Secrets Of Baraboo

An April 2001 trip to Baraboo by MarkR37

Dr EvermoreMore Photos

Baraboo is a small midwestern town approximately 40 miles northwest of Madison, WI. It is a fun day trip for people who enjoy nature, small town America, history and art.

  • 5 reviews
  • 7 photos
My favorite things to do are as follows.

*Tour Dr Evermore's unbelievable sculpture garden. *Drive over to Devil's Lake State Park for a picnic and a climb up the bluffs. *Tour the Barnum and Bailey Circus World Museum *Catch a show in Baraboo's wonderful movie palace *Go to lunch at the Little Village Cafe

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving is the only way to do this itinerary. The drive is very scenic along highway 14 so I recommend that route.

Little Village CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is our favorite eating establishment in Baraboo. The Little Village Cafe offers an eclectic mix of modern diner food in a cozy friendly atmosphere. They make wonderful Tex-Mex fish burritos here and the desserts will call out to you as you pass by them in the display counter on your way to your table. Lots of locals enjoy the place but we have never had to wait for a table. Try the cheesecake if your arteries can handle it. After dining, check out a movie next door at the Al Ringling Theatre, a movie palace built by the generosity of Baraboo's most famous man, Al Ringling. They don't make them like this anymore.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by MarkR37 on May 5, 2001

Little Village Cafe
146 4th Avenue Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
(608) 356-2800

Dr. Evermore's Forevertron Sculpture GardenBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Dr Evermore's Forevertron Sculpture Garden"

Dr Evermore
Billed as the largest sculpture garden on earth, Dr Evermore's sculpture garden is a tour de force of outsider art and is a must see attraction in this tiny rural community.

Tom Every is a junk man who uses his creative genius to fashion art out of the discarded industrial scrap metal his business collects. There are several amazing theme groupings on the compound. First is the Forevertron, a gigantic time travel machine that looks like something straight out of Dr Doolittle. Dr Evermore has a whole mythology about the machine and how it was created by a mad scientist over 100 years ago. Have him tell you or read the articles posted in the gazebo area.

Another amazing work is the Bird Orchestra which is a huge grouping of 10 foot high metal birds made to look like the instrument they represent. It is a remarkable work that both inspires and makes you laugh at the same time. Finally, I fell in love with the baseball game his son created when he was a teenager. He made a baseball team and field out of small springs, discarded tools and nuts and bolts. There is even an umpire calling strikes. This is a magical place. If you would like to learn more about it go here: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/WIBARforever.html You can purchase some of his creations if you are so inclined. His wife will tell you the prices and which ones they will sell. Each sculpture sold comes along with it's own Birth Certificate and is leased for 100 years. I bought a small bird that has wings made out of hedge trimmer blades and use it as a coat rack. It's a great reminder of the place and the man.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by MarkR37 on May 5, 2001

Dr. Evermore's Forevertron Sculpture Garden
Highway 12 Baraboo, Wisconsin

Devil's Lake
Devil's Lake is one of the nicest parks in the state. Take a picnic and sit by the lake and enjoy being surrounded by the bluffs. This is as close as Wisconsin gets to actual mountains, so enjoy it. After lunch, take a walk through the woods up to the top of the bluffs for a great view of the lake. I participated in a triathlon last year here and it was great fun. I felt like I was going to drown in the water on the first leg.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by MarkR37 on May 5, 2001

Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park Road Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
(608) 356-8301

Circus World MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Circus World Museum is the world's largest historical attraction pertaining to the circus. The 50-acre complex is located at the Ringling Bros. Circus original winter quarters - a national historic landmark. Each year nearly 200,000 visitors tour the unique museum.

There is a wonderful short film on the history of the circus in the United States. Also, the picture gallery and cart museum are great to check out. During the summer months they have a small circus on site that you can attend. Lots of fun for the whole family. http://www.circusworldmuseum.com/

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by MarkR37 on May 5, 2001

Circus World Museum
550 Water Street Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
(608) 356-8341

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