This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Wisconsin
Baraboo is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The town served for many years as the winter home of the Ringling Circus. Animals were trained here and the wagons were built here. That legacy lives on at Circus World Museum. The 64-acre site lets visitors explore circus history and enjoy live summer performances. Beyond its circus roots Baraboo is known for its welcoming small-town spirit in scenic Wisconsin landscapes.
Community Events
With summer coming up, there are bound to be many events for everyone in the community to join, and one to look forward to in Baraboo is the Zoo Crew Fest at Ochsner Park Zoo. Since 1983, the zoo has welcomed Baraboo residents on the first Saturday of June for animal-related activities, live music, face painting, vendor markets, bubbles, and fresh, hot pizza to eat at the park. Residents can also explore the zoo's exhibits that are home to prairie dogs, emus, black bears, and sandhill cranes.
Speaking of cranes, one way to get up close and personal with these graceful birds is to visit the International Crane Foundation, where you can see fifteen different crane species, including all endangered species. The International Crane Foundation provides a unique opportunity to learn about and observe these birds in a dedicated conservation setting. There are also guided tours throughout the day so that people can learn all about cranes and how each species of them is different from one another.
Natural Playground
Baraboo's appeal extends beyond its circus legacy; it is also home to Devil's Lake State Park, a 9,400-acre natural wonderland where parkgoers can engage in an abundance of different activities like swimming in one of the two beaches, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding on the crystal clear waters, hiking some of the 29 miles of trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, and looking over the scenic viewpoints to get wide views of the park down below. The park offers seasonal naturalist programs and guided hikes that help visitors learn about its history, ecology, and geology. The park is also home to three expansive campgrounds, and group campsites are available for larger parties.
Conservation and Close Encounters
Another way to get up close and personal with animals in the Baraboo area is to visit the nearby Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Education Center, where visitors can see and learn about lions, tigers, and other exotic animals and gain insight into their care and backgrounds. At the facility, which is about 10 miles west of Baraboo, knowledgeable guides lead educational tours that explain the animals' histories and how they came to live there. The center also offers special visitor experiences, including scheduled feeding demonstrations and overnight stays in on-site lodging, such as the family and spa cabins. If you stay near the enclosures, you may even hear big cats such as lions, tigers, lynxes, and servals vocalizing at different times of day.
Local Flavor
Baraboo Burger Company serves a variety of gourmet burgers, including breakfast burgers, Asian burgers, and their classic Monster Burger. Aside from the burgers, they also serve a variety of wraps, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian options, and shareable side dishes for everyone to try. There is also a full-service bar that serves 75 domestic, import, and local microbrews, including liquor and wine. Finally, on Friday evenings, the restaurant has a fish fry.
Fields of Calm and Fragrance
For something truly unique and extremely peaceful to do during your time in Baraboo, the New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm is the place that offers high tranquility for everyone. It is a first-generation lavender farm in Baraboo, known for its peaceful atmosphere with beautiful views of the lavender fields. Wagon tours with self-guided walks are also available so that visitors can see and smell the beautiful lavender flowers up close.
The farm also sells a lot of homemade products, where the lavender is the main attraction, like ice cream, lotions, soaps, perfumes, and their infamous Lavender Cherry Pie, which is a staple to try. The farm also hosts a series of events, such as a Lavender Festival, picnics in the gardens, evening photography sessions, and plant sales that mark the beginning of the Lavender season. By the time you leave, the smell of Lavender may be imprinted onto you because of visiting these magnificent flowers.
Baraboo Leaves a Lasting Impression
Whether it is enjoying the history of the circus, exploring the lavish fields of lavender or the surrounding natural wonders, there is something for everyone of every age to look forward to when visiting Baraboo. Even after your time in one of the friendliest towns in "America's Dairyland," you might find yourself planning and counting the days until your next visit. After all, in a friendly town like Baraboo, every smile is a warm welcome and every handshake feels like an invitation to explore.
