I had the pleasure of being in attendance for the Green Bay Packers' 27-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, in what was truly an incredible experience for a Packers fan.
From flights, restaurants, and extracurriculars to the game-day atmosphere, traveling to Green Bay is something that belongs on every Packers fan's bucket list.
Here are the highlights from my time spent there, showing why this small town with a large history is not something to be missed.
Flying into Green Bay
When flying into Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, you will immediately feel the small-town energy in the city. The airport is modest, but you can feel the importance of the city through the airport's slogan: "The gateway to Lambeau Field."
The easiest access for flights into Green Bay comes through the airports of the Packers' division rivals, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Although you may get some dirty looks while wearing your Packers gear in these airports, it is a small price to pay when you arrive at your departure gate for Green Bay to see nearly everyone else on the flight dressed in Packers merchandise, ready to cheer on the team for the weekend.
The Packers Pro Shop
Attached to Lambeau Field is one of, if not the most impressive display of sports team merchandise that you will ever see, inside the Packers Pro Shop. You can think of any sports memorabilia in the world, and the odds are that you will find it on a shelf in the shop.
A sales associate working at the Pro Shop stated that the store was often packed with fans both on game day and often even more so on the day before a game. I was able to get a white Micah Parsons jersey, while a friend of mine grabbed a navy throwback Tucker Kraft jersey. Despite the crowds, the checkout service at the Pro Shop was very efficient. There appeared to be around 30 cashiers ready to help you check out, which allows you to pay for what you need efficiently.
The Packers Hall of Fame
Just a few steps away from the Pro Shop is the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, which displays historic players, moments, and items from Packers history, both new and old.
There is a short film to watch in an auditorium that gives you a rundown of Packers history, from Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi to the Matt LaFleur era. In the Hall of Fame, you will also find interactive displays, the Packers' four Super Bowl trophies, an Aaron Rodgers MVP award, an area dedicated to each Super Bowl, and much more.
There is far too much on display to encompass within an article, but believe me when I say it is like walking through a time machine where you can relive all the history in the present day.
The tour of Lambeau Field
A chance to tour the football world's most iconic stadium is something that every football fan should do at least once. Through the offered tours, a guide gives you exclusive access to exceptional views of the stadium, the player tunnel, the field level, the premium seating areas, and more.
READ MORE: The 10 best quarterbacks in the history of the Green Bay Packers
The tour gives you a chance to take in the history of Lambeau Field first-hand, without the rush of 80,000 Packers fans flooding the stadium. My experience with the tour guides is that they are all incredibly knowledgeable of the history of both the Packers and Lambeau Field itself — my tour guide attended the 1967 NFL Championship, known as the Ice Bowl, which took place at Lambeau Field itself.
Titletown
Titletown is also an area just across from Lambeau Field, where fans are concentrated on weekends, which turns into a tailgate zone on game day. The area features a football field open to all, a playground for young children, and recreational areas including games like table tennis, cornhole, and foosball.
Titletown also features some excellent dining options to enjoy throughout the entire weekend. The Hinterland Brewery and Restaurant is an excellent choice, where you can enjoy delicious sandwiches, pizza, beverages, and more in a welcoming environment, where you may even run into former Packers CEO Mark Murphy, like I did.
Another great choice would be BelAir Cantina, where you will find some Mexican cuisine, including some fantastic tacos. Also in the Titletown area is the Taverne in the Sky, a restaurant and bar on the fifth floor of the Lodge Kohler Hotel that gives you an incredible view of Lambeau Field while you enjoy your meal. Overall, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Titletown District, and it is really the place to be in Green Bay when traveling with friends and family.
The gameday experience
There is truly nothing like a game day in Green Bay. When waking up in my hotel room on Sunday morning, you could feel the city come alive at the crack of dawn. Even over six hours before the game, fans were outside my hotel, blocks away from the stadium, setting up their tailgates, getting their grills ready, and throwing around a football while playing some music.
It felt like the whole city was gathering at Lambeau Field before the game, preparing for the pivotal Week 6 matchup. Titletown was packed, with crowds of fans watching the early slate of NFL games on the TV screens and enjoying everything that the area around Lambeau Field has to offer.
Once entering the stadium, the energy only intensifies as you enter the heart of the sea of green and gold. From the national anthem and player introductions to the roar of the crowd on a big third-down stop, you could feel the love for the Packers from start to finish.
Thanks to a pair of Josh Jacobs rushing touchdowns and a score from Tucker Kraft, the Packers were able to earn a nine-point victory over the Joe Flacco-led Bengals. After a win, it was evident that fans around Titletown would celebrate late into the night.
As I flew back home on Monday, the city had returned to its quiet, small-town spirit, with 100,000 people living their normal lives. However, it became clear as ever that all those people will be ready to run through a brick wall when the next home game comes around.
If I learned one thing during my trip, I learned that this will not be my last visit to Green Bay. Living as a Packers superfan, Green Bay felt like a home away from home, where I was surrounded by Packers fans who love the team as much as I do.
If you are ever wondering if taking a trip to Green Bay is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes.