Ready to find some things to do around Racine Wisconsin?
Located right on the shore of Lake Michigan, Racine is known for its lakefront beaches, heritage buildings, arts scene, and a range of year-round fun things to do.
Racine is a great place to soak up the local culture and history of Wisconsin, as well as enjoy the outdoors. There are numerous places in town to enjoy views of the lake and to get out into nature.
As a Wisconsin local, I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time in Racine throughout the years and explore some of the tidbits that are often missed by tourists. One of my favorite things about Racine is how compact it is. All the fun things to do are less than a 10-minute drive from the downtown core.
Whether you’re visiting Racine, or live nearby, there are plenty of things to do in the area.
So, let’s chat about things to do in Racine Wisconsin!
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Things To Do Around Racine Wisconsin
Here are the best things to do around Racine, Wisconsin and everything you need to know before visiting
1. Admire Contemporary Art at the Racine Art Museum
PRICE: $10 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Located in the downtown core, the Racine Art Museum (often called the “RAM” by locals) consists of two floors of the largest collections of contemporary art in North America.
You could spend a couple of hours walking around looking at the original creations; many of which make great conversation starters.
There are special exhibitions and events happening throughout the month, as well as a variety of workshops and classes. You could drop in and take classes in ceramics, painting, sculpting and many other art mediums.
The RAM is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from Wednesdays through to Saturdays.
Admission to the RAM is very affordable ($10 per adult), but you can get free passes from the library in town for individuals or a family of up to four people.
2. See Wildlife at the Racine Zoo
PRICE: $11 per person | BEST FOR: Families
The Racine Zoo is a large zoo spanning 32 acres on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Its lush vegetarian and lake views make it an excellent habitat for the animals and a great day out for families and visitors to Racine.
Run by the Racine Zoological Society, the Racine Zoo is committed to the well-being of the animals and conservation projects.
You can drive to the Racine Zoo in less than 5 minutes from the center of town, and on-site parking is free of charge.
You can visit the Racine Zoo between 10 am and 4 pm on any day year round, with hours slightly extended during the summer months. You can buy your tickets at the gate upon arrival.
3. Take a Workshop at the Hot Shop Glass
PRICE: starting at $15 per person | BEST FOR: Couples & Friends
Located in a historic, old stone building in downtown Racine, the Hot Shop Glass Shop allows you to see the process of how glass is made. You can also take a workshop to learn how to make your own glass creation.
The workshops at Hot Shop Glass are popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, locals, and out-of-towners looking for something unique to do in Racine.
The prices for classes and workshops range from $15 -$90 per person depending on the workshop. They’re conducted in a safe environment with welcoming and knowledgeable instructors who will guide you on making something that will make a great gift or keepsake.
If you’d like to take a class at Hot Shop Glass, you should reserve it on their website here in advance.
4. See a Show at the Racine Theatre Guild
PRICE: $20 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Founded in 1936, the Racine Theater is a beautiful venue where concerts and plays have been performed for decades. The year 2024 will mark the 86th year that the theatre has been providing entertainment to Racine.
People come from in and out of town to see live performances at the theater; there are Broadway shows, jazz nights, and even children’s plays. Check out what will be playing while you’re in town on their website here.
If you’re a local, you may also want to consider one of the theater classes offered at the Theater Guild to both kids and adults.
The Racine Theatre Guild is just a 7-minute drive from the downtown core. There is parking on-site, and food and drink concessions are sold before performances and during intermission.
5. Walk Along the Reefpoint Marina
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The Reefpoint Marina is somewhere where you want to take a stroll during a nice day, or at sunset. It’s one of the best spots in Racine to get great views of Lake Michigan.
While the Reefpoint Marina is primarily of interest to people with boats, you can also visit as a tourist or someone who wants to enjoy one of the best spots along the lake.
The walk is completely accessible and stroller-friendly. There are boats in the harbor, swimming pools, and places to try fishing and kayaking. You can also grab a bite to eat at the Reefpoint Brew House.
There are restrooms in the area and even places to clean your fish if you do some fishing.
6. Check out the Windpoint Lighthouse
PRICE: $20 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The Windpoint Lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes at 108 feet tall.
There is a little museum attached to it with a gift shop.
The lighthouse is open for tower climbs where you can get stunning views of Lake Michigan from the top. You can also get a guided tour from the lighthouse operator which teaches you about the history of this important landmark.
