Green Bay has its roots in being a small trading post as far back as 1634. During this time, the area of Green Bay was settled by French colonists and was named "La Baie des Puants," which translates as "The Bay of Stinking Waters." The origin of this French name is unknown although the area was settled by Jean Nicolet, whose goal was to create a settlement that could be a part of the French fur-trading route while keeping peace with local Native Americans. Soon after marking this settlement, Nicolet took a year to live with a local Winnebago Native tribe, and he became successful in making them allies and trading partners to the French. During this time, his settlement was renamed "La Baie Verte," which translates as "The Green Bay."
Green Bay became, and remained, a French town until 1761 when British colonists came to the area and took control of the city during the French and Indian War. After the war, however, British colonists did not settle in the town, and most residents were French Canadians. The city was also a refuge for freed African American slaves, and the nearby town of Marinette was founded by two African Americans who created their own fur trading post. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that American pioneers came to the city and began to outnumber the original French settlers, and this is the time that the name unofficially switched from the French La Baie Verte to Green Bay.
Today, Green Bay is considered one of the oldest permanent European settlements in North America. In 1934, Green Bay honored its tercentenary with a visit from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an honor that most cities in the U.S. haven’t even accomplished today. Perhaps what Green Bay is most known for today, though, is being home to the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, also the oldest team in the NFL.
When you visit Green Bay, be sure to explore its rich history by taking a trip to the Neville Public Museum, which houses rare artifacts of Green Bay’s history, science, and art over the centuries. You can also stop by the Hazelwood Historic House Museum, a nationally recognized historic place that is fully furnished with Victorian-era furniture and art. Tour the Packers’ Lambeau Field to see the stadium up close and learn about its significance in making Green Bay what it is today. Finally, no trip to Green Bay would be complete without a trip to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, which is staffed by knowledgeable employees and houses artifacts and information about "the Pack."
Memorial Day Parade – In nearby Howard, Wisconsin at Duck Creek, an annual parade is held to honor veterans past and present on Memorial Day.
Downtown Walking Tour – Visitors and residents are encouraged to participate in the annual May walking tour in downtown Green Bay, which features tour guides who are knowledgeable about the city's rich history.
Taste Bud – At the Green Bay Botanical Garden every May, the Taste Bud event is held to show off local wines and beers.
Seven and a half hours northwest of Green Bay is Voyageurs National Park, a 200,000-acre park that includes over 30 lakes on its land. The best time to visit this park in Minnesota is from June to August when temperatures are the warmest, but ice-fishing and skating are popular here in the winter too.
Indiana Sand Dunes National Park in Indiana three hours and 42 minutes southeast of Green Bay, is a fairly new national park that was upgraded from National Lakeshore to National Park in 2019. At this park, visitors can enjoy the beaches of Lake Michigan or explore the many trails in the 20 square miles of countryside here.
Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about five hours north of Green Bay is Isle Royale National Park, a park that encompasses an entire island in Lake Superior. This park is accessible only by boat, making it rarely visited, but its protected wildlife is some of the most majestic in any national park.
High Cliff State Park is located 42 minutes southwest of Green Bay on Lake Winnebago and is the perfect retreat for anglers and hikers alike. This park features an on-site campground, public beach, and limestone cliffs for miles.
Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay, 44 minutes northeast of Green Bay, is made up of over 1,200 acres of land on the Sturgeon Bay of Lake Michigan. Hunting is allowed here, and all visitors can enjoy exploring the trails, one of which leads to a lookout tower on the beach.
Home to a 4,500-year-old Native American cemetery, Copper Culture State Park, which is 33 minutes northeast of Green Bay, is a unique Wisconsin state park with an on-site museum housing artifacts of ancient people who lived in the area. After checking out the museum, you can hit the trails to see the local creeks and forests.
Across the street from Lambeau Field is the Oneida Nation Walk of Legends path, a short trail featuring 24 statues honoring the history of the Green Bay Packers for you to check out in the heart of Green Bay.
Also nearby is the statue of Norbert of Xanten, a Catholic bishop and saint with a matching statue in Rome, Italy. Saint Norbert is also the namesake of a local university.
Lastly, there are three statues of music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper located downtown.
There are a couple of great campgrounds for you to stay at while in Green Bay, such as Shady Acres Campsites, 20 minutes southeast of Green Bay, which has RV-friendly sites with full hookups. Two other options to consider are Apple Creek Campground, 20 minutes southwest of Green Bay, which has a pool and free Wi-Fi, or Timber Trail Campground, 40 minutes northeast of Green Bay, which features spacious, full-hookup sites, and swimming pool and hot tub, a dump station, showers, and many more amenities.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Green Bay, WI, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Green Bay?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Green Bay from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Green Bay?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
