Touring Wisconsin Dells

80

By Sandyspider

Upper Dells of Wisconsin Dells

See all 4 photos

Wisconsin Dells History

Wisconsin Dells area is the number one tourist attraction in Wisconsin. When speaking of the Dells attractions, it involves Wisconsin Dells and the surrounding areas: Lake Delton and Baraboo. One of the oldest resort areas in the state, Wisconsin Dells is known for its beautiful glacial sandstone rock formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River. Breaking free from its large ice dam, the glacial lake of Wisconsin started to break free to carve out the great rock formations giving the Dells its beauty.

In 1857, the railroad arrived and named the area Kilbourn City in honor of the railroad's president. Visitors and locals referred to the area as the Dells, (though it was first given the name "Dalles" by French explorers in 1700's, the pronunciation changed over time to "Dells"). and in 1931 the name was officially changed its name to Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells remained a peaceful scenic tourist getaway for decades.

Boat tours were given, first in wooden rowboats. Then the steamboat, the Modocawanda, was used in 1873. Mel Flath brought the first DUKW to the Wisconsin Dells in 1946. A DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was used during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water. In 1952 the Wisconsin Ducks, Inc. began offering tours of the river dells and surrounding areas This strange looking vehicle is one of the Dells main attractions today.


The copyright to this article is owned by Sandy Mertens (sandyspider). Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. (You can, however, freely use the opening introduction and photo with a link to the article here on HubPages to read the remainder of the article.)

Rock formation on the Wisconsin Dells

Waterpark Capital of the World

One of many outdoor water slides.
One of many outdoor water slides.
View of some of the attractios at Noah's Ark.
View of some of the attractios at Noah's Ark.

Wisconsin Dells Video Tour

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Comments

Ohma profile image

Ohma 2 years ago

Great Read Sandy. Wish I could go there.

prettydarkhorse profile image

prettydarkhorse Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

it is a beautiful place, glacial sandstone rock formations and lakes. Is the place related to Dells Computer, do they manufacture it there, Very nice Sandy, Maita

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

Good question Maita. The answer is no. But I will add the answer to this hub.

Darlene Sabella profile image

Darlene Sabella 2 years ago

Now how fun is this, I love this hub, I would love to do this, using the excuse I am checking it out for my grandchildren. LOL, thank you so much for sharing is fantastic dells attractions...Let's take a ride on a water slide, you go first...thumbs up

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks for your comment too, Ohma.

Darlene,will you be the one pushing me down the slide? :)

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago

Nice writing and beautiful pictures for illustrations!

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks Patty. Glad to see you here.

WhiteOak profile image

WhiteOak Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Put in the picture in the opening that looks like my kinda of place. You amaze me how you are putting these hubs together, perhaps one day you can show me how to improve mine. Nice job Sandy!

ReuVera profile image

ReuVera Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

I love going to Wisconsin Dells and every time it is like first time.

Sandy, you did a great job!

bgamall profile image

bgamall Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

I have never been there. Closest I ever got was O'hare, lol. Nice travel guide.

habee profile image

habee Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago

Wow! This is great!

David Stone profile image

David Stone Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Again, well done, Sandy.

a2z50 profile image

a2z50 2 years ago

Sandyspider,

It is just amazing how much the Dells area has expanded. The popolation has grown , and the tourist attraction has grown too. It is a great place to visit .

Thank you for this fine Hub.

Ron

As Always Also rprcarz50

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks everyone. Ron, sometimes it can get too crowded. But still a fun place to visit.

katiem2 profile image

katiem2 2 years ago

Sandyspider, WOW who knew Wisconsin Dells would be so exciting. Love the pics, great tour! Peace :)

akirchner profile image

akirchner Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

Again, I wish I had time to go visit!

pmccray profile image

pmccray Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

Looks like fun, wish I had the money and time to visit.

jvhirniak profile image

jvhirniak Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Sandyspider: I've always wanted to go here: I will bookmark this page.

nancy_30 profile image

nancy_30 2 years ago

I enjoyed learning about Wisconsin Dells. From the pictures it looks like a really beautiful place.

tonymac04 profile image

tonymac04 2 years ago

I really enjoyed this tour of the Wisconsin Dells. Thanks for being a great tour guide!

Love and peace

Tony

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago

We have been there many times but in years past before the waterpark, etc. was added. The river and rock formations are truly beautiful. Nice hub!

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

You are right Peggy. If anyone visits the Dells for the first time, a boat tour is a must.

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago

Absolutely! That was the prime reason for its becoming a tourist attraction. The sheer beauty of what was left after glacial action in year's past. The walks are nice also...a portion of the boat trip where one disembarks and later reboards to continue the river journey.

mulberry1 profile image

mulberry1 Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

I think I said it before on one of your other hubs, but I would like to go to the Wisconsin Dells sometime soon. Your pictures kind of hieghtened that desire ;)

zzron profile image

zzron 2 years ago

Cool hub, I've driven near there lots of times. Good job posting your link. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123660517659

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks Ron. On my list to start a FB page for Hubs.

kingis profile image

kingis 2 years ago

I am glad I found your hub about the Dells. My wife and I are planning a vacation up there this summer with my sister-in-law and her family. They have been up there a few times before. I like the video showing the things to do for the Dells. I am looking forward to our trip there this summer.

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 24 months ago

kingis, you should have lots of fun!

emmett24matthews profile image

emmett24matthews 23 months ago

Great pics. I live here year round and can't get a nice pic of the rock formations - dells. I probably need to get out more. LOL

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 23 months ago

emmett24matthews, maybe you are too busy running one of the many tourist shops. :)

cfleming1 profile image

cfleming1 22 months ago

Thanks for the Hub Sandy.

Absolutely love the Dells and the Water Parks and the river! The perfect Mid-Western vacation. Everybody's friendly. No one cares what you look like in a bathing suit (you stop caring yourself after about a half-hour cause you're too busy having fun). Plenty of stuff to do. No pressure. I gotta go back.

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 22 months ago

cfleming1, I don't care how you look in a bathing suit. LOL

Dolores Monet profile image

Dolores Monet Level 7 Commenter 17 months ago

I'd love to visit the Dells, they look beautiful!

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 17 months ago

It is a great place to visit.

Neil Sperling profile image

Neil Sperling Level 5 Commenter 10 months ago

if I ever get in that area I will look you up for guided tours.... some very beautiful shots... the Dells look amazing to visit. Glad I dropped by to see this hub!

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 10 months ago

It is a tourist trap, but still a great place to visit.

Neil Sperling profile image

Neil Sperling Level 5 Commenter 10 months ago

LOL - I live in Port Dover, a quiet drinking town with a tourist problem.... so I know what you mean by tourist trap..... and we too (Port Dover), are a great place to visit.

Sandyspider profile image

Sandyspider Hub Author 10 months ago

Drinking towns are all over the state that I live in. LOL

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