The largest city in the county, Baraboo is the principal city of the Baraboo Metropolitan Statistical Area and situated on the Baraboo River. Given its Ringling Brothers past, it’s no surprise that Baraboo is also home to the Circus World Museum, the former headquarters and winter home of the Ringling Brothers circus. The travelling circuses are an important part of American History this museum preserves, from the original circus posters and props to the nearby buildings which display original circus wagons, costumes, and other memorabilia. Circus World hosts a live show under the Big Top Tent – a one-hour show that consists of jugglers, clowns, horses, elephants, dogs, and aerialists. Another building has a magic show. Also, there are elephant and pony rides available.
The Circus World Museum is listed as a National Historic Landmark and on the the National Register of Historic Places. Also on the latter listing is The Al. Ringling Theatre, an active landmark that opened its doors in1915 and has featured vaudeville performances by such notables as Lionel Barrymore and Mary Pickford, silent movies and grand operas. Step right up to some sideshow history when you investigate Mr. Marvel's Wondertorium, housed in the Al Ringling mansion. Many of the shop fronts in Downtown Baraboo look as they did in 1905, when the city bustled with all the excitement and wonder of the Ringling Brothers circus.
Today, Baraboo’s cobblestone street filled with a potpourri of specialty shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Baraboo is also near Devil's Lake State Park, part of the National Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and offers hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, biking and picnicking. You can see iconic rock formations like the Devil's Doorway and Balanced Rock and pathways like the Ice Age Scenic National Trail. You’ll crane your neck looking at all 15 varieties of the bird left in the world you’ll find at the International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold's Shack and Farm, from whooping cranes to Siberian cranes. When you start planning your visit to the area, you’ll have a convenient location to rest and recharge when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Baraboo, WI. Book a room online now!