Things to Do in Appleton, WI & Nearby: A Local Guide
Looking for the best things to do in Appleton, Wisconsin and nearby? The Fox Cities, Green Bay and Oshkosh offer museums, breweries, historic attractions, outdoor destinations, sporting landmarks and plenty of unique local stops. From Appleton, you can tour Lambeau Field, explore an exceptional aviation museum, walk through historic homes and gardens, hike above Lake Winnebago, visit Wisconsin breweries and discover museums, parks and unusual local destinations.
We’re Harp Gallery, a Fox Cities business founded in Appleton in 1985 and now located nearby in Kaukauna. We put together this guide for visitors—and locals—looking for worthwhile things to do around Appleton, Kaukauna, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh and Green Bay. Find out more about what we do here.
Whether you are planning a weekend in Northeast Wisconsin, entertaining out-of-town guests, looking for a rainy-day activity or simply trying to find somewhere you have not visited before, these are some of the places we would start.
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Appleton & Fox Cities | Unique Local Stops | Outdoors | Breweries | Green Bay | Oshkosh | Annual Events | This Weekend | FAQ
Things to Do in Appleton & the Fox Cities
Appleton sits at the center of the Fox Cities, a group of communities along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. The area is compact enough that visitors can combine downtown museums, historic sites, shopping, restaurants, breweries and outdoor stops into the same day. If you are staying in Appleton, many of the region’s best attractions are within about an hour’s drive.
Explore Harp Gallery in Kaukauna
If you enjoy antiques, design, architecture or unusual old objects, Harp Gallery is worth a stop while you are in the Fox Cities. Founded in Appleton in 1985 and now located nearby in Kaukauna, Harp Gallery features a 20,000-square-foot showroom filled with antique and vintage furniture, architectural pieces, lighting, art and decorative objects.
Unlike a typical antique mall filled primarily with small vendor booths, Harp Gallery specializes heavily in furniture and professionally restored pieces. Visitors can find everything from Victorian and Arts & Crafts furniture to Art Deco, European antiques, Midcentury Modern design and unusual one-of-a-kind finds. Because inventory changes constantly as pieces are restored and sold, the showroom is different every time you visit. If you have a piece that needs some help, find out more about our restoration services here
Tour Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Architecture and history lovers should make time for Hearthstone Historic House Museum in Appleton. The restored Queen Anne home is closely tied to Appleton’s early electrical history and became one of the first homes in the country illuminated by a centrally located hydroelectric Edison system.
The historic interiors, architecture and story of early electrification make Hearthstone one of the most distinctive attractions in Appleton. Guided tours are offered on scheduled days, so check current tour information before visiting.
Official Website: Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Discover Houdini History at the History Museum at the Castle
Downtown Appleton’s History Museum at the Castle is an easy stop to combine with shopping, dining or a walk along College Avenue. One of its best-known exhibits explores Harry Houdini’s childhood, career and legacy through photographs, artifacts and interactive displays.
The museum also covers broader Fox Cities history, making it a good rainy-day activity or an easy addition to a downtown Appleton afternoon.
Official website: History Museum at the Castle
See a Show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center brings Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy and other live performances to downtown Appleton. If you are planning an overnight visit, it is worth checking the event calendar before choosing your dates because a show at the PAC can turn a normal Appleton day trip into a full evening downtown.
Official Website: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
Unique Things to Do Near Appleton
Walk the Trails at 1000 Islands Environmental Center
Just a few minutes from Harp Gallery in Kaukauna, 1000 Islands Environmental Center offers miles of trails along the Fox River along with a nature center, wildlife viewing and educational programs. It is an easy stop if you want to combine shopping or dining with time outdoors.
The wooded river setting makes this one of the quieter and more scenic places to visit near Appleton, especially during fall color season.
Official Website: 1000 Islands Environmental Center
Explore Downtown Appleton and College Avenue
Downtown Appleton is compact enough to explore on foot, with restaurants, bars, shops, museums and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center concentrated along and around College Avenue.
If you are visiting for the first time, leave part of your day unplanned and simply walk the downtown area. It is one of the easiest ways to combine shopping, dining, museums and nightlife without constantly getting back in the car.
Outdoor Things to Do Near Appleton
Hike High Cliff State Park
High Cliff State Park is one of the best outdoor day-trip options near Appleton. Located along the northeast shore of Lake Winnebago, the park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, camping and elevated views from the Niagara Escarpment.
It is especially worth visiting during spring, summer and fall, although the park is open year-round. If you want one of the best scenic overlooks near Appleton, High Cliff is an easy choice. Check Wisconsin DNR information before visiting for current trail conditions, admission requirements and seasonal closures.
Official Website: High Cliff State Park
Breweries Around Appleton & Green Bay
Wisconsin beer culture is part of the experience here, and the Appleton–Green Bay corridor has several easy brewery stops. If breweries are one of the reasons you are visiting, these are good options to build into the day.
Stone Arch Brewpub — Appleton
Stone Arch Brewpub combines locally brewed beer with food in one of Appleton’s most atmospheric historic settings. Its location near downtown and the Fox River makes it an easy stop before or after exploring Appleton.
Official Website: Stone Arch Brewpub
McFleshman’s Brewing Co. — Appleton
McFleshman’s Brewing Co. operates a downtown Appleton public house and beer garden with a strong focus on German lagers, English ales and American craft styles. It is particularly convenient if you are already walking downtown.
Official Website: McFleshman’s Brewing Co.
Badger State Brewing — Green Bay
Badger State Brewing is located close to Lambeau Field, making it an easy addition to a Green Bay day centered around Packers attractions. The brewery includes a taproom, beer garden and rotating beer selection.
