201 8th St Baraboo, WI
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Circus World Museum

Visit the Circus World Museum this Summer

Two things automatically come to mind when most people think about Baraboo, Wisconsin: Devil’s Lake State Park and the Circus World Museum. We’re so lucky to have absolutely stunning scenery and a fun, historical past with the Ringling family. You’ll see the circus influence all over our charming small town, from a brewery and theater named after the family to our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast, once home to the Ringling’s famed circus founders.

A visit to this extensive Circus World Museum is a must, especially during the summer when the big tent is open for fantastic shows. You’ll find seven buildings on the 64-acre property dedicated to showcasing and commemorating the history of the circus and the Ringling Brothers. There’s an impressive collection of treasures, props, and memorabilia for hours of fun exploring these entertainment shows of yore.

Before you purchase your tickets to the Circus World Museum, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and there’s no better place to stay (especially for circus enthusiasts) than the Ringling House B&B, the premier Baraboo Bed and Breakfast. Our historic Inn offers guests a step into the past while maintaining the modern comforts to relax and unwind. Each of our beautiful guest rooms calls to the rich living history of the Ringling Brothers, each named after a loving couple within the family. Check out our upcoming summer availability and book your room today! Continue reading

The Ultimate List of Things to do in Baraboo, WI

The Wisconsin Dells is an outdoor lovers’ paradise, so it’s not a surprise that most of the best things to do in Baraboo, WI, revolve around taking in the stunning scenery, hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park, canoeing on the glassy surface of Mirror Lake, and birdwatching at Palfrey’s Glen. Though that doesn’t mean there isn’t an incredible selection of things to do in Baraboo, WI, that happen indoors, often with a delicious spread of beautifully prepared food and crafted drinks.

Why this area has such a big draw for nature enthusiasts has a lot to do with its geology. The Nature Conservancy designated the Baraboo Hills as one of the “Last Great Places” due to the collection of rare rocks, minerals, flora, and fauna. These features were formed millions of years ago in the last ice age when strong currents from the melting glaciers carved and sculpted the gorges, peaks, unique rock formations, and winding rivers. Exploring these interesting geological areas is by far one of the best things to do in Baraboo, WI!

Before you start filling up your itinerary, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast is in the ideal location for outdoor and indoor fun. The majority of our favorite things to do in Baraboo, WI, are within a quick (and scenic) drive from our historic B&B. As a guest, you’ll love our comfortable accommodations, antique appointments, bountiful breakfast, and welcoming service. Read on to learn more about all the exciting things to do in Baraboo, and book your room today! Continue reading

The Best Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo, WI, for 2023

The Wisconsin Driftless area is one of the most beautiful regions in our county. At the heart of it, there’s a small town with a fascinating history dating back to the early 1800s, and our Ringling House Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo, WI, is one of the best places to stay. Our Inn has the perfect blend of historic charm and modern conveniences to make your getaway relaxing and refreshing. The Ringling House is a beautiful example of preservation—the Georgian Revival home offers a look into the past with restored architectural details and antique furnishings.

Each of our beautiful guest rooms makes you like you’re a part of the living history of the Ringling family; every room has a backstory and is named after a famed pair who once resided there. This only adds to the romantic air, and couples can fully relax, reconnect, and relish in the quiet and privacy of our bed and breakfast in Baraboo, WI. The pampering continues in the morning with a delicious homemade breakfast served at the Ringling Family’s historic dining table. It’s the best way to kick off your adventures in Wisconsin! Book your room today. Continue reading

Baraboo is One of the Best Small Towns in Wisconsin

There’s something cozy and special about visiting the small towns in Wisconsin. And Baraboo, located in Sauk County, offers visitors a lovely combination of museums, excellent dining options, and outdoor recreation at the nearby Devil’s Lake State Park. Baraboo was put on the map by the famed Ringling Family, who settled the circus headquarters here in the early 1800s. Today, you can learn all about the history of the Ringlings and their empire at the World Circus Museum in downtown Baraboo.

This is one of the small towns in Wisconsin that has its traditional downtown tree-lined Main Street with local shops and cafes, welcoming residents, and surrounding areas that are a nature lover’s paradise with stops along the Wisconsin River, the amazing rock formations of Devil’s Lake State Park, and the glassy calm waters at Mirror Lake State Park. In fact, the Baraboo Hills is classified as one of the “Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy due to the collection of rare rocks, plants, and animals.

Another perk of making the charming small towns in Wisconsin your getaway destinations are the intimate and unique lodging accommodations you’ll uncover. Our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast happens to be one of those options! The Ringling House Bed and Breakfast is not only in the ideal location in Baraboo for exploring all of the best things to do, but we also have a solid connection to the founding of the town, as our Inn was once the family home for the Ringling Brothers.

Join us in Baraboo—one of the best small towns in Wisconsin—and book your stay today! Continue reading

The Best Things to do in Baraboo WI this Summer

Summer is one of the best times to visit the midwest, and there are so many fantastic things to do in Baraboo WI. Our charming, small, historic town is perfect for a weekend getaway or leisurely vacation during the warmer months. Located only 10 minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park—one of the most visited parks in Wisconsin—outdoor lovers will have their pick of adventures to explore in the wilderness. For those who enjoy beer and wine, you’ll find a host of local breweries and wineries serving some of the best adult beverages around. We also love to eat in Wisconsin, so the restaurant choices are decadent and delicious.

