Baraboo, Wisconsin — Devil's Lake, Circus World & Downtown Charm

Choose your own adventure:

Explore Wisconsin’s most-visited state park

Take in the circus in the Ringling Brothers’ hometown

Stroll through a historic downtown straight out of a Rockwell portrait

If you visit Baraboo, you won’t have to choose. But you might not be able to do it all in one day.

Devil’s Lake State Park lies just south of town, affording breathtaking views of the Baraboo Range for those willing to hike the top of the bluff. While hikers and climbers navigate the rocks, paddlers and swimmers glide through the tranquil waters below.

Located on the riverbanks where the Ringling brothers launched their touring show, Circus World presents two big top shows daily, featuring aerialists, animal acts and clowns.

Those very streets are home to an eclectic array of specialty shops and restaurants. Downtown Baraboo’s architecture makes it a historic site, but its enticing selection of destinations – from a toy store to a day spa to an old-fashioned soda fountain – also make it a bustling business district.

If you find yourself parched after a long day of hiking, shopping and sightseeing, Baraboo has you covered. This community is home to three wineries, two breweries and an award-winning distillery that pairs its spirits with fine dining.

More food options: You’ll find an enticing array of restaurants downtown, from the Little Village Café on the courthouse square to Broadway Diner, located just down the street in a former dining car.

So many options await you in Baraboo. You need not limit yourself to the three choices above. You also could tour the International Crane Foundation, the only place on Earth where you can see all 15 species of cranes. You could take a train ride – and a trip back in time – at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum. Or you could amuse the kids with hands-on fun at the Baraboo Children’s Museum.

Which adventures(s) might you choose? The good news is you can choose them all. The bad news is that you just might need to block off an entire weekend.

Baraboo has you covered there: Lodging options include a new Fairfield Inn & Suites; the Ringling House Bed & Breakfast, located in one of the Ringling brothers’ former homes; and Fireside Cabins, a onetime motor lodge that has been transformed into a collection of rustic cabins.

Start your adventure by visiting baraboo.com.