Things to Do Near Road America During Your Visit
Road America is located in an area that offers considerably more than a race weekend alone. Visitors can spend additional time exploring Elkhart Lake, learning about the region’s road-racing history, visiting nearby Plymouth, or taking advantage of recreational and family activities both at and around the circuit.
For guests attending a multi-day event, many of these attractions can be incorporated into the trip without requiring substantial additional travel. Elkhart Lake is only a few miles from Road America, Plymouth is immediately south of the circuit, and several historic and recreational destinations are located elsewhere in Sheboygan County.
The amount of available time will naturally depend on the event schedule. Visitors attending every practice, qualifying session, and race may prefer activities that can be enjoyed in the evening or on arrival and departure days. Those extending their stay by an additional day will have more opportunity to explore the surrounding area.
Spend Time in Elkhart Lake
Elkhart Lake is the primary visitor destination near Road America and provides dining, shopping, lake recreation, resorts, and other services within a short drive of the circuit.
The village is also closely connected to the history of Road America.
Organized road racing began around Elkhart Lake in 1950. The first competition used a 3.35-mile course on public roads north of the lake. A longer 6.5-mile circuit was used in 1951 and 1952, attracting increasingly large fields and national attention. Fourteen historical markers now identify significant locations along the original racing routes.
Visitors interested in motorsports history can follow the Elkhart Lake Historic Race Circuit and see portions of the roads used before Road America opened. The route provides useful context for the development of permanent road racing in the area and the relationship between the village and the present-day circuit.
Elkhart Lake also provides a convenient place to spend time away from the track. Restaurants and shops are concentrated within the village, while the lake itself supports seasonal outdoor recreation. Visitors staying locally can incorporate time in the village into the same day as an event without adding a significant drive.
Road America includes Elkhart Lake visitor resources in its official area information and identifies the community as one of the principal destinations for guests attending events at the circuit.
Activities at Road America Beyond Spectator Racing
Visitors may also find additional activities without leaving Road America.
The facility covers approximately 640 acres and contains several recreational areas in addition to the four-mile racing circuit. Fan activities vary by event, so guests should review the specific event schedule before assuming a particular activity will be available.
Public karting is offered during select race weekends at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex, located in the infield near Turns 7 and 8. Current public karting programs generally require drivers to be at least 14 years old, with a parent or guardian present for participants under 18. The karts can reach speeds of approximately 40 mph.
Road America also maintains a free 18-hole disc golf course. The front nine begins near the paddock, while the back nine extends west of the Sargento Bridge toward the Motorplex. Rental discs are available through the Paddock Shop. Disc golf is offered during public racing events and can be particularly useful for campers and guests attending for an entire weekend.
Families attending selected major events may have access to the Bank First Family Fun Zone near Turn 1. Activities and operating hours vary according to the race weekend, and Road America publishes current details on individual event pages.
Some events also include track touring, allowing eligible spectators to drive their own street vehicles around Road America at a controlled pace. Availability and vehicle requirements vary considerably by event and sanctioning organization, so touring opportunities should be confirmed through the applicable event schedule.
Outside major race weekends, Road America hosts additional recreational and driving programs throughout the year. Its 4 Miles of Fitness program, for example, allows participants to walk, run, or bicycle the four-mile, 14-turn circuit on designated evenings during the season.
Visit Plymouth
Plymouth is located south of Road America and is an easy addition to a visit, particularly for guests staying in one of the city’s hotels.
Road America’s official visitor information identifies the Plymouth Arts Center and Plymouth Cheese Counter among nearby attractions.
Plymouth has a strong association with Wisconsin’s dairy industry and promotes itself as the Cheese Capital of the World. The Cheese Counter and Dairy Heritage Center provides exhibits on the city’s dairy history along with locally produced cheese and other food.
Downtown Plymouth also contains a substantial collection of public murals. The city’s visitor information identifies approximately 30 murals depicting local history and business heritage throughout the downtown district.
These attractions are concentrated enough that visitors can spend several hours in Plymouth without dedicating an entire day to the trip. The city also offers restaurants, shops, and services that are useful to guests attending Road America events.
Motorsports enthusiasts may also want to review the schedule at Plymouth Dirt Track, another attraction included in Road America’s area visitor resources.
Explore the Wade House Historic Site
The Wade House Historic Site in nearby Greenbush provides an option for visitors interested in Wisconsin history.
The property interprets travel and settlement in 19th-century Wisconsin and includes the historic Wade House stagecoach inn, a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum. The museum contains nearly 100 carriages and other historic vehicles, some more than 150 years old.
Road America includes Wade House in its recommended area attractions.
Because the site contains several buildings and exhibits, it is better suited to visitors with several free hours rather than a short break between sessions at Road America. It can work particularly well on an arrival day, departure day, or an additional day added to the trip.
Planning Additional Time Around a Road America Event
Visitors do not need to schedule a large number of additional attractions to make use of the area surrounding Road America.
For a typical multi-day event, Elkhart Lake is the easiest place to incorporate into the trip because of its proximity to the circuit, restaurants, visitor services, and historic connection to road racing. Plymouth provides another convenient option for shopping, dining, arts, and local history.
Guests with additional time can travel farther into Sheboygan County or visit destinations such as Wade House.
Activities available at Road America itself should also be considered when reviewing the event schedule. Public karting, disc golf, family activities, track touring, paddock access, and other fan programs can add considerably to a weekend without requiring visitors to leave the property.
Current event schedules and fan activities are published by Road America, while its Area Visitor Information section provides additional recommendations for attractions, recreation, dining, and services throughout the surrounding region.