De Pere, WI

The land covered by De Pere was first occupied by Winnebago Indians. Jean Nicolet, a French trader and explorer, first explored the area and built relationships with the Winnebago in 1634. In 1671, Father Claude Allouez built a Jesuit mission and a way station for fur traders on the spot that would become De Pere. Local Indians burned the mission to the ground in 1687, and the area remained unsettled until William Dickinson built the De Pere Manufacturing Company in 1829. The industrial opportunity brought in new residents and the city grew to its modern proportions.

Today, residents can explore the region's history at the De Pere Historical Society and the Oneida Nation Museum. De Pere also hosts a small cultural scene anchored by St. Norbert College. Each year, locals come out for community festivals including the Redneck Regatta, the Family Fishing Tournament and the Memorial Day Veterans Salute.

Eateries in De Pere focus mainly on classic American food, with the occasional Italian or Asian place tossed in for variety. Options for cheap and mid-range food abound, and a few high-end spots provide residents with date-night meals. The bulk of the restaurants in De Pere gather near St. Norbert College, around Main Avenue and Highway 57.

De Pere locals love Luna, a casual and welcoming coffee shop that provides a small food menu. Try a hearty bowl of granola, and don't forget your laptop - Luna provides comfortable chairs and plenty of power outlets, making it a favorite for students and mobile professionals. When you're in the mood for something heartier, warm up with a bowl of baked French onion soup or an order of shrimp scampi ravioli at Pasquale's International Cafe. Located near the St. Norbert campus, the cafe also prides itself on its authentic Chicago-style hot dogs. For special occasions, head straight to Bleu, a beautiful restaurant that features thick wooden beams and vintage-style lighting fixtures. Sip a craft cocktail such as a smoky margarita while you decide between the rainbow trout and the house crab cakes. After dinner, indulge in a decadent order of Maple Creme Brulee or Goat Cheese Cheesecake.

Nightlife in De Pere revolves around the students at St. Norbert, but non-student residents have ample opportunity for evening entertainment. If you're in the mood for some family friendly fun, visit The Green Room Lounge to enjoy karaoke sing-a-longs, lip sync battles, theatrical performances and trivia shows. If the kids are home for the evening, sip a handmade cocktail at the bar while you watch the ComedyCity Improv troupe or listen to live music by Green Bay's best bands. For a quieter evening, try La Vie Boheme, a tiny lounge with an upscale vibe. The bar features two-for-one happy hour specials and specialty beers on tap, making it a favorite among local professionals.

Given De Pere's often unpredictable weather and cold winters, many residents opt to drive while running errands or heading into the city. During the warmer summer months, it's not uncommon to see locals walking or biking around town. Most streets are not outfitted with bike lanes, but cyclists ride safely on the riverfront paths and around the St. Norbert campus. Call ahead if you need a cab, or use Uber to find a ride.

De Pere provides limited public transportation. The Green Bay Metro bus line 17 runs from De Pere to the Bay Park Square Mall Transfer Point, where you can transfer to another bus into the city. If you prefer to drive, free street parking is plentiful. In the winter months, watch out for parking restrictions resulting from the city's snow-plowing schedule. Highway 41 runs along the western side of De Pere, enabling quick connections to downtown, and Interstate 43 sits a short drive east.

De Pere houses a variety of parks, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Park, Voyager Park, Legion Park and Optimist Park. The De Pere Riverwalk welcomes residents year round, offering beautiful views across the Fox River and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Local athletes often run and bike along the waterfront path in the warmer months. All parks in De Pere provide free entry.

De Pere parents are drawn to the kid-friendly playgrounds at Optimist Park and Legion Park. Both parks offer summer reading programs, ice cream socials and summer sporting events. At Voyager Park, the De Pere City Band plays regular concerts in the summer, while families enjoy the picnic area and play ball on the open stretch of grass. Dog owners love the De Pere Dog Park on Biotech Way for its off-leash area, wooded trails and well-maintained facilities.

The cost of living in De Pere sits slightly higher than the Green Bay average, due in part to its higher housing costs, but lower than the Wisconsin average. A one-bedroom residence rents for anywhere between $500 and $700 per month, depending on the location.

Housing aside, residents of De Pere enjoy inexpensive dining and entertainment options. If you stop in for a beer at a local bar such as The Vault, expect to pay $4 or less for a pint. A bus ride into downtown Green Bay will run you $1.50, with discounts available for students and seniors. Gas prices in De Pere generally stay close to the national average.

De Pere does not house many mainstream clothing stores or retail outlets, and residents head into Green Bay for major shopping trips or to find high-end items. The city features several specialty stores, most of which cluster along Interstate 41 on the southwest side of town. Local cycling enthusiasts frequent The Bike Hub, where experienced mechanics fix road and mountain bikes. The store also sells bikes and accessories. When you want a new outfit without a long trip into the city, browse the carefully curated selection of clothing at Hey, Daisy Residents love the boutique's scarves, accessories and DIY-themed home decor items.

When it comes to grocery shopping, De Pere residents enjoy numerous options. Festival Foods and Larry's Piggly Wiggly provide locals with pantry essentials. If you live on the west side of town, stop into the Oneida One-Stop Convenience Store for a cold can of soda or a case of beer. For certified organic, locally raised meat, don't miss the butcher counter at Waseda Farms Market. The nearest farmers market is in downtown Green Bay.