Draft Your Downtown Experience
Welcome to Downtown Appleton, where original experiences and exceptional value come together to create memorable moments. Whether you’re here to cheer for your team, explore local dining, or immerse yourself in unique experiences, Downtown Appleton has something for everyone. From cozy cafes and craft breweries to boutique shops and lively entertainment, you’ll find endless ways to celebrate this exciting event. Make a day of it—or stay the weekend—and discover why Downtown Appleton is the perfect destination to create unforgettable draft-day memories. We can’t wait to welcome you!
The 2025 Draft is coming to Green Bay, a city rich with history and tradition. As the home of the Packers, Green Bay will welcome football fans from across the country to witness the future stars of the league take the spotlight. Planning to be part of this milestone event? Don’t miss the chance to make the short drive—less than 30 miles—to Downtown Appleton. Let this page guide you to all the can’t-miss spots and activities waiting for you!
Hotels & Accommodations
Downtown Appleton offers a variety of hotels and unique Airbnbs, perfect for your stay during the Draft. With cozy accommodations just steps from dining, shopping, and entertainment, you’ll be close to all the action while enjoying a break from the Draft excitement. Book early to make the most of your visit!
Fly Right into Appleton
Kick off your draft day adventure with ease by flying into Appleton Airport (ATW)! With 19 nonstop flights, convenient transportation options, nearby hotels, and rental cars ready to go, ATW ensures a smooth travel experience. Located just 30 minutes from the excitement in Green Bay, it’s the quickest and most convenient way to arrive for the 2025 Draft. Choose ATW for a hassle-free start to an unforgettable weekend!
Draft Week Specials & Experiences in Downtown Appleton
Downtown businesses are rolling out exclusive deals, themed drinks, special menus, and can’t-miss events to celebrate the 2025 Draft! Whether you’re looking for game-day bites, game day merch, or a place to catch the action, Downtown Appleton has you covered. Explore all the draft-week excitement waiting for you!
SongWalk – Wednesday, April 23, 7 – 9 pm
Celebrate live music with us during the Draft! Kick off this momentous occasion by listening to original live music in Downtown Appleton with select Mile of Music artists. Check out the lineup for this brand-new event presented by Mile of Music, Appleton Downtown, Inc. and the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau.
- Clubhouse Kitchen & Bar (333 W. College Avenue, inside the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel)
- 7-9 pm: Tom Thiel Trio from the Fox Cities
- Copper Rock Coffee (210 W. College Avenue)
- 7-9 pm: Christopher Gold from the Fox Cities
- The General Store (215 W. College Avenue)
- 7-7:55 pm: Karli Reisdorf (of Natural Satellite) from the Fox Cities
- 8:05-9pm: Kyle Megna from the Fox Cities
- Gibson Community Music Hall (211 W. College Avenue)
- 7-7:55 pm: Soultru from Des Moines IA
- 8:15-9:30 pm: Cassie and Maggie, sister duo from Nova Scotia, Canada
- Good Company (110 N. Richmond Street)
- 7-7:55 pm: Amelia Ford from Green Bay
- 8:05-9pm: Tyler SJ, Fox Cities troubadour with special guest Molly Levine
- Stone Arch Brewpub (1004 S. Olde Oneida Street)
- 7-9 pm: Eric W. Krueger & Marty Paschke (Leading The Blind Duo) from the Fox Cities
SHOPPING
- Angels Forever-Windows of Light (310 W. College Avenue) – 20% off everything in store and online including jewelry, stones, incense, statues and books; 30% off dreamcatchers, belly dancing scarves and sterling silver band rings throughout the entire week.
- Blue Moon Emporium (227 E. College Avenue) – Special Hours: Wednesday: 11 am – 8 pm, Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm, Friday: 9 am – 6 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm, plus football related items are 10% off!
- Casting On (305 E. College Avenue) – Extended hours on Saturday (9 am – 4 pm) to celebrate National Local Yarn Shop Day! New yarn debuting from Whimsical Wood & Wonderland Yarns, free exclusive LYS DAY patterns from many designers.
- Eco Candle Co. (123 E. College Avenue) – All 8 oz. mason jar candles are 10% off.
- Float Light (609 W. College Avenue) – Extended hours Monday through Sunday 8 am – 10 pm. Also enjoy 60 minute floats for just $60 ($19 discount) Thursday – Saturday.
- Lillians (115 E. College Avenue) – Extended hours Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 10am-4pm and Sunday: 11am-3pm. Stop in and experience Lillians NEW Liverpool shop – launching April 24th! The store will be filled with new Spring Collections! Plus, draft fans pick a scratch off game card and get special discounts!
