A tour through the H.H. Bennett Studio is a must when you’re in the Dells. An über-talented 19th-century photographer, H.H. Bennett created stunning stereoscopic views of the area. It was these photos that drew the first tourists here and ultimately made the Dells what it is today. Bennett’s “studio,” one of 10 state historic sites, is actually three entities: a museum about...
Parson’s Indian Trading Post is a fascinating souvenir shop/Native American gift shop/Native American museum. It first opened in 1918 as an authentic trading post. And it’s much larger than it looks. Start in the building to your left, which contains most of the museum items. You’ll find things like a Blue Stroud Elk Tooth Dress, a hide scraper, Sioux baby hood...
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is one of the Dells’ greatest spots. Adventurer Robert Ripley traveled around the globe in search of the interesting, bizarre and macabre in other cultures. He brought home many treasures, hundreds of which (real and recreated) are in this museum. Sure, some exhibits are on the lame side (the collection of barbed wire). But the...
The House on the Rock is one of Wisconsin’s more storied attractions. It’s also something everyone should experience because, well, it’s so bizarre. But in an interesting sort of way. The quick story: During the 1940s, a man named Alex Jordan built a vacation home perched on a sandstone formation. People kept stopping and gawking, so he started giving tours...