Racine Zoo Reviews

Not so big but very good little zoo. We enjoy walk around and visit the animals. Also, playground is very good for little ones.

I've been coming to the Racine Zoo for almost 40 years now, and it's still amazing. It's such a great value and some pretty great views as well. Covid has been it a bit awkward but still a blast none the less.

Beautiful grounds. Since the zoo is right on the lake you get great views of Lake Michigan. I also think because of the location to the lake that the zoo doesn't have that "zoo smell". It's a small park so it's great for toddlers. They have multiple playgrounds for the kids. My only dislike is there is a parking lot for maybe 6 cars. So you have to park on the street.

I hate it it looked like they were dying heat also they don t have water. don t waste you re time I hate that place and you have to go through a gift shop to go to your car.

Even though the animals are scarce.. Great for young children. Nice playground

Its a nice small zoo. Cheap admission and friendly staff. The winter rate is cheaper because some of the animals are away for the colder weather, which is perfectly understandable and makes sense.

A great small zoo. Very family-friendly. In an absolutely beautiful location, right along the lakeshore. The staff was very friendly, and the animals are presented in a very accessible manner, even for small children.

Well-stocked zoo for a small city, and they've given spectacular jazz concerts by major stars as fundraisers. I've got to subtract a star because of a major disappointment. I love pigs, respect their intelligence (equal to a 3-year-old human's), and am well aware that 95% of mini, micro and tea-cup pigs will soon exceed 100 pounds. I knew that 3 little pigs had be given to the Zoo by a Wisconsin breeder and was anxious to take my granddaughters to the petting zoo to meet them.

We found them and, though well over a year old, they were still very small. The crime was that these sociable, interactive, companionable animals were fenced off from the public--and in the domestic, or petting area--of the zoo! They were without water and loose soil (to make a mud puddle to "wallow" in--which most pigs do, while remaining otherwise clean--averse to living, sleeping or eating in their own litter).

Moreover, the young zoo-keepers obviously knew nothing about these animals (don't they have enough curiosity to check out Wiki or Youtube?). When I asked about getting close enough to touch the animals, feeding them, talking to them (perhaps lifting one long enough for a short blood-curdling scream--music to the ears of any "ham-ophile"), the young employees answered: "We can't do that. We were told not to. Besides, they seem to prefer to mind their own business and to be left alone."

False! They're the most sociable animals a child will ever meet. Obviously, no one had even tried to socialize these pigs, which were "roasting" on hard, impenetrable ground--no grass for grazing, dirt for rooting, and non-fattening food for treating (it's not the quantity--it's simply the treat that these food-incentivized animals require to be in your debt). In short, they were bored to death (a certain recipe for a frustrated, easily depressed, even aggressive, hostile and "nipping' pig). Though I have yet to meet anyone who was injured by a pig.

They can easily be taught--after only a few minutes--to spin, or turn circles, especially once they know a reward, or a treat, however meager--even a popcorn kernel--is forthcoming. Next comes bowing, sitting on their haunches, learning to "stay" and to fetch.

Pigs don't like to be petted (occasionally, a single pat of encouragement on the back is acceptable). But they can't resist a good belly rub. Stroke a pig on its side, and if it doesn't fall over entranced, mesmerized and ecstatic--it's not a pig.

Quiet, clean. Views of the lake. Lovely just to stroll!

Halloween Night light show is amazing! Well worth the trip.

Great exhibit. Their workmanship and attention to detail were quite evident in the various exhibits.

Great little zoo. Some very unique animals there. It was affordable and not crowded at all. The walkways were wonderful to travel on and you have a great view of the lake in most parts. The day my partner and I went, the mere-cats decided to play hide and go seek, though it was mostly hide on their part.

I look forward to going back. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well.

Our favorite zoo to visit while in racine! Small, cute and perfect for our 4yr old.

The place is very nice. Only one lady from the zoo told her to put on a face mask. I told her that my daughter has asthma and it is hard for her to breathe. She made me go somewhere or put on a mask. I felt sad that I had to go home quickly from the zoo.

Very nicely designed and maintained zoo on Lake Michigan. Stroll through the zoo and then stroll along the lake front for a pleasant and relaxing afternoon!

It's small but great for toddlers. Also has a nice park inside, my kids didn't want to leave.

