Location: Racine
Top Things to do in Racine
10 Things to Do in Racine That You Shouldn't Miss
Racine (/rəˈsiːn/ rə-SEEN) is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River. Racine is located 22 miles south of Milwaukee. As of the 2013 U.S. census, the city had a population of 78,199, making it the fifth-largest city in Wisconsin. Its median home price of $103,625 makes it one of the most affordable cities in Wisconsin to buy a home. In January 2017, it was rated "the most affordable place to live in the world" by the Demographia International Housing Affordability survey.
Restaurants in Racine
1. SC Johnson Headquarters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Whether you’re a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, a unique aircraft enthusiast or simply love our household products, you’re always welcome to visit SC Johnson.We welcome visitors and offer free public tours that provide different views of the company's inspired architecture, including: •The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Administration Building •The award-winning Foster + Partners-designed Fortaleza Hall •The SC Johnson Gallery: At Home with Frank Lloyd Wright •Film showings of the Academy Award-winning documentary To Be Alive! and the acclaimed Carnauba: A Son’s Memoir at The Golden Rondelle Theater. All tours also include a visit to The Lily Pad, our gift shop.
Reviewed By Richard R - Batavia, Illinois
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Racine Wisconsin, you should, because that’s where the SC Johnson campus is located. And be certain to schedule a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Administration Building there; it is definitely a must-see experience.
Perhaps the most memorable features are the "dendriform" – as Wright called them – (tree-shaped) columns that stretch from floor to ceiling throughout the building. The columns, only nine inches in diameter at the base, rise some twenty-one feet to a top whose diameter is more than eighteen feet at the ceiling. Expected to hold a minimum of twelve tons of roof weight, Wright had one tested and it proved to hold in excess of sixty tons... without failing.
There’s also the 43 miles worth of Pyrex glass tubing Wright used to illuminate the office work space. There is more to see and hear about the building, as well as additional tours of the Research Tower and other buildings there.
2. Wind Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By dynamic14 - Singapore
Nice and peaceful area. Lovely walk and you can see the lighthouse and get some nice pictures.
Great to visit the lighthouse especially if you are also visiting Wingspread, the residence of the Johnsons. Free tours are conducted of the area by the Johnson Foundation but these tours have to be booked in advance online.
3. North Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By 327aniak - Wilmette, Illinois
What a great beach only 50 min north of Chicago. Lovely large beach, not crowded, free entrance, free parking, bathrooms and playground onsite.
4. Wingspread
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By dynamic14 - Singapore
Do make a reservation online or you will not be allowed in.
The tour of this home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is pretty interesting and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. The video sharing Karen and Sam’s recollections of the house was very touching and you could get a sense of the family that lived there for about 20 years.
Now this place is run by the Johnson Foundation and has many conventions held there.
5. Racine Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 272 reviews
Nestled on the sandy shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, the Racine Zoo is home to some of the world's most remarkable and endangered wildlife. Enjoy our many interactive exhibits and animal encounters including Walkabout Creek, Barnyard Safari, Norco Aviary, and our Giraffe Encounter where you get to feed our two Masai giraffes. It's easy to immerse yourself in our wild place. Open every day of the year.
Reviewed By legacyendeavors - Racine, Wisconsin
The Racine Zoo is a venue one can do in a reasonable amount of time. Perfectly located on beautiful Lake Michigan adjacent to the Zoo Beach and close to the north Beach Oasis. The landscapes are very nice here and there's plenty of parking nearby.
Not too large of a place to be here for a few hours and lots of animals and things to do. Great for a picnic and a children's playground space near the petting zoo area as well. Lots of features and there's a number of surprisingly fun-filled activities for this size of a zoo.
Wonderful must see place for families and opportunity for the children to explore. Great views of the lake and just walking about on a nice day can be a treat! Inexpensive and snacks sold on site! Ideal venture in a great location!
6. Hot Shop Glass
Overall Ratings
5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By schmeckle33 - Naples, Florida
I could not believe how enjoyable it was. Dan and Amanda made everything so much fun and easy (most importantly safe). It was so neat to do something that you only see on tv or very rarely. If I didn't live 1400 miles away I would be a regular. Thanks guys!
7. Racine Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Wanda R - Greenfield, Wisconsin
What prompted our first time visit was the annual Peeps Show. Those wonderful Easter marshmallow candies are designed into an art show. This was the 8th year. Totally adorable. Especially if you grew up eating Peeps it was so fun to see what people did creatively with them. You got to vote for your favorite. After that we viewed their teapot collection on display when you enter the museum. Fascinating and beautiful. These are works of art; not what you use to make tea in your home. There was another large gallery on the main floor and a really large gallery on the second floor. I can't remember what the exhibits were of but they were very well done. Cost for adults is $5. If you are over 62 the cost is $3. We spent 90 minutes there and had the best time. We got our art fix without being bored out of our mind by visiting a multitude of rooms. The galleries were very well presented. There was a docent to answer questions / provide information if she saw you taking interest in a piece. There is also a gift shop on the main floor. This was our first time. It will not be our last. I believe their exhibits change 3 or 4 times a year. For $3 apiece and 90 minutes of our time it was an enjoyable, relaxing and reflective time to take in art.
8. River Bend Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By panielsen - Racine
I am rating this just on the hiking otherwise I would rate it higher. We love hiking and were not totally impressed at this location. The trails were not clearly marked, the path near the river was nice and on the boardwalk but otherwise just ok. They did have wood chips which makes for a nice safe walk on main trails. Although getting out in nature is always great, some caution has to be used on the Prairie trail, which has no wood chips, because there is some uneven ground with grass covered holes.
9. Reefpoint Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By dcfiread - Washington DC, District of Columbia
The marina is in the center of town near festival park. The lake Michigan pathway connects to the marina for a very nice walk
10. Racine Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By legacyendeavors - Racine, Wisconsin
The staff always strives to cultivate and develop further interest in the wonderful history of the Belle city of Racine, WI.
They strive to be inclusive in the portrayal of all of the various ethnic groups and their contributions to the development and maintenance of this wonderfu and architecturally gorgeous on the lake
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