Wisconsin Dells- Where to Go & What to Do ?

Aside from all the over priced resorts and waterparks that are way overcrowded in the summer, there are a few campgrounds to consider.

Holiday Shores is just north of the downtown area along the Wisconsin River. This is a family owned property and my family (parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles) have been going there for at least 30 plus years.

All that time the same family has owned and run the place--they are now in the third generation.

They have expanded the acreage and added more amenities since we started going there.

There's boat rentals, activities for the kids and a swimming pool. You can rent a campsite or you can go all out and rent a big mobile home with 2 bedrooms. Renting an RV is possible too.

It's gorgeous there, and safe at night for wandering. 2 years ago we rented a stationary RV that the owners built a deck on to it and we sat in the evenings and built a fire and the kids roasted marshmallows.

We chose to stay there to enjoy the outdoors, but also to save money. the RV we rented had a full size fridge and a small kitchen to cook in. The kids never wanted to leave the property. We shopped at the nearby grocery store and cooked our meals so we didn't have to waste time having to drive to a restaurant 3 times a day.

Along the river there's a beach for the kids to swim and they have put in a slide there too. You can hike, and fish.

We stayed there for a week and never ran out of things to do

The family that owns the campground are fantastic. When we arrived to check in the older woman (first generation owner) looked at me like she knew me and asked if I had been here before---I told her that I have not been here with my own family, but had been spending my growing up years here with my family when I was a kid. When I told her my maiden name---she started to rattle off the names of my relatives---she actually remembered my family!

I think you should take a look at this website---if not this time, you should definitely give it a try sometime. I love it there.

http://www.holiday-shores.com/default.asp

2 moms found this helpful

Wow, am I qualified to answer this request! I have been going to the Dells at least once a year since I was 8, I am now 51.

Do's: The Wilderness Hotel; it has a great waterpark in fact there are several indoors and outdoors as well as a huge indoor playland that would be perfect for your son. Yes, it costs a little more but, you will save in the long run as there is so much to do there you will avoind spending a lot on the more touristy stuff in town or on the strip. As a single mom, I can't afford much. I save a lot by staying there. We don't need to leave to have very full days. The other recomendations are: The Original Wisconsin Ducks , they are green and white, the others are not even close in quality entertainment/ride. This is worth every penny!!! If you get in line toward the front, have your son run up to the seat next to the driver and he can 'co-pilot' the duck. My kids have all done this a couple times. Ten years later will still bring it up. Swiss Maid Fudge, the best of all the fudge shops. Pretty much any of the mini golf places that are tucked in wooded areas or along the river. We like Pirate's Cove. Deer Park (you feed the deer)is a relaxing couple hours. Horseback riding: Canyon Creek Riding Stables. There is a little restaurant off the beaten path that is very 'kitchy' with old Little Rascals showing, Superman in a phone booth, a bear riding a tightrope across the ceiling - I can't remember the name but is a favorite of the locals and the food is great and really reasonable. I you go to the touristy type shops, shop around. Each store will have the same item at a different price. I found sandals for $65, next shop they were $54, then $45. I finally paid around $30. The later in the summer season, the cheaper everything will be. We usually go right before school starts.

AVOID: Paul Bunyoun's restaurant, I don't know anyone that has been there and NOT gotten sick. Don't go to just about any of the carnival-type rides set up in parking lots. There is NO Way they are well maintained/safe. Shop around for go carts as well. If it's not crowded a lot of times the kid running the go carts will let you have another set of laps because no one is in line and he doesn't have to work, just watch. Older guys do not give extras.

I see that someone recommended the Polynesian. We used to go there till we discovered the Wilderness 12 years ago. Since then we have not stayed anywhere else. I have recommended all the above to several friends and all have told me that I was right on every point. I should hope I know what I'm talking about after 43 years and probably 50+ visits! Let me know what you do! J.

1 mom found this helpful

We just got back Sunday. We stayed at the Wilderness and loved it! They have 7 or 8 water parks in the hotel, plus an arcade area, mini golf, and other fun activities.

Some other fun activities:

Duck ride, we did the Army ducks.
Storybook Gardens, a little zoo.

Breakfast at Paul Bunyans.

Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi Go to www.wisconsindells.com and look for the Polynesian Hotel it's reasonable and kid friendly. It has a small indoors water park and arcade. It's right off the highway.

God Bless

1 mom found this helpful

We've stayed at the Wilderness & Kalahari. I like them both for different reasons. You can get great deals at the Wilderness and they have several different waterparks, but you walk alot which is a pain if you have small children. They also have, lasertag, a big arcade & an indoor playground for when you need a break from the water. At the Kalahari you have one big waterpark indoor & one big one outdoor. It's easier to keep track of everyone especially if you go as a group, plus they have the water coaster & the surf machine (can't remember the name). When we were there, they had baby tigers in the lobby, tattoos, & karaoke. They both have several family activities within the resort as well. I'm not a fan of most of the restaurants at either resort, with the exception of The Fields at the Wilderness. They have great food, but it is a little more high-end restaurant. The buffet at the restaurant in the Wilderness is really bad!

As far as activities, the Ducks tours are great, I think it is the Upper tour that we like better--the one where you get out and see the dog jump the cliff. Also, the Tommy Bartlett Water show has always been a crowd pleaser, but I'm not sure what's going on with the lake right now (last year the dam broke & the lake was drained). All of those little side attractions--wild life park, upside down white house, etc. aren't really worth it. In the summer, it can be a pain to get downtown, but there are a few decent restaurants--Famous Daves & there's one that overlooks the water. Closer to the Wilderness & Kalahari there's Moosejaw, which is ok, not great. They do have sampling trays of the microbrews that you can order and the food is decent. There's also Culver's which is a great, inexpensive alternative--fast food, but something for everyone. Stay away from Damon's at the Kalahari though. The food is terrible, as well as the service.

There is a Walmart off of the last Dells exit on the west side of the highway and a grocery store as you go into town. I suggest buying cereal & other easy breakfast stuff, bottled water & other drinks, snacks, bread & lunch meat. Eat breakfast in the room, bring snacks to the parks, go back to the room for lunch and back to the parks or on your excursions. Then you only have to go out for dinner. All of the rooms have microwaves. The Wilderness has some nice in-resort condos that have full kitchens. The food service counters at the resorts are crazy
expensive--we spent $24 on 3 donuts, OJ, coffee & oatmeal.

The waterparks are slowest right around 5ish 'cuz most people take a break from the long day & go to dinner. If you can't tell, we go every year and the kids keep asking to go back. You'll find that the kids are perfectly happy not even leaving the resort (during the winter, we never do), which is good because if you go beyond what's offered at the resort you can find yourself spending a great deal of $$.

I hope this helps. Have a great time & a HUGE thanks to your brother for his dedicated service and our freedom!!!

Aside from the water parks, I recommend Paul Bunyan's for breakfast. There's a long line, but it's been a Dells tradition since I was a kid. The Tanger Outlet Mall has a lot of great stores and great deals. Another tradition is the Duck Boat Tours as well as the Tommy Bartlett Water Show. There's a cajun place (can't remember the name of it) that was recommended in a blog entry on autismfamilytraveldiningetc.blogspot.com (long name, I know, but good recommendations).

Take your son to the Deer Park -- he'll love it!
http://www.wisdeerpark.com/

we really liked the Duck rides

Hi I've been to the Dells several times. But it has been about ten years ago and there has been more attractions added since then. Go Wisconsin Dells.Com and they will send you information. If you like to gamble, there're some casinos near by.

We are actually going there aslo and it will be our first time. I have been looking at everything I can get my hands on. I went to dells.com and requested a free guide book and got that along with a bunch of brochures and a huge map. We have already decided we are going to go go on the Duck Boats, the Jet Boats, Wizard Quest just to name a few. A friend told me about the Wizard Quest. She didn't want to go but her boys insisted and she loved it. She also said Ripley's Believe it or Not was a waste of time and money.
We are going over my yougest son's birthday so he wants to go to Alligator Alley to see all those lovely critters. :-)
And boy I can't wait. :-)
I hope these are some good ideas for you. Have a great time.

Definitely go on a Duck Boat tour ride. It was the highlight of our trip. We wished that we had gone to the deer park where you can get up close and personal with the animals. The little zoo wasn't worth it...very dated. There is a cool Ripley's museum, but I would check on the age of your child. I don't know if there are disturbing things for 7 year olds there or not...we didn't actually go. Have breakfast at the Pancake House...yum.

Have fun and tell your brother that his Mamasource moms thank him for his service!
A.

We just went in May. Lake Delton drained last year but it has been filled and everything is back in business again. We stayed at the Wilderness and it is HUGE! But expensive. We got an extremely cheap deal on a condo rental there through ebay. Yes, ebay. We rented someone's timeshare and it was beautiful and cheap. Indoor waterparks were OK. Your 7 year old would probably like the indoor play center and blacklight 3D mini golf. Food is crazy expensive there.

Another great place is the Blackhawk Motel. This is an old school Dells motel in the downtown area. This place is old and the decor is "retro" but it is so clean, cheap, and great friendly staff. They have an indoor/outdoor pool, playgrounds, and newly remodeled cottages to rent.

