Spend a day on the west side and discover some new favorites!
When people visit any new city, their first instinct is usually to head downtown. We have a beautiful downtown, but as you head west, you’ll find so much more to see, do, eat, drink and LOVE! Here’s everything worth checking out north of Lombardi Avenue and west of Broadway.
HERE’S THE SCOOP...
Population: 107,395
The Main Drag: Lombardi Avenue
The Major Must-See: Green Bay Botanical Garden
Best Free Attraction: Pamperin Park
Most Buzzworthy Event: WPS Garden of Lights at the Green Bay Botanical Garden
Locals Love: Half-price margs at Los Banditos on Wednesdays
EAT + DRINK
In addition to the restaurants located inside the lodging options mentioned above (which are both definitely worth a stop, even if you aren’t staying on-site), there are a few other great dining options on this side of town. If you’re a fan of Cal-Mex cuisine, you’ll definitely want to stop at Los Banditos. They’ve been a part of Green Bay for almost four decades, and they’ve won countless awards for their delicious food and margaritas.
Speaking of Green Bay staples, the west side is also home to The Pancake Place, another dining option that’s been around for decades because they’re a literal pancake DYNASTY. They’re known for serving not only the biggest pancakes in town but also the tastiest. Choose from the 15+ different pancake options they have or try their stuffed hash browns!
PLAY
Now that you’re fuelled up for the day, it’s time to have some fun! Your kids will love exploring Pamperin Park, the largest developed park in the entire county. The structured wooden playground is massive, and beyond that, they have a wooded disc golf course, picnic area, fishing areas, and volleyball courts. You could spend hours here and still not see everything.
Swimming at the Resch Aquatic Center is another great way to spend a day in the summer. They have a zero-depth wading area for little ones, and two 30’ water slides for the big kids, plus a climbing wall, diving board, and more!
At the Green Bay Botanical Garden, beauty is always in bloom. The garden is open year-round, so take a casual, self-guided stroll through the 47 acres of gardens and natural areas. They also offer workshops, fitness classes, and drop-in activities for both kids and adults. Check their event calendar for concerts and special exhibits, especially in the summer months!
Speaking of concerts, Cup O Joy is *the* place to see live Christian entertainment in Green Bay on Friday or Saturday nights. Performances range from rock, country, folk, singer/songwriter, bluegrass, and even comedy!
If gaming is more your style, try your luck at Oneida Casino’s W. Mason location. The casino is open daily from 8 am to 4 am and features over 780 video poker and slot machines!
TRULY UNIQUE SHOPPING
Green Bay’s west side offers up some unique shopping experiences, starting with the Saranac Glove Company. You might be thinking, “that’s really cool, but I don’t need a new pair of gloves at the moment.” Hear us out, though. This century-old family business is a leader and innovator in the world of gloves, and their factory store has everything from athletic gloves to leather work gloves, to winter gloves for the whole family! It’s the perfect place to stop and stock up!
If you’re into antiquing, head to American Antiques & Jewelry, where they have a huge showroom full of antiques, jewelry, coins, vintage comic books, military collectibles, and so much more. If you’re a Packers fan, you’ll definitely want to look through their rotating collection of programs, signed photos, and memorabilia. The fun is in the hunt!
Of course, we would be remiss not to mention one of the most beloved shopping destinations among locals and visitors alike… Kwik Trip! With several locations throughout Greater Green Bay, including a few on the west side, they are a must-visit for everything from fresh bakery items to squeaky cheese curds to legitimately good coffee.
HOW TO GET HERE
From Highway 41: Take the Lombardi or Mason Street exit.
From Lambeau Field: Head north on Military Avenue toward Mason Street.
Getting Around: Green Bay’s west side is not very walkable, so driving is recommended.
Feeling inspired to come to Greater Green Bay? Start planning your trip with a copy of our latest Destination Guide!