Circus World
Circus World
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 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
guidelines
Tripadvisor does not provide bookings for this experience because it does not meet our animal welfare guidelines.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
720 reviews
Excellent
453
Very good
197
Average
45
Poor
14
Terrible
11
greatauntie27
Prior Lake, MN55 contributions
Jun 2021
June 28, 2021
My 10 and 16 year old nieces had a great time. The circus show was their favorite. We went to the morning and afternoon shows, knowing that the afternoon performance was a repeat of the morning show.
The grounds are clean and well maintained. Staff was courteous and helpful.
The food was tasty, but we wish there were some healthier options, especially since we couldn’t bring in food or leave for lunch and then return.
My 10 and 16 year old nieces had a great time. The circus show was their favorite. We went to the morning and afternoon shows, knowing that the afternoon performance was a repeat of the morning show.
The grounds are clean and well maintained. Staff was courteous and helpful.
The food was tasty, but we wish there were some healthier options, especially since we couldn’t bring in food or leave for lunch and then return.
Written 30 June 2021
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.
Thank you for visiting and sharing of your time with us. Pleased to read that your family enjoyed our live performance elements, found our staff courteous and helpful and our grounds clean. Those are all important elements that we strive to provide our guests each and everyday. Glad you found the food tasty and we always review our menu offerings for a diversity of experience. We hope that you will consider visiting with us again during future travels.
Written 29 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rkh32018
83 contributions
Jul 2022
We went to Circus Museum only expecting to stay 2 or so hours and ended up staying from 10:30 to closing. During the summer there is so much to do. Besides exploring the inside of the entrance building and reading all about the various circuses, looking at the posters and costumes displayed, there are many other buildings and shows to experience. Our 1st was the Big Top show. I really didn't expect much so was surprised how good it was. They had about 5 or 6 different acts and except for the clown (I'm not a big fan of any), the other acts were very entertaining. Later we went to the Wagon tour which was 20 minutes and excellent (I wish it was longer), then to a fun show where unusual musical instruments were played. Our last show was the aireal show outside. There was a carousel, a chance to ride an elephant and original winter buildings used by the circus to explore. This was so much better than anticipated. If I ever have grandchildren, I will be back.
Written 18 August 2022
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.
Ed D
Peachtree City, GA664 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, FL41 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.
Mimi T
1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
First time here and it was not crowded at all!!! It was so nice to sit front and center and actually “SEE” the show!!! We’re visiting from Chicago and that never happens back home as it’s an over populated city and everywhere you go is over crowded. Therefore this show was a refreshing experience. We will most definitely be back!!
Written 27 May 2022
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.
Dulcie S
13 contributions
Aug 2022
We were a little surprised at how much fun we had at the Circus World Museum. We're a middle aged couple and just sort of went because we were in Circus City USA, but it was really interesting. We enjoyed the performances, they were top notch for such a small venue, and there was plenty of time to both go to the performances and also see all the memorabilia.
Written 20 August 2022
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.
GiseppeGord
816 contributions
Aug 2021
Museum provides an excellent historical perspective. The circus wagon building hosts a majority of all wagons still existing in the world. Entertainment in the Hippodrome at various times during the day. A visit is well worth the effort if you are in the area.
Written 25 August 2021
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.
Thank you for visiting and sharing your review of time spent with us! Glad to read that you enjoy the majesty and amazing history held within our wagon collection. You are correct that it is the largest in the world of remaining circus wagons. They are stupendous pieces of rolling American folk art. We hope your future travel plans will afford a return visit with us.
Written 29 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
_drbecker123
Pewaukee, WI12 contributions
Aug 2022
CW offers wholesome, old fashioned family fun at an affordable price. We enjoyed the main show, music show and outdoor trapeze artist show. The museum and circus wagon displays were interesting. The grounds were clean and inviting.
Written 26 August 2022
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.
Darcy G
5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
It was OK. My husband and I enjoyed it, but our 4 year old was mostly bored (she did enjoy the circus. We didn't get to look at most of the museum, because our 4 year old was bored.
Also, the acrobat show got canceled because of the rain. I'm glad they put the performer's safety first, but had we known ahead of time we may have chosen a different day.
The parking lot was quite a walk, and there was minimal street parking.
It is an interesting place, but not something I'd recommend for kids
Also, the acrobat show got canceled because of the rain. I'm glad they put the performer's safety first, but had we known ahead of time we may have chosen a different day.
The parking lot was quite a walk, and there was minimal street parking.
It is an interesting place, but not something I'd recommend for kids
Written 26 August 2022
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.
Jim L
Crystal Lake, IL31 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We took our 5 sons to Circus World 25 years ago. We took our 9 & 11 year old grandchildren last week. We all had a great time. The Big Top show was excellent with acrobats, clown, trapeze and elephants! The circus musical instruments demonstration was very good as was the outdoor trapeze show. The circus wagons were beautiful with intricate carvings. A hot dog and burger lunch was reasonably priced. We spent 5 hours there. We’d highlight recommend Circus World to all ages!
Written 3 August 2022
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.
I don't see why not but perhaps you should check with the venue
Written 2 July 2023
Can you leave for lunch and return later in the same day? If not, can you bring food in?
Written 14 July 2022
cyber7thheaven
Michigan Center, Michigan
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.
Written 13 July 2018
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!
Written 16 July 2018
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.
Written 6 July 2017
There were a couple of people using motorized chairs while we were there.
Written 7 July 2017
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.
Written 10 February 2017
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?
Written 3 January 2017
They provide you with a schedule of events so you can plan your day. The museum is in the same park.
Written 10 January 2017
How long dose the Ringling brothers film in the main building last?
Written 9 July 2016
Runs all day.... on a loop.... it is just backdrop... like wall paper while the clowns are doing the demonstrations on the stage there.
Written 10 July 2016
Is any of the buildings, tents, etc air conditioned? We are considering going this Saturday but its been so hot... we were not sure.
Written 29 July 2015
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.
Written 30 July 2015
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