If you want to do a tower climb only, then it costs $12 per adult adult. However, it only costs an extra $3 ($15 total) for a guided tour in addition to the climb, so I would recommend doing both if you have time. It’s highly worthwhile to learn the role this lighthouse has played in the history of the Great Lakes.
Whether or not you do a tour or a tower climb, you could spend a good hour at the Windpoint Lighthouse learning about the history of the lighthouse and walking along the well-maintained landscaped grounds.
Private tours and tower climbs should be booked through the Windpoint Lighthouse website here.
7. Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The Charles A. Wustun Museum is run by the Racine Art Museum and is another place in town to go to appreciate different types of art, from acrylic paintings, sculptures and even some modern art.
Located in a beautiful 1800s Italianac mansion, a stroll through the museum makes for a peaceful afternoon with loved ones or on your own. The exhibits are rotating, so even if you’ve visited previously, there is often always something new on display that you haven’t seen before.
The Charles A. Westum Museum rarely gets busy; even on a weekend, there’s a chance you could have the place to yourself. In the warm months, you are also welcome to take a stroll through the landscaped gardens on the premises.
Although there is no charge for this gem in town, there is a donation box to support the conservation of art and maintaining the museum.
8. Take a Tour of the S.C. Johnston Wax Headquarters
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Friends & Couples
The S.C. Johnston Wax Headquarters building in downtown Racine was built in the 1930s and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most famous architects of the 20th century.
There are FREE guided tours offered on-site which bring you through the headquarters and to the tower. The tours allow you to see inside a living relic of buildings from this time period and life in the 1930s-50s.
There are different tour types that last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Although all the tours are free, you must book them in advance on their website.
9. Go Fishing at Root River
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Friends
Root River Steel Facility is a fishing area just 5 minutes from downtown Racine. It’s a great place to get outdoors, do some fishing with friends and family, or learn about the salmon.
Even if you’re not a fisher, Root River is still worth a visit. There is plenty of park space and trails to wander, enjoying nature and the sounds of the stream.
You can also visit the hatchery or harvest spot for fish at the facility which has salmon in tanks that you can watch swimming around. There are some informational plaques about the fish populations and how they have been brought to Root River by humans.
During the spring and fall, the Root River Steel Facility is a great place to see the salmon and trout migrate upstream. If you have children with you, you can take them to the viewing area and see all the salmon swimming around in the shallow water.
10. Have a Picnic at Island Park
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Island Park (also known as Horlick Park) is a 19-acre park on an island in the middle of Root River.
There’s a nature walk trail, a dog park, a children’s playground, and boating launches on-site which make it easy to spend the day there.
You can have a picnic on the island, go swimming, boating, fishing or even play tennis at one of the tennis courts. It’s a quiet place and a good opportunity to get outdoors.
You can drive to Island Park in less than 5 minutes from downtown Racine. It’s open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm.
11. Learn About the Town’s History at the Racine Heritage Museum
PRICE: FREE| BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The tales of Racine’s rich history are held at the Racine Heritage Museum, which has been in business for over 150 years. It’s worth a visit to learn about how the town was established and how its changed over time.
This heritage museum is located right downtown and completely free of charge. There are exhibits on different topics, a sports hall of fame, and even a rubber duck scavenger hunt for kids.
There is no parking on-site at the museum, but there is metered parking on the 7th Street Parking Ramp. On Sundays, the parking is free of charge.
The Racine Heritage Museum is open every day of the week except for Mondays.
12. Have a Beach Day at North Beach
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
North Beach is a sandy-shore beach just 5 minutes from downtown Racine. This beach draws visitors of all ages in the warmer months who want to enjoy the powdery sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan.
There are snacks and beverages sold on-site, and live music on summer weekends. With 50 acres of sandy beach, there is plenty of room spread out and enjoy a relaxing day in the sun. It rarely gets crowded.
The shoreline of the beach has shallow water for young children to splash around in, as well as a huge playground.
Older children and adults can enjoy swimming, playing beach volleyball, or walking along the boardwalk.
North Beach is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. There is free parking on-site, so you can park your car and spend as much time as you want.
