Circus World
Circus World
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Circus World in Baraboo is America's favorite circus attraction! Baraboo was home to The Ringling Bros. Circus from 1884 thru 1918, and during those thirty-four years the operation grew to become the largest circus enterprise the world has ever known. Although the Ringlings left in 1918, many of their original structures survived.During the summer months, see the world’s largest collection of glorious parade wagons plus 7 authentic Ringling Bros. buildings filled with colorful, big top memories. Experience the thrill that never grows old at Circus World!Circus World Museum is closed for the winter months and will resume visitation and tours beginning March 21, 2022. Live circus performances under the Big Top tent will occur twice daily from May 20 - August 28, 2022. Watch our website and social media pages for updates throughout the spring for our 2022 summer performance offerings. We’ll see you down the road and “May all your days be circus days!
Duration: More than 3 hours
Does not meet animal welfare
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See what travellers are saying
- Patricia C13 contributionsThrill To SeeMy husband and I visited this museum las week during our stay in Baraboo, WI. Without a doubt, one of the best treasures in the city. Nicely laid out, everything was well marked with information, and the circus wagons were a work of art. I would definitely go again if I am ever in the area.Visited May 2023Written 22 May 2023
- T R1 contributionIf you are into circus history...this is the place!Knew about this place, first time there. Very nicely done museum, I didn't know it was 5 brothers that really ran the business and were part of the acts at different times early on in their history of ownership. I was aware this town was their summer headquarters and they would winter in Sarasota, FL. The wagon buildings were loaded with historic wagons of different types, nicely preserved! This is the last year to see and ride elephant if you want to be part of that history. The trainer is retiring and the elephants will retire to Oklahoma as well. They are so connected to the circus won't be quite the same. Check it out when you are in the area! Free parking along the street and handicap accessible!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 June 2023
- kghudsonHouston, Texas462 contributionsA Great ExperienceSpent half a day here with 8 year-old grandson and had a blast. Kids shows were neat, the tour of the circus cars was cool for the adults and the circus performances were fun for all! A perfect day spent in June - coolish and no humidity. Lots to see and do and could definitely spend most of a day here. Relaxing and enjoyable and a neat thing to do if in the area!!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 June 2023
- Kate Illinois1Illinois4,722 contributionsFun for all agesAffordable for a day of fun. Start in the museum and orginal buildings then we walked across the bridge to additional museum buildings. There is face painting, carousel, elephant rides and the circus in the big tent. We enjoyed the show in the big tent. There is a concession stand on site. Look forward to bringing the grandkids next time.Visited June 2023Written 13 June 2023
- dsj019Carrollton, Ohio31 contributionsWhat a treasure!This was a completely unexpected stop on our road trip! This truly does not get enough advertising! What a treasure. Was not expecting all that came with our admission. We enjoyed a show under the big top on our visit! Enjoyed and would highly recommend! Also, veterans get in free!Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 August 2023
- Deborah HGreen Bay, Wisconsin146 contributionsHistory and artistry at Circus WorldThe wagon barns were amazing. Such history and artistry in each wagon. The circus performance was excellent albeit a bit too long for us. Very skilled and talented performers. We had been to the Baraboo area many times, yet we never took the time to visit Circus World. So very glad we finally stopped.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 August 2023
- Barry GGlendive, Montana271 contributionsReturned After 41 YearReturned to Circus World to see how it looked 41 years later after visiting it during our honeymoon. And there's been a lot of changes to say the least. This and the city of Baraboo is definitely a location to take the family. It's open from 9am to 4pm and one would want to arrive at the start of the day. There are 6 shows. One show starts at 11am and repeats at 2:30pm. If you want to take in the shows as well as view all of the exhibits, you're going to need to return a 2nd day. Otherwise, pick and choose the items you find most interesting for one day on site. For those that want to take in the circus history at Baraboo, definitely take two days to see what Circus World and the City of Baraboo have to offer.Visited August 2023Written 6 August 2023
- Nama552 contributionsNice day, everyone extremely kind and helpful to visitors!The grounds are expansive, many decorative circus wagons and such to see, which we did on a prior visit. Today, we went to see the enjoyable Music Review, Motorcycle High Wire Act and circus onsite. Our 3 year old loved it all. He was happy, observant, and speechless to see the Asian Elephants. Unfortunately, this is the last year of Asian Elephants and elephant rides at the circus here in Baraboo. The circus had tame, trained species of animals, an acrobat, an exceedingly strong young man performing fetes of strength, a juggler with an expansive repertoire, just to name a few of the many performers. The downside of our visit is the ice cream vender is not there anymore. There appears to be one snack bar with meal items, snacks and liquids. One vending machines was out of service. But, it was a beautiful day out of doors and everyone enjoyed it, even our 3 year old.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 21 August 2023
