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The city of Racine Wisconsin is a wonderful place to visit. With so many activities to do, there are countless reasons why you should plan your next vacation around the area! Whether you’re looking for some family fun or just want to enjoy some peace and quiet, there’s no shortage of things to do in Racine Wisconsin.
Being sandwiched between Milwaukee Wisconson and Chicago Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan means that Racine has a lot of great things to do. There are so many, in fact, that it’s hard to narrow them down! Luckily for you, we’ve done the work and have come up with 21 awesome things to do while visiting this fantastic city besides simply exploring historical downtown Racine Wisconsin.
Things to Do In Racine Wisconsin
Keep reading for 21 awesome things that you can do while visiting this great city!
1.Racine Art Museum
If you enjoy the arts, then a visit to this museum is perfect for you. It’s free and open to the public! Racine Art Museum is one of the leading museums in America for contemporary craft. It has over 8,000 pieces including art jewelry, ceramics, and fibers to name a few as well as sculptures on display. RAM also organizes internationally recognized exhibitions with unique finds at its gift shop that changes collections every season.
My favorite? The Annual Peeps competition and exhibit.
- Website: ramart.org
- Address: 441 Main St, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (262) 638-8300
2.Eat a Kringle
After all, it is Wisconsin’s State pastry. What exactly is a Kringle? It’s a flaky pastry filled with fruit, nuts, or cheese! If you’ve never tried one before and are visiting Racine then be sure to stop in at O & H Danish Bakery. Seriously, this is one of the top things you need to try when looking for things to do in Racine Wisconsin!
- Website: www.ohdanishbakery.com
- There are several locations
3.Wind Point Lighthouse
Have time to visit only one of Racine’s famous attractions? Then Wind Point Lighthouse is the place for you! The lighthouse and its grounds are open to visitors who can climb up 155 steps for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. The Wind Point Lighthouse stands 108 feet tall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was lit for the first time on November 15, 1880, and continues to be lit to this day. Don’t forget to check out the “fog horn building”.
- Website: windpointlighthousefriends.org
- Address: 4725 Lighthouse Drive, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (262) 639-3777
The cost for tower climbs is $10 for adults and $5.00 for children (ages 6-11). Walk-ups are welcome, however, we recommend that you pre-purchase tickets in advance to make sure that you secure a spot.Pre-purchase tickets can be found on Eventbrite.
4.SC Johnson Administration Building
Frank Lloyd Wright’s work can be seen all around Racine, but one of the most famous buildings is without a doubt SC Johnson’s Administration Building. The building was designed to allow natural light into as many rooms as possible and has an open floor plan with no interior walls or barriers except for bathrooms. This helps keep employees happy because they have more privacy than they would otherwise have in a more traditional office space. The SC Johnson Headquarters is a place to see!
- Website: scjohnson.com/our-company/visiting-us/tours
- Address: 1525 Howe St, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (800) 49-SCJOHNSON ext 1360 for tour information or call (262) 260-2500
Tours are not available on Saturdays.
Price: FREE – but reservations required and limited to 20 people per tour
5.Racine Heritage Museum
This museum is filled with exhibits that showcase Racine’s history. There are photographs, videos, and more on display here so it might be a good place to take kids who want to learn about the city they’re visiting.
- Website: racinemuseum.com/information-and-hours/
- Address: 701 Main Street, Racine, WI 53402
- Phone: (262) 636-3926
6.Apple Holler Farm
This is one farm you won’t want to miss when visiting Racine. You can pick your own apples or pumpkins here and enjoy special events during the fall season like their corn maze, hayrides, pig races, and more! Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras along on this farm adventure because you never know what they’ll see while there! Even USA Today ranked them as one of the top 10 Orchards in the United States!
- Website: https://www.appleholler.com/
- Address: 5006 South Sylvania Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177
- Phone: (262) 884-7100
Hours of operation vary according to seasons.
Price: Admission is free but there are costs for some activities and events so be sure to check the website before your visit.
7.Get a beer
Lots of craft breweries! If you want to check out the local craft beer scene then take a visit to Franksville Craft Beer Garden or Racine Brewing.
8.Racine Zoo
The Racine Zoo is one of the best places to take kids while visiting this Wisconsin city. You’ll find plenty of animals here like bears, tigers, gorillas, and more! This zoo also participates in conservation efforts around the world which helps keep it an enjoyable place for everyone who visits. Who doesn’t love looking at all the different animals?
- Website: racinezoo.org/
- Address: 2131 North Main Street, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (262) 636-9189
Hours of operation vary according to seasons but check their website for tons of great special events! I love how they have a number of animals on a special weekend focus.
9.Hot Shop Glass Blowing Studio
Here, you can watch glass blowing in action while taking a tour of the studio. If you want to try your hand at creating something here then there are classes available and they also offer group discounts!
- Website: https://hotshopglass.com/
- Address: 239 Wisconsin Ave., Racine, WI 53402
- Phone: (262) 833-0095
Gallery Hours
Visit their studio and shop the gallery on Saturdays 10 am-4 pm and varied hours weekdays.
Workshops
- Glass Blowing classes Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturdays.
- Glass Fusing studio Wednesdays & Fridays (day & evening) and Saturdays.
10.Escape Room
If you like team-building activities then check out Racine Escape Room. Here, teams of five are locked in a room and have to work together to solve puzzles and find clues that will help them escape!
