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Circus World, Baraboo, WI
MuseumsHistory BuffFamily FavoriteQuirky Fun

Circus World

550 Water St · Baraboo, WI

Why you should go…

Circus World is a museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, built on the original Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters, which is a National Historic Landmark. It is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society and holds one of the largest collections of circus artifacts in the world across eight surviving Ringling buildings. The site hosts live circus performances daily during the summer season.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #circus
  • #family
  • #live show

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Circus World, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Devil's Lake State Park

    Under $25

    Hike 500-foot quartzite bluffs above a 360-acre lake, swim from the beaches and scramble up to Balanced Rock.

    2.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Noah's Ark Waterpark

    $25–$50

    Spend a summer day on more than 70 acres of water slides, raft rides, wave pools and lazy rivers in the Wisconsin Dells.

    10.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park

    $25–$50

    A Greek-mythology themed resort where you ride roller coasters, go-karts and waterslides in both indoor and outdoor parks.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Dells Boat Tours

    $25–$50

    Cruise the Wisconsin River past sandstone cliffs and step ashore at Witches Gulch and Stand Rock on the Upper Dells tour.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Taliesin

    $50+

    Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's own home and studio on a 600-acre estate in the hills of Wisconsin's Driftless Area.

    28 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Cave of the Mounds

    $25–$50

    Take a guided walk through a lit limestone cave full of stalactites, soda straws, helictites and colorful flowstone.

    31 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions