The Game
Our trip to Green Bay, Wisconsin was short and sweet, which was totally fine because there is only one reason to visit Green Bay and that is to visit Lambeau Field, home to the only fan-owned team in the NFL. The Packers are the 3rd oldest team in the NFL behind the Bears and, to most people’s surprise, the Cardinals. The city of Green Bay only exists because of their legendary football team and there is nothing wrong with that. The historic walls of Lambeau Field echo with chants of “Go Pack Go!” We were fortunate enough to be able to wake up on Sunday morning and be witness to the Packers put a hurting on the Detroit Lions. The Packers fan experience is unique. I have never seen a stadium full of people so dedicated to their team. During the second quarter we made a beer run and we were shocked to see the corridors completely empty. No one took breaks for food, beer or bathrooms until half time. And I get why, we missed 2 touchdowns while possibly the oldest person in Wisconsin slowly poured our beers. The beer was delicious though so all is forgiven.
After Party
The game eventually concluded with the Packers claiming victory and celebrations began. One thing to keep in mind when visiting Green Bay is you better come ready to party after the game. If you are looking for a relaxing meal after the game you will struggle to find some quiet dining. All the restaurants donned live bands and a sports bar atmosphere which is great if that’s what you’re into. We were a bit tuckered out and opted to find some peaceful old-school dining nostalgia at Kroll’s West and sampled their legendary hamburger, which I admit was a little underwhelming.
Hall of Fame
We stayed in town one more day to visit the Packers Hall of Fame and get a closer look at the pristine grass field at Lambeau. The tour was very informative. We chose the Champions Tour and were escorted from the tip-top of the stadium down through luxury boxes and all the way through the player tunnel onto the field. I would highly recommend this tour. Make sure to get the combo ticket and stroll through the Hall of Fame afterward. There you can see Brett Farve’s old locker, uniforms from the first Acme Packers squad and the original wooden stadium seats. There are also a bunch of cool videos that showcase famous Packers games, like the Ice Bowl.
All-in-all any football fan, regardless of your team affiliation, should take a journey to Lambeau Field to bask in the history of the players, coaches, and the stadium that shaped today’s NFL.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.