done a beautiful job of retaining the nostalgia. The stadium technically sits in the City of Green Bay, and is surrounded on three sides by the Village of Ashwaubenon…which always confuses people.
Packers fame stretches around the globe, which is pretty cool. No matter where I’ve traveled, when people hear I’m from Green Bay, the conversation always turns to the Packers…always! Contrary to popular belief, we don’t wear green and gold year-round. We can spot a tourist in off-season by the degree of green and gold someone’s wearing! Believe me, I’ve been asked how much green and gold I own!
We love to tailgate…even if we’re not going to the game, and have been voted many times the best tailgate city in the NFL! The majority of game day parking is in someone’s front or back yard…right on the grass. Rumor has it that Packers game day parking pays for people’s annual property tax bill! All the neighborhoods around Lambeau become one giant party before a game.
The biggest controversy to hit the stadium area was the conversion of homes around Lambeau to rental party homes – most are owned by corporations who entertain clients, but some you can find on AirBnB or VRBO. You see, the city wanted to tax them like a hotel. But the party home owners said, “If you tax us, you need to tax all those households who are charging people to park on their lawn for games.” Yup…that shut the tax argument down pretty quick! Today, these 1960-1970s 3-bedroom/1 or 2-bath homes can sell for upwards of $500,000…because they overlook Lambeau Field. Crazy!!
So, if you’re looking to make a pilgrimage, do so in the warm weather months to get your best Packers immersion experience. Just be aware that once training camp starts in July, hotels are consistently filled…book early. Also be aware that if you plan to come in hopes of attending a game, use an official Packers ticket outlet (make sure it’s legit!!!), but just know it’ll be tough. Or, you better be prayin’ someone’s willing to legally sell you a ticket on the sidewalk out front. You simply can’t get tickets, even when the team isn’t playing well! Hotel rooms will be near non-existent for games unless you’re with an organized charter package that booked your room for you. Season ticketholders book their hotel rooms for the entire season as soon as the schedule comes out.
Getting There
Green Bay has its own International Airport – Austin Straubel International Airport (airport code: GRB). But do a little digging on flights – sometimes one of the following is less expensive:
- Appleton, WI (Appleton International Airport – airport code: ATW) – 30 minutes south of Green Bay
- Milwaukee, WI (General Mitchell International Airport – airport code: MKE) – 1.5 hours south of Green Bay
- Madison, WI (Dane County Regional Airport – airport code: MSN) – 1.75 hours south of Green Bay
Alrighty then…here are my favorite Packers experiences. Be sure to head over to There’s More to Green Bay Than the Packers for more great things to see and do while you’re in Green Bay!
10 Great Things to See & Do if You’re a Packers Fan
- Packers Hall of Fame – this is a beautiful walk through the history of the Packers. They’ve done an amazing job with telling the story through beautiful exhibits and interactive experiences. And…you can see our Lombardi trophies right up close…especially appealing to Vikings fans I’m sure…(insert smirk!). Note that the Hall of Fame is closed on home game day. https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/hall-of-fame/visit
- Lambeau Field Tour – you need to do the Legendary Tour. That’s all…book it! And don’t forget to try the Lambeau Leap! While you’re there, be sure to hit 1919 Tap House for a delicious meal, located inside the stadium, and take a look at the GIANT Lombardi Trophy. https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/stadium-tours
- Titletown District – the Districted opened in 2018 to much applause and delight, and construction and development continues on this 45-acre site. You can enjoy Ariens Hill, a screamer’s delight for sledding in the winter and grass rolling in summer; Wisconsin cheese-inspired playground; a Lambeau Field replica play field; music performances; ice skating in the winter; and one giant party place before every home game. Hinterland Brewing and Lodge Kohler are adjacent, as is Titletown Tech – a technology incubator partnership with Microsoft. They’re about to launch into additional mixed use and residential construction in the District. http://www.titletown.com
