DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS: WISCONSIN DELLS By Nell Musolf
Wisconsin Dells offers some of the most scenic views in the Midwest.
Wisconsin Dells: A scenic destination full of adventure M
EA school break falls on Oct. 21-22 this year, which means families might want to take the whole gang on a day trip. One possible destination is the Wisconsin Dells, a spot once known for summer vacations but is now open year-round. Then again, a day trip might not be long enough to sample everything the Dells — or at least some of the highlights — has to offer. Wisconsin Dells is in south-central Wisconsin about 240 miles from Mankato. The land surrounding the Dells is known for its natural beauty where glaciers carved gorges and dunes out of sandstone creating a bluff-filled landscape that looks both prehistoric and almost extraterrestrial at the same time. The town began as a railroad town in the mid1800s and became a vacation destination for tourists across the country when photographs of the unique sandstone formations were taken by photographer H.H. Bennett in the late 1800s. People flocked to see the unusual landscape in the Midwest. The mid-20th century saw a major boost in tourism with the arrival of the Tommy Bartlett’s Thrill Show,
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which featured a troupe of water skiers. From that point on, the Dells became a popular family vacation spot. There are now more than 100 places to stay in the Dells, ranging from campgrounds to cabins to luxury resorts. There are also restaurants, bars and too many tourist attractions to list, so let’s start with where to stay. If you’re into camping, you’re in luck. The Dells boasts almost 20 campgrounds from rustic to deluxe. Several of the campgrounds are equipped for both tent and RV camping and a few have their own waterparks. If you prefer staying in a cabin, the Dells have those, too. Several resorts rent cabins or cottages that offer a home-away-from-home feeling. The Dells are known as the waterpark capital of the world and many of the hotels feature their own waterparks. There is a wide range of accommodations, from ones that are friendlier to the family budget to the far more luxurious and pricey. Some of the bigger waterparks offer day passes making it possible to camp or stay in a smaller hotel but still enjoy a high-end waterpark.
