Racine County guidebook

About 30 miles from Milwaukee and 60 miles from Chicago, Racine is a short drive to many attractions. However, visitors don't have to travel outside town to attend cultural events and to get close to nature. Racine offers many that are fun and educational for both children and adults. Situated on the north shore of Lake Michigan, Racine, Wisconsin's, North Beach was rated the 10th best beach for families in the country in 2011 by Parents Magazine. There is no shortage of Things to do in Racine County. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or a culture buff, a shopper or lover of architecture, Racine County has something for you. OUTDOORS. For outdoor enthusiasts, numerous parks and trails are along the Root River. The Root, which winds through the City of Racine, is a popular for fishing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking. Lake Michigan, one of the nation's top sports fisheries, has recreational boating and charter fishing opportunities. There are also excellent FISHING OPPORTUNITIES at Horlick Dam, Island Park and Lincoln Park. Canoeing and kayaking are popular on the Root and the 14-mile Fox River Water Trail in western Racine County. NORTH BEACH, with 50-acres of beautiful sand, is a haven to visitors enjoying the Beachside Oasis, Kids Cove playground and live entertainment from May until September. North Beach, a Certified Blue Wave clean beach, is one of USA TODAY "51 Great American Beaches." ARCHITECTURE. If architecture is your passion, you'll want to seek out the world-renowned Frank Lloyd Wright architecture of SC Johnson. Located at the company's Racine headquarters campus, the Johnson Administration Building is the largest Wright-designed commercial project. The adjacent Research Tower is where many trusted Johnson products were developed in the 1950s and '60s. Public tours are available by appointment for this building, the nearby Golden Rondelle Theatre (constructed as the SC Johnson pavilion for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair) and Fortaleza Hall, which houses "SC Johnson Gallery: Frank Lloyd Wright At Home" and a Frank Lloyd Wright library. Tours are also available for Wingspread, Wright's largest and last Prairie-style home. The 4,000-square-foot home, designed for a Johnson family member, is now operated as a conference center by the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT: No visit to Racine is complete without a visit to a local bakery for Kringle, the oval-shaped Danish pastry produced predominately in Racine County. This delicious treat is the official Wisconsin State Pastry. Racine area restaurants offer a delicious variety of options ranging from traditional to eclectic. The melting pot includes Greek, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mexican and BBQ. Foodies and shoppers can choose from seasonal farmer's markets to one-of-a-kind boutiques to national chain retailers. For those seeking nightlife, Racine County has clubs, pubs and plenty of live entertainment. CULTURE AND FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: The stunning Racine Art Museum houses the country's largest contemporary crafts collection displayed in ever-changing exhibits. Artists are inspired by the majestic Wind Point Lighthouse. The charming lakefront setting of the Racine Zoo is an experience itself. Other Racine County attractions include the Racine Heritage Museum and the Racine Theatre Guild. There are plenty of attractions to catch your eye and keep you on the move in Downtown Racine. Visit our three museums – The Racine Art Museum, The Racine Heritage Museum and the Firehouse Museum. Take in our spectacular Lake Michigan views and experience the many ways it’s cooler near the lake. ATTRACTIONS Fortaleza Hall, SC Johnson 1525 Howe Street At Home with Frank Lloyd Wright, SC Johnson 1525 Howe Street First Presbyterian Church 716 College Ave Golden Rondelle Theatre, SC Johnson 1525 Howe Street Nest Play Space 505 6th Street Seven Keys to Escape 606 College Ave Splash Pad/Laurel Salton Clark Memorial Fountain Sam Johnson Parkway North Beach - Kid's Cove Playgound 100 Kewaunee Street Racine Zoological Gardens 2131 N. Main Street SC Johnson Research Tower & Administration Building 1525 Howe Street The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread 33 E. 4 Mile Road Williamsburg Garden-Racine Garden Club 700 Sixth Street OUTDOORS & RECREATION 3rd Coast Bicycles 401 6th Street Gaslight Pointe Marina 217 Gaslight Circle Pugh Marina 1001 Michigan Blvd Racine Riverside Marine 950 Erie Street Reef Point Marina 2 Christopher Columbus Cswy Root River Environmental Education (REC) Center 1301 W. 6th Street West Shore Marine 811 Ontario Street MUSEUMS Firehouse 3 Museum 700 Sixth Street Racine Art Museum 441 Main Street Racine Heritage Museum 701 S. Main Street SERVICES Racine Public Library 75 7th Street United States Post Office 603 Main Street