Heritage Hill State Historical Park is an outdoor living-history museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where historic buildings represent Northeast Wisconsin from the 1600s to the present. It’s a nearby history outing from De Pere: the park is about a five-minute drive from Nuk's Executive Suites.
- Location: 2640 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301.
- The grounds include 24 historic structures.
- A roughly 1.5-mile loop crosses the park and includes a substantial hill.
- Leashed pets can accompany you on the grounds, but not inside historic buildings.
Getting to Heritage Hill from De Pere
Heritage Hill is at 2640 S. Webster Ave. in Green Bay, and the drive from De Pere takes about five minutes. The park has a large private lot with free parking; overflow street parking is also identified, so follow posted street signs if you use it.
For navigation or visit questions, the park lists (920) 448-5150. Its grounds are a standalone outing; if you’re planning more time around De Pere, you can also browse this one-day route through downtown De Pere.
Historic buildings and park areas
The park’s buildings trace several chapters of Northeast Wisconsin history. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources describes structures representing the fur trade in 1762, Fort Howard in 1836, small towns in 1871, and ethnic farms in 1905. Heritage Hill officially opened to the public in 1977.
The site is operated by the Heritage Hill Corporation on land leased from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. As an outdoor living-history museum, it pairs its historic structures with interpreters in select buildings during the main operating season.
Which buildings are open and where interpreters are located can change daily, so call or email the park about a planned visit.
Seasonal hours and admission
Heritage Hill’s hours and admission vary by season, so check the official site before you go. From May through October, the park is closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, and open Sundays from noon to 4 pm.
During that May-to-October season, admission is $14 for adults ages 13–64, $7 for youth ages 6–12, free for children age 5 and under, and $12 for seniors age 65 and older and military veterans. Active military enter free, and tribal members pay $12. Wisconsin State Park Pass holders pay $7; the annual pass sticker itself does not cover admission.
From November through April, the park is closed Saturday through Monday and open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Historic buildings are closed during the winter/spring season, but the grounds remain open for walking and not all paths are groomed.
Admission is $6 for adults age 13 and older and $3 for youth ages 6–12; members enter free. Wisconsin State Park Pass holders pay $5, and the annual pass sticker does not cover admission.
The off-season also brings themed programs on the second Saturday of each month, with select buildings open and historic interpreters; summer/fall admission applies. In September and October, Sunday tram tours start at 1 pm, last 60 minutes, and cost $20 per person. The ADA-accessible tram does not stop at buildings.
Walking the grounds
Walking is the main way to experience the park. The approximately 1.5-mile loop includes a substantial hill, so allow time for the route and the outdoor setting rather than treating the visit as a quick indoor museum stop. Tram service is offered for select events.
Ramps and wheelchair-accessible paths are present throughout the grounds, and wheelchairs are available at no charge on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are allowed in all buildings, though navigating the grounds may be difficult in inclement weather.
Leashed pets are welcome outside, but cannot enter historic buildings. Food and drinks are not allowed inside buildings; bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the grounds. Heritage Hill is smoke-free, with smoking permitted only outside the gates, and alcohol carry-ins are not allowed.
Making a half-day history outing
For a half-day visit, start by checking the seasonal schedule and deciding whether you want to focus on the grounds or visit when buildings and interpreters are available.
Then leave time for the loop and pauses at the historic structures. Daily building access and interpreter locations vary in the May-to-October season, so contact the park ahead of a specific visit if those details matter to your plan.
If you’re extending the day with another history stop, the National Railroad Museum visitor guide covers a separate Green Bay attraction. Keep the two visits as distinct stops when planning your timing; the park’s own grounds and walking route can fill a substantial part of an outing.
FAQs
Where is Heritage Hill State Historical Park?
It’s at 2640 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301. The park lists (920) 448-5150 for inquiries.
Are the historic buildings open all year?
No. The buildings close during the November-to-April season, though the park offers monthly themed programs with select buildings open.
Can you walk the grounds in winter?
Yes. The grounds are open for walking in the winter/spring season, but not all paths are groomed.
Can you bring a dog?
Leashed pets are allowed on the grounds, but not inside historic buildings.