- GarynAmyDaytona Beach Area, Florida42 contributionsGREAT time/INCREDIBLE valueWe bought "Season Passes" and visited Circus World several times during our trip to the Wisconsin Dells. During peak season they feature a wonderful circus performance under a big top. They have the largest collection of beautifully restored original Ringling Circus wagons in multiple buildings on the grounds. There are other entertainments on grounds as well as circus style food, snacks and treats. They even had horse drawn circus wagons....again we understand that to be seasonal. The cost is low - probably the greatest entertainment VALUE we've ever seen! Families, children, and adults interested in history?? This is a MUST SEE!Visited August 2023Written 24 August 2023
- Ed DPeachtree City, Georgia675 contributionsThe Circus Wagon Hall is a Must SeeThe museum is quite impressive, and the circus wagon hall is worth the price of admission alone. Plan on seeing the circus performance; it lasts an hour. My wife visited the Circus World Museum seven years ago and said it was much livelier, with more animals and performers. This was the last season for the two elephants left. Thanks to PETA, “children of all ages” have lost the opportunity to see a circus with large animals.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
714 reviews
Excellent
449
Very good
197
Average
43
Poor
14
Terrible
11
Ed D
Peachtree City, GA675 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The museum is quite impressive, and the circus wagon hall is worth the price of admission alone. Plan on seeing the circus performance; it lasts an hour. My wife visited the Circus World Museum seven years ago and said it was much livelier, with more animals and performers. This was the last season for the two elephants left. Thanks to PETA, “children of all ages” have lost the opportunity to see a circus with large animals.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GarynAmy
Daytona Beach Area, FL42 contributions
Aug 2023
We bought "Season Passes" and visited Circus World several times during our trip to the Wisconsin Dells. During peak season they feature a wonderful circus performance under a big top. They have the largest collection of beautifully restored original Ringling Circus wagons in multiple buildings on the grounds. There are other entertainments on grounds as well as circus style food, snacks and treats. They even had horse drawn circus wagons....again we understand that to be seasonal. The cost is low - probably the greatest entertainment VALUE we've ever seen! Families, children, and adults interested in history?? This is a MUST SEE!
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nama5
52 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The grounds are expansive, many decorative circus wagons and such to see, which we did on a prior visit. Today, we went to see the enjoyable Music Review, Motorcycle High Wire Act and circus onsite. Our 3 year old loved it all. He was happy, observant, and speechless to see the Asian Elephants. Unfortunately, this is the last year of Asian Elephants and elephant rides at the circus here in Baraboo. The circus had tame, trained species of animals, an acrobat, an exceedingly strong young man performing fetes of strength, a juggler with an expansive repertoire, just to name a few of the many performers. The downside of our visit is the ice cream vender is not there anymore. There appears to be one snack bar with meal items, snacks and liquids. One vending machines was out of service. But, it was a beautiful day out of doors and everyone enjoyed it, even our 3 year old.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry G
Glendive, MT271 contributions
Aug 2023
Returned to Circus World to see how it looked 41 years later after visiting it during our honeymoon. And there's been a lot of changes to say the least. This and the city of Baraboo is definitely a location to take the family. It's open from 9am to 4pm and one would want to arrive at the start of the day. There are 6 shows. One show starts at 11am and repeats at 2:30pm. If you want to take in the shows as well as view all of the exhibits, you're going to need to return a 2nd day. Otherwise, pick and choose the items you find most interesting for one day on site. For those that want to take in the circus history at Baraboo, definitely take two days to see what Circus World and the City of Baraboo have to offer.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah H
Green Bay, WI146 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The wagon barns were amazing. Such history and artistry in each wagon. The circus performance was excellent albeit a bit too long for us. Very skilled and talented performers. We had been to the Baraboo area many times, yet we never took the time to visit Circus World. So very glad we finally stopped.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dsj019
Carrollton, OH31 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a completely unexpected stop on our road trip! This truly does not get enough advertising! What a treasure. Was not expecting all that came with our admission. We enjoyed a show under the big top on our visit! Enjoyed and would highly recommend! Also, veterans get in free!
