Make reservations. Hotels at the Wisconsin Dells sell out very fast, especially for the larger hotels that have their own indoor water park. It is usually pretty easy to get last minute rooms during the off season, but if you are planning a family vacation for the summer, you will need to make your hotel reservations a few months in advance.
Book airline tickets. Once you have a hotel reserved and know you will have a place to stay on your chosen dates, go ahead and book a flight to the area. The two closest airports to the Wisconsin Dells are the Madison air field and the General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. Chicago O’hare is also a reasonable distance, as is the regional airport in Rockford, IL, but Milwaukee is probably your best shot.
Rent a car at the airport. The Wisconsin Dells are just a short drive up the interstate from the airport, so you will need to rent a car from the airport area, or else arrange to take the Coach USA shuttle. A car rental is preferred, since it will give you a little more freedom in getting around the Dells.
Plan a trip to Noah’s Ark Water Park. Sure, you may have a nice water park inside your hotel, complete with slides and the works, but Noah’s Ark is a water park you must see to believe. In fact, it is the largest water park in America, so it is well worth spending a day of your family vacation navigating its slides, enjoying the biggest wave pool you’ve ever seen, or taking a lazy journey down an inner tube river. An adult admission to Noah’s Ark will cost $33, but it is money well spend, and additional days are half price.
Watch the Tommy Bartlett Show. Tommy Bartlett has been thrilling visitors to the Wisconsin Dells for over 55 years, and is one of the original attractions that put Wisconsin Dells on the map. Tommy Bartlett is not just a name, it’s an experience. This is one experience you won’t want your family to miss, so make sure to include the Tommy Bartlett Show in your list of must-see attractions at the Wisconsin Dells. Shows take place at 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily.
Visit the Cave of the Mounds. This is the cave to see in the Northern Midwest. The cave is a comfortable 50 degrees, making it a cool retreat away from the blasting heat of the summer sun. As a National Natural Landmark, the Cave of the Mounds offers a multitude of formations that were formed out of solid rock in a process that is 400 million years in the making. The cave has such a large assortment of formations, that it is often referred to as the jewel box of America’s caves.
Stop by the Haunted Mansion downtown if a good scare is what the doctor ordered. This ominous looking building is a haunted mansion that is open all year long. As frightful as it looks from the outside, the inside is even scarier. The Haunted Mansion contains 9 dungeons, moving monsters, and all sorts of haunted happenings to send a shiver down your spine. At just $4.95 to get in, the Haunted Mansion is one of the most reasonably priced attractions to be found in the Wisconsin Dells.
Play a few hands of blackjack. If your family vacations is more adults and not so much family, you may wish to stop by the Ho-Chunk indian casino, just down the road in Baraboo, Wisconsin. This is a very large tribal casino with an enormous selection of games, and a guaranteed night of fun and excitement. You must be 21 or older to enter the casino, so it may not be the greatest family destination, but it is nice to know its there if you should have a little time to slip away.
Make sure you make a stop at the House on the Rock. This attraction is truly a one of a kind attraction that be found nowhere else on earth. It can best be described as an enormous, eclectic collection of curiosities from around the world. Anything you can think of can be found in abundance at House on the Rock. For those who really enjoy this attraction, there is also an inn for overnight stay, and a full service resort, including a championship golf course. No trip to the Wisconsin Dells would be complete without visiting House on the Rock.
Take a boat tour around the lakes. The Wisconsin Dells truly has some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere in nature. The best way to get a unique perspective on the vistas is to take a boat tour, so that you can get the view from the water. There are a number of charter boat tours available in the Wisconsin Dells. The most popular is probably the original Wisconsin Ducks. These amphibious craft will drive out of the water, onto islands, giving you a view of various land structures, then return you to the lake to continue your water cruise.