- Mud & Prints (311 E. College Avenue) – Commemorative special edition Draft mugs available!
- Sugar Rushlow Boutique (129 E. College Avenue) – Extended Hours: Wednesday 10am-8pm, Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.
DINING & DRINKS
- Bazil’s Pub (109 E. College Avenue) – Open every day 11 am -2/2:30am. Kitchen open every day 11 am – 1 am. Specials running Wednesday – Sunday: Bud Light Pints $4.75, Hoop Tea Pints $4.50, Nutrl 2 for $12. In addition to our Special Event Food menu we will also offer a Fast Kitchen Menu available from 8pm-1am with little to no wait for select items.
- D2 Sports Pub (403 W. College Avenue) – Extended kitchen hours until midnight Thursday – Saturday during the Draft. Also enjoy $22 Budweiser family buckets (5 bottles), 2 for $10 Nutrl seltzers, $15 Bud Light or Busch light pitchers, Smirnoff/Captain/Crown doubles for $7.
- Firefly Downstairs Pub (109 W. College Avenue, Below Bazil’s Pub) – Open Wednesday 23rd – Saturday 26th 7 pm-2/2:30am. Kitchen open till 1 am. Special running Wednesday – Sunday: Bud Light Pints $4.75
- Fratellos (501 W. Water Street) – Special nightly features including a special beer: Green Bay Draft 2025 On The Clock Cold IPA.
- Garden View Family Restaurant (216 E. College Avenue) – Extended kitchen hours starting Thursday through Sunday: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.
- Olde Town Tavern (107 E. College Avenue) – Opening Sunday 27th 11 am – 6 pm in addition to regular business hours Tuesday-Saturday 4 pm – 2/2:30 pm. Kitchen open till 1 am. Special running Wednesday – Sunday: Bud Light Pints $4.75 and a custom craft cocktail menu.
- Rookies Sports Bar & Grill (325 N. Appleton Street) – Enjoy live music Wednesday night 7:30-10:30 with Band Until Dawn. Extended Hours: Kitchen hours 11:00 am to midnight Thursday thru Saturday. Sunday Brunch starting at 8:00 am, Lunch starting at 11:00 am, and open until midnight. Also offering $15 domestic beer buckets and 2 for $10.00 Nutrl seltzers.
- Stone Arch Brewpub (1004 S. Olde Oneida Street) – Extended hours Thursday – Saturday: bar open until midnight. Late night Happy Hour; $2.00 off handcrafted beers and all drinks from 8 pm – midnight.
- The Bar on the Avenue (427 W. College Avenue) – Coach buses running Thursday – Saturday to the Draft. Rides are $55.00/person and includes $10 entry fee to The Bar on Holmgren Way, Green Bay near the Draft. Sign up on our website.
- The Bent Keg (417 W. College Avenue) – Extended hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6 pm – 2 am, Friday and Saturday 3 pm- 2 am.
- The Durty Leprechaun (343 W. College Avenue) – $4 Long Islands & $5 Cherry Booms
- Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse (333 W. College Avenue, inside the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel) – Special brunch from 11 am to 1 pm on April 24th-26th, featuring a photo booth with the Lombardi Trophy and guided tours of our restaurant’s football museum. Visit our website for the menu!
- Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill (217 E. College Avenue) – Extended kitchen hours: grill open until midnight, Fryers open until 1 am with Half Priced Appetizers 10 pm – 1 am. Drink Specials also available.
Are you a Downtown business looking to add your specials? Please fill out this form.
Punt, Pass and Play in Downtown Appleton
It’s more than a location. Downtown Appleton has a distinct vibe, a unique experience that sets it apart. It’s a place where you can sip coffee at a cozy cafe, engage in meaningful conversations, and savor the moment. It’s where you can enjoy the amenities of a large city while reveling in the warmth of a small-town community. Visit the Downtown Directory to find your next adventure by clicking on any of the categories below.
Appleton Downtown, Inc
Welcome to Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI), your dedicated not-for-profit community coalition focused on creating a vibrant, safe, and welcoming Downtown environment in Northeast Wisconsin. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, visit our office for information and resources to help you enjoy all that Downtown Appleton has to offer.
Yellow Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Yellow Ramp on Washington St. Enter and exit the ramp on Washington St. or Franklin St.
CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel
Nestled into a charming corner of this vibrant city, our hotel offers a personalized experience for every guest. Step into comfort and elegance in our 85 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, each space is designed with meticulous attention to detail, featuring plush bedding, contemporary furnishings and modern amenities.
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Downtown Appleton, a cultural beacon since 2002, captivates audiences with Broadway shows, concerts, dance recitals, and community events. Its commitment to excellence enriches the lives of residents and visitors, making it a cornerstone of the Fox Cities’ cultural scene.
