Up first - Baraboo, Wisconsin!
In case you were wondering, Wisconsin is located in the Midwest, east of Minnesota and directly west of Lake Michigan. It's capital is Madison which is about 270 miles from Minneapolis, 150 miles from Chicago, and 3920 miles from London, England. I know, you're all ready to hop on a plane today and fly all the way from England...If not, that's okay, we can book you on a transatlantic cruise instead. =)
Anyway, we actually want to highlight a town about 50 miles north of Madison. If you guessed Baraboo, you'd be correct!
Baraboo is located along the Baraboo River in Sauk County and is home to about 13,000 residents. Trippin' with Jamie was recently traveling out to Minnesota, but made a stop in Baraboo. It is a great small town to visit with plenty to keep you busy in the town itself, but also has a wide variety of activities within a short drive for the faster paced vacationers. This post is going to highlight some of what Baraboo has to offer you as a vacation destination.
Town Center:
Like I said, Baraboo is a great town in its own right. If you like the small town feel and enjoy being a part of wherever you are visiting, just walking around will give you an opportunity to relax and enjoy being on vacation. There are many locally owned restaurants and shops. Baraboo is small enough to have a great feel and locally owned businesses, but also large enough to offer a great variety. In the summer, there are concerts, farmer's markets, and activities in the town square. During winter, the town is decorated for the holidays and feels just as cozy even if the weather isn't quite as warm.
Circus World Museum:
Did you know Baraboo is home to the Circus World Museum? Did you even know there WAS such a things? It is also the former home of the Ringling Brothers and the Ringling Brothers Theater is located in the town square. This museum is a great (don't tell your kids) educational and fun activity for the whole family. In the summer, the town also hosts the Great Circus Parade. The museum is fully accessible and located close to the river walk along the Baraboo River which also is accessible for those in wheelchairs.
Ochsner Park Zoo:
While not a San Diego Zoo, the Ochsner Park Zoo provides a fun opportunity for families to see animals in a cozy zoo set in the Ochsner Park along the Baraboo River. It is home to a variety of animals, such as monkeys, bears, llamas, multiple species of birds, and more. Admission is free and the zoo is open year round. After you finish the zoo, the park offers lots of green space and trails for hiking, picnics, and enjoying the outdoors. There are paved paths throughout the park that are wheelchair accessible, however, some require stairs to reach. There are picnic tables, benches, grills, and covered shelters for families to enjoy on a summer evening (or winter if you're really brave).
Devil's Lake State Park:
For all the outdoor enthusiasts, Devil's Lake is a state park just south of Baraboo and is the largest state park in Wisconsin. There is a visitor's center that highlights the history and geology of the park and has an amphitheater that is used in the summer for various events and concerts. There are small American Indian mounds located throughout the park which highlight some of the history of the Wisconsin tribes. Approximately 41 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to very difficult terrain provide views of the lake for all levels of fitness. In addition, there are multiple trails that are wheelchair accessible for the entire family to enjoy. Devil's Lake is a destination of its own offering various opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are two swimming beaches located at Devil's Lake as well as kayaks, row boats, and paddle boats available for rent to use on the lake. In the winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available for those brave enough to face the cold.
Mirror Lake State Park:
Another outdoorsy option with a twist. Mirror Lake is home to fully accessible cabins with roll-in showers and some cabins include hospital beds. In addition to offering similar outdoor activities as Devil's Lake State Park, Mirror Lake also offers adaptive kayaks and sit-skis for cross country skiing. It is located just 15 miles from Baraboo and a great option for families looking to get a camping feel while still being able to travel with family members that may require some accommodation.
Wisconsin Dells:
About 18 miles north of Baraboo is a town called the Wisconsin Dells. For all the adventure seekers, this is the place for you! The Wisconsin Dells is one of the largest tourist destinations in the Midwest. It offers many indoor and outdoor waterparks and is home to the largest waterpark in the USA, Noah's Ark. In addition to water activities, the Wisconsin Dells also has go-karting, mini golf, zip lines, horseback riding, and more! Thanks to the many indoor waterparks and other indoor activities, the Wisconsin Dells is a great year-round destination. Great Wolf Lodge offers zero entry pools, and Medusa's Indoor Water Park at Mt. Olympus has a chairlift at the warrior pool to allow the whole family to enjoy the action!
We had a great time visiting Baraboo, and would definitely recommend it as a vacation spot! If you'd love to get away but not sure you're ready for a cruise or resort, check out some of the "Off the Beaten Track" places that you don't even have to leave the country to enjoy!
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