Circus World Museum, Baraboo
Visit the circus any day of the week and see performances under the Big Top at this 50-acre museum that offers clowns, acrobats, parades, concerts, animal stunts, pony and elephant rides, circus history and lore, exhibits and demonstrations. The museum also houses 150 antique circus wagons, 19th century equipment such as steam calliopes, posters, woodcarvings and more. The museum is located at the original winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers. The museum is open daily, year-round. (608/356-0800)
Concrete Park, Phillips
Considered one of America's most unique displays of folk art, Wisconsin Concrete Park features more than 200 figures sculpted of concrete. The characters, created in 1950 by an area lumberjack, come from local lore and legendary heroes, including Ben Hur, the Lincolns, Native American princess Sacajawea and Paul Bunyan. The concrete figures are decorated with glass and a variety of objects. This outdoor park is open daily throughout the year. (1-800-269-4505)
Houdini Historical Center in the Outagamie Museum, Appleton
Discover the mystique of Appleton's favorite son, Harry Houdini, by exploring a unique collection of his memorabilia and personal effects. The Houdini Historical Center offers an up-close view of the handcuffs, leg irons and lock picks actually owned and used by Houdini. Demonstrations and hands-on exhibits also offer more opportunities to learn about Houdini's escapes, life and times. There's also a Houdini Historic Walking Tour that visits sites from his childhood. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays, September through May, and daily June through August. (920/735-9370)
The House on the Rock, Spring Green
Built atop a 450-foot rock outcropping, this world-famous museum's out-of-the-ordinary-collections and bizarre attractions draw more than 500,000 visitors each year. Among the largest exhibits is the world's largest carousel, 35 feet tall and illuminated with more than 20,000 lights. There's also the Infinity Room, a glass-walled structure that projects 218 feet out over the Wyoming Valley, 156 feet below. Another masterpiece is a giant sea creature longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall. The museum is open daily March 15 through the last weekend in October. (608/935-3639)
Mount Horeb Mustard Museum, Mt. Horeb
Mt. Horeb's internationally known Mustard Museum holds the world's largest mustard collection (more than 2,300 varieties, at last count) and celebrates National Mustard Day each August 5. Unusual mustards found at the museum include chocolate fudge mustard; sesame, ginger, scallion and peanut mustard; and espresso mustard. The museum is open daily year-round. (608/437-3986)
National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward
Stand in the jaws of a four-story-high muskie at this famous attraction located in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Enclosed in a 143-foot-long, 500-ton replica of a muskie, this hall contains hundreds of marine exhibits including mounted specimens, outboard motors and tackle. The museum is open daily April 15 through Nov. 1. (715/634-4440)
Spinning Top Museum, Burlington
Just minutes from Lake Geneva and only 40 minutes from Milwaukee, your head will spin at the home of the unique Spinning Top Museum with more than 2000 tops, yo-yos, & gyroscopes on exhibit; videos to see; 35 hands-on top games and top experiments; plus a live presentation by the top collector and tops expert for an MGM movie and an ABC TV show. Tours are at specific hours and days, so call ahead or visit our website for times. Families and tour groups welcome, too. The extensive gift shop is open additional hours where you may try out 4 tops for free; plus your lifetime chance to see the world's smallest toy tops for a tiny fee. (262)763-3946
Watson's Wild West Museum, Elkhorn
This replica of an 1880s general store features thousands of artifacts and memorabilia from the 1880s cowboy era. Some of the treasures at Watson's include: authentic 1800s firearms and artifacts; ornate spurs and clothing; 100-year-old plug tobacco pouches that have never been opened; more than 2,000 branding irons; 115 saddles; and mounted buffalo, elk and deer heads. In the bathroom, the wallpaper is made of "wanted" posters, traveling show ads and newspaper clippings. Enjoy panning for gold a the Tumbleweed Mine, Sarsaparilla sliding down the bar, and a gift shop. Available for bus tours, school groups, and private party rental. Lunch and dinners and evening entertainment available for groups of 40 or more. (414/723-7505)