Racine
Around Racine
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Metro area · Wisconsin · 198k people
Racine
“Belle City”, “Danish Capital of America”
Racine · Mount Pleasant
Where the lake meets Danish warmth.
Lake Michigan BlueDanish Gold
Welcome to Racine, where the lake meets the kringle. Whether you're here for the fish fry or the harbor sunsets, you'll find a friendly wave and a warm slice of Danish pastry.
Clubs for Racine
No clubs for Racine yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Racine. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Racine. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Racine Zoo Lakefront zoo with over 100 species
- North Beach Popular sandy beach on Lake Michigan
- Wind Point Lighthouse Historic 1860s lighthouse, one of the tallest on the Great Lakes
- Root River Trail Paved multi-use path along the Root River
- Racine Art Museum Known for contemporary craft and decorative arts
- Festival Hall Lakefront events and concert venue
- Outdoors Sail and kayak on Lake Michigan
- Outdoors Fish for salmon and trout
- With kids Visit Racine Zoo
- With kids Swim at North Beach
- Evenings Lakefront bars and grills
- Evenings Downtown Racine pubs
- Locals love Danish bakeries
- Locals love Lakefront parks
Through the year
- Racine County Fair July Agricultural exhibits, rides, and local food at the fairgrounds
- Salmon-A-Rama July Fishing tournament and lakeside festival celebrating salmon season
- Burlington Chocolate Fest May Chocolate-themed family festival with vendors and parade
- Racine Kringle Fest February Celebration of the Danish pastry with tastings and contests
- Racine Summer Nights June–August Free outdoor concerts at the lakefront
Racine has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The lake moderates temperatures, but lake-effect snow can hit in winter. Best time to be out is from May through October. Best: Summer and early fall are ideal for lakefront activities and festivals.
Talk like a local
- “Kringle”
- The Danish pastry that Racine is famous for
- “The Root”
- The Root River, often used for the trail or the river itself
- “The Lake”
- Lake Michigan, the defining body of water
- “Up north”
- Northern Wisconsin, a common vacation destination
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Green Bay Packers (NFL), Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA), Milwaukee Admirals (AHL)
Eat and drink
- Kringle Danish pastry, the region's iconic treat; Racine is the 'Danish Capital of America'.
- Friday fish fry A Wisconsin tradition, often with perch or cod, served at local supper clubs and taverns.
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky curds are a statewide staple, enjoyed fried or plain.
- Bratwurst Grilled brats with onions and beer, a cookout favorite across the state.
Where people go
- Lakefront and harbor Marinas, beaches, and the Racine Lighthouse – a defining feature.
- Danish bakeries Family-run shops serving kringle and other Scandinavian pastries.
- Historic downtown Old brick buildings, the Racine Art Museum, and local shops.
- Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin dining spots with old-fashioned ambiance and fish fries.
Heritage and traditions
Racine takes pride in its deep Danish roots, showcased in its famous Kringle pastries and historic bakeries, and in its legacy as a Great Lakes manufacturing town with a vibrant arts scene. Locals also cherish the lakefront, the Johnson Wax building, and a close-knit community that celebrates its diverse immigrant heritage.
This time of year in Racine
- Apple picking Fall In fall, families visit local orchards in Racine County to pick apples and enjoy cider.
Say it like a local: “Bubbler” — A drinking fountain.
Festivals
- Racine Greek Festival Summer Celebrates Greek heritage with food, music, and dance at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Racine Polish Festival Summer Polish food, music, and traditions at the Polish Center.
- Racine Jazz Festival Summer A weekend of live jazz performances in downtown Racine.
Landmarks with a story
- Johnson Wax Headquarters Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic 1939 building, known for its 'lily pad' columns and open office space.
- Racine Heritage Museum Housed in a former Carnegie library, this museum tells the story of Racine's industrial and cultural past.
- St. Luke's Episcopal Church A historic church in downtown Racine, known for its Gothic Revival architecture.
- Racine County Courthouse A Beaux-Arts building from 1911, with a distinctive copper dome.
- Racine Depot A restored train station from the early 20th century, now a community space.
- Golden Rondelle Theater Part of the Johnson Wax complex, this theater hosts films and events and is a Frank Lloyd Wright design.
Food traditions
- Paczki Day (Fat Tuesday) Polish-style filled doughnuts eaten on the day before Lent, a beloved tradition in Racine's Polish community.
- Aebleskiver Danish pancake balls, often served with jam and powdered sugar, especially during the holidays.
- Friday fish fry A weekly tradition at supper clubs and taverns, featuring fried cod or perch with coleslaw and rye bread.
- Kringle Danish oval-shaped pastry, often filled with fruit or nuts, a Racine specialty since the 1800s.
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky cheese curds, a Wisconsin staple, often eaten at fairs and festivals.
Music and arts
- Racine Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts throughout the year.
- Racine Art Museum Known for its significant collection of contemporary craft, including ceramics, glass, and fiber art.
- Racine Theatre Guild A community theater producing plays and musicals, a local institution since 1938.
- Golden Rondelle Theater Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theater that hosts films, lectures, and performances.
A little history
- 1834 Founded by Gilbert Knapp
- 1848 Racine incorporated as a city
- Late 1800s Danish immigrants arrive in large numbers, shaping local culture and introducing Kringle
- 1939 Johnson Wax Headquarters completed, a landmark of modern architecture
- 1943 Racine Belles play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Rivalries
- Racine Horlick vs Racine Park Long-standing high school football rivalry
- Burlington vs Waterford Friendly high school sports competition
- Brewers vs Cubs Local fans split between Milwaukee and Chicago teams
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Game day Racine Raiders football
- Outdoors Ice skating at local rinks
- Outdoors Sledding at local hills
- With kids Visiting the Racine Heritage Museum
- With kids Watching the Racine Raiders
People in Racine speak with a typical Wisconsin accent, featuring a raised 'short a' sound and using terms like 'pop' for soda, 'bubbler' for drinking fountain, and 'ope' as a polite apology. They also often say 'up north' to refer to northern Wisconsin.
Only here
- Racine is known as the Kringle Capital of America – the Danish pastry is a local obsession.
- The Johnson Wax Headquarters is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous buildings, and it's right here.
- The Racine Art Museum has one of the largest collections of contemporary craft in the United States.
- The Racine Belles were one of the original teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, featured in the movie 'A League of Their Own'.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the cold – invest in a good winter coat and learn to enjoy outdoor winter activities like ice skating and sledding.
- Try a Kringle from a local bakery – it's a Racine institution and a sweet introduction to the city's Danish heritage.
- Go to a Friday fish fry at a supper club – it's a beloved weekly ritual and a great way to meet locals.
- Remember that 'pop' means soda, and 'bubbler' means drinking fountain – you'll fit right in.
- Get a state park sticker for easy access to Lake Michigan beaches and the Root River Trail.
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Part of Milwaukee area
Nearby
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Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.