Circus World
Circus World things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls…" When it was announced that The Greatest Show on Earth” would no longer be, my heart crumbled at the thought that a childhood tradition would soon come to an end. How sad for future generations. A three-hour visit to the Circus World Museum triggered some fond memories. As you approach the front doors, calliope music welcomes you into the world of lions, tigers and elephants. In the exhibit hall and visitor center are bigger than life posters and lithographs that wooed children and adults alike into the magical world of the big top. In the collection are views of people who were part of the sideshow acts. Discover how these outcasts of society found employment, worth and love through the circus. Learn of the five Ringling Brothers who started a circus in Baraboo, WI, May 19, 1884 with a small tent, three horses, a hyena and a troupe of 21 people. You’ll gain insight into the life of each brother, their life’s apart and as a unit to make their circus the best the world would know. At the W.W. Deppe Circus Wagon Pavilion, you will see an impressive array of beautiful circus wagons. In the C.P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center, you’ll view the Star Tableau wagon from Sir Robert Fossett, considered England’s oldest circus in the world. Other barns on the property showcase the stories and costumes of the ringmaster, clowns and costumes of different acts of the day. Admission during the spring and fall is under 10.00. Summer rates are under 20.00. A must see is the to scale circus big top display with movement of circus acts. Overall: This was a great day trip that was worth the drive and time.
Lila JohnsonLila Johnson
00
This museum showcased the history of a variety of circus shows. There were original pieces and costumes from the shows on display. The exhibits also went over the history of the Ringling brothers. There are multiple buildings on the property and you must walk outside between each of them. On a rainy day this will be something to take into consideration. There were covered teams making their rounds to pick up visitors and bring them to various places upon request at no charge. There is a schedule that includes guided tours and shows on the property. One of the farthest buildings is easy to miss, it contains many of the old carriages and carts used to transport performers and animals. There are warnings outside this building to not enter if you are sensitive to mold. I would also suspect that there is lead paint used on the carriages, which would be consistent with the age. I would not recommend staying too long in this building if you can help it, but it is worth a run through. The carriages were my favorite exhibit to see. There were also many advertisements and lithographs used for the circuses. This was a large part of the museum and it was fun to see and read about individual performers. They also showcased how the prints were made and the process of advertising in cities. If I make any recommendation, it is not to place 50¢ in the large pipe organ at the entrance. It is incredibly loud and startling. It can be heard in the entire building and plays for longer than necessary. Enjoy how it looks, but don’t put your money in it!
Anna TesdahlAnna Tesdahl
00
Children under three are free, adults are 23$ and I believe there is senior discount. Parking is free on the side street, and two lots across the circus. But you gotta get there early. Bathroom are clean. No food allowed , but bottled water is fine. Only good thing in there are the circus carts and old marketing posters. Everything else is just sad. And boring. Especially exploited animals. Anytime I’m in Baraboo, WI, I feel a nostalgic sense of warmth and relaxation one seeks when on vacation or simply taking a stroll down this lovely town. I was especially happy this year, in attending the yearly circus parade, as I was informed the elephants Isa and Viola will finally be retiring this August, to a sanctuary in Oklahoma. I waved a farewell to the elephants as they walked by in the parade. Delighted, I visited the circus. Immediately noticed the “ ride the elephants and pony’s” sing 15$ cash. Made me so sad. I saw the line of heavy people all waiting their turn to ride these two elephants just going around in a circle all day long. I asked an employee for the well being of these animals. She quickly laughed and stated, “they can hold tons of weight and are better taken care of, then she or me.” Her argument was - since they can hold that weight it’s fine for them to carry people for hours, on a daily basis until they retire this August. How can this not break your heart? The circus felt cheap. Sad. Outdated. Their only form of income coming from the exploitation of the animals.
Ronnie HernándezRonnie Hernández
00
Had a marvelous time at Circus World Museum! The displays are amazing. You can see costumes worn through the ages, many fine examples of Circus posters, and restored wagons from several American circuses, plus one from Europe. There are old and recent train cars to show you how they carried horses, etc on a train. At their biggest, Ringling Bros Circus had 100 train cars to transport the wagons, animals, staff, and Circus stars from place to place. It must have been amazing in those days to see 100 Circus train cars coming to town! I saw a band concert consisting of typical instruments used for Circus performances. I attended an Aerial (Trapeze) Show, it was fun to see them up close! I saw a Circus under the Big Top tent. The Circus was about 50 minutes long, and included several aerial acts, jugglers, dish spinners, a clown, a horse act, and an elephant act. They hold Circus performances only in the summer months, so check the beginning and end dates if you want to see a Circus under the tent. I was there for a total of 3 hours, and I wish I would have had more time to enjoy all the museum displays. The museum is located on the old "winter home" of the Ringling Circus. You will see many buildings that were used all winter long for preparing for the summer season, housing animals, costume department, and tools used to keep a Circus on the road. This is an amazing museum! For me, it was a wonderful way to spend a day. Highly recommend for Circus lovers!
Molly ZabrowskiMolly Zabrowski
00
What a day!! What a wonderful, delightful day we had at Circus World! We had no idea what we were in store for and we were just enthralled more and more around every corner! You enter through the museum and get a vast amount of history of the circus, not just Ringling Brothers. We learned so much about the evolution and history of the circus with all the displays. A lot of work has gone into the presentations in the museum, they are very thorough and rich. Once you go through the doors to the outside you are transported back in time to the circus of your childhood memories! From the elephants to the circus in the big top, the side show tent to the carousel, it was just one fun and childlike moment after another! Our favorite part of Circus World was the carriage museum, it was jaw dropping!! We walked in the door to massive, ornate and beautifully restored carriages that once graced towns with their music, carvings, animals and performers. Imagining them parading through town brought smiles to our faces and music to our soul! Circus World is magical and I highly recommend everyone add it to their bucket list!
Cindy PealstromCindy Pealstrom
00
The experience me and my son had on this place beats all those times we went on all those waterparks in the dells combined. No cap. We love every single minute we had in this place and so sad to just find about it this year. Me and my promised we will make an annual visit, that's how much we love this place! Ample of parking outside and very clean. Staff are extremely knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. We had so much fun with the shows, playground, carousel, food, exhibits, pony ride and of course the elephant ride that my son keeps raving about to our family and friends. I mean, it's not everyday you get to ride an elephant. My son went twice and on the second ride he didn't even want to come down. The show on the big top was the highlight. The showman was definitely talented and it's so transparent that he loves what he does and so as the other people alongside him. Me and my son's favorite phrase, "May all your days be circus day!" Thanks guys for giving us a memorable experience and we cannot wait to come back. We did left a donation, it's not that much but we hope it'll help.
Kawla Jane BallesterosKawla Jane Ballesteros
00
Nearby Attractions Of Circus World
AL. Ringling Mansion
Spa Serenity Day Spa
AL. Ringling Theatre | A Wisconsin Historic Site
Baraboo Music
International Clown Hall of Fame & Research Center
Rogues & Ruffians Ren Faire
A Sense of Adventure