And those are just a few of the fantastic things to do in Baraboo WI, this year! Before you start packing your itinerary with activities, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast is the ideal space to stay. The Ringling House is not just a place to keep your bags and rest at night; our historical Inn becomes a big part of your adventure. The beautiful mansion has been meticulously restored; the guest rooms are divine and still represent the charm of the original space, but with added modern amenities for the ultimate getaway to the midwest.

Head over to our booking calendar and reserve your room today! Continue reading

Get Your Tickets to Circus World Museum this Year

The Ringling Brothers put Baraboo on the map, so it’s no surprise that the Circus World Museum is a big attraction here. It’s so big that it encompasses a collection of buildings, including the remaining structures of the original wintering grounds of the Ringling Brothers Circus, a big top where they host live performances, and an entire library dedicated to circus-centric history books, archives, and photographs. You’ll also find outdoor areas with circus wagons and other significant memorabilia.

The Circus World Museum is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, a group dedicated to preserving interesting locations and historical places all around the state. A trip through the exhibits, the big top, and the circus wagon display is a nostalgic experience for many. Some may say it harkens back to a simpler time when entertainment wasn’t directly available to us at every minute of the day.

There’s no better Baraboo lodging option than the Ringling House Bed and Breakfast for those planning a trip to the Circus World Museum. Built by Charles Ringling in 1901, the Georgian Revival home near the downtown Baraboo, WI, remained in the Ringling family until 2015 when Innkeepers Julie Hearley and Stuart Koehler bought the property. They are dedicated to maintaining the intricate architecture and history of the home while making it a comfortable and welcoming place to stay for the ultimate getaway to Baraboo.

Get ready to get your tickets to the 2022 season at the Circus World Museum, and be sure to get your lodging on the books today! Continue reading

One of the Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin

Are you on the hunt for a future getaway at one of the unique places to stay in Wisconsin? Well, you’ve found it! The Ringling House Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo, WI, has such a rich history and a huge connection to the famed circus family, the Ringling Brothers. Our 1901 historic Inn was built by Charles Ringling, one of the founders of the Ringling Circus, who then sold it to his brother Henry in 1915.

The Georgian-revival-style mansion remained in the Ringling family for decades until we purchased the home in 2015. From the moment you arrive, you’ll see that this house has been treated with love and care. While we’ve introduced modern amenities over the years, the intricate woodwork and original architectural details are meticulously preserved, maintaining the spirit and charms of the past.

As a guest at our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be taken back into time from your first step through the double front doors. Welcomed by the warm wood tones and colorful stained glass windows, you’ll feel completely at ease to call our space your home away from home for the duration of your vacation. We’re one of the best places to stay in Wisconsin, not only due to the beauty of our Inn but also our kind hospitality. We can’t wait to host you in Baraboo; book your stay today! Continue reading

Scenic Drives to Enjoy Fall Colors Near Baraboo WI

One of the best ways to enjoy fall colors near Baraboo WI is from the warmth and comfort of your own car on scenic drives through the area. There are miles of winding highways and backroads cutting through the gorgeous forested landscape of Wisconsin. The diverse mix of trees brings some of the most vibrant oranges, golds, and red hues to our area. The maples, oaks, dogwoods, and poplars are in abundance putting on a show for scenic drives through the countryside.

Baraboo WI is a particularly colorful area in autumn and our location to Devil’s Lake State Park is a huge boon for scenic drives. Devil’s Lake State Park is the most popular park in Wisconsin. The park is 10,000 acres of untouched wilderness with lush, dense forests and unique rock formations surrounding the mile long lake as the centerpiece. There are specific scenic drives that include parts of Devil’s Lake State Park, that are great routes for fall foliage.

Our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast is in the ideal location for these stunning scenic drives. We’re only ten minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park making the Ringling House Bed and Breakfast the best place to start and end your adventure. We’re also right near downtown Baraboo for dining, historical tours, and nightlife. Our elegant guests rooms serve as lovely spaces for a special getaway in Wisconsin. Check out fall availability and book your stay today!  Continue reading

8 Delightful Things to Do in Baraboo This Fall

There are plenty of things to do in Baraboo in the fall, given the Central Wisconsin region’s slow-cooling October temperatures and abundance of blaze-colored natural beauty. Even with some top Baraboo attractions closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s still no shortage of places worth checking out during your visit to this town, named one of the top five small towns to visit in America by Smithsonian magazine in 2013.

And there’s no better place to begin an end each day’s Baraboo adventures than Ringling House Bed and Breakfast, with nearly 100 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor for this charming Colonial Revival house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a look for yourself! Timeless in its appeal but loaded with modern amenities, you’ll want to reserve your room today at this Baraboo bed & breakfast as you work on your list of things to do in Baraboo. Continue reading

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