On my recent trip to Green Bay, I learned just how special the relationship is between the city and the Packers. I also learned how special the rest of the Green Bay area is.

I had my first experience on a Segway when I took the Packer Heritage Trail Tour. Our Segway guide at Glide N.E.W. (Glide Northeast Wisconsin) taught us how to ride a Segway and led us on an interesting tour of significant places in Green Bay and Packers history. Aside from the fun and the sites, it was a great way to get the lay of the land and experience Green Bay on a different level.

After working up a good appetite on the Segways, we enjoyed lunch at Dine on the Deck, which is held every Wednesday. Several restaurants offer their best lunch items, and people can sit at tables, on the pier or walk around. Although it attracts a lot of people, there is so much room that you can also find a private spot if you prefer. Mayor Jim Schmitt can also be seen on occasion.

Just south of Green Bay is De Pere, a beautiful city. We took a walking tour of the De Pere Riverwalk. I loved this area because it had a little bit of everything. The scenery was simply beautiful in all directions, including the lakefront, the De Pere skyline and the Claude Allouez Bridge in the distance. This is the perfect place for a picnic, a day of reading or a good run. Of course, you can also fish or hike. It seriously made me long for a home within walking distance.

We followed the Riverwalk with a walk through downtown De Pere, another scenic area. We took a tour of Seroogy’s, where they have been handmaking chocolates for over 100 years. I brought home chocolates for my friends, and after tasting them, they complained I did not bring enough.

We followed that with lunch and a quick tour of the Union Hotel, which is on the National Register and is in its 131^st year. The restaurant is casually elegant, the food was delicious, and the history is fascinating.

I could have spent several more days in De Pere, but my tour headed back to Green Bay, where I also could have spent several more days. I admit I had no idea just how beautiful the area was, how much there was to do and how much I would enjoy it all.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor