Last Chance to do Something Spooky in the Dells
I have some recommendations
The Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival is happening in Wisconsin Dells this weekend, Sept. 15-17, 2023. This event marks the end of the season, and it’s also a great time to check out the dark side of the Dells.
1. Ghost Boat
Climb aboard the Ghost Boat at dusk for a journey into the horrific legend of the haunted Cold Water Canyon. This experience is basically a haunted house, boat ride, and spooky hike rolled into one, with live actors lurking in the dark canyon passages.
2. Haunted History Tour
Hop on the Wisconsin Dells trolley for a ride into the dark side. The Haunted History Tour takes you a trip through the past to hear the stories and learn about the spirits that still haunt the Dells today. This ghost walk on wheels will take you to a number of haunted places, including Spring Hill Cemetery, Brat House Bar & Brille, and the Showboat Saloon.
3. Haunted Mansion
A staple of downtown Wisconsin Dells, the Haunted Mansion is an immersive walk-through haunted house experience with detailed rooms, startling animatronics, and spooky tech. In the tight, twisting passages of the mansion you’ll come face to face with ghosts and ghouls. There’s even an undead Elvis, and while he may not be able to officiate your marriage at the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel, it’s good to know the zombie King of Rock and Roll is shambling around nearby.
4. Museum of Historic Torture Devices
From Roman crucifixion to the Spanish Inquisition, people throughout history have invented creative new ways to torture and execute other people. Part horrific history, part true crime, the graphic displays at the Museum of Historic Torture Devices expose the insidious devices used to inflict pain, such as The Rack, the Ducking Stool, the Iron Maiden, thumbscrews, and the Chinese Death Cage.
5. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
There is only one place in the entire world where you can come face to face with the actual severed head of Peter Kurten, a sadistic serial killer from Germany whose unlikely final resting place is spinning around inside a guillotine-shaped case in Wisconsin’s family vacation destination. Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Wisconsin Dells is home to that particularly disturbing anatomical oddity, and workers say Kurten haunts the building.
NOTE: Ripley’s recently moved into the old Wizard Quest building. We haven’t visited the new location yet, so I have no idea what’s changed. We’re just hoping ol’ Pete’s still hanging around.
Speaking of Peter Kurten’s severed head…
A new book about disturbing objects connected to murder in personal or private collections by true crime author Harold Schechter (Deviant, “Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?”) hits the shelves in two weeks!
Not only does it have a chapter on Ed Gein (I’m guessing it’s about his haunted cauldron) but it will include my photo of Peter Kurten’s head in the Dells.
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