Racine County: Culture, Nature and Experiences

A 108-foot-tall lighthouse, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, art collections and an extensive wildlife area show different sides of Racine County. The shores of Lake Michigan, a river in the city of Racine and a farm offering fruit picking also give your trip different points of focus. This lets you divide your time between history, scenery and outdoor activities.

Art, Architecture and History

Wind Point Lighthouse stands 108 feet tall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wingspread, a home by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, offers a different architectural highlight. Both sites give travelers interested in culture a reason to explore notable buildings in Racine County.

The Racine Heritage Museum traces its origins to the Old Settlers Society, founded in 1870. The museum is housed in a building constructed in 1903 with funding from the Carnegie Foundation.

The Racine Art Museum oversees a collection of more than 15,000 works spanning modern and contemporary works on paper, contemporary craft and design, and other art forms. The collection is described as the largest of its kind in North America. RAM Wustum is a location of the Racine Art Museum and offers exhibitions, art classes and community programs. Together, these sites span a cultural range from historic buildings to different forms of visual art.

Lake Michigan and Wildlife Viewing

Racine Zoo is located in a 32-acre park on the shore of Lake Michigan. The zoo currently cares for about 75 different animal species and more than 300 individual animals from Wisconsin and around the world. The scale of the collection and its setting in a lakeside park combine wildlife viewing with a connection to the landscape.

DeKoven Center is also located on the bluffs of Lake Michigan. Its 11-acre campus includes gardens, wooded areas and architectural features. For a view of the county’s landscape on a different scale, Tichigan Wildlife Area covers 1,562 acres in northwestern Racine County and offers opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing. Those especially interested in animals can compare these viewing opportunities with the animal species at Racine Zoo.

North Beach has 50 acres of sandy shoreline and includes the Kids Cove playground. The waterfront options therefore include both an expansive stretch of sand and a specifically named play area. Which of these features is most important to your trip depends on whether you mainly want to enjoy the shoreline or also include the playground in your plans.

Activities on the River and at the Farm

The Root River flows through the city of Racine and is used for fishing; it is also suitable for canoeing and kayaking there. These three activities offer different ways to experience the same river: you can combine your time by the water with fishing or experience the river while paddling.

At its 78-acre farm, Apple Holler offers pick-your-own apples, peaches and pears. Guided tractor tours take visitors around the property. The farm also offers freshly pressed cider made from its own fruit trees, as well as frozen cider. You can shape your visit around fruit growing, a tour of the farm and its cider products. Check the farm’s current visitor policies before your trip if these offerings are important to your plans.

Choose a Focus for Your Trip

These interests suggest different ideas for a day out, without requiring you to fit every destination into a single itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sturtevant, Racine, Caledonia, Tichigan, Eau Claire, Washburn County, Milwaukee, Marinette County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.