De Pere is a delightful city just south of Green Bay that definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary!
In 2019, De Pere was awarded the title of “Best Place to Live” in the state of Wisconsin, and once you spend some time there, you’ll see why. Not only is it a charming city with a “small town” feel, it’s a great place to go if you want to reconnect with nature or treat yourself to some of the state’s best locally made cheeses, chocolates, and more!
HERE’S THE SCOOP...
Population: 25,410
The Main Drag: Main Avenue
The Major Must-See: St. Norbert College
Best Free Attraction: Voyager Park
Most Buzzworthy Event: The Brown County Fair
Locals Love: Eating crepes at The Exchange
THE PERFECT DE PERE MORNING
You can’t go wrong when you start your day in De Pere. Swing by Great Harvest Bread Company and order one of their delicious “breadkfast” sandwiches or a made-from-scratch muffin or scone. If the weather is nice, take it “to go” and head south on George Street towards the Fox River, which is only about five city blocks away.
Once there, you can take a leisurely stroll along the riverwalk and into Voyageur Park. In the summer, you can watch the boats go by and you might even be lucky enough to see some of our famous American White Pelicans. They hang out in this area from May until September, when they start to make their yearly migration back to the Southern Gulf states.
If spending time near the Fox River inspires you to want to see and learn more, grab a ticket for a river tour on the River Thyme with Fox River Tours! The 1950s-era riverboat will take you on a leisurely cruise through De Pere, allowing you the unique opportunity to see the city from a whole new angle. They offer both public and private tours to suit many budgets and interests.
PLAN A FUN CAMPING WEEKEND
Does your family like to camp? De Pere is the perfect place for your next camping adventure! Apple Creek Campground is a great place to make summer memories with the people you love. They have 135 sites, 5 rental units, a heated pool, fishing pond, playground, and more.
Another awesome camping option in De Pere is the Brown County Fairgrounds. This is actually the only campground in the Green Bay metro area, so if you don’t want to be too far from the action in town, this is the perfect option for you! Spots are available on a first come, first served basis. You can check availability in advance on this link.
Just across the river from the campgrounds is one of De Pere’s most beloved pizzarias, Strada. Ditch the boring hot dogs and baked beans and order a hot and ready pizza (or two) for curbside pickup instead! Who says you can’t have delicious food while you’re camping?
DE PERE IN THE WINTER
As you know, it gets cold around here in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fun time! In fact, De Pere is a great place to spend a chilly day. Start with a stop at Luna Cafe for a steaming warm cup of coffee, tea, or chai. Oh, and they also have amazing food, too!
Once you have your warm beverage in hand, why not head over to Cornerstone Community Center or St. Norbert College to catch a live sporting event, music event, or theater show? Winter is the best time to see something live, and their websites have all the information you need to plan your perfect day or evening!
If there are no shows or events happening, that’s okay. You can check to see if public ice skating or open hockey is available at Cornerstone. Hitting the ice is a great way to get your body moving in the wintertime!
After all that, you’re going to be hungry for a stick-to-your-bones dinner. Ennis Inn has a fantastic Irish-inspired menu that will warm you up even on the coldest day of the year. Start with a steaming bowl of the Irish Root Soup, then warm your soul with a plate of Smithwicks Irish Ale Battered Cod or County Clare Meatloaf. Yum!
CALLING ALL FOODIES!
Speaking of food, De Pere is *the* place to find locally-made treats that will hit the spot or make a memorable souvenir for someone back home (if they make it that long).
The first place you need to stop is Scray Cheese, a 4th generation family owned artisan cheese factory. In their factory store, you can pick up cheese curds, imported cheeses, sausage, and all kinds of unique gifts. If you go early in the morning, you might even get a chance to watch as they make cheese through the viewing window!
What goes with cheese? Chocolate! Okay, we know you might be skeptical but you have to trust us on this. Head to Seroogy’s Chocolates in De Pere for some of the most mouthwatering handmade chocolates you have ever tasted. You can’t leave without picking up at least one of their signature meltaway bars (although we really recommend grabbing several… dozen).
If your sweet tooth still isn’t fully satisfied, you’ll want to hop on over the bridge to The Cupcake Couture, an adorable cupcakery with delicious gourmet options like Caramel Macchiato, Chocolate Lava, or the Brandy Old Fashion cupcake which is actually dipped in brandy and topped with a brandy-cherry-orange buttercream!
HOW TO GET HERE
From Highway 41: Take exit 163 for County Rd G and Main Avenue.
From Lambeau Field: Take Lombardi Ave. east to Ashland, then head south to Main Ave.
Getting Around: Parts of Main Ave. and Broadway are walkable, but a car is recommended for exploring most of De Pere.
Feeling inspired to come to Greater Green Bay? Start planning your trip with a copy of our latest Destination Guide!