American Circus Exhibits and Memorabilia
Feel the magic in the air? It’s no wonder, Sarasota has been known as the “Circus Capital of the World” since the 1920’s when John Ringling made it the winter quarters of his famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The Ringling’s Circus Museum and Tibbals Learning Center offer visitors a snapshot of circus history, with lavish costumes, clown and performing arts memorabilia, and intricately painted and carved wagons of the world’s largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model.
Kids love to explore the Circus Museum with Patch the Parrot. Pick up a Patch the Parrot Activity Guide in the Visitors Pavilion. This self-guided scavenger hunt is a family-friendly activity that introduces visitors to some of The Ringling’s Circus Museum’s most exciting circus treasures. Read The Ringling Museum’s featured blog article – click here!
Thirty-minute docent-led tours of the Circus Museum are offered daily at Noon and 1 p.m. Special family activities are offered on Saturdays.
The Ringling Playspace
This playground features slides, a three-story playhouse, climbing ladders, swings, and a water park where children can control the flow of water! The playspace is located near the Banyan Cafe and the Circus Museum. Bolger Playspace, Bayfront Gardens, and the grounds are always FREE on Mondays, any other time grounds admission is $5.00. All visitors must enter through the Visitor’s Pavilion.
The Ringling Museum is a proud participant of the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. See the complete list of Blue Star Museums here.