- Oneida Nation Walk of Legends – this is a 1-mile walking route near Lambeau Field that features 24 monuments depicting the history of the Packers, their legendary players, as well as the history of the Oneida National Tribe of Indians, sponsors of the Walk. A beautiful tribute. https://www.greenbay.com/directory/oneida-nation-walk-of-legends/
- Packers Family Night – where else but in Green Bay would a Packers training camp scrimmage game, under the lights of Lambeau Field, followed by fireworks, bring 60,000-70,000 people together on a Saturday night? Super fun, much like a regular Packers game, and a perfect opportunity to experience the fun that is Lambeau Field. It’s an all-day affair in the stadium district, and so much like a regular game, you won’t want to miss. It’s always held in August…watch the website as tickets go fast! https://www.packers.com/training-camp/family-night
- Packers Training Camp – people actually take vacation just to attend training camp! Over the years, the Packers organization has built an enviable training facility featuring the Don Hutson Practice Building and Ray Nitschke Field. Perhaps the best, and oldest, tradition is the “Bike Tradition.” For decades, young children have shown up with their bikes at the players exit the stadium for the practice center, in the hopes a player will choose them and their bike to ride to the practice field. Once a child is chosen randomly from the crowd, that player usually sticks with that child for their entire career with the Packers. These giant players literally ride these tiny little bikes over to practice, the child running alongside carrying their helmet. It’s the sweetest thing to see. Amazing relationships have been built through this tradition, and it’s something we all…adults included…look forward to each Training Camp. Today, food concessions, souvenir trucks and the like converge at camp and you can literally make a day of it. There is bleacher seating, but it’s limited. Arrive early, or you’ll be an end zone railbird. Be sure to watch the schedule for dates, times and whether training will be open to the public at any given time. Some practices are closed, and you can only view practice when it’s outdoors. https://www.packers.com/training-camp/
- Packers Pro Shop – of course, you need to hit the Pro Shop while you’re there. It’s located right inside Lambeau Field. Be sure to arrive with a budget in mind. If you’re a huge fan, you can easily make a sizable dent in your wallet. Plan lots of time…the place is big and the checkout lines are typically long during training camp and season. Note that the Pro Shop has special hours during training camp, holidays and home game day. http://www.packersproshop.com
- Kroll’s West – before we send you downtown to continue your field trip, you need to stop at Kroll’s West for a burger… a juicy, butter-smothered burger that people come from miles around to enjoy. Kroll’s West is right across the street from Lambeau Field on Ridge Road. It’s been around an awful long time. Up until about two years ago, the decor was fresh out of the 60s! What’s really cool is you’ll see two, three and four generations enjoying a burger while you’re there. It’s a family tradition for many. http://www.krollswest.com
- If you love chili like I do, an alternate stop is Chili John’s, located about 1.5 miles from Lambeau on Military Avenue. Also a Green Bay institution, Chili John’s is a long-time favorite of NFL announcers, coaches and players alike. http://www.chilijohns.com
- Packers Heritage Trail – make a stop at the Neville Public Museum in downtown Green Bay as a starting point on the Packers Heritage Trail, a 2-mile walking tour that tells the story of the Packers and their devoted City. There are 25 stops in all, one of which is the Packers Heritage Plaza in downtown Green Bay. It’s a great photo op! http://www.packersheritagetrail.com
- Titletown Brewing Company – to cap off your tour, stop at Titletown Brewing Company for a delicious meal, craft brew or old-fashioned Sno-Cap Root Beer. It’s located in the Rail Yard District, a new redevelopment area, in a former Chicago & Northwestern Railway Depot that dates back to the 1800s. A great photo op is “The Receiver”, a statue depicting a Green Bay Packers player. That statue has made its way around Green Bay, first at the original Hall of Fame building, then at the Neville Museum, before finding its home at Titletown Brewing. Be sure to take in a brewery tour while you’re there too! My favorites are…well…all of them! http://www.titletownbrewing.com
So there you have it…the Packers Fan Immersion Tour. I hope you enjoy your visit to my little hometown. If you make the trip, be sure to let me know. I’d love to hear what you experienced!
