Winter in Racine County is fun if you lean into the cold with ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, winter wildlife, museums, and some very Wisconsin-specific experiences.
The top 10 best winter experiences in Racine County:
Cross-country ski or snowshoe at River Bend Nature Center
3600 N Green Bay Rd., Caledonia
With 78 acres and miles of hiking trails, River Bend Nature Center is a wonderful place for a day of adventure any time of the year! When there is at least four inches of snow on the ground, go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or kicksledding at River Bend Nature Center. Cross-country skis, snowshoes, and kicksleds are available to rent on a first come, first served basis.
Sled at Lockwood Park
4300 Graceland Blvd., Racine
Lockwood Park is a popular winter destination with one of Racine’s best family-friendly sledding hills. It features a large, semi-circular sledding hill with a 45-degree drop, forming a bowl shape that makes for an exhilarating ride. The hill is illuminated, allowing for sledding after dark during regular park hours (6AM – 10PM). The City of Racine places tires on the hill to assist sledders in walking back up throughout the winter season, enhancing accessibility and safety to ascend the hill without trudging through deep snow.
Ice skate at Ten Club Park
100 1st St., Waterford
Racine County offers outdoor ice skating at the Jonathan J. Delagrave Memorial Ice Rink at Ten Club Park in the Village of Waterford. The ice rink is open approximately December through February (weather-dependent), is free for public use, and offers skate rentals and concessions.
Visit the Racine Zoo
2131 N Main St., Racine
Open year-round, the Racine Zoo offers winter themed events and activities such as renting a heated igloo in which you receive Zoo admission, an animal ambassador encounter, food, and drink. Visiting the Zoo on cold weather days can be particularly interesting to see animals that enjoy cooler temperatures.
Spend a winter afternoon at the Racine Art Museum
441 Main St., Racine
The Racine Art Museum in Downtown Racine holds the largest and most significant contemporary craft collection in North America, with more than 9,500 objects from nationally and internationally recognized artists. It is an especially good choice when wind chills make outdoor activities less appealing.
Learn about Racine County’s history at the Racine Heritage Museum
701 Main St., Racine
Racine Heritage Museum is a great indoor activity for learning about Racine County’s manufacturing history, local communities, and the story of Joshua Glover and the Underground Railroad.
Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the orchards at Apple Holler
5006 S. Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant
Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Apple Holler anytime there is snow on the ground. The sleighs are pulled by pulled by beautiful Haflinger horses and take you on a private orchard tour that includes a private campfire, s’mores, warm beverages, and a heated igloo to get cozy in after your adventure. This winter experience is perfect for a romantic date night, family tradition, or a memory-making outing with friends.
Learn glass blowing at Hot Shop Glass
239 Wisconsin Ave., Racine
Hot Shop Glass is a center for creative glass art, located in a beautifully restored 1880s cream brick building overlooking the Root River in Downtown Racine. The studio offers weekly glass blowing and glass fusing classes. In the glass blowing classes, make different projects from paperweights and ornaments to glass cactus and pumpkins. In the glass fusing classes, create kiln-fired glass art from nightlights to suncatchers and garden stakes.
Try curling at Racine Curling Club
1914 Melvin Ave., Racine
Racine Curling Club is a particularly unique winter experience. The club offers a Learn-2-Curl event in October and January. It is a great way for anyone, ages 12 and up, to learn the basics of the Olympic sport of curling.
Visit Wind Point Lighthouse
4725 Lighthouse Dr., Wind Point
The lighthouse overlooking Lake Michigan is beautiful in winter, particularly after a snowfall or when ice forms along the shoreline. It is one of the county’s most iconic photo spots.
Looking for more fun? Visit our Things to Do page for everything going on in Racine County!
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