De Pere

River views, trails, history, and local culture reveal different sides of De Pere. The Fox River Trail runs through the town, the De Pere Riverwalk leads to several notable destinations, and historic sites tell the story of the city’s development. As you plan your trip, consider whether you’d like to focus more on riverside walks, local discoveries, or history—and then look for a vacation rental in De Pere that suits your plans.

Trails and River Views

The 25-mile Fox River Trail runs through De Pere and connects several communities in Brown County. For those who enjoy walking, it offers a specific starting point for planning the day: the stated length refers to the entire trail, which passes through several communities. The De Pere Riverwalk connects Voyageur Park, the Fox River Trail, and downtown De Pere with Locktender’s Island. This gives visitors a choice of a longer trail spanning multiple communities and a Riverwalk with named destinations to help them find their way.

The Riverwalk provides visitors with access to river views and the chance to experience wildlife on the Fox River from 325 feet away from the natural shoreline. This offers a distinct perspective on the river landscape: the path does more than simply follow the shoreline; it also allows visitors to observe nature from a distance from the natural shoreline. Fox River Tours offers public and private river cruises through De Pere aboard the River Thyme. Walks, river views, and cruises are different ways to include the Fox River in your trip.

History and Local Experiences

The De Pere Historic Home District was built between 1836 and 1923 and runs parallel to the Fox River. Anyone interested in the town’s architectural history can use this period as a guide to the district. Since its purchase by the De Pere Historical Society in 1973, the White Pillars Museum has served as a museum and a place to preserve De Pere’s history. Together, the historic district and the museum offer two different points of interest: a neighborhood with buildings from several decades and a place dedicated to De Pere’s history.

St. Norbert College on the Fox River offers prospective students and their families campus visits by appointment. The college also offers in-person campus tours led by current students. For families who want to explore De Pere in connection with possible college studies, making an appointment in advance is important; the in-person tour also offers the perspective of current students.

If you’re traveling with a dog, you can consider De Pere Dog Park at 1400 Biotech Way. The fenced facility includes six acres of open space, agility and training equipment, and wooded trails. Dogs can socialize, explore, and play there. The park is a specific option for dog owners traveling to the area; its size, fencing, and amenities highlight what makes this location distinctive.

Market, Art, and Local Traditions

During the summer season, the Downtown De Pere Farmers Market features local vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, baked goods, specialty items, and handmade goods. The selection ranges from food to handcrafted products. If you enjoy discovering local goods while traveling, the market is a good reason to consider including the downtown area in your plans.

Art in the Park is a free outdoor arts festival at Voyageur Park featuring local and regional artists, food trucks, and live music. Art, food, and music are all part of the festival format described here. Celebrate De Pere was founded in 1990 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the City of De Pere. The two names point to different aspects of local life: an arts festival and a celebration marking a historic milestone.

When choosing a vacation rental, you can base your decision on the experiences that matter most for your trip: trails and river cruises, an interest in history, a market visit, or traveling with a dog. The activities described here showcase different sides of De Pere; you can include them as individual interests in your plans without having to combine them into a set itinerary.

Discover more places: Green Bay, Allouez, Howard, Ashwaubenon.

Go to the broader travel overview: Brown.