Wandering Weinmanns: The Ringling

The Ringling was something we heard about from Grandma Pauline, and checked out on Trip Advisor. It looked interesting so we headed to Sarasota to visit.

The complex was large, and there were multiple buildings to see. We started in the circus museum. There were many artifacts and items from the circus, and we learned a lot of facts and information we didn't know.

When you walked into one area of the museum, you were greeted with this! A replica of what the circus had looked like. It included all the trains, tents, and people involved. This sight was so amazing, and unexpected. A huge room was filled with this miniature replica. The detail, thought, and attention that went into this can only truly be appreciated in person.

Upstairs there were pictures, and a timeline of circus history. There were also many videos you could watch, and helpful staff around to tell you a story about the Ringlings.

We're both not a fan of clowns!

Next, we went to an area filled with circus memorabilia and experiments. You could try out tight rope walking, shooting items out of a cannon, and more.

Mad skills ;)

Near the tightrope exhibit, there was information about the Wallenda family, and one of their performing outfits. KC got to relive her short brush with fame- when the Wallenda family came to the Anoka County Fair, and she got to spend time in their trailer, and got a tiger whisker from them. Thanks Dad!

After that, we went to the older circus museum. Here were were able to see old cages and boxcars. The intricacies and time dedicated to these boxcars were amazing. The Ringling family train is also in this museum along with a replica of what circus camps used to be like.

Then we toured the Ca d'Zan Mansion. John and Mabel Ringling built this house in Sarasota in the 20s because they thought Sarasota was going to become the next big vacation destination. It's quite the place!