Official Website: Badger State Brewing
Hinterland Brewery — Titletown
Hinterland sits across from Lambeau Field in the Titletown District and combines its brewery with a full restaurant. It works especially well for lunch or dinner before or after a Lambeau Field tour or Packers Hall of Fame visit.
Official Website: Hinterland Brewery
Green Bay Day Trip from Appleton
Tour Lambeau Field
Even if you are not attending a Packers game, Lambeau Field is one of Northeast Wisconsin’s biggest destination attractions. Visitors can tour the stadium, explore the Packers Hall of Fame, shop the Packers Pro Shop and spend time in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
Game weekends can affect tours, parking and operating hours, so check the Packers’ current visitor information before making the drive.
Official Website: Lambeau Field
Spend Time at Titletown
Directly beside Lambeau Field, Titletown adds year-round recreation to a Packers visit. The district includes public outdoor spaces, dining, a playground and football-themed activities, with skating and tubing available during winter conditions.
Official Website: Titletown
Visit Green Bay Botanical Garden
Green Bay Botanical Garden offers acres of display gardens and natural areas that change with the seasons. It is a particularly good choice if part of your group is less interested in football or if you want to combine Lambeau with something completely different.
Official Website: Green Bay Botanical Gardens
Take the Kids to Bay Beach Amusement Park
Bay Beach Amusement Park is one of the region’s most affordable family attractions. General admission and standard parking are free, with visitors purchasing inexpensive tickets for individual rides.
The park is seasonal and weather can affect ride operation, so check current hours before visiting.
Official Website: Bay Beach Amusement Park
Oshkosh Day Trip from Appleton
Explore the EAA Aviation Museum
The EAA Aviation Museum is worth the drive even if you are not already an aviation enthusiast. The museum features more than 200 aircraft along with thousands of aviation artifacts and exhibits covering early flight, military aviation, experimental aircraft and modern aviation history.
Interactive exhibits and family-friendly areas make it one of the strongest indoor attractions in Northeast Wisconsin, especially on a rainy or cold day.
Official Website: EAA Aviation Museum
Visit the Paine Art Center and Gardens
The Paine Art Center and Gardens combines an English-inspired historic estate, art galleries and landscaped gardens. It is especially appealing if your group enjoys architecture, interiors, decorative arts or gardens.
Exhibitions and seasonal displays change throughout the year, so it can be worth revisiting even if you have been before.
Official Website: Paine Art Center and Garden
Annual Events Worth Planning Around
Some of the busiest and most memorable times to visit Northeast Wisconsin revolve around major annual events. If your travel dates are flexible, check these before booking because they can dramatically change activity, traffic and hotel availability throughout the region.
Mile of Music
Mile of Music fills downtown Appleton with original live music performances each summer. Shows take place across downtown venues, creating one of the most energetic weekends of the year in Appleton.
Official Website: Mile of Music
Appleton Octoberfest
Appleton’s Octoberfest fills College Avenue with live music, food, beer, arts, crafts and family activities. The weekend traditionally also includes License to Cruise, a large classic-car event downtown.
Official Website: Appleton Octoberfest
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture transforms Oshkosh each summer and attracts aviation visitors from around the world. Even if you do not attend the event, travelers should know the dates because AirVenture has a major impact on traffic, lodging and activity throughout Oshkosh and the surrounding Fox Valley.
Official Website: EAA AirVenture
Looking for Things to Do This Weekend?
Events around Appleton, the Fox Cities, Green Bay and Oshkosh change constantly. Rather than maintaining a list here that quickly becomes outdated, these official regional calendars are the best places to check for concerts, festivals, markets, sporting events, museum programs and seasonal activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do Near Appleton
What are the best-known attractions near Appleton?
Some of the region’s best-known attractions include Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, High Cliff State Park, Hearthstone Historic House Museum and the museums and entertainment venues in downtown Appleton.
What can adults do around Appleton?
Adults can combine downtown dining and shopping with breweries, live performances, historic museums, antique shopping and outdoor activities. Harp Gallery, Stone Arch Brewpub, McFleshman’s Brewing, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and High Cliff State Park are all easy options to build into a day.
What are good rainy-day activities near Appleton?
Good indoor options include Harp Gallery, Hearthstone Historic House Museum, the History Museum at the Castle, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Lambeau Field tours and Packers Hall of Fame, the EAA Aviation Museum and the Paine Art Center.
What are some free or inexpensive things to do near Appleton?
Walking downtown Appleton and visiting local parks and trails are easy low-cost options. The 1000 Islands Environmental Center offers trails and nature experiences, while Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay has free general admission and parking with rides purchased individually.
Is Green Bay close enough for a day trip from Appleton?
Yes. Green Bay is close enough to make an easy day trip from Appleton, especially for Lambeau Field, Titletown, breweries, Green Bay Botanical Garden and Bay Beach.
Is Oshkosh worth visiting from Appleton?
Yes. Oshkosh is particularly worth visiting for the EAA Aviation Museum, Paine Art Center and Gardens, Lake Winnebago attractions and major events such as EAA AirVenture.
Visiting the Fox Cities? Stop at Harp Gallery
If antiques, vintage furniture, architecture or design are part of what brought you to this guide, stop in and explore Harp Gallery while you are in the area.
Our 20,000-square-foot Kaukauna showroom is filled with antique and vintage furniture, lighting, art, architectural pieces and unusual finds that change constantly as pieces are restored and sold.
Harp Gallery
2101 Progress Way
Kaukauna, WI 54130
Browse online before your visit to see what is currently in the showroom.