Summer Vacation in Wisconsin Dells

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello all,

I usually hang out over on the Canadian board, but thought I'd pop over here for some help from my American friends in planning our upcoming summer vacation .

We did Disney a year ago, and would have LOVED to have gone back this June as we decided to do something special to celebrate our DS's graduation from elementary school. Then we decided to take his best buddy along with us (as our guest....we're picking up the tab for everything) which meant flying somewhere just wasn't in the budget.

So we implemented Plan B: a trip to Wisconsin Dells. Always wanted to go, and it looks like a ton of fun with all the waterparks (we're HUGE fans of Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls). So now I'm a happy girl again, having something to plan!

We have reservations at Hotel Rome, which means we have passes to their indoor theme park, outdoor theme park, indoor waterpark and outdoor waterpark for each day of our stay. We hope to drive as far as Indiana the first day (about 10 hours), then the rest the second day. We'll be in the Dells 6 nights, 7 days and arrive in late June. We'll split the drive on the way home as well.

For anyone that's ever been to Wisconsin Dells.....I would love your recommendations on the "don't miss" attractions and some reasonably priced places to eat (assuming such places exist ). What is the Downtown like? If you were taking two 14-year-old boys, what would you be sure to do while you were there? Is the shopping good at the Tanger Outlet? Is there somewhere in town (maybe a Walmart?) to pick up snacks for the room?

So many questions.....any help you can give is appreciated!!!

 

[Ceila]

It's been several years since we went, but there are lots of places to eat, and many are quite reasonable. The Dells struck me as a kind of "wing it" kind of place - you can just drive around and find things to do. Of course, there is the water show that made the Dells famous, so you might want to check that out. This site http://wisdells.com/ has a lot of information.

IIRC, the outlets were pretty good. Here's a link to the stores there http://www.tangeroutlet.com/wisconsindells/directory

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Army ducks are fun. They go on water and land, its a pretty cool tour. Noah's ark is a cool waterpark that appeals to all ages. Flash flood is my favorite ride there. FYI- noahs incredable adventure is a dry ride but the room sways up and down.Scared the crud out of me. Theres all kinds of cool shops down near noahs ark's park. Theres also mount olympus park which has a huge wooden coaster.
http://www.noahsarkwaterpark.com/ Noahs ark link. This park is So worth it. I had fun and Im the group chicken.
http://www.mtolympusthemepark.com/ is mount olympus which is part of the hotel rome!!!
http://www.wisdells.com/ heres the offical vistors site.

 

[mickeym96]

The Dells is only a couple hours away and I've only been there a few times. I've been mostly to the outdoor water parks (Family Land & Noah's Ark). A Must Do at the Dells is you've GOT to ride the Ducks they are the neatest things. It's been along time since I've seen it but the Tommy Bartlett show is fun to see too. There is also a go cart track there too (I think it may be part of Mt. Olympus, not sure). Check out the website, there is TONS to do and see and Enjoy your stay in Wisconsin!

 

[golfgal]

Change your reservations to either the Kalahari or Wilderness Lodge if you are staying that long. Wilderness Lodge, especially, has a lot more to do-several waterparks. The Kalahari has the waterparks but they also have a HUGE arcade with all kinds of things to do if the weather is bad.

 

[Ceila]

Oh, I'd forgotten all about the Duck boats! We did that too. And these were original Duck boats - not those new ones in other cities with new-fangled things like shocks, lol. It was a lot of fun, but my parents were not quite as thrilled.

 

[golfgal]

THere is a really good outlet mall there too .

 

[OhMari]

Hotel Rome

I'm from Wisconsin and live near the Dells, and I never heard of Hotel Rome, unless Mount Olympus, Family Land changed their name this winter.

You are really driving a long distance, too.

Go downtown and do some of the local bars, --great bar food.

The boys will like the go-cart track/water park-it used to be called Mount Olympus. You won't miss it, it is across the street from the Ducks.

Also Noah's Ark-one of the top 10 water parks in the U.S. is worth a day. Look online and sometimes you can buy tickets cheaper, that at the gate.

If you go on a boat ride on the Dells, do the Upper Dells. More scenery and the boat will stop at the ledge area, where the dog jumps the cliff. It's hokey, but you have to remember 100 years ago, it was one of the first action shots caught on a still camera. Also, you can tour the camera museum, where the famous person who took the picture lived.

About 15 miles south of WI Dells, is Baraboo- Barnabum and Bailey have a Circus Museum there. It was there summer home. The winter home is in Sarasota Florida.

Don't be surprised if you spend just as much money at Wisconsin Dells, as you would if Florida. Lots of good resturants-your usual chain resturants, but go downtown and eat at some of the bar resturants, food is usually a tad cheaper, and they have good ole Wisconsin beer and burgers.

 

[SaraJayne]

I'm from Wisconsin and live near the Dells, and I never heard of Hotel Rome, unless Mount Olympus, Family Land changed their name this winter.