- Website: https://www.sevenkeystoescape.com/
- Address: 606 College Avenue, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (262) 770-5036
Make sure you call first to see if they are available.
11.Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum
This is one museum you don’t want to miss while visiting Racine. It’s the only place in the world where you can see a large collection of tops and yo-yos!
- Website: https://topmuseum.org/
- Address: 533 Milwaukee Avenue, Burlington, WI 53105
- Phone: ( 262) 763-3946
Hours of operation vary by season.
Price: FREE! Admission is free but the museum does accept donations to help keep its exhibits up and running.
12.Eco-Justice Center
This nonprofit center works to educate the public about environmental issues that are impacting Racine right now. The EJC has a ton of great programs and events so be sure to take time for this one! There are even great kids activities.
Website: https://ecojusticecenter.org/
Address: 7133 Michna Rd, Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 681-8527
Hours of operation vary by season. Visit their website for a full schedule of events and to get involved! They have a ton of fun activities and a great fall festival. It’s a great place for field trips.
Price: FREE admission but donations are accepted.
13.Canoe or Kayak!
Personally, I think this is one of the best things to do in Racine, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast!. I love the calm and peaceful feeling I get when it is just me and the water. The Fox River Water Trail is a great place to go canoeing or kayaking while in Racine. The Root River has some beautiful stretches also. It’s free to enjoy this activity as long as you have your own equipment and transportation. There are several kayak rental shops in Racine if that is a better option for visitors though!
14.Family home of Herbert Fisk Johnson
Also known as Wingspread. He’s the founder of S.C Johnson and his home now serves as a museum for visitors to appreciate! It has been beautifully preserved so you can really get insight into what life was like back during this time in Racine history.
A triangular peninsula juts out of the city of Racine, creating a small natural harbor. It has been named Wind Point and is home to Wingspread – an iconic meeting place for leaders in business, government, and civil society since 1939.
- Website: scjohnson.com
- Phone: (262) 260-2154
Hours of operation vary by season.
Price: FREE admission and open to the public! This is a great place for visitors and locals alike to learn more about local history in an enjoyable setting. Be sure to check out all that this site has to offer while you are in Racine!
15.River Bend Nature Center
This wildlife center is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the wild side of Racine! There are over 300 acres of natural land and trails on site so it’s definitely worth your time. Could there be any better place to attend summer camps as a kid?
Website: riverbendnaturecenterracine.org/
Address: 3600 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI 53402
Phone: (262) 639-1515
16.North Beach Park
If you are looking for affordable places, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Pack your lunch or go out for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants then pack up your beach chair! If you are lucky, there might even be some jellyfish swimming around so keep an eye out! Seriously, Racine has some of the best beaches you can find.
17.Hit the Golf Course
If you are a golfer, Racine has some unique courses to offer. Try out the Washington Park Golf Course for something different!
- Address: 2801 12th St, Racine, WI 53403
- Phone: (262) 637-2840
Hours of operation vary by season.
18.Take a bike ride!
Racine is a great city for cyclists. It has been recognized as one of the best cities in America to ride your bike! The roads are pretty safe and well-maintained, which makes it an enjoyable place to cycle through. From 3 miles long to 100 – there is a trail for everyone.
19.Reefpoint Marina
If you are looking to get out on the water, Reefpoint Marina is a great place to call home! There are mooring spaces for larger boats and plenty of room for smaller ones too. The marina hosts several events throughout the year so be sure to check their website here before your visit! There is a pool and even picnic areas – is really is a great place for outdoor activities.
- Website: ReefpointMarina.Org
- Address: 2 Christopher Columbus Causeway, Racine, WI 53402
- Phone: (262) 633-7171
Price: There are daily rates for visiting boats. For more information on pricing and to reserve a mooring space today – visit their website to learn more.
20.Abandoned Haunted House Complex
If you are looking for a fun day trip, check out the abandoned haunted house complex in Racine! FOUR of the best Wisconsin haunted houses attractions for scary Halloween Haunted House entertainment all in one place!
Ambush Haunted House, Hysteria Haunted House, Stalker Haunted House, and Abandoned’s Axe Throwing.
- Website: abandonedhauntedhouse.com/
- Address: 2825 SE Frontage Road, Mount Pleasant, WI
- Phone: (262) 886-1182
Keep in mind this is seasonal – just September through November.
21.Racine Theatre Guild
We can’t forget about the theater scene in Racine! The Theater Guild has been around for decades and brings great theatre entertainment to its community. You should definitely check out a show – especially if you are a fan of musicals or other live performances.
- Website: racinetheatre.org/
- Address: 2519 Northwestern Ave. Racine, WI 53404
- Phone: (262) 633-4218
Oh, there is just so much more to Racine – you should really come to check it out for yourself! I didn’t even touch on the live music scene, great coffee shops, or even the popular restaurants that are some of the best restaurants you could tempt your tastebuds with. This little southeast Wisconsin corner gem of a town is full of adventures that are just waiting for you.
Places To Stay Nearby
Other areas in Wisconsin you may find interesting:
- 50 Fun Things to Do in Madison Wisconsin
- Cave of the Mounds Coupons and More!
- Door County Fish Boils are Mouth-Watering
- 12 Reasons to Visit Sun Prairie Wisconsin
- Step Back in Time at Villa Louis
