Let's take a drive ... on Hwy. 20 in Racine County.

Known as Washington Avenue in the city of Racine, 20 loops its way around five blocks and takes you by many of the downtown attractions of the city.

The Racine Art Museum, Festival Park Memorial Hall, the Racine Heritage Museum and other attractions can easily be accessed off 20. As you head west through the city, you also will pass the Golden Rondelle Theater and Washington Park Golf Course.

Just west of Washington Park, you can stop at Larsen's and Bendtsen's bakeries. You have to have some kringle or other goodies from these places.

You'll also go past the Amtrak station near the intersection of Wisconsin Street and 20, but we're driving today. You might want to stop a little west of the station, at Borzynski's Farm and Floral Market. Produce and flowers are plentiful.

As you approach I-94 on 20, you'll fine ample chain motels and eateries. Just west of the I, stop at the Racine County Visitor's Center to find out about attractions on 20 and elsewhere in the county.

If you have the time, and are a golfer, Ives Grove is a fine golf course that will provide a challenging, fun round.

As you continue west toward Hwy. 45, look south and check out the Modine-Benstead Observatory. Open houses are held there from May through September, and other special events also are held. Check out schedules at rasastro.org/directions.

You're now in farmland, north of Union Grove. At the intersection of Hwys. 75 and 20, there are two must stops. Rest a while at Beaumont Park, named after Ginger Beaumont, the first batter in World Series history and a Racine County native. Across the street is the Dover Inn, a great place for a brew and burger.

A few more miles down the road, 20 turns northwest, crosses Hwy. 36 and enters the Village of Waterford. This is a scenic place on the Fox River, with some nice eateries and shops.

Again if you're a golfer, try Rivermoor in Waterford. This is a mature course, with numerous willows and other foliage that are experts at catching errant shots.

North of Waterford is Heg Park, named after Hans Christian Heg, a Civil War hero, and historic Norway Lutheran Church. Both are worth taking a short side trip off 20.

South of Waterford is Rochester, a charming small town that is home to bestselling author Jane Hamilton. One of this writer's favorite restaurants in the area is The Coral Reef in Rochester, right on the Fox River. Enjoy dinner as the river runs by.

Just west of Waterford along 20 are two great attractions for kids, especially if they are from an urban area. Hoppe Homestead Family Dairy Farm and Green Meadows Farm offer tours. The latter has a petting zoo, which kids love.

Both offer a real opportunity for kids to learn that milk doesn't start in a bottle or eggs in a carton. Both these attractions are open primarily from May through October, and at other times for special events.

Near these attractions you'll also come across the first Rustic Road in Wisconsin. Maple Drive is worth a side trip especially during the fall color season.

Not far west of these attractions, you leave Racine County and enter Walworth County. In many ways, this stretch becomes the most scenic. The Honey Creek area is a mixture of winding streams and wetlands, surrounded by rolling hills and woods.

East Troy is worth taking the Business 20 route. The Village Square is classic small town and offers shops and other attractions.

The East Troy Electric Railroad Museum is a treat for any train nut. The East Troy Electric Railroad runs from East Troy to Mukwonago in southeast Wisconsin from May until October.

Lake Beulah outside of East Troy offers fishing and other recreational activities.

Highway 20 continues west of East Troy to Troy Center and then ends near La Grange. From there, you can take Hwy. 67 north to Old World Wisconsin, or continue west on Hwy. 12 to Whitewater Lake and the city of Whitewater itself.

Or, you can turn around and do it in reverse, taking in the various attractions you missed on your western swing on Hwy. 20.