Baraboo: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Wisconsin · 66k people

Baraboo

Locals say Sauk County · “Circus City”, “The Dells”

Bluffs, river, and a little circus.

Badgers RedForest GreenRiver Blue

Welcome to Sauk County, where the bluffs meet the river and the circus heritage lives on. Whether you're here for the water parks, the hiking, or just a Friday fish fry, you'll find a community that knows how to enjoy the outdoors and a good brandy old fashioned. Pull up a chair and share what you love about this corner of Wisconsin.

Clubs for Baraboo

No clubs for Baraboo yet.

The room

Baraboo Quiet now Bluffs, river, and a little circus.

One room for everyone around Baraboo. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Baraboo. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Devil's Lake State Park Glacial lake ringed by quartzite bluffs; hiking, climbing, and swimming.
Circus World Museum Historic circus winter quarters with performances and artifacts.
International Crane Foundation The only place to see all 15 crane species; conservation center.
House on the Rock Eccentric architectural attraction with vast collections and rooms.
Taliesin Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio in Spring Green, open for tours.
Wisconsin Dells Gorge Unique sandstone rock formations along the Wisconsin River, iconic boat tours.

Outdoors Hiking Devil's Lake trails
Outdoors Fishing the Wisconsin River
With kids Circus World Museum
With kids Noah's Ark Waterpark
Evenings Supper clubs
Evenings Live music at Al Ringling Theatre
Locals love State parks
Locals love Water parks

Through the year

Reedsburg Butter Festival June Celebrates the town's dairy heritage with butter sculptures, food, and a parade.
Sauk County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, carnival rides, and 4-H exhibits.
Spring Green Arts and Crafts Fair June Juried arts fair in the village known for Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin.
Devil's Lake Trail Run September Annual trail race around the lake with stunning bluff views.

Sauk County has a continental climate with distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers warm and humid. The best time to be out is from May to October. Best: Late spring through early fall offers warm, pleasant days perfect for outdoor activities.

Getaways

Madison State capital with the UW campus, lakes, and vibrant food scene.
Beaver Dam Small city with a lake and the famous Beaver Dam Lake.
Watertown Historic river town with a charming downtown and riverwalk.
Sparta Bicycling hub with the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, a rail trail through tunnels.

Local flavour

Rooting for Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)

Eat and drink

Cheese curds Fresh cheese curds, often fried, are a Wisconsin staple found at local bars and supper clubs.
Bratwurst Grilled brats, often with beer and onions, are a summer cookout classic.
Brandy old fashioned The Wisconsin-style old fashioned is made with brandy, sweet or sour, and is a local cocktail favourite.
Butter burger Culver's, a Wisconsin chain, is known for its butter burgers, and the area has many local drive-ins serving similar.

Where people go

State parks Devil's Lake State Park and other bluffs offer hiking, climbing, and scenic overlooks.
Water parks The Wisconsin Dells area is famous for indoor and outdoor water parks, a major tourist draw.
Supper clubs Traditional Wisconsin supper clubs with relish trays, fish fry, and old fashioneds are a local institution.
Dairy farms Rolling farmland and dairy operations define the rural landscape.
Historic sites Taliesin (Frank Lloyd Wright's estate) and Circus World Museum are cultural landmarks.

Heritage and traditions

Sauk County is proud of its circus heritage—the Ringling brothers launched the Greatest Show on Earth here—and its deep connection to Aldo Leopold's land ethic, which took root on the banks of the Wisconsin River.

This time of year in Baraboo

Fall color tours in the Baraboo Hills Fall October brings brilliant foliage and scenic drives.

Say it like a local: “Bubbler” — Drinking fountain.

Festivals

Baraboo Circus Days July A July celebration with a parade, circus acts, and community events honoring the Ringling legacy.
Aldo Leopold Weekend March March events celebrating the conservationist's birthday, with nature walks and talks.
Ferry Bluff Eagle Days January January guided eagle watching along the Wisconsin River near Sauk City.

Landmarks with a story

Aldo Leopold Shack National Historic Landmark where Leopold wrote 'A Sand County Almanac'.
Reedsburg Woolen Mill A restored 19th-century textile mill, now a museum.
Sauk County Courthouse A 1902 courthouse in Baraboo with a distinctive copper dome.
Prairie du Sac Historic District 19th-century German and Norwegian architecture along the Wisconsin River.

Food traditions

Friday night fish fry A Wisconsin staple, especially during Lent, featuring beer-battered cod, rye bread, and coleslaw.
Cannibal sandwiches Raw ground beef on rye with onion and salt, a holiday tradition in many homes.
Sauerkraut and pork on New Year's A German tradition for good luck in the coming year.
Maple syrup season Early spring tapping of sugar maples, with local syrup and sugar shacks.

Music and arts

Polka music A staple of German and Czech heritage, with local bands at festivals and events.
Circus arts The Ringling legacy lives on with performances and training at Circus World.
Nature writing Inspired by Aldo Leopold, the area is a hub for environmental literature.
Spring Green arts community Home to the American Players Theatre and many galleries near Taliesin.

A little history

1884 Ringling Brothers start their circus in Baraboo.
1930s-1940s Aldo Leopold develops his land ethic at his shack on the Wisconsin River.
1840s-1860s German and Norwegian immigrants settle the area, shaping its farming and cultural traditions.
Precambrian The Baraboo Hills, ancient quartzite formations, have been a landmark for over a billion years.

Rivalries

Baraboo vs. Reedsburg High school football and basketball games draw big local crowds.

Game day Friday night high school football
Game day Ice fishing derbies
Outdoors Cross-country skiing on the 400 State Trail
Outdoors Snowshoeing in the Baraboo Hills
With kids Al Ringling Theatre
With kids Reedsburg Woolen Mill

People speak with a North-Central Wisconsin accent, using 'ope' as an interjection, 'bubbler' for drinking fountain, and 'pop' for soda. Norwegian and German influences appear in words like 'uff da' and 'ja'.

Only here

The Ringling brothers' circus wintered in Baraboo, making it the 'Circus Capital of the World.'
The Aldo Leopold Shack is a pilgrimage site for environmentalists.
The Baraboo Hills are among the oldest rock formations in the world.
The International Crane Foundation is the only place on Earth to see all 15 crane species.

New here? A few tips

Pronounce 'Baraboo' as 'BARE-uh-boo' and 'Sauk' as 'sock'.
Winter is long and cold; invest in a good coat and learn to love snow.
Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club—it's a weekly ritual.
Visit the Aldo Leopold Shack for a dose of nature and history.
When someone says 'ope' as they bump into you, it's just a friendly apology.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Madison area

Nearby

Every area

MaustonWisconsinSupper clubs, river bends, and quiet nights MadisonWisconsinLakes, bikes, and Badgers — welcome to the isthmus.Beaver DamWisconsinWhere the marsh meets the lake Green LakeWisconsinDeep lakes, deep roots WatertownWisconsinWhere the river meets the prairie and the lakes hold your memories.Lafayette CountyWisconsinWhere the hills are green and the cheese is fresh.SpartaWisconsinCranberry country, trail town, and the heart of the Coulee Region.PlattevilleWisconsinWhere the bluffs meet the prairie

Baraboo, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.