Soaking in the Green and Gold: A Solo Traveler's Experience at a Packers Game

Growing up in the 1990s in western New England, I found myself surrounded by three professional football teams: the New England Patriots, the New York Giants, and the New York Jets. This was before Tom Brady's legendary era with the Patriots. Eli Manning, who was my age, was still finding his footing and hadn’t yet made his mark with the Giants. As for the Jets, they always seemed to trip over themselves (and I was quite correct about that!). None of these teams really captured my interest. You could say I was a "sports fan free agent," free to choose whichever team I wanted to support. It was during this time that a football team from a small Midwestern city grabbed my attention. Every Sunday, a small rust belt city in the icy upper Midwest came together to support this team - win or lose. Through weekly national television broadcasts, I became captivated and intrigued by their rich history. I had always dreamed of visiting Green Bay and seeing a game at Lambeau Field, and finally I got the chance. Traveling to see your favorite sports team, whether with friends or on a solo trip, is a wonderful way to explore, and I decided to take my own advice! So, in May of 2024, I patiently waited for the NFL Schedule Release and I picked a date, I set my sights on an early October Sunday where they would be playing the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. I booked and paid for a package through Sports Traveler that included hotel, transportation, tickets to the game and a next day tour of Lambeau Field. What experience would a solo traveler like me have using Sports Traveler or any sports travel company?

DISCLAIMER: I paid for this experience in full, with no reimbursement sought or received. This experience is entirely my own.

So You're Saying There's A Chance

The notion of attending a Packers game has been on my mind for several years, but it always seemed to slip through my fingers. Most sports leagues typically announce their schedules well ahead of time. NASCAR and Major League Baseball often unveil the upcoming season's schedule while the current one is still in progress. The National Football League, however, has turned the schedule release into a spectacle, usually revealing it just a few months in advance, which keeps fans in suspense. Knowing the schedule is crucial because it allows fans to anticipate matchups and the specific Sundays when games will take place. With only one game each week, this information is vital. Each time I considered going to a game, it wouldn’t cross my mind until September, by which point I had already organized and budgeted for my late-year trip between October and early December. Therefore, in 2023, I made a firm commitment to ensure I would attend a game in late 2024. When the schedule was released in May 2024, I began researching sports travel companies. I have had mixed to positive experiences with these companies during my annual NASCAR trips with friends. I ultimately chose Sports Traveler, which collaborates with several NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers. I opted for a package that featured a two-night stay in a single-occupancy room at the Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay, daily breakfast buffet, round-trip coach bus transportation to the game, a ticket to the game, and a tour of Lambeau Field the following day. Additionally, I included travel insurance in the package for peace of mind, given that I was prepaying for the event. The total cost for this experience came to $1,370.00, with my only obligation being to cover the flight expenses. I also planned a quick visit to nearby Milwaukee, just a two-hour drive away, to enhance the experience.

The Road Trip In

On a chilly, rainy October Saturday afternoon, I made my way from Milwaukee in a rental car. I arrived at the Oneida Casino Hotel, located at the edge of the Oneida reservation and directly across from the airport. After checking in at the front desk, I entered my room, which I found to be quite clean and comfortable. I recorded a brief video of the room, as seen below.

Once I settled in, I headed to the casino to try my luck at the slot machines. The casino felt a bit cramped, and the presence of a wedding party added to the crowd, especially with the Packers game happening the next day. I chose a slot machine, inserted $40, and after a few spins, I hit a big win of $260! Since I'm not an avid gambler, I decided to cash out and take my winnings. I then drove into town and discovered a decent cocktail bar nearby, where I enjoyed a glass of wine and a light dinner. It was nothing extravagant; I just wanted to unwind after a long day of travel. Green Bay is what you would expect from a small Midwestern rust-belt city, featuring a modest downtown area with museums and activities. However, on this particular Saturday night, it felt rather quiet, perhaps due to the chilly rain affecting the atmosphere.

Gameday Morning

After enjoying a delightful breakfast buffet at the hotel, I settled in to wait for the shuttle, which ran every 30 minutes starting three hours before the game. Even at 9:30 AM, the shuttle was already crowded. They provide shuttles for other hotel guests for an $8 fee, but it's definitely worth it to bypass the traffic around the stadium. The shuttles pick up right by the hotel entrance, and my package included a voucher for transportation to the stadium area. From there, I would board the coach bus shuttle that would take us to our stop near Lambeau Field. The bus was filled with Packers fans from various regions, along with a few from farther away. During the ride to Lambeau Field, I struck up a fantastic conversation with a fellow Green Bay Packers fan from North Dakota who was sitting next to me, which led to a lively chat with other fans from California in the seats ahead of us. This bus was a true melting pot of Packers fans from all over America. Arriving a few hours before the game, I wandered through the parking lot into the connecting streets, soaking in the energetic atmosphere surrounding me.

