circus world

... to spend here!First of all, I had no idea it even existed -- thank goodness my husband was here as a child. He insisted we come and I certainly wasn't disappointed!! [Father's Day, fathers get FREE admission.]We spent hours looking at all the exhibits and in the buildings. The history here is overwhelming and deep and I loved every second of it. The musical sections and the miniatures were so well done! I also enjoyed looking at the circus wagons.I honestly have to say, I think the Big Top performance was my favorite. I felt up close and included. I appreciated that it had live musicians and the performers were top-notch. I only wish I'd had time for an elephant ride -- I guess we'll have to go back!!

We were heading home from a trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and decided to stop at Devil's Lake State Park. The day was overcast and we decided to stop by Circus World for an hour or so. Seven hours later we were one of the last to leave and we stayed the next day for the circus parade! The museum was fascinating with its many displays and real time activities. We especially enjoyed the musical interlude with the different circus instruments. The research area even checked to see if they had a record of my husband's grandfather, who had worked for Sell's Floto as a teenager. The intricacies and colorful display of the circus wagons was just amazing.

My wife and I were recently in South Central Wisconsin and she mentioned that she remembered seeing Circus World in nearby Baraboo as a young child. It sounded interesting, and, as I had never been there, we decided to swing into town and make a visit. Turning in off the highway, we followed the easy to spot signs and made our way into Baraboo to the World famous Circus World. We parked a block away(there is plenty of easy parking available) and headed on to the main gate. Summer rates for tickets are $19.95 apiece for Adults, but definitely worth it. The main building in front houses countless vintage Circus posters as well as other curiosities and a Very fine Gift Shop. We spent quite awhile simply walking around inside checking out all the cool stuff, but soon, we decided to go ahead and see the rest of the park and went through the door to the outside. It's difficult to pick which direction to go, as every direction you look at has more stuff to take pictures of and see, but we quickly decided to look inside the Big Top tent arena and see the act that was inside. Circus performers take turns doing their acts in Baraboo, so you never know which one you'll see, but they are all different and all well worth catching! Whether it's animals like Elephants, Dog acts, Magic shows,Clown performances or Acrobats, you'll see them all here. It was like being in a Big circus but all in one place! Absolutely excellent! The main show lasts runs about an hour, so that worked out just right. We had the rest of the day to wander about outside and see the animals and listen to the music, and smell the exotic smells that abound-as well as the vintage Circus wagons and cars that are parked around the grounds everywhere. We had, unfortunately, stopped to catch lunch before we arrived, so we never did get anything to eat while we were there, but there were definitely plenty to pick from if you needed to. It takes pretty much the whole day to take it all in but is more than worth the ticket price. By the time we hit the road again, we were both pretty bushed tired but no problem. I could easily see where being a kid there would be a huge experience and memory. I know it was for Me!

Stopped to see the Circus World Museum on the way home from the Wisc Dells. Since we got there around 2pm and they closed at 4, we only saw one of the many buildings that house a ton of memorabilia from the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Even with only the one building we still needed the 2 hours we had to see everything inside! Baraboo is the where the winter headquarters for the circus was. So many informative displays tracing the history of the circus from it's early days up to the modern big productions of today. Brought back lots of memories of circus performances I saw when I was a child.Next time we come up to the Dells we will make a point to spend more time at the Circus Museum and visit all of their buildings!

I take my kids to the Dells every year and we try and mix up the attractions we visit. The exception is the circus world. I take them every year! No place like it.

This is the history of REAL brothers who created one of the greatest circuses in the world....NOT a reality show. The history of the family is amazing, as is the circus trains on site and all of the other memorabilia. A Must See!!

They have live circus performances during the summer but the gem of this State of Wisconsin Historical site is the collection of circus wagons, housed on site. If you are a history buff, the wagons are great material to understand the entertainment and transportation of many circus ventures in the late 19th and early 20th century. Great collection, worth the time.

Circus World is a fantastic place to spend a day. Visit often and enjoy the live entertainment during the summer. World class library and many displays and shows to see. The beauty of the wagon collection cant be topped! A colorful background to a fantastic day!

I travel with my son and I write reviews based on Autism friendliness for the parents who want to explore with their special needs child. We were traveling across Wisconsin and happened upon Circus World. My son has never seen a real circus and we went in the off season. Which I highly recommend if you have a special needs family member. Our experience was private and had access to all of the amazing displays and buildings with absolute ease. If you have a family member with processing difficulties I recommend researching the grounds and writing a social story and planning out what you will visit but do not skip this attraction. It takes you back to a different time and imagination is such a wonderful tool that tends to be overlooked in our busy world. I can not pick a favorite because everything we viewed was simply perfect in nostalgia.

This is the second time I have seen the Baraboo Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration.The first time was 2004 and then again this year. What an amazing collection of restored wagons and trailers.What a magnificent display of Circus past and seeing what it must have been like to see the circus come to town at the turn of the century!If you have young children this is something worth the drive to see.Spend the week in the Dells and see what all they have to offer.

Went with a 7 year old who's grown up with all the media, gaming and excitement of today...he was interested in some of it, but the exhibits with extreme circus details and minutiae were far too much for him to take. I found some it interesting, but you can only look at so many painted wagons. Magix show was a nice extra.

Even though we were there in the off season, we were able to enjoy a magic show and all of the circus exhibits. Not a bad half day for $9.95 each.

I went to Circus World years ago when my children were little and remember it as an enjoyable experience. This time I went with friends and while it was in the fall so a lot of the features weren't operating, it was still a most enjoyable experience. A great history lesson about the circus, about the Ringling brothers and Baraboo and a beautiful exhibit of craftsmanship with the array of wagons. I'm thinking I wouldn't bring little kids there unless it was summer time because they might be bored w/ all the reading one has to do to understand the displays but for adults in the fall, it was just perfect.

This is the best kept secret on the "DELLS". This will really take you back in time. Whatever you do make sure to see the Movies at the beginning of the tour. One thing folks need to understand that this is run by volunteers and not a corporation. I really think the city should promote this Gem and if they are not putting money into it they should.

Circus World is a museum and like most museums, there is much about it that is educational. In this case, the older you are, probably the more you will appreciate the history that is captured in this place. There are parts of the museum that will keep the attention of children, but it is not just one big circus either. If you go off season, there is even less that is designed with children in mind. Having said that, I will also say that this is a wonderful place to visit! I've enjoyed it every time I have gone there and that has been several times. There are new shows each new season!