Sometimes the best day trips are the ones where you don't have a packed itinerary. You just get in the car, head somewhere new, wander around, eat something delicious, and see where the day takes you. That’s the idea behind “slow travel”: taking your time, being open to unexpected experiences, and really connecting with the place you’re visiting. And just outside Green Bay, in the village of Pulaski, is a great place to enjoy slow travel.
With deep Polish roots, a lively community spirit, and plenty of parks, trails, food, and local art to explore, Pulaski offers an easy escape from the city's hustle and bustle into a slower country pace.
Start With a Little Polish Flavor
Pulaski has a strong Polish heritage, and you’ll see it throughout the community, from its festivals and food to its historic churches and longstanding traditions.
First, a stop at Smurawa’s Country Bakery is practically required. Pick up a pączki, then browse the enormous selection of old-world Polish baked goods and wonderfully unusual treats. Dill pickle rye? Cheese beer bread? How about the Chopblock–a bread loaf loaded with cheeses, meats, pepperoncini, garlic, and onions? Our mouths are watering just writing that sentence.
For another sweet treat, stop by Casimir’s – The Sweet Spot, a local favorite serving ice cream, coffee, smoothies, freeze-dried candy, and other treats. Basically, if you have a sweet tooth, Pulaski is your new favorite destination.
More Places to Eat
Of course, there’s plenty more to eat in Pulaski once the pączki-induced sugar high wears off. Stop by Romashka European Gifts and Market for European groceries, sweets, and other finds, or settle in at Scolly's Hometown Pub, a local gathering place with roots stretching back to the early 1900s.
For classic Wisconsin bar-and-grill fare, Buck's Bar & Grill is known for its fantastic fish fry, while Mountain Bay Bar & Grill offers everything from burgers and wings to fish fry and prime rib, plus live music on select weekends. If you're in the mood for Mexican food, check out Los Magueyes. For something a little more wellness-minded, The Refinery serves up iced coffees, pudding parfaits, immunity shots, and its signature “ProTEAnis,” a caffeinated protein drink.
Find Your Way Through Town
Pulaski is full of little things worth stopping for. Take a drive through the surrounding countryside to see historic farms and unique barn quilts, or explore some of the community's public art.
There's a Pulaski mural by local artist Savannah Mikle, a colorful mosaic-covered home and studio belonging to local artist Kim Wozniak, and an interior mural at Super Ron's Food Center by artist Cheyenne Renee.
Make time for the Veterans Memorial at Memorial Park, too. The memorial was completed through fundraising efforts led by local veterans and offers a meaningful place to pause and reflect on the community members who have served.
And then there's Assumption BVM Church, which is hard to miss. Its twin 135-foot towers rise over the village, while the interior features 50-foot ceilings and more than 40 Italian-made stained-glass windows. The church was completed in 1931 and was once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest rural Catholic church in America.
Get Outside
If you want to slow things down even more, head to the ponds behind Pulaski Community Park. The walking trail is a peaceful little hidden gem, with catch-and-release fishing and a 27-hole disc golf course nearby.
You can also hop on the Mountain-Bay State Trail from the trailhead and enjoy 12.4 miles of this 83-mile rail trail between Pulaski and Howard. Or simply grab your pączki from Smurawa's and find a shady spot in Shippy Park. The park's covered bridge, playground, and beautiful mosaic seating make it easy to linger.
Come for an Event
Pulaski really comes alive during its community celebrations. It may be best known for Polka Days, held every summer, which is one of the largest Polish-American festivals in the country, with four days of polka music, dancing, Polish food, a parade, crafts, fireworks, and more.
In March, Casimir Pulaski Days celebrates the Revolutionary War hero and namesake of the village with food, music, history, and celebrations of Polish heritage.
The Annual Sharing of Our Stories is a particularly fun example of Pulaski's community spirit, celebrating and sharing the community's history and stories with family recipes, historical scavenger hunts, art exhibits, church tours, archive viewings, live music, a pickle-eating contest, and more. Need even more incentive to visit for this fun community event? Two words: chicken pageant. Watch Pulaski’s prettiest (and ugliest) chickens strut their stuff and compete for glory!
Summer brings free Music at Memorial concerts, while December's Spirit of Pulaski fills the community with holiday events, including the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Tree Stroll at Shippy Park, caroling, breakfast with Santa, and of course, more live Polka music!
And if you prefer your entertainment on the spooky side, visit the family-owned and operated Revenge Haunt in October. This haunted house has become known for its seriously scary experiences and is frequently rated one of the scariest haunted houses in the region. (They do offer a tamer version two nights each season, but the full experience is definitely not for the kids.
Of course, there's plenty more to discover, from local restaurants and bars to thrift shopping at Then & Now and a stop at Super Ron's Food Center, which began as a humble fruit-and-vegetable cart.
So if you’ve been looking to slow down and smell the roses, leave some room in your schedule for Pulaski. Take the scenic route. Grab a pączki. Maybe watch a chicken compete for a crown. That's the beauty of a Pulaski day trip: you don't have to do everything. Just give yourself enough time to enjoy where you are.