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NVanSambeek
North Freedom, WI15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This is a must see for anybody that likes the circus. The full warehouse of circus wagons take you back in time and are so beautifully restored. The tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. We loved the actual circus under the tents also. It was a great day!
Written 27 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane R
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Amazing history and the shows are great. I’ve taken my kids to the big top show several times and each show they were mesmerized and consumed by the entertainment.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy P
Seabeck, WA128 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
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!
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!
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itsallthejourney
34 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
I only wish we would have arrived sooner to spend more time here! What a great value and a full day worth of quality entertainment. It’s also a short walk from Driftless Glen distillery which is a fun way to begin or end your experience.
Don’t miss the new “Go West” big top show, the Dinky Dew Musical Revue, and the motorcycle stunt.
Don’t miss the new “Go West” big top show, the Dinky Dew Musical Revue, and the motorcycle stunt.
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I bring food in for my special needs child
Nancy A
240 contributions
I don't see why not but perhaps you should check with the venue
C2R
Tucson, AZ9 contributions
Can you leave for lunch and return later in the same day? If not, can you bring food in?
cyber7thheaven
Michigan Center, MI
We are planning a trip here becuase my family is huge into history. So I see the elephant ride cost 10 dollars extra after the 20 dollar ticket price. What else cost extra money beside food.
Tony T
174 contributions
Elephant $10, pony $5, hog photo $5, carousel $3? None are necessary to enjoy the experience. But, you can get the whole hog's worth of your $5 photo with the giant pig - a small child can sit on it while the entire family gets in on the pic. After Labor Day weekend the price decreases, but so does the fun since the animals and live acts all leave. Don't wait, tiger show and big top circus acts are amazing!
We will be in the Dells this weekend and would love to check this out. My mom has MS and is in a wheelchair so I need to know if everything is accessible.
prisonrn
Rochester, MN60 contributions
There were a couple of people using motorized chairs while we were there.
Amanda M
Middleville, Michigan, United States53 contributions
How long would an average visit be?
JackStengel
Sioux Falls, SD58 contributions
It depends on a lot of things - age of children, circus interest, time left on your schedule, weather - to name a few. But, being a circus fan, I can spend most of the day there. Summer would be a longer visit because there are no shows. The winter schedule would take about two hours for most people. It's a happy place and - I think - well worth the visit.
Amanda M
Middleville, Michigan, United States53 contributions
If you come to visit the museum, how do you know when the circus acts will also be performing? Is the circus at the same location as the museum?
shdart
Paris Crossing, IN63 contributions
They provide you with a schedule of events so you can plan your day. The museum is in the same park.
Randy S
Temple, Texas, United States74 contributions
How long dose the Ringling brothers film in the main building last?
PaulMWalsh
Solon Springs, WI224 contributions
Runs all day.... on a loop.... it is just backdrop... like wall paper while the clowns are doing the demonstrations on the stage there.
Karie W
Elburn, IL364 contributions
Is any of the buildings, tents, etc air conditioned? We are considering going this Saturday but its been so hot... we were not sure.
WilliamGriffith
Norway,Michigan94 contributions
The Main building is cooled, but the rest are pretty much tents, etc and are outdoor temps. But, the shade inside definitely makes a difference. The only hot spells are walking about outside between the exhibits, and even these have shade and plenty of rest stops. Cool drinks and treats are available all over. And there are always circulating fans to keep the air inside moving.
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Claim your listingCIRCUS WORLD: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Circus World
- Circus World is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:00 - 16:00
- Hotels near Circus World:
- (0.21 mi) Downtown Baraboo Blu-Mae Marie Folk House
- (0.62 mi) Ringling House Bed and Breakfast
- (1.90 mi) Best Western Baraboo Inn
- (0.64 mi) Spinning Wheel Motel
- (0.63 mi) The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.
- Restaurants near Circus World:
- (0.19 mi) Driftless Glen
- (0.26 mi) Gem City Saloon and Eatery
- (0.47 mi) Broadway Diner
- (0.54 mi) Little Village Cafe
- (0.49 mi) Baraboo Burger Company