Beyond Packers Football: Thrilling Adventure Activities in Green Bay

The Fox River, which once powered Green Bay's industrial past, now serves as its recreational artery. As a physical therapist, I'm always searching for activities that combine full-body engagement with mindfulness—kayaking the Fox delivers both in abundance.

I spent a morning with experienced guides from Fox River Kayaking Company, who provided stable, comfortable touring kayaks perfect for both beginners and intermediate paddlers. The 3-hour tour took us through downtown Green Bay's revitalized riverfront and into surprisingly serene sections where bald eagles soared overhead.

What impressed me most was how this paddling experience engages the core muscles and upper body while remaining low-impact—ideal for those recovering from lower extremity injuries or seeking gentle, therapeutic movement. The rhythmic paddling motion creates a meditative state similar to what I experienced in Japanese onsen, though admittedly with more physical exertion.

For those seeking more adventure, the Bay of Green Bay offers open-water paddling with views of the peninsula. Just ensure you're equipped with a proper PFD and check weather conditions before heading out.

Twenty minutes from downtown lies Brown County Reforestation Camp—a 1,600-acre woodland area that houses some of Wisconsin's most surprisingly technical mountain bike trails. Having ridden in Colorado and New Zealand extensively, I approached these midwestern trails with tempered expectations. I was wrong.

The NEW Trails system offers over 14 miles of purpose-built single-track ranging from beginner-friendly loops to challenging technical sections with berms, jumps, and rocky descents. I rented a quality full-suspension mountain bike from Broken Spoke Bike Studio downtown, which proved essential for navigating the more technical sections.

From a therapeutic perspective, mountain biking here provides exceptional proprioceptive training—the body constantly adjusts to changing terrain, improving balance and coordination. For those recovering from injuries, the green trails offer gentle progression while still delivering forest immersion.

What sets these trails apart is their accessibility and design. Unlike mountainous destinations where long, grueling climbs precede descents, these trails maintain a flow that allows riders to maintain momentum and enjoy consistent engagement without exhaustion.

While Green Bay may not boast mountainous terrain, the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary offers 600 acres of diverse ecosystems with over 6 miles of hiking trails that provide surprising elevation changes and varied terrain. As someone who's hiked extensively in Switzerland and Iceland, I've learned that the therapeutic value of a trail isn't measured by its vertical gain but by its ability to engage the senses and promote mindful movement.

The sanctuary's trails wind through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies, creating an immersive experience that changes with each season. Summer brings lush vegetation and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer, foxes, and over 200 bird species. I recommend starting with the 2-mile Brule River Trail, which offers moderate terrain with several wooden boardwalks over wetland areas.

For those seeking therapeutic walking surfaces, the trail system provides varying degrees of challenge—from paved accessible paths to natural surfaces that engage stabilizing muscles. I found the sanctuary particularly valuable for practicing proprioceptive awareness, an essential component of rehabilitation following lower extremity injuries.

Pack a pair of quality hiking shoes rather than sneakers, as some sections can become muddy after rain. The sanctuary's trails are well-marked but having a trail app helps navigate the interconnected system.

My journey into therapeutic travel began in Japanese onsen, so I'm always searching for similar experiences worldwide. While Green Bay lacks natural hot springs, I discovered Serotonin Spa offering a modern interpretation of traditional thermal therapy that rivals experiences I've had in Iceland.

Their contrast therapy circuit combines hot saunas, cold plunges, and therapeutic relaxation spaces in a carefully designed sequence that promotes circulation, reduces inflammation, and accelerates recovery—perfect after days of kayaking and mountain biking. The spa's Finnish-inspired sauna reaches temperatures of 180°F, while their cold plunge maintains a consistent 38°F, creating an ideal contrast for tissue recovery.

What impressed me most was their knowledge of hydrotherapy principles and how they've adapted traditional practices for modern wellness. As someone who incorporates hydrotherapy into my physical therapy practice, I found their protocols remarkably aligned with clinical recovery techniques.

For visitors seeking deeper muscle recovery, I recommend adding their sports massage option, which targets specific activity-related tension. Their therapists are well-versed in addressing paddling-related shoulder tightness and cycling-induced lower back compression—issues I experienced after my adventures.

Bring a quick-dry towel and water bottle to maintain hydration throughout the thermal circuit.

While technically outside Green Bay proper, no adventure-focused visit would be complete without a day trip to Peninsula State Park in Door County, just 45 minutes northeast. This 3,776-acre state park perched on the shores of Lake Michigan offers some of Wisconsin's most diverse outdoor experiences.

My recommendation is to rent a hybrid bike in Green Bay before heading out (Broken Spoke offers quality rentals) and explore the park's 20-mile Sunset Trail—a mostly flat, crushed limestone path that circles the peninsula with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, limestone bluffs, and cedar forests.

For water enthusiasts, the park's Nicolet Beach offers kayak rentals for exploring the protected coves and limestone sea caves that dot the shoreline. The water clarity rivals what I've seen in New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park, with visibility often exceeding 20 feet on calm days.

The park's Eagle Trail provides a more challenging hiking experience, descending 150 feet through forest to the water's edge along limestone cliffs. The terrain requires proper footwear and moderate fitness but rewards with views and geological features unique to the region.

From a therapeutic perspective, the park's diverse terrain provides progressive challenge options—from gentle cycling to moderate hiking—making it suitable for various fitness levels and recovery stages. The negative ions from the lake breeze and forest environment create what the Japanese call "shinrin-yoku" or forest bathing—a practice with documented stress-reduction benefits.