Find a Dells Fun Card. You can buy them online for $10 and it has a ton of buy one get one free food and attractions on it. A huge savings. The Blackhawk gave us a free one during our stay and the money we saved paid for our room.
Or go to any Wis. Culver's and get a free Dells Fun Pass, which is basically the same thing.

DO the Original Wisconsin Ducks - land and water ride, it's on the fun card. Dells boat tours, Tommy Bartlett water show, Noah's Ark is awesome. I hear Mt. Olympus amusement/waterpark is fun. Some hotels give discount tickets. Shop around before you book.
Wizard Quest is supposed to be cool. Deer Park is very neat for all ages. You get to feed and pet deer walking around free with you in the park. There's a lot of cool looking go-cart places.
Paul Bunyon's is all you can eat for a good price. Go for the breakfast. We ate there and it was great. None of my family has ever been sick from there. They also have one of the nicer gift shops.
Pizza Pub also has a good buffet reasonably priced.
Parson's Indian Trading Post has a cool native american museum for free and some nice jewelry and kids stuff. My favorite store.

DON'T do the huge upside down white house, or Ripley's. If you go shopping on the downtown strip, stay away from the junk stores. They all sell the same thing. All made in China. The strip has gone downhill from when I used to go there as a kid. Monk's has great burgers and Highrock Cafe is very good but costs more.

Go to www.tripadvisor.com and search Wis Dells and read all the reviews on hotels and attractions. They have a forum too with some very helpful locals who'll answer your questions. I love that site!

Also ask around everywhere for military discounts. I remember seeing signs for them throughout the area. Have fun!

we have done both Wilderness and Great Wolf Lodge, both in late Sept early Oct, never summer, partly because I have heard the traffic is crazy. Anyway loved both never had to leave the resort. Have heard from close friends the Noah's ark parks are great. enjoyed ducks and walked downtown for some shopping. Please relay to your brother our THANKS and APPRECIATION for his service to keeping US ALL FREE!!!!

Stay at The Wilderness, it's the best!

I'm sorry I don't have a lot of ideas for the Dells, but check out the ducks if you can (although he might not want to do anything army related, they were used as military vehicles on and off the water but they may still be available for cruises on the water and I loved it years ago). But say thank you to your brother. My son will be in also and he is almost out of the service! Looking forward to seeing him!

I suggest Mt. Olympus Resort. It's got an outdoor water park and amusement park with go carts and other fun activities.

Paul Bunyon's is a MUST for breakfast. Well worth the wait!

Thanks to your brother for serving our country.

There are several really nice and very affordable mini golf places (I think one is called Pirate's Cove - very neat)as well as a very cool and not so cheap go-cart place. If you want to do some hiking or paddling, Devil's Lake State Park is just a short drive south of the Dells in Baraboo.

we stayed at sunset bay resort, it has an indoor pool as well as a beach area, and they are pet friendly.
we went to pirates adventure golf and found a free park in the back nice and fun for all ages. there is a lot to do other than waterparks, depends on your daughter age, mine is 3 so some of them we'll have to wait until few years. If you have time and planning some shopping I recommend tanger mall, good prices and good stuff. hope this help

The upside down white house may look cool and interesting from the outside, but it's not worth the $15 (I think?) per person to go in. It really is just a replica of the white house with everything fixed to the ceiling so it feels like it was turned upside down. There is a tour guide and there are audio parts to the tour, and it's just dumb. I would say take pictures of the outside and forget the rest.

My family loves Chula Vista Resort. They offer indoor/outdoor water parks. And a large variety of room choices. They are also the only resort in the Dells to offer all inclusive package. Great food and great time!

Hi Angel,

I was just there last weekend. We were at The Kalahari Resort. It is a wonderful place, with some of everything imaginable for young and old alike. The Wilderness was a Resort across from Kalahari. If you go online, you can get a virtual of most of the places. It's so many to choose from. They have baby lion cubs and baby kangaroo in the lobby, and the kids can help feed them, and take pictures for a price. So many water parks in and out, as well as an indoor Theme Park. Horse & Carriage ride in the evening for $5! They also have Kahuanaville, where until 10 p.m., the kids can come and enjoy karioke, dance and eat, and enjoy the 'juggling show that the bartenders do about three time an evening.

Each place has their own activities or shows. If you choose a place and call, who knows, they might have a discount for your brother since he's serving our country.

I loved it and I'm planning a Family Reunion for our family up there next year. I hope you find a place you like. Your 7 year old will love it as well.

Min. VeRita

The Raintree Resort is nice, because is has an indoor and outdoor waterpark, but is not huge like some of the others. It would be just right for your son's age. It is right across the street from Noah's Ark and offers great deals on that park. check out the website at www.dellsraintree.com