AL. Ringling Mansion
4.6
(173)Click for details

Spa Serenity Day Spa
4.7
(149)Click for details

AL. Ringling Theatre | A Wisconsin Historic Site
4.8
(143)Click for details

Baraboo Music
4.8
(88)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Circus World
Baraboo Burger Company
Little Village Cafe
Gem City Saloon & Eatery
Broadway Diner
Cheeze Factory Restaurant
AL. Ringling Brewing Co.
Coffee Bean Connection
Jen’s Alpine Cafe and Soup Kitchen
Brothers On Oak
Neat-O's Bake Shoppe

Baraboo Burger Company
4.7
(930)Click for details

Little Village Cafe
4.7
(530)Click for details

Gem City Saloon & Eatery
4.7
(478)Click for details

Broadway Diner
4.7
(875)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
550 Water St, Baraboo, WI 53913
Map
Phone
(608) 356-8341
Call
Website
wisconsinhistory.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(903 reviews)
Ratings & Description
entertainment
cultural
family friendly
Description
The Circus World Museum is a museum complex in Baraboo, Wisconsin, devoted to circus-related history. The museum features circus artifacts and exhibits and hosts daily live circus performances throughout the summer.
attractions: AL. Ringling Mansion, Spa Serenity Day Spa, AL. Ringling Theatre | A Wisconsin Historic Site, Baraboo Music, International Clown Hall of Fame & Research Center, Rogues & Ruffians Ren Faire, A Sense of Adventure, restaurants: Baraboo Burger Company, Little Village Cafe, Gem City Saloon & Eatery, Broadway Diner, Cheeze Factory Restaurant, AL. Ringling Brewing Co., Coffee Bean Connection, Jen’s Alpine Cafe and Soup Kitchen, Brothers On Oak, Neat-O's Bake Shoppe

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