Warm Wisconsin days are meant for family fun – from awesome parks to lively attractions, there’s never a shortage of things to do in the Dairy State. But a few special spots offer even more – a chance to enjoy multiple attractions in one single spot. You can spend more time having fun, less time driving and parking. In Racine, an awesome zoo is located next to an incredible beach and it’s the perfect combo for a lively day trip. Here’s what‘s waiting for you at the Racine Zoo and Beach in Wisconsin.
The Racine Zoological Gardens is a 28-acre zoo located right on the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s an easy day trip from places like Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison.
The zoo was founded a century ago, when a business donated three monkeys to the city. After that small start, the zoo quickly grew and today it has more than 100 animals.
This zoo has everything from kangaroos to giraffes; for a small zoo, there’s a lot to see! Allow plenty of time to explore the exhibits.
But be sure to save time for the next attraction on this outing: the Racine Zoo Beach. This beautiful Wisconsin beach is right next to the zoo, and it extends south along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The beach is often a little less busy that the city’s popular North Beach, so it’s ideal if you feel like a little tranquility or would like a nice stretch of sand all to yourself.
The beach is typically very clean and the water is good for swimming – there aren’t a lot of amenities, just pack the cooler or picnic basket and a beach blanket and enjoy some family time on the waterfront!
The Racine Zoo in Wisconsin is open throughout the year – admission is very reasonable and there’s plenty of free parking for both it and the beach. Learn more on the zoo’s website. If you’re looking for more fun things to see and do in racine, here’s how to spend a whole weekend in the city.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!