If you’re planning a trip to Wisconsin’s Sauk County, you’ll want a solid list of things to do in Baraboo, WI before you go. This small city has a lot packed into it: it’s the birthplace of the Ringling Bros. Circus, the gateway to one of the state’s most dramatic state parks, and home to a charming downtown.
With so much to see in Baraboo, it helps to know where to start. Do not miss Devil’s Lake; it’s one of the best things to do in Baraboo and should be on every trip itinerary. Whether you’re here for a weekend or building a longer Wisconsin itinerary, Baraboo gives you outdoor adventure, circus history, and small-batch food and drink all within a few square miles.
And when it’s time to plan where to stay, our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast puts you within walking distance of downtown and a short drive from everything else on this list. Built in 1901 as the home of Charles Ringling, it’s a piece of the same circus history you’ll be exploring during the day, minus the crowd. Book your stay today!
Top Things to Do in Baraboo, WI
Devil’s Lake State Park is rises to the top of every things to do in Baraboo list. This is Wisconsin’s most-visited state park, with 500-foot quartzite bluffs ringing a 360-acre lake carved out by glaciers.
The East Bluff and West Bluff trails both deliver panoramic views, but if you only have time for one hike, take the East Bluff Trail up from the north shore. It’s steep in spots but shorter than most people expect, and the payoff view over the lake is worth the climb. You will need a park sticker (Wisconsin residents and non-residents pay different rates) and get there early on summer weekends, since the main lots fill by mid-morning.
Circus World is Baraboo’s other headline attraction and no things to do in Baraboo list is complete without it. This is the actual former winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. Circus, spread across 64 acres with seven National Historic Landmark buildings and the world’s largest collection of restored circus wagons.
During the summer season (mid-May through early September), you’ll catch live Big Top performances daily. Outside that window, the site is still open for self-guided tours of the wagon collection and historic buildings, just without the shows. If you’re traveling with kids, plan for the full performance season. If you’re more into history than spectacle, the shoulder season gives you a quieter, more in-depth visit.
Ski-Hi Fruit Farm is a delicious place to stop, not just a fall photo-op. The farm grows more than 20 apple varieties across its 15-acre property, and the on-site market sells fresh cider, caramel apples, and baked pies made from the fruit they grow. Go in October if you want the full orchard experience, but the market itself is worth a stop earlier in the season too.
Downtown Baraboo is walkable, and it is where the food and drink side of things to do in Baraboo WI comes together. Balanced Rock Winery, about five minutes from downtown Baraboo, has a patio worth lingering on if the weather cooperates, and it’s a nice midday break between hikes.
For beer, AL. Ringling Brewing Co. sits right beside the historic 1906 AL. Ringling Mansion and pours around 19 house-made beers, including a signature recipe tied back to the Ringling family history. If whiskey and bourbon are more your speed, Driftless Glen Distillery sits on the banks of the Baraboo River and offers both distillery tours and a full restaurant menu, worth a longer visit if you want to eat there too.
If you’re staying into the evening, Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells is a short drive away and offers a change of pace with gaming, live music, and dining. And for a comfort-food fix in town, locals split fairly evenly between the classic diner fare at Broadway Diner and the burgers at Baraboo Burger Company. Both are honest, no-frills options after a day of hiking.
One thing worth knowing before you go: this is a walkable downtown but a car-dependent region. Devil’s Lake, Ski-Hi Fruit Farm, and Ho-Chunk Gaming all require driving, while Circus World, the wineries, breweries, and restaurants downtown are close enough to cover on foot from a central base.
Stay at a Historic Baraboo Bed and Breakfast
After a day covering the best things to do in Baraboo WI, you will want to stay somewhere convenient and comfortable. Our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast is within walking distance of Circus World, Al Ringling Brewing Co., and it’s a short drive from Devil’s Lake State Park. The house itself is part of the story you came to see. It was built in 1901 for Charles Ringling, one of the five circus-founding brothers, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Guests consistently compliment the same things: we offer a delicious breakfast to start the day, comfortable rooms to end it, and hosts who are area experts. If you’re planning a Baraboo trip centered on Devil’s Lake, Circus World, or a weekend exploring downtown, book your stay at our Baraboo Bed and Breakfast. Reserve your room now!