28 First Date Ideas in Northeast Wisconsin
Green Bay is a great place to start a new relationship, and even fall in love. There are lots of different first date options worth checking out. Here’s the breakdown of a couple of different categories.
For all my outdoor peeps, I’d recommend going on a hike for your first date. What better way to get to know someone than hiking under a canopy along a creek? Fonferek’s Glen is perfect for just that. There’s a waterfall, a creek, and different pathways to hike up and down that are not too strenuous. For a date plus a furry friend, Baird’s Creek is great for walking dogs (pictures below!). A stroll along the Fox River Trail offers miles of scenic hiking. You can find the trailhead near downtown Green Bay just south of the Mason Street Bridge. For a date adventure on the water, Expedition Addicts LLC right next to the Creamery, offers an opportunity to rent kayaks on the Fox River. Act like kids again and take your love to new heights at Bay Beach Amusement Park and the NEW Zoo Adventure Park.
If you find yourself looking for something fun to do in winter, go sledding either in a park or at Ariens Hill in the Titletown District. The Titletown District also has great ice skating on-site. My personal favorite way to enjoy the great outdoors in winter is by cross country skiing at the Brown County Reforestation Camp. What’s more romantic than snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa at the lodge afterwards? If you hit the seasons just right, you could also take a romantic stroll through the Garden of Lights at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens – my husband and I do this every year!
“Classic” first date ideas include mini golf, bowling, and a twist on the classic arcade. Green Bay has a great place in Howard called the Duck Creek Golf Center to fulfill your competitive side, and The Gutter in Suamico has a fun glow ball option. Or, take your date to Aunt Ethel’s in De Pere. Embrace your inner kid with skee-ball, bubble hockey, and multi-player Pac Man all while enjoying a selection of alcoholic beverages. The arcade is also near a lot of neat restaurants to enjoy while on your date.
Shout out to all my foodies! Taking a brewery tour is the perfect first date for you. Green Bay has seven main breweries to check out: Hinterland (photo below!), Badger State Brewing, Ahnapee Brewing, Zambaldi Beer, Titletown Brewing Co., Stillmank Brewing Co., and Noble Roots Brewing. Green Bay’s downtown Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays could also be the perfect option, and is really popular. If you go to the Wednesday Farmers Market, I suggest making a reservation at Three Three Five for a first date you won’t soon forget. Another opportunity for all my Foodies out there would, of course, be going out for dinner. Hinterland has a great patio and Chives in Suamico is right by my studio! While you’re in Vickery Village dining at Chives, stop at Ginger Birch to pick up a fresh flower bouquet to brighten your home!
If you want to test your date’s cooking skills, take a cooking class at Givens Farm, 416 Cuisine or Gather on Broadway. Check their events page to see what’s coming up. And for even more opportunities to check out what Green Bay has to offer for an alcoholic beverage on your first date, I would recommend Ned Kelly’s which has one hundred craft beers on tap, Brickhouse Craft Burgers and Brews (in a past life, I was the restaurant and bar manager here!), and Mr. Brews Taphouse. For my wine lovers out there, check out Aardvark, which is a serve-yourself wine bar and has a super cute vibe, The Bottle Room in Suamico, or Amphora Wine Bar in the heart of downtown Green Bay.
Another option right along the Niagara Escarpment is Ledgestone Vineyards just outside of Green Bay. It’s worth the drive, and you can check out the pretty view as you sit with your date along the wall of windows and try some wine. Lautenbach Orchard and Winery is also a fantastic if you want to make your way up to Door County!
Hinterland’s outdoor patio in the Titletown District, right across from Lambeau Field
If you want to have a coffee date in the Green Bay area, Kavarna is a great option, as well as Luna Café, which opened a second location in Ledgeview. The Exchange in De Pere is another locally run coffee shop. If you have a sweet tooth, Zesty’s and Brainfreeze are our go to ice cream locations in Green Bay! All of these first date ideas have great vibes, and awesome food available as well.
For first date ideas outside Green Bay, a day trip to Door County has many scenic state parks and beaches to explore together. Door County’s cute charm and great restaurants and shops leave endless opportunities for chatting, walking, and connecting with your date. Floating on the Wolf River is always relaxing when the weather is nice. Make sure to check their website and river levels to see when they’re available for river trips and rentals.
For places to start a relationship (or keep the spark alive), Green Bay’s options are endless! Have a favorite that wasn’t mentioned? Comment below!
Stay wild,
Kate