13. Eat Mouthwatering Sandwiches at the Kewpee Sandwich Shop
PRICE: N/A| BEST FOR: Families & Friends
Kewpee Sandwich Shop is the second oldest hamburger chain restaurant in the world. The downtown Racine location has been serving customers since 1927.
The interior has an old-school feel with a retro vibe that has been almost unchanged since the 1950s.
Kewpee Sandwich Shop is famous for its old-fashioned burgers and creamy milkshakes. Stop by for a classic, satisfying fast-food meal.
14. Get Out into Nature at the River Bend Nature Center
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The River Bend Nature Center is the ultimate place to get outdoors and enjoy nature in Racine.
There are walking trails, a pavilion for gatherings, and water sports like kayaking and canoeing.
You can take classes on-site such as woodworking, fly fishing, kayaking and canoeing. You can also visit for the day and rent equipment from them, or simply take a walk through their beautiful trails.
On the trails at the nature center, it’s pretty common to see animals like deer, bullfrogs, wild turkeys, other birds and small animals.
There are also events held occasionally at the nature center such as moonlight paddling and drum circles.
Although it is free to enter, please consider donating as this center relies primarily on donations and memberships for the maintenance and conservation of their beautiful forested lands.
The River Bend Nature Center is open from 9 am – 4 pm on weekdays and from 8 am on weekends.
15. Put your Brain to the Test at Seven Keys Escape Room
PRICE: $29 per person | BEST FOR: Friends
If you enjoy brain teasers, or if you’re already an escape room junkie, then you should definitely make a stop at Racine’s only escape room.
Seven Keys Escape Room has fun puzzling rooms of different themes and a lot of effort is put into the visual effects, making you feel like you’re really in the middle of a dinosaur-inhabited jungle, or some other faraway land.
Seven Keys Escape Room is open from 4 p.m. on weeknights, and all day on weekends. Escape Rooms are recommended for groups of a minimum of 4 people, and its worth it to know that there may be some crawling and maneuvering involved.
Reservations for the Seven Keys Escape Room can be made on their website here.
16. Meet Animals at the Eco-Justice Center
PRICE: $20 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The Eco-Justice Center is a family-owned farm for for all ages to visit, and interact with animals. You can pet an alpaca, and feed goats, chickens and horses. You can also buy farm-fresh eggs, and firewood on site and browse their gift shop for locally sourced keepsakes and souvenirs.
The eco center organizes a lot of seasonal workshops, community events as well and school field trips. They run lots of programs for kids, but also fun classes for adults such as yoga with alpacas, sewing and kombucha making.
Visit for a day to meet the animals and be inspired by the owners, or sign up for one of their special events.
Eco-Justice Centre is just 15 minutes north of Racine, in Caledonia.
17. Sample Craft Beers
PRICE: N/A | BEST FOR: Friends & Couples
Racine is a great place to try craft beers, as there is a brewing company right in town, and an annual event dedicated to craft beers.
Craft Beer Week is held in downtown Racine annually, usually in February. This year, Craft Beer Week will take place from February 17th – 24th, 2024.
Can’t make it for Craft Beer Week? Drop into Littleport Brewing Company or Reefpoint Brew House, which is right on the lakeshore at the marina.
These are great pubs to sample locally brewed craft beers on tap. This would make a perfect end to a day of exploring the small town of Racine.
18. Appreciate Fine Music at the Racine Symphony Orchestra
PRICE: $20 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
The Racine Symphony Orchestra has been open since 1932 and is running for its 92nd season. If you’re looking for an upper-scale music event or something nice to do in the evening, this is one of the best options.
There are tickets for various performances throughout the year. Tickets can be booked on their website here.
There are also occasionally seasonal events such as wine nights, and holiday concerts. Be sure to take a look at their calendar and see what’s playing during the days you’re going to be in town.
19. See an Air Show
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Friends
If you happen to be in Racine during the 4th of July, you’ll want to make your way to North Beach for the annual airshow, called Thunder Over North Beach, which is offered by the U.S. military.
Every year, thousands gather along the beach or nearby to watch the jets do dances through the air. It is really quite a sight that you don’t want to miss.
20. Take a Class at Yoga Roots Racine
PRICE: $15 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Yoga Roots Racine offers a variety of different types of yoga classes, as well as workshops. If you’re looking for something relaxing to do on a rainy day, then the yoga at Yoga Roots is phenomenal, led by instructors who are caring, welcoming and knowledgeable.
