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#2018874 - 06/06/15 02:05 PM Wisconsin Getaway
ahkcompliance Offline
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Ok Wisconsin friends...we are planning a little family getaway to Racine, WI. Just curious on everyone's thoughts on the place. It looks like they have a nice beach front and zoo. We will be taking our 23 month old and want to be sure it is kid friendly. We are looking at 3-4 days probably.

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#2018894 - 06/08/15 11:39 AM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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Where in the upper midwest can you go in the water and not freeze?
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#2018934 - 06/08/15 01:55 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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one state over
lake temps in MN should be in the mid 60's ... perfect for keeping the riff raff out.

I'm on the other side of the state ... so I can't be of too much help, but I'm sure the cheese and beer is good over there too.
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#2018947 - 06/08/15 02:14 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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We are looking at going in mid July.

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#2018961 - 06/08/15 02:46 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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You can make new acquaintances by wearing a Seahawks jersey. Also, Wisconsin has mosquitos the size of hummingbirds, so bring your Off or other bug spray.
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#2018964 - 06/08/15 02:48 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
noelekal Offline
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Mid-60s ought to be fairly bracing. The lakes around here will be like bath water by comparison.
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#2018965 - 06/08/15 02:51 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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I'm not sure I can think of things to do for three days in Racine. But then I don't spend that much time there to really know for sure.

If you're going there, go 20 minutes north to Milwaukee and visit the Discovery World Museum on the lake front, Betty Brinn museum just down the road (a 23 month old should love that), the Milw. Co. zoo (much nicer than the Racine zoo).

Or go even farther North and West to the WI Dells. Waterparks, duck rides, theme parks, etc.
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#2018966 - 06/08/15 02:51 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
#Just Jay Offline
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Ditto what Peepers said. The zoo is kinda cute there, but not sure Racine in general can satisfy you for 3-4 days.

I'd also look at staying on the north side of Milwaukee county: Port Washington, Cedarburg and such...about a half hour drive down into Milwaukee to the attractions Peepers noted, but more family friendly, cuter, safer.

Where are you coming from?
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#2018969 - 06/08/15 02:56 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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#2018976 - 06/08/15 03:10 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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We will be coming from Iowa.

Is Racine a safe town? Can you suggest a town in between Milwaukee and Racine so it would be easy to travel between. Maybe a day in Racine at the beach and then a day or two in Milwaukee doing the things Peppers said.

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#2018983 - 06/08/15 03:27 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
#Just Jay Offline
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Between the two, not really.

I mean, yeah, Racine is as safe as anyplace, but like any bigger city, it has its rough spots as well. I am not overly familiar with the city either, so really cannot offer the best areas to stay and play there.

Have you considered Madison? Nice little zoo as well, nice beaches, lots of summer activity, family friendly... if you are there over a weekend, you would all love the farmers market on the square. And a shorter drive too!
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#2018987 - 06/08/15 03:31 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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Originally Posted By ahkcompliance
Ok Wisconsin friends...we are planning a little family getaway to Racine, WI. Just curious on everyone's thoughts on the place. It looks like they have a nice beach front and zoo. We will be taking our 23 month old and want to be sure it is kid friendly. We are looking at 3-4 days probably.


Since you have a 23 month old I would suggest Milwaukee I am told they have a lot of beer over there. laugh
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#2019000 - 06/08/15 04:01 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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I have swam in lake Superior when the water is in the low 80's and when it is in the high 50's. Both where fun but one was more fun that the other. wink

Lake Michigan is not quite as clean but it is normally warmer. (The closer to Chicago you get the less clean it becomes) I have lived in WI most my life and I have not visited Racine for anything more than to drive through it. Milwaukee is a lot of fun and it is nothing like Chicago as far as being unsafe. (I lived in the Chicago burbs for 7 years before I moved back to WI) Though like others have noted it is a bigger city.
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#2019004 - 06/08/15 04:07 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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We only heard of Racine because of an ad we heard and it was about North Beach. We thought it would be fun since our little one loves water. We wanted to wait a little longer before going to the Dells so she would be older.

Does Milwaukee offer any beaches?

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#2019007 - 06/08/15 04:11 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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#2019008 - 06/08/15 04:12 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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How about Lake Geneva? I haven't been there in decades, but it used to be beautiful and popular resort area, and it should be only about an hour from Milwaukee.
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#2019014 - 06/08/15 04:25 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway MyBrainHurts
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In my opinion, I would avoid the Lake Michigan beaches.

The inland lakes are much nicer. Brain mentions a good one, Lake Geneva. I haven't been there in a while but I think there are little shops to go to as well. Staying there with beach access may work.

From there it's about a 45 minute drive to Milwaukee. Make a day trip or two to Milwaukee for the other stuff I mentioned.
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#2019019 - 06/08/15 04:37 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
#Just Jay Offline
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^^^Agreed. Delavan lake in Delevan near Lake Geneva is very nice as well. And the Madison lakes and beaches too.
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#2019022 - 06/08/15 04:43 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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In some ways inland beaches are nicer, but they are not on the big water that makes a kids eyes big as saucers. If this is for the kids I would stay with the big water as that is more of an event than going to a inland lake that will be very much like the lakes you have in Iowa.

I am not a big fan of tourist traps like Lake Geneva myself but if you do not mind spending the extra money it is a very beautiful trap. One of our locations in in Williams Bay, right near there.
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#2019031 - 06/08/15 05:05 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway Wolfy
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Smaller but cozy and not too far from Milwaukee:

Oconomowoc

Pewaukee

You could stay at Country Springs Hotel that has an indoor waterpark and drive a bit west to the above beaches.


Bigger and about twice the distance from Milwaukee:

Lake Geneva

They have a hotel with an indoor waterpark here too.


Madison area beaches:

Madison
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#2019032 - 06/08/15 05:08 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway Wolfy
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Originally Posted By Wolfy
I would stay with the big water as that is more of an event than going to a inland lake


the raw sewage is a nice touch too
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#2019038 - 06/08/15 05:23 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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My son-in-law's Iowa family was here over the weekend and raved about Madison...again. I lived in Kenosha, right next door to Racine, and have not been back since I moved to Madison. I can't think of three-four days worth of stuff to do there as an adult, let alone with a small child.

Madison has beaches; a great little zoo; a fabulous Children's Museum with all new exhibits; the Farmer's Market and is so much closer than Racine. You might want to check out the Moms in Madison blog too for more ideas.

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#2019053 - 06/08/15 05:45 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
HappyGilmore Offline
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Pulling people out of the ditc...
I have been to Madison, I agree it is nice...although didn't have much opportunity for tourism
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#2019064 - 06/08/15 06:05 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
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How is the Milwaukee Zoo? Lake Geneva looks nice so maybe we could do a day trip to Milwaukee zoo.

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#2019083 - 06/08/15 06:27 PM Re: Wisconsin Getaway ahkcompliance
Wolfy Offline
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Milwaukee Zoo is fun, last time I was there it is about 5 times or more larger than the Madison area one. But the Madcity zoo is free. I lived in Madison for about 3 years and personally I can not think of a reason an out of state tourist would want to go there vs Milwaukee or Chicago. (the capital building is awesome for WI kids and adults, not sure how exciting that would be for people from another state)
However it is one of the worst planned cities in the US, mix that with the lakes and even with the low population they still manage to create traffic issues.
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