Loved the zoo, people and animal friendly. Looked for t-shirts in the shop and was disappointed that it wasn't better stocked.

Always a pleasure visiting the zoo, today's visit was work but still great.

I heard it's a nice but small zoo. It used to be free, not sure if it is now.

Not a huge zoo, but fun and with lots of heart. Beautifully positioned on the lake. Never have to worry about parking, even in summer. A good half day activity with a lunch and beach to fill the other half.

It's nice for a day out though not too many animals

Great concert outdoors...Too many dragonflies at night

This is a nice small zoo to spend a few hours in on a summer or fall afternoon. The staff are friendly and there are lots of little things to look at. They have a few larger exhibits but nothing compared to the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Lovely place. Doing light shows for holidays. $5 for a classy experience great time. Will go again

Chinese lantern festival is awesome. Every one should see it.

Zoo was beautiful. But they should let know in winter which animals are gonna be visible and which ones are not because it's the same price to see about 4 different species and there's no activities or anything.

Beautiful. Went to hales corners also . I think I liked Racine better

Parking was a little weird to sort out but after we found it everything was great. I was able to use my membership to a different zoo in a different state and it gave me 50% off. Kids had a blast! And it was so close to the lake that when we were done at the zoo we went down to the beach and played

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 the Racine Zoo.

I like this zoo, but there are a few major problems. Some of the animals enclosures are way to small. 5 lions in this tiny pen just seemed ridiculous. Also admission was a bit pricy even for residents especially because it is a small zoo. I would recomend the milwaukee zoo instead. Finally they seemed overstaffed. I cant help but feel like admission would be cheaper if they had less employees especially because they didnt seem to be doing much.

We love this zoo! Have been here maybe 4x over the last 16 years. I would come more often but I live in another state and only come when I visit family in Gurnee, IL. First took my children when they were tiny and just recently again now that they are older teens. They prefer it over the Atlanta Zoo. Racine has a nice size zoo - not too big or small! We will see you again in another 4 years or so!

Very impressed with this zoo! Loved it! All animals were active & viewable. Had a great time!

Get a family membership, it's cheaper than buying admission... If you have a large family, anyway.

Very much enjoyed the Halloween display...So many lights..done so well...Spaced nicely so you could see all..Happy we went.

I love this zoo!!!! During the summer I'm there many times a month! I'm a member, and I think the animals are getting to know me there We are so lucky here in Racine, will to have such a beautiful place to call our own! If you have never been, please come! If it's been a while since your last visit, please come and see what new and exciting here!!

Went to the festival of lights with my family. We all enjoyed it and will definitely go again.

Small and quaint. My kids love the petting area and playground. Great place, right by the lake. Friendly and super helpful staff.

It was kinda boring and run down a bit but some nice things there

It was just the right amount of zoo for three small active children. At the end there was the perfect playground for them to run off extra energy. Very affordable even for folks outside of Racine County.

Being a visitor of the milwaukee zoo for years. This zoo doesn't compare. However it is still awesome. I really enjoyed the penguins, bear, lion, mountain goat among others.

Great for young kids. Very walkable. Has a playground and picnic tables, too.

Went to see the Chinese lantern festival so beautiful recommend it worth the money better then Christmas lights!!!!

The staff was friendly. And the ani.als were lively

It's a nice little local zoo. Not huge or anything like Milwaukee or Brookfield but nice spot to bring the kids for a day. Only $7 to get in. I liked the updates with the bird sanctuary, that was a big hit with the kids! You get a popsicle stick with birdseed on it and they can pretty much hold a bird and see it close up. Nice little "show and tells" throughout the day with the animals. Nice area with the goats too to feed and brush them if you want and a new park with tons of activities, that was a nice little break to do at lunch time. My son really enjoyed it!

Not worth it. Wanted to try a different zoo, walk through exhibits were closed. I get that its spring and still a little chilly, but if animals are not on display dont charge admission. This was basically a walk and time at a playground.

What a total treat. Clean. Was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Excellent place for family they let you feed the birds and pet some of the animals

Sad that it's not free anymore. It felt like the same zoo when it was free. Nothing newer or more exciting.

Wonderful place for kids under 7 or 8. Perfect size and lots of shady places for a picnic. Bring your own food and drinks. Two playgrounds for kids and toddlers. Had a great time.