Most would consider the mere act of issuing a weather prediction going out on a limb. Yet, in Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark mecca for travelers from around the country, the Visitor & Convention Bureau and its member businesses take weather prognosticating in stride. After all, the indoor waterparks are always a balmy 85 degrees, even in the autumn, and since the beginning of time crisp evenings have contributed to brilliant fall colors, providing the perfect backdrop for leaf peepers, hikers and golfers. Wisconsin Dells has rightly earned its title as “Waterpark Capital of the World,” thanks to 18 indoor waterparks that keep visitors coming year-round. Fall is prime time for groups of friends and families. It’s less expensive than a cruise, but with all the amenities -- a remarkable variety of accommodations, restaurants on premise or nearby, entertainment, and more than enough water rides to keep everyone busy.

An early version of the Tommy Bartlett water ski show, 1950's. Combining aggressive marketing with a new attraction, Bartlett changed tourism at the Dells. By locating on Highway 12, he helped shift tourist development to the Wisconsin Dells-Lake Delton strip.

Army surplus land and water vehicles, were first brought into Lake Delton by Mel Flath in 1946. He operated a tourist trip from land near the present Mexicali Rose until 1952. In 1954, the Olsons and Hellands bought three ducks and ran them in Mirror Lake. The Hwy 12 duck dock was built in 1954. From here these World War II vehicles gave their passengers a fun ride through the woods up hill and down dale, splashed into the Lower Dells below Echo Point, into Lake Delton, past Dawn Manor.  I highly recommend The Original Ducks. (That's the name)

The Native Americans have played a considerable part in the history of the Dells and is still a factor in the economic life of this region. The Winnebago hunted buffalo and raised crops on the plains nearby and also fished in the river which either they or the Chippewa named "Meskousing" - "where the waters gather". From the French spelling of this Native American term - "Ouisconsin" - came the present name of the river and the state.  The Dells are a great way to spend a few days in Wisconsin.  Surprisingly souvenirs are priced reasonably.  I would also encourage you to eat breakfast at Paul Bunyan's at least once.  Bring an appetite.  The pancakes/flapjacks are the size of a garbage can lid, but taste like mana from Heaven!

THE CIRCUS  WORLD MUSEUM

This area on the north bank of the Baraboo River, in Baraboo, Wisconsin is home to the remaining structures of the original Ringling Bros. Circus Winter Quarters. Several of the buildings are open to the public, and no trip to the Museum is complete without a visit to them. Circus World Museum is home to the Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center, the world’s foremost research facility of circus history. Circus World Museum is a great place for meaningful educational experiences. They offer lots of opportunities for students and educators.  

 

There are many of the original circus train cars on display. It is an amazing piece of lost history, and there is no other place in the world that can provide you the physical circus history that this museum can. 

 

If you are in the Dells and are looking for an excursion from the crowds, this is a great plan. Go to the Circus Museum and Devil's Lake State Park! 

 

 

 

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MECCA

Lambeau Field is the home stadium of the Green Bay Packers professional American football team of the National Football League. Originally constructed in 1957 at an approximate cost of $1,000,000 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers home field. It was renamed Lambeau Field in 1965 as a memorial to Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, the Packers' founder and first coach. A massive reconstruction was begun in 2001 to update the facilities and add more premium and suite seating, but keep the storied playing field of the "frozen tundra", which received its name in a legendary game between the Packers and Dallas Cowboys for the right to represent the NFL in the second Super Bowl. The game was played in temperatures of -16 degrees F and has come to be known as the "Ice Bowl". A highlight film of the game, shown frequently on American television for years afterwards, included in its narration the phrase, "the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field", which has become a catch phrase. The renovation project was completed in 2003. Current capacity is 72,515. Lambeau Field is the longest continuously occupied stadium in the National Football League, in its 48th year (as of 2004). (Soldier Field in Chicago has been the site of a football stadium longer, but was not the home of the Chicago Bears until the 1970s.)

Lambeau Field has in the past represented for the Packers their legendary and overpowering home-field advantage – from its construction until 2003, Green Bay had never lost a postseason game at Lambeau Field.

Whenever the Packers score a touchdown, the Todd Rundgren hit "Bang the Drum all Day" is triggered. If you are heading North, make sure you swing by.  Even in the off season the stores, bars and local businesses are in the Packer Spirit and it is as the title states, Mecca to all that is good in the NFL.

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HO-CHUNK CASINO

 

Located outside of the Dells by just a few miles, this is a fun get away from the Dells, provided you do not have an addictive gambling disorder.  It is a nice little casino and the facility has fair cuisine and a clean ambiance.  It is not Vegas, but for Wisconsin it is one of the better casinos in the state. 

 

ISHNALA

Set off from the Dells, and not far from Ho-Chunk is a great little restaurant called Ishnala.  It is set on the river and the private drive is long and usually covered with wildlife.  There are Indian type tents and surroundings and some old Indian historical pieces as I recall, like an original canoe.  The attraction here is in three parts. There are trees growing right through the establishment, there is live "lounge" type music played by a guy whose name evades me, but who has a really bizarre feel.  Imagine Liberache meets Tom Jones.  His wife may be part of the team too.....can't remember.  The third is the views of the river and surrounding woods.  I do not remember the food, but I ate frog legs there once as a child!  In all candor, my parents like it, so it must be pretty good cuisine.