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel
Discover the newly remodeled hotel in Downtown Appleton! Enjoy 388 stylish guest rooms, 38,000 sq ft of versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, four on-site restaurants, and a Starbucks. Plus, it’s adjacent to the Fox Cities Exhibition Center for your convenience. Come experience the best of Appleton!
Green Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Green Ramp, located between the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and the Copper Leaf Boutique Hotel. Enter and exit the ramp on Division St. or Superior St.
Jones Park
Jones Park offers year-round recreational opportunities. This 5.8-acre park features a variety of amenities including, ADA-accessible playground equipment, a hockey rink with a warming shelter, and an ice skating rink. Visitors can enjoy a lighted walkway through the park, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, drinking water, and off-street parking under the Oneida Skyline Bridge, with convenient access to Lawrence Street. The park also boasts the Miron Construction stage, which hosts a variety of shows throughout the year, including the popular Heid Music Summer Concert Series.
Houdini Plaza
Houdini Plaza in Downtown Appleton is named in honor of the famous illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini, who spent part of his childhood in the city. The plaza was established in 1985 and has since became a central hub for community gatherings, concerts, festivals, and public events. Today, Houdini Plaza continues to be a vibrant public space celebrating both the legacy of Houdini and the spirit of the Appleton community through events, programming and public art.
Lawrence University
Lawrence’s 1,500 students come from nearly every state and 40 countries and share their light in an engaged community. Whether they choose to study in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or the Conservatory of Music, both dedicated exclusively to undergraduate education, Lawrentians find a welcoming community of scholars and artists.
Red Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Red Ramp, attached to the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel. Grab your ticket as you enter the ramp from Appleton St, Lawrence St. or Superior St. Pay as you exit on Superior St.
Appleton Downtown, Inc
Welcome to Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI), your dedicated not-for-profit community coalition focused on creating a vibrant, safe, and welcoming Downtown environment in Northeast Wisconsin. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, visit our office for information and resources to help you enjoy all that Downtown Appleton has to offer.
Yellow Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Yellow Ramp on Washington St. Enter and exit the ramp on Washington St. or Franklin St.
CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel
Nestled into a charming corner of this vibrant city, our hotel offers a personalized experience for every guest. Step into comfort and elegance in our 85 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, each space is designed with meticulous attention to detail, featuring plush bedding, contemporary furnishings and modern amenities.
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Downtown Appleton, a cultural beacon since 2002, captivates audiences with Broadway shows, concerts, dance recitals, and community events. Its commitment to excellence enriches the lives of residents and visitors, making it a cornerstone of the Fox Cities’ cultural scene.
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel
Discover the newly remodeled hotel in Downtown Appleton! Enjoy 388 stylish guest rooms, 38,000 sq ft of versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, four on-site restaurants, and a Starbucks. Plus, it’s adjacent to the Fox Cities Exhibition Center for your convenience. Come experience the best of Appleton!
Green Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Green Ramp, located between the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and the Copper Leaf Boutique Hotel. Enter and exit the ramp on Division St. or Superior St.
Jones Park
Jones Park offers year-round recreational opportunities. This 5.8-acre park features a variety of amenities including, ADA-accessible playground equipment, a hockey rink with a warming shelter, and an ice skating rink. Visitors can enjoy a lighted walkway through the park, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, drinking water, and off-street parking under the Oneida Skyline Bridge, with convenient access to Lawrence Street. The park also boasts the Miron Construction stage, which hosts a variety of shows throughout the year, including the popular Heid Music Summer Concert Series.
Houdini Plaza
Houdini Plaza in Downtown Appleton is named in honor of the famous illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini, who spent part of his childhood in the city. The plaza was established in 1985 and has since became a central hub for community gatherings, concerts, festivals, and public events. Today, Houdini Plaza continues to be a vibrant public space celebrating both the legacy of Houdini and the spirit of the Appleton community through events, programming and public art.
Lawrence University
Lawrence’s 1,500 students come from nearly every state and 40 countries and share their light in an engaged community. Whether they choose to study in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or the Conservatory of Music, both dedicated exclusively to undergraduate education, Lawrentians find a welcoming community of scholars and artists.
Red Parking Ramp
If you need shelter for your vehicle, use Downtown’s color-coded, covered parking ramps. Rates are $3.00 for less than 4 hours and $6 for more than 4 hours. The ramps accept cash, credit cards or pre-purchased parking passes. The Red Ramp, attached to the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel. Grab your ticket as you enter the ramp from Appleton St, Lawrence St. or Superior St. Pay as you exit on Superior St.