Discover Racine, Wisconsin!
Take a Bite out of Racine!
Built up originally as a fur trading outpost, Racine takes its name from the French word for root, à la the Root River that it has grown up around. Before the Civil War, Racine was a major player in the anti-slavery movement, among other things acting as a safe city for the Underground Railroad. Though it has welcomed a great diversity of immigrants over the years, it is especially known for having the largest concentration of Danish residents in any North American city. Through Danish contribution, Racine is the American epicenter of the Kringle pastry, which is like the child of a pretzel and a danish, a warm ring of flaky dough and filling for days. Through the invention of an English immigrant, Racine is also the birthplace of malted milk, which means this city is one sweet stop on your itinerary. Stay a while. Carb-load to build up strength for the miles of road ahead. You won’t regret it.
Top Things to Do and See in Racine:
- Take in the view at Wind Point Lighthouse
- Tour through Architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
- Make new friends at the Racine Zoo
- Blaze a trail at the River Bend Nature Center
- Look to the future at the Eco-Justice Center
- Soak up the sun at North Beach Park
- Feed your curiosity at Racine’s Art or Heritage Museums
- Eat lots and lots of Kringle
Hug the Coast
Northernmost stop is Wind Point Lighthouse, where you can swim on a beach and play in the park with the beautiful lighthouse tower as backdrop scenery. Or, if you visit on the first Sunday of the month from June to October, you can tour the keeper quarters and climb to the top of the tower for an amazing view!
Moving south into Racine city proper is the Racine Zoo, where the cost to value ratio is very good and the well-cared-for animals are always happy to see you. This manageable zoo is a breeze to explore for kids from 1 to 92 and is fun for all ages in between.
Racine’s North Beach Park is a great place to fire up a grill or lay on the beach and chill. With a great playground for the kids and live music on summer weekends at the aptly-named Oasis concession stand, you’ll want to spend some serious lake-appreciation time here.
Surround Yourself with Art & History
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural contributions still stand proudly in Racine at S. C. Johnson (yes, that S. C. Johnson) headquarters and at Wingspread Conference center, a former family home of the Johnsons. Make reservations at either location for a free tour and marvel at some of America’s most iconic architecture.
Visit the Racine Art Museum, putting the art back into arts and crafts with its gallery housing the largest collection of contemporary crafts in the United States. Or stop in at Wustum Museum, the original site of the RAM and current center of its studio art classes and outreach programs.
If history is more your cup of tea, a walk through the Racine Heritage Museum is a goldmine for stories of Racine’s interesting past and its contributions to the present. From the sports hall of fame lauding local athletes, to an exhibit dedicated to the celebration of Racine’s inventors, to information and artifacts detailing its part in writing the history of the nation, the Heritage Museum is packed full of tales just waiting to be told.
Get back and Give Back to Nature
The River Bend Nature Center is your one stop destination for all things outdoor. In the summer hike its many trails, or kayak and canoe from its base along the Root River, attend summer camp, or take part in one of its many events and programs from woodcarving instruction to a pancake breakfast. Even in the winter the events remain, with candlelight trails and bonfires to give you a nice warm glow after a day of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Nature is open year-round. Stop in and take advantage.
For a first-hand lesson in sustainable farming and environmental care, stop in at the Eco-Justice Center, a working farm built around the concept of sustainability in its farming practices and energy use. Stay in a hermitage on the property, get the buzz from the bees, watch the free-range chickens range freely and admire an alpaca or two then buy apparel they’ve grown the fiber to create. Its self-guided tours and easygoing charm make scheduling a stop here a breeze.
With its diverse entertainment and relaxation options, Racine is one tasty treat that’s sure to please any palate. Come for the Kringle and stay for the adventure. We’re sure you’ll leave satisfied.
For more travel information about Racine, Wisconsin, please contact this tourism resource:
Racine County Convention & Visitors Bureau
14015 Washington Ave
Sturtevant, WI 53177
(262) 884-6400