In the United States, especially before football games, the "tailgate" scene is renowned for its diverse food offerings, including chili, pasta, and cheeseburgers. The tailgating tradition at Packers games at Lambeau Field is no exception, boasting a rich history. Fans gather in the parking lots to socialize, grill tasty food, and cheer for their team, creating a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the game day experience. Over the years, this communal activity has become an essential part of the Packers' identity and a cherished ritual for their fans. My ticket package included a "tailgate spread" buffet at a hotel within walking distance to Lambeau Field advertised as a "VIP Tailgate party." The food selection was indulgent, featuring plenty of bacon, eggs, and burgers—classic tailgate fare. At this event, a DJ played everything from Queen to modern hits, and the crowd was lively, primarily made up of attendees aged 30 and older. The bar area had plenty of seating, and I found a cozy spot in the back to relax and enjoy my beers. Even if your friends and family can't be there, you can still keep them updated through texts. The tailgate party also included fun contests and activities. While traditional tailgates are typically held outdoors, I was thankful for the indoor option due to the chilly weather, which also meant it was less crowded.

Gametime!

As the tailgate celebrations around the stadium began to wind down, I joined the crowd making its way to Lambeau Field. The area surrounding Lambeau is lively, filled with numerous sports bars and hotels buzzing with energetic music and a festive atmosphere. The crowd is lively yet well-mannered, creating a jovial atmosphere that extended into the stadium itself. I navigated to my assigned gate and entered the venue. The weather was overcast and cool, with a light mist beginning to fall. I then found my seat in section 105, row 24, seat 5, located within the "bowl," where I had bleacher seating alongside several fellow fans. One interesting feature of Lambeau is that the so-called "cheap seats," often jokingly referred to as "nosebleeds" due to their height, are actually closer to the field, providing a more intimate view of the game. In contrast, the more expensive seats are situated in the upper levels, which include suites and luxury boxes.

As for the game itself, it was rainy, cold, cloudy, and a dreary day, and i'm pretty sure I caught a bad head cold - but I was in heaven, I am a longtime Green Bay Packers fan finally sitting at Lambeau Field watching my team play a football game. This was a moment years in the making for me, and I got to experience it. The atmosphere was electric, and I was high-fiving numerous other fans when the Packers scored touchdowns and impressive plays. You could feel the energy inside that stadium, no matter the elements. Towards the middle of the game, the elements caught up to me so I went under the bleachers to the concessions to go grab a bite to eat and beers while catching glimpses of the game on the screens. I also had the pleasure of chatting with a couple from another part of the Midwest who had come to see the game. As someone from New England, I often notice that we tend to be more reserved, but in the Deep South and the Midwest, people are generally warm and friendly, so it's always a nice respite for me whenever I travel to encounter that element. The Packers would defeat the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 34-13 in front of a crowd of 77,773 people (including me!) at Lambeau Field.

Once I returned to the hotel for the night, I would change into some dry clothes, order takeout delivered to my room, and watch my baseball team, the New York Mets, compete against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB playoffs. Sadly, they lost that game and the series to the team that would go on to win the 2024 World Series.

Oh well, at least one of my sports teams won that day!

The Grand Tour

The last part of my ticket package with Sports Traveler was a tour of Green Bay and Lambeau Field. The itinerary mentioned a meeting time, but it didn’t specify where to meet. I figured it was in the hotel lobby, so I made my way down around 7:45 am. When I got to the lobby, I spotted the group waiting for the tour guide. Our driver was there too, but he was also waiting for the guide. Just before 8 am, our tour guide Susan arrived and apologized for being a bit late. I didn’t catch her last name, but she’s contracted by Sports Traveler and has a background in the NFL, having worked as an assistant to former Packers coach Mike Holmgren, among others. She’s been leading tours for several years, including the Packers Heritage Trail around downtown Green Bay. As our shuttle bus driver took us around, Susan shared stories in a laid-back, conversational way. We kicked off the morning with a city tour, where Susan gave us a quick rundown of Green Bay’s history. It’s the third largest city in Wisconsin, with a metro area of about 250,000. Originally a fur trading post, it transitioned to logging and has now become the paper industry hub, producing all kinds of paper and the machinery to make it, plus it’s known for agriculture since Wisconsin is “the dairy state.”

We began our adventure with a brief photo opportunity outside Vince Lombardi’s former residence. Next, we made our way to Curly Lambeau’s gravesite. Our bus driver was a very nice man, Rick Meyers—who also works as a real estate agent—shared a fascinating story about selling a house to Aaron Rodgers during his time with the team. And here’s a fun fact: the Green Bay Packers got their name because they originated on the grounds of a meat packing plant where the workers would play football.

