Go Pack, Go! Or How to Have the Packers Experience

I became a Packers fan late in life…for someone born in Green Bay. Once I was married and in-laws started to visit from Mexico I started to see Green Bay through different eyes. One thing visitors all loved doing was anything that had to do with the Packers. Here are the many field trips we’ve taken that have to do with the Packers.

1. The Atrium. Relatively new to Green Bay, it’s a great place to start your Packers experience. It houses Curly’s Pub & Game Zone and the Packers Pro Shop. You can also buy tickets to the Hall of Fame and Lambeau Tours. For me, it’s fun just to walk around and check out the memorabilia. 
2. Curly’s Pub & Game Zone. Try to sit by the windows during training camp to see the players coming and going. If you’re new to the area, try fried cheese curds, bratwurst, beer cheese dip, all kinds of beers, or a Wisconsin fish fry. The food is decent, but what you’re paying for is the experience.
3. Packers Pro Shop. This is also an experience. You don’t need to buy anything to enjoy the store, but it’s awfully hard to leave without buying something. You can find just about anything Packers- candy, party favors, underwear and of course, cheeseheads!
4. Packers Hall of Fame & Lambeau Field Tour.  I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t actually been here yet, but if you are a Packers fan it’s a must see. There are lots of photo opportunities in both the Hall of Fame and the Lambeau tour. Information about tours can be found on the Packers website.
5. Packers Heritage Trail & Trolley Tour.  This is new to Green Bay and we plan on making this one of our local field trips this summer. The trail is a self guided walking tour of historic Packer-relevant sites in Green Bay. You also have the option to take the new guided trolley tour. More information can be found on the Packers Heritage Trail website and the Trolley Tours website.
6. Stadium View Bar and Grille. Within walking distance from the stadium, in my opinion, the Stadium View has the best burgers in town.
7. Training Camp. This is when the fever really starts to rise. Though July and August are hot, it’s not too hot for hundreds of fans to come watch the team practice on the Ray Nitschke practice field. It’s a mini-stadium and it’s filled with fans, players and a positive energy. It feels a lot like going to a game. An absolute must is watching the players come from Lambeau Field to the practice field. the tradition is kids bring their bikes for the players to ride down to practice. It’s a huge honor for the kids to have their bikes chosen. Sometimes they even get to hitch a ride on the back of the bike.
8. Family Night and Packers Experience. Not everyone can afford to take the family to regular season games. This event is a great alternative. Fans get to see the team scrimmage against one another at the end of the summer right before preseason football begins. It’s a great family event ending in some spectacular fireworks. If you’re lucky you may even get to have your picture taken with local legend, the Packers Pope.

Don’t forget the Photo Ops!

Some of my favorites:

• Shell gas station dinosaur on the corner of Lombardi Avenue and Ashland Avenue. 
• Packers receiver at Titletown Brewery.
• Vince Lombardi and Curly Lambeau statues in front of Lambeau’s Atrium.
• Packers fence on Lombardi Avenue.
• The Walk of Legends statues all along Lombardi Ave.
• Gates of the Ray Nitschke Field (training camp field).
• Memorabilia inside the Atrium.
• Lambeau Field!

There are too many things associated with the Packers to cover in this post, but these have been our favorites when family and friends visit. I know you guys will have different favorites and lots of suggestions to add.

Go for it and Go, Pack, Go!