Home of the Green Bay Packers
Location
Region: Lake Michigan
Latitude: 44.5536° N
Longitude: -88.0269° W
Waterway Guide: Green Bay
Destination: Green Bay
Green Bay, home of the Packers and Cheese Heads, is at the end of Green Bay in Wisconsin. We have mixed emotions about this destination. We enjoyed our stay, and there are a number of things to do. However, the marinas are in a very industrial section of the city, so you must Uber/Lyft to get into town. The area between the marinas and downtown is not really good for walking or bicycling.
There is only one small restaurant and a distillery at the South Bay Marina, and the Green Bay Yachting Club has a members’ restaurant that transients are invited to use. We visited in September, and both marina restaurants were only open on the weekends. Aside from that, there is nothing within about three miles of the marinas. The Boat Yard marina is a bit farther up the Fox River and on the city (west) side. It does allow a bit more access to the city, but they only have 20 slips.
Once you get into Green Bay, there are many attractions, especially if it’s football season and you are a Packers fan!
The major attraction is Lambeau Field, with many restaurants and bars surrounding it. Note that many do not open unless there is a game at the stadium, so check ahead. During our visit, we enjoyed visiting the National Railroad Museum, with a unique collection of vintage train engines and cars, including a short train ride around the museum grounds. We also visited the Green Bay Botanical Garden, which was a very nice walk with many unique plants and displays.
The other attraction in season is the Bay Beach Amusement Park with it’s historic wooden roller coaster “Zippin Pippin”. The park is about a mile from the marinas and is within walking and bicycling distance.
Where To Eat
At the South Bay Marina there is Captain Jack’s which has a simple sandwich and burger menu, and the Paradise North Distillery which has tastings with snacks on Thursday – Sunday. At the Green Bay Yachting Club, there is a clubhouse and bar which is open for special events and invites transients.
In town, there is Hagemeister Park, which has a large bar and patio on the waterfront and standard pub fare. Nearby, the Republic Chophouse offers higher-end steaks and seafood. Just across the river is The Depot Restaurant, a great place to watch a Packers game on TV, and Copper State Brewing Company with an excellent selection of beer and pub grub!
Closer to Lambeau Field, there are many other choices, but check if they are open when there is no game scheduled.
Shopping Therapy
We didn’t see a real shopping area downtown. However, if you are looking for something, there are a couple of malls within an Uber ride. Bay Park Square is the largest in the area, just a mile from Lambeau Field. With over 100 stores and many more in the adjoining plazas, it is the best shopping destination we found in Green Bay.
There are no grocery stores within easy access from the marinas. Most are 4-6 miles away, including Aldi, Meijer, Save-A-Lot, Target, and Walmart.
Getting Around On Shore
As mentioned, the area between the marinas and downtown is not very walking or bicycling-friendly. It is very industrial, with few sidewalks and lots of large truck traffic. Uber/Lyft are very active in Green Bay, and it is how we got around town.
The Green Bay Metro Transit buses stop near North Irwin and East Shore Drive, about a mile away from the marinas on Route 2.
Keeping Entertained
- Lambeau Field – Home of the Green Bay Packers.
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame – Sports gallery for the Green Bay Packers.
- Neville Public Museum – Exhibits showcasing Northeast Wisconsin
- Green Bay Botanical Garden – 47-acre botanical garden offering a wide variety of plants and sculptures.
- National Railroad Museum – Exhibits showcasing railroad history and a large selection of vintage engines and rolling stock.
- Zippin Pippin – Wooden rollercoaster at Bay Beach Park.
- World’s Largest Hex Nut – Statue and park.
Getting There
The City of Green Bay lies at the southern end of Green Bay. For cruisers, there are two ways to get into Green Bay. First is the northern route through Death’s Door at the northern end of Green Bay. Cruisers usually access this following the northern shore of Lake Michigan from Mackinaw Island to the western shore and the “Wisconsin Side.” This brings you past the peninsula in Door County.
The second route is to access Green Bay through the Sturgeon Bay Canal. This provides access from Lake Michigan and is easily reached from Frankfort on the Michigan side if you choose to come down the Michigan side first and then cross over to Wisconsin.
The city of Green Bay is 100 miles from Escanaba, Michigan, at the northern end of Green Bay. From Sturgeon Bay, it is 46 miles to Green Bay. If you are crossing from Frankfort, MI, on the east side of Lake Michigan, it’s a 50-mile crossing to Sturgeon Bay through the Sturgeon Bay Canal.
Marinas and Anchorages
- South Bay Marina – is the first marina you come to when entering the Fox River in Green Bay. It is a large marina with a restaurant, distillery, and offers pumpout, diesel, and gas. (920) 884-1464
- Green Bay Yachting Club – Is a private marina. However, they do accept transients if they have space. There is a clubhouse and bar, which is only open for events and sometimes on weekends. There is no fuel or pumpout available.(920) 432-0168
- The Boat Yard – is about a mile up the Fox River and on the western side, giving slightly better access to the city. They are a full-service marina with Gas, Diesel, Pumpout, and Repairs. There are only 20 slips, so availability is limited. (920) 435-7811
Where To Find Out More
- Discover Green Bay – Listing of activities, restaurants, and events.
- Trip Advisor – Things to do in Green Bay
- Discover Wisconsin – Green Bay Listings
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