Green Bay, Wisconsin: Much More Then Just the Packers

Some of the best things to do here are actually outside. In neighboring Saumico one can visit the NEW Zoo. This zoo, which only requires a small fee to enter, can keep kids and adults entertained for hours. They have everything from the exotic including lions, penguins, and giraffes to more common animals native to Wisconsin. If you come at the right time there is a touch station where kids can meet and pet animals. They also have a fantastic gift and snack shop when you enter.

Another great place to visit here is the Green Bay Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on the east side of Green Bay and is just a must of a stop as the NEW Zoo. When you enter the road will split off in two directions. I recommend going to the duck area first which is to the right. You will find a building that you can walk into and buy corn to feed the ducks. This building also has live animal exhibits, a touch station, and one can sometimes see animals getting nursed back to health through glass windows. I highly recommend you buy corn as there are more ducks and geese roaming free on the grounds then your ever likely to see again. They tend to be hungrier during the winter and fall months and will often swarm over your feet, but sometimes in the summer you can get them to eat out of your hand. Other animal exhibits here include hawks, eagles, and owls.

The other side of the Sanctuary can be reached by crossing over a bridge through the large pond area, or driving down the other way. Down that way you will find an even larger nature center that often has educational activities for children. Even if you don't make it to one of their activities they have plenty of educational stations and a nice gift shop to explore inside. If you follow the path down from the nature center you will find more animals including a panther, wolves, deer, otters and more.

The Sanctuary is truly a must stop if you go through Green Bay and it is right across from another big attraction: Bay Beach. Although Bay Beach has a view of the bay, it isn't a swimming area. Instead you will find a multitude of rides that you would find at a carnival including bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, and ferris wheel. These low-cost rides have things for adults and young alike.

If you're up for swimming I recommend a well-kept secret. Ashwaubomay Park near the Green Bay Fair Grounds. This park features a man-made lake that you can swim in for a small fee and lots of picnicking space.

Another great place to check out in Green Bay, is the Neville Public Museum. There are plenty of great exhibits and information wallboards. They have an area that changes exhibits regularly and some standard ones that include: glacial information, Native American, early Green Bay history and more.

If you're looking for shopping, Bay Park Mall has quite a few stores and a Packer themed eating area. Bay Park is located in southwest Green Bay in Ashaubenon. Nearby there are also quite a few other mall areas, and plenty of places to each including a fabulous Chinese restaurant called Mandarin Garden and a few steak places.

If you are looking for a good place to chat and relax with friends, I recommend going to The Attic on the east side. This place offers some fresh pastry items, as well as delicious coffees, smoothies and more. While your sitting back and relaxing you can also enjoy a great atmosphere complete with local people's artwork and used books available for purchase.

So if you thought that Green Bay was just about the Packers, you can now see that it does have a lot of other activities available. And this is only the tip of the iceberg.