Racine Zoological Gardens

Okay, so Sunday was free day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. We have a Zoo Pass, so that's not a big deal to us. My son wanted to go to the zoo but we didn't want to deal with the crowds (being free day) so we thought we'd check out the Racine Zoo. Pros: cheap, beautiful view of lake michigan, free & close & easy parking Cons: small, boring, limited animals more

The Racine Zoo is one of the last remaining free zoos in the United States. But don't let that distract you from wanting to visit. They have an impressive array of exotic animals with a strong focus towards children's education and displays with interactive involvement. The zoo is situated on the banks of Lake Michigan and offers stunning views of its calm waters. The commercial venders are pleasant and have reasonably priced goods. In the summer months, the zoo hosts the annual Wednesday night jazz festival which attracts big Chicago name jazz greats and is a picnicker's delight. At Christmas time the entire zoo is beautifully decorated. ljwmd Pros: inexpensive, good parking, relaxing Cons: cold in the Winter, humid in the Summer more