Yoga Roots Racine atmosphere where people of all levels, ages and backgrounds can try a yoga class.
If you’re a visitor in Racine, you could do a drop-in class at Yoga Roots for $15. If you’re sticking around, then there are class passes for anywhere from 6-18 classes, or a 3-month membership.
21. Admire Local Art at the Starving Artist Fair
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Run by the Racine Art Guild, the Starving Artist Fair is an art show in downtown Racine which will run for its 59th year in 2024.
The Starving Artist Fair features the work of over 120 artists; many of whom live locally in Racine. It’s held annually on the first Sunday of August and draws approximately 5,000 visitors each year.
There are different booths under tents where you can meet the artists and vendors, and there is also live music and food trucks on-site.
You can simply walk around from tent to tend to admire the different works of art, but it’s also a great place to buy art. All the pieces being sold are priced at less than $300. You can find anything from jewelry, glass, mixed media, paintings, sculptures and woodwork.
The event is so popular that there are shuttle services offered from downtown Racine to the DeKoven Center, where the event is held.
22. Get Stunning Lake Views at the Racine Overlook
PRICE: FREE | BEST FOR: Families & Couples
Drive out to the Racine Overlook near the marina for a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, or to just sit down and take in the views of Lake Michigan.
Aside from being a great place for a walk or jog, you can also watch ships entering and exiting the Reefpoint Marina.
The lake usually looks calm, but on a windy day, the waves and mist can make you get wet- so be sure to dress appropriately.
The Racine Overlook is only about a 3-minute drive from the downtown area, and there is free parking available on-site.
23. Take a Walking Tour
PRICE: $15 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Friends
The Racine Heritage Museum provides free guided walking tours of the downtown area. Its a great way to hear a local’s insight on the history behind the old buildings.
During the tour, you’ll learn some interesting tidbits about Racine’s landmarks, and about the history of Wiscon which includes abolitionism, and agriculture through to the industrial revolution.
The tours are led by Racine locals who are knowledgeable about the fascinating and rich history of the area; many of them have lived through parts of it or have ancestors that have who have passed their stories down generations.
These free guided tours involve a 1.1 mile walk around the historic downtown,, and last anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours.
The walking tours are only run during the warmer months, and they take place on Saturdays at 10:30 am. They must be reserved at least a day in advance on their website here.
Good to Know: The Racine walking tours are suitable for ages 12+ only
Where to Stay in Racine Wisconsin
Here are the best places to stay in Racine Wisconsin according to your budget and preferences. Most of the best places to stay are located on the outskirts of the city, just a short drive into town.
Budget: Clarion Pointe Racine-Mount Pleasant – Free parking, fitness center and breakfast included
Mid-Range: Comfort Inn Mount Pleasant – Racine – Just 15 minutes from downtown Racine, offers free breakfast and a bar and fitness center on-site
Luxury: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Racine Indoor swimming pool, fitness center and free breakfast
Is Racine Wisconsin Worth Visiting?
Racine Wisconsin is definitely worth a visit. It has a mix of outdoor and indoor activities, and quite a few of them are free or affordable. It makes a great weekend away where you can explore the arts scene, see a show, and admire incredible views of Lake Michigan.
How Many Days in Racine Wisconsin?
In order to see everything around Racine, you will need 2-3 days in the area. In the summer, you will need at least 3 days to have enough time for the beaches, lakefronts, and parks.
Best Time to Visit Racine Wisconsin
The best times to visit Racine are the summer and the fall. The summer in Racine has great weather, and you can enjoy beaches, lakefront activities and events such as the Starving Artist Festival. The foliage is very pretty during the fall months and allows for some picturesque hikes and lookouts.
Final Thoughts: Things To Do Around Racine Wisconsin
As you can see, there are so many things to do around Racine Wisconsin related to nature, culture, history and outdoor sports. Every time I visit Racine, I am often discovering new fun things to do in the area.
Racine has the small-town feel that many are looking for in a weekend getaway, with a few artsy, cultural, and outdoor things to do.
One of my favorite things about Racine Wisconsin is that it’s so compact. From the downtown area, you can get to almost any of the attractions in less than 10 minutes. Many of them are priced very affordable, or even free. Racine is the perfect place to enjoy a budget-friendly weekend getaway where you can learn a lot and appreciate natural beauty.
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