After checking out the Heritage Trail, we made our way to Lambeau Field for a tour. There are a couple of tour options: the Classic and the Champions tour. Our package included the Champions tour. After a quick rundown of the atrium and how the flooring matches up with the yard lines on the field, we kicked off the tour. We headed up to the Suite level, where we saw a bunch of cool photos and artwork showcasing Packers history. This level has several suites owned by both individuals and companies, which can be used for games and other events. One lady even has a suite for her bridge club gatherings since Lambeau is open 362 days a year. But just a heads up, it’s strictly a football stadium—no concerts here. Built in 1957 for $1 million, it’s wild to think about how much stadiums cost today. While they do not have events on the field during the offseason, Lambeau Field's atrium and interior hosts several events each year, including local high school proms! The suites led us to the 600 level, where we all joined in for a loud “Go Pack Go” chant that echoed back—super cool! Then we went up to the South Loft, where we got some stunning views of the field. There’s also a giant G that lights up at night, kind of like the Bat-Signal over Gotham!

We headed over to the Champions Club, which serves as the Packers' version of a "country club." Joining requires a three-year commitment and costs around $500 per game (with at least eight games each season at Lambeau Field, you can do the math). The great part is that all food is included, though adult beverages are not, and since it's all indoors, it's a great choice if you're sensitive to the weather. The lower-level Terrace Suites are available for $7,000 and offer similar perks. Unfortunately, we missed out on touring the locker room. Our tour guide, Mark, was fantastic and has been leading tours since 2003.

The last part of our visit was a field tour; while we couldn't walk on the grass, we still got a good look at the field itself.

We then proceeded to the Hall of Fame tour, beginning with a short discussion about how the artifacts are gathered. We got to see old shoulder pads, vintage leather helmets, the latest helmet designs, and some jerseys worn during games, along with insights into the equipment team's role in preserving these items after each game. After the tour and our chat about the Hall of Fame, we had the chance to explore the Hall of Fame on our own for about an hour. One of the great things about this experience is that you have some free time to wander around. Plus, the ticket allows you to come and go throughout the day. Surprisingly, the museum wasn't overly crowded, even considering it was a holiday and a postgame day.

The Packers Hall of Fame museum serves as a tribute to the team's rich history, featuring stunning exhibits and interactive elements, including a video game that lets you step into the shoes of a quarterback. There are also theaters that highlight iconic moments in Packers history, like the legendary “Ice Bowl,” where they triumphed in frigid temperatures. While special exhibits may not be on display at the moment (though there is a section dedicated to the NFL Draft in Green Bay in 2025, which appears exciting), visitors can explore a wealth of information about the team's past and its bright future.

After leaving the Hall of Fame tour, our group hopped back onto the shuttle bus for one final journey through Lambeau Field and back to the hotel. However, our tour guide and our incredibly knowledgeable shuttle bus driver decided to take a brief detour to explore the nearby Titletown District. Inspired by Patriot Place next to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, Titletown features a hotel, a brewery, and a restaurant.

Titletown is a fascinating development that helps the Green Bay Packers generate additional revenue as player salaries continue to rise each year. This initiative also enables the team to remain competitive in the smallest market in the NFL. I can appreciate the reasoning behind it; the district is truly beautiful. However, I do feel it somewhat takes away from the team's rich history and the charm of the Green Bay Packers for fans like me, who developed a love for the team by watching games on TV and connecting with its storied past and ties to the city. My hope is that this development strengthens the bond rather than dilutes it. Only time will tell. Despite a bit of a shaky start, the tour ended on a high note, and I was very satisfied.

Final Thoughts

Fun fact about me: I am actually a "co-owner" of the Green Bay Packers. How so? I own 1 share of the team. I purchased this share back in 2021 as part of an offering made by the team. It cost $300 and means absolutely nothing other than bragging rights, but it's a fun aspect of being a Green Bay Packers fan. The Green Bay Packers are unique in that the fans actually own the team, and it shows in the outpouring of love from this community with every football game, and all over the city of Green Bay. Green Bay is what you would expect, it's a small city in the Midwest that has seen better days, but it's on the path to renewal. It's hard to ignore the presence of the Green Bay Packers in this city. This is the smallest city and market in America to have a football team.. As for my overall experience, I hit some minor rocky patches with the weekend but overall it was smooth and I was incredibly pleased. Sports Traveler is a great partner to work with for these trips, and I would rate my experience with them a solid B+ (read my review below on Google).

Fan or not, I hope you get a chance to visit this unique and special place. I know i'll be back.