SPECIAL DAY TRIPS
REEFPOINT MARINA Photo courtesy of Reefpoint Marina.
Seeing Racine in the Summertime BY JENNY MAURER
T
he Midwest is widely known for its crisp autumns and long winters. The region likes to celebrate these seasons in their own unique ways as well. Downtown Chicago proudly displays Christmas decorations on every corner while Green Bay celebrates the Packers in every way you can imagine. The City of Racine has their own traditions for the seasons. The annual holiday parade in November and “Party on the Pavement” in September mark the transition into autumn.
RACINE ZOO
The most celebrated season in Racine is Summer. The city offers a slew of events with everything from taco trucks to salmon fishing. The Fourth of July parade draws tens of thousands as do the fireworks on North Beach. In addition, there are a variety of activities for families and visitors that are suitable for every type of summer weather. To start with, there’s the Racine Zoo open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The zoo has a variety of animals from all over the world such as the endearing fennec foxes from the deserts of North Africa and the acrobatic South American spider monkeys. A particular highlight is watching the two giraffes roaming for leaves against a suburban backdrop. There’s also a petting zoo where children can pet llamas, visit goats, and encounter parakeets. The zoo also holds events for adults and families including the “Animal Crackers” jazz showcase during the months of July and August. Children under two and younger can gain admittance for free, while tickets for adults are $11 and tickets for children under 15 are $9.
Photo courtesy of Racine Zoo.
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