Circus World

  The Ringling Brother’s Circus wintered in Baraboo,Wisconsin for 34 years before they moved to Florida in 1918. During the winter equipment was repaired, new pieces were constructed, and new acts were practiced. Circus World is on the site of the wintering grounds which includes four of the original buildings, a new museum, and two new warehouses filled with beautifully restored circus wagons. There is a lot to see so give yourself plenty of time especially if you visit during the summer when shows run throughout the day.

  The museum is accessible. The theater doors are heavy – seating for wheelchairs is in the back with chairs alongside for family members. The two warehouses are accessible but the wheelchair users may need some help pushing up the ramp. Three of the older buildings were opened the day that we visited – one has a fairly good ramp, one has an extremely steep ramp, and the other has a few steps and no ramp. The older buildings all house minor exhibits.

  Parking is limited. There’s a small gravel lot across the street where RVs can be parked lengthwise. The curb cuts are not good. There’s parking along the street on both sides with handicapped spaces on the same side as the museum. The ground next to the curb is a grassy hill so transferring to a wheelchair or deploying a lift would be difficult. Museum
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