Racine Zoo — Attraction in Racine

This zoo used to be free and when it was, my expectations were much different. It's a fantastic location, although typically more brisk than inland locations, as it is on the lake. I was even a member for a while, because I felt it was important to support the zoo, since it was free to the public.

However, when they started charging admission, my feelings about the facility changed. I no longer felt a strong obligation to support the zoo as a member (their fundraisers never really did much to engage me and grow the relationship) and thought I'd just pay as I went instead.

Now my perspective of the zoo is that it is really just a nice park with a few animals. The exhibits are nothing special, information on the animals is minimal and displays are not well-maintained. The monkey house seems so sad and confined, I don't even go in it anymore. I went recently on a weekend and waited out on the street for more than 15 minutes, just to pay admission to get in and the line was even longer when I left. They had a second window for admissions, but it was closed the entire time. Inside the park (zoo), there seemed to be no shortage of staff moving from one place to another or standing in place talking to each other, but not really engaged in active work.

My family waited 30 minutes for a tram ride, because the operator was the only person staffed there and no formal direction was given or offered in how to line up and pay. Those of us who waited patiently in line were bumped by people who simply walked up to the operator as soon as the tram stopped and handed her money. We wouldn't have ridden it at all, if it wasn't for our daughter having her heart set on riding it.

Exiting the zoo also required a wait, because they funnel everyone through the gift shop and it bottlenecks at the entrance, when everyone stops to look at something. Even though the Racine Zoo is only about 15 minutes from my house, I find myself going to the Milwaukee Zoo more often now and if I don't want to leave town, I head out to Jo-Don Farms, which has a surprisingly large variety of animals and far more opportunities to engage and interact with them through feeding. Like the Racine Zoo, the confines for some of the animals are very sad, but still a better value and an experience my daughter enjoys far more than...

I visited Racine Zoo recently with my family. I debated posting a review, I'll be honest. I am unsure if the Zoo is owned by the city of Racine or is privately owned...but hoping they will make improvements. I know I will NEVER return to this "Zoo".

The penguins were not swimming...they looked like they were in prison. Their display smelled afoul (so did many other exhibits - even the outside ones). Tiny cages that owls were in...no way for them to fly, ever. Lions den...very small...they cannot run, even if they wanted to. Rhino, apparently, doesn't like to be seen by people...is this same for the Zebras? Kangaroos looked sickly...as they literally just semi-sat in one place (in a shady spot)...no moving or hopping. Exhibits were closed...as they had no animals to display. A meerkat was inside a small tube...getting out of the hot sun...beaming down it. Open exhibits had tall weeds and grass...is anyone taking care of these "habitats"?

There is plenty of land at the Zoo from what I saw...just not being used for animals. Rather, there were bouncies for kids to play on...I suppose it draws visitors? It felt more like a petting zoo except these animals are "exotic". I felt very badly for these animals and I will not give them money so they can continue to mistreat animals.

I am not "a tree hugger" nor "an environmentalist" by any means...but these animals are not treated well. I left with a very heavy heart.

The plaques/descriptions of the exhibits read as if a 5th grader wrote them. Just proved to me...they care little about their Zoo.

Think before you go and pay their fees...they should close down and move these animals to a...

I have been going to this zoo throughout my entire life. It has changed a lot since the 80s & 90s, but that's too be expected. I have taken my children here many times through their lives as well.

It's not the biggest zoo or the most impressive, but a city like Racine has a zoo. Not many places this size can say that. They do the best they can with the funding provided while also providing a low-cost place to go year-round.

I say year-round yet I personally have never gone there in the winter. They do have buildings that can house many animals, so I'd imagine there would be a decent amount to see.

The Racine Zoo hosts many events throughout the year and provides fantastic group rates so that many schools can take children here for a field trip.

They also allow outside food, so you can have a picnic here. There are many benches, picnic tables and play areas throughout the zoo.

The meerkat hill is so fun to watch when they are in it. They are always on patrol.

One could make a day of the zoo or just a short visit. With the zoo membership, you could just have lunch while watching the giraffes. (They are my favorite, after all)

On your way out, you exit through a modest, but filled with fun things, gift shop.

After your zoo visit, check out the zoo Beach that connects to North Beach. It features massive clean sandy beaches and tons of waterfront to enjoy. To the North, you can see the lighthouse. To the south, you can see the docks.

I highly recommend spring...