201 8th St Baraboo, WI
608-356-4229
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Haunted Places in Wisconsin

Explore the Haunted Places in Wisconsin with Baraboo Tours

Logan Marketing October 6, 2022 In Fall in Wisconsin Comments Off on Explore the Haunted Places in Wisconsin with Baraboo Tours

It’s that time of year when there’s a crispness in the air, pumpkins appear on front stoups, and Halloween is just around the corner, which is also the best season to explore all of the haunted places in Wisconsin. It also just so happens that Baraboo is well-known in the paranormal community—for otherworldly circus spirits, a bar with eerie sightings, and phantom elephants.

The best way to learn more about the haunted places in Wisconsin is with Baraboo Tours, which offers an informative and spine-chilling walking tour of the ghastly hot spots in downtown Baraboo. And for those who want to immerse themselves in the historic surroundings of Baraboo fully, then you’ll book a room at the Ringling House Bed and Breakfast—the former mansion turned Inn was the family home to the famed circus family in the early 1900s.

The mansion has been completely restored and maintained to keep the architectural details and old-time atmosphere as if the Ringling family could still be seen sitting around the dining table. In fact, the beautiful table where we serve our scratch-made morning meal was the original to Henry Ringling when he outfitted the house. Join us this fall at our historic B&B in Baraboo and come explore one of the most haunted places in Wisconsin. Book your next getaway today! Continue reading

Carnival of Horrors Title Dates 1

The “Carnival of Horrors” Haunted House Fundraiser

ringling September 23, 2019 In Uncategorized, Events Comments Off on The “Carnival of Horrors” Haunted House Fundraiser

Halloween spirit alive at Ringling House Bed &Breakfast’s “Carnival of Horrors” haunted house.

What better way to scare up money for a great cause than to host a haunted house?
Stuart Koehler and Julie Hearley and a committee of volunteers are, for the second consecutive fall, creating a haunted house in a carriage house behind Ringling House Bed & Breakfast. Their goal isn’t to conjure Ringling family ghosts, but to raise money for improvements to the historic property.
Last year a nonprofit organization, Friends of the Charles and Henry Ringling Estate, was formed to preserve the buildings and grounds once owned by the brothers of circus fame. The one-acre estate includes the main house, which the couple operates as a six-room bed-and-breakfast; the carriage house; a cottage; and a barn. The 1901 Colonial Revival home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We think – we hope – the community wants this property to stay intact,” Stuart said.
Julie said the nonprofit will remain in place even if the property changes hands someday. “This is designed to protect these buildings as long as they’re around,” she said.
The couple plans to transform the carriage house in an event venue. They foresee hosting theatrical performances and other events attracting groups of 100 to 200 people. “There aren’t a lot of places in Baraboo for those kinds of events,” Stuart said.
Money generated through the Carnival of Horrors haunted house will support that project. Setup work began last month, with the team adding to the maze of horrors it set up last year. Julie said the team needs volunteers to help set up the haunted house and operate it. A crew of 15 is needed to sell tickets, provide security and act as ghouls within the indoor-outdoor haunted house.
Also needed this year are sponsors. The Friends of the Charles and Henry Ringling Estate group is offering sponsorships ranging in cost from $40 to $1,000 in exchange for tickets and prominently displayed gravestones bearing donors’ names. Donors will be invited to a VIP event at Ringling House, featuring personalities from the “Bordello of Horror” television show. Rachel Frank will offer demonstrations of horror-themed makeup and fashion. To volunteer or secure a sponsorship, send email to ringlingfriends@gmail.com.
The VIP event isn’t the only new feature this year. The haunted house is adding matinees for kids, who figure not to get as frightened in the daylight. Carnival of Horrors will be open Fridays and Saturdays starting October 11 from 7-10 p.m. During the final week of October, it will be open Thursday through Sunday, featuring $5 matinees for kids that Friday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. (Otherwise, the haunted house isn’t recommended for youths under 10). Admission will cost $15 at the door, but tickets can be had in advance for $10 at https://ringlinghousebnb.com/event/, at the Al. Ringling Theatre and at Con Amici Wine Bar,  starting Friday, September 27th.
Last year the haunted house attracted 700 people. This year’s goal is 1,000. Halloween fans came from across the state last year. “That’s a lot of people who probably wouldn’t have come to town otherwise,” Stuart said.
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