You are really driving a long distance, too.

Go downtown and do some of the local bars, --great bar food.

The boys will like the go-cart track/water park-it used to be called Mount Olympus. You won't miss it, it is across the street from the Ducks.

Also Noah's Ark-one of the top 10 water parks in the U.S. is worth a day. Look online and sometimes you can buy tickets cheaper, that at the gate.

If you go on a boat ride on the Dells, do the Upper Dells. More scenery and the boat will stop at the ledge area, where the dog jumps the cliff. It's hokey, but you have to remember 100 years ago, it was one of the first action shots caught on a still camera. Also, you can tour the camera museum, where the famous person who took the picture lived.

About 15 miles south of WI Dells, is Baraboo- Barnabum and Bailey have a Circus Museum there. It was there summer home. The winter home is in Sarasota Florida.

Don't be surprised if you spend just as much money at Wisconsin Dells, as you would if Florida. Lots of good resturants-your usual chain resturants, but go downtown and eat at some of the bar resturants, food is usually a tad cheaper, and they have good ole Wisconsin beer and burgers.

Hotel Rome is what the hotel/timeshare is now named that's adjacent to Mount Olympus.

And Family Land is no longer...it's now all Mount Olympus. It hasn't been Family Land for a few years.

Wisconsin Dells is a fun place! Enjoy your vacation.

 

[jme829]

Mt Olympus is great! We went this past summer and had a blast. We did Kalahari for spring break last year and it was fun, but if you are going in the summer..MO is the place...the water parks are waaayyy bigger than at Kalahari and plus there are lots of go karts and roller coasters..You will not be bored! We didn't stay at Hotel Rome, BUT it is literally right there and the park is in walking distance, you walk out of the indoor water park which I believe is attached to the hotel and you are directly in the outdoor water park. You can't beat that for convenience! Seems it would be super easy to go back to your room for lunch/break...be warned their park food is waaaaay overpriced.

Kalahari is nice for when its not so nice outside as they have indoor mini golf, laser tag, go karts, arcade.

We are doing WIlderness Resort this spring break, never been there, but looks like fun too.

Marleys is a fun and pretty cheap place to eat. Moosejaw is ok but it is super expensive for what it is. DD10 had spaghetti'os and it was $7

The SHowboat saloon downtown is good and cheap for bar food. And theres' always the fallbacks, Famous Dave's, IHop, Cracker Barrel, etc...

Tons of stuff to do and places to eat.! Have a great time!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

You asked about a WalMart. There is a one on I90. It would be Exit 89 I believe. There's also a Home Depot, a Kohl's and a McDonalds' right there.

There are a ton of places to eat. They have an Applebees by the IHop. The Damons next to the Kalahari has been taken over by the resort and has gone up in price and down in quality. We will not be stopping there again. If you want a real splurge place that has nice ambiance - Ishnala. It sits on Mirror Lake and is a beautiful setting. It's pricey though. A once every few years for an anniversary type of place - meals are $20-$30 range.

 

[PebblesMK]

If you're looking for good places to eat, try out Moosejaw Pizza http://www.dellsmoosejaw.com/. SOOOOO good. Also, Paul Bunyan's place(www.paulbunyans.com) is always fun to go to. I've only had breakfast there which is good. There are some bars with really good food too (family type places). www.monksbarandgrill.com, www.essen-haus.com There is also a place called buffalo phil's that is attached with knuckleheads bowling and amusement park. They have fantastic wings! www.buffalophilsgrille.com



While you're there, you can go to Tommy Bartlett's ski show and Ripley's Believe it or not, the ducks, there is just so much to do there. Since you have two boys, there is a "museum" along the strip that has like midevil torture devices. I'm weird but really enjoy things like that, makes me thankful that we've progressed since then!
Get yourself some fresh taffy while you're there and maybe go horseback riding. I would say go to Noah's Ark, but if its really hot, the lines will be super long. There is a park called Riverside Family Park or something which has a few slides and wave pools (nowhere near as big as Noahs Ark), but it's much cheaper and if you're just looking to cool off, definitely try it out. They also have an amusement park attached.
If you can switch your reservations, go to the Wilderness. I think there are three indoor waterparks with slides and everything. There is also an arcade, a huuuuge jugle gym playroom (and for the boys, they have guns that shoot nerf-like balls that you can shoot at people. Really fun!), there is laser tag and I think a few other things. I think I'll go and book a stay there right now actually. Hahah.

This website will allow you to look up things and also, you can google "wisconsin dells coupons and discounts" and you'll find many printable coupons to save you money while you're there. Two-for-ones and money off. Well worth the look.

http://wisdells.com/WisconsinDellsAttractions/index.cfm

 

[disneymamato2]

I live in NE WI and have been to Wisconsin Dells many times. Here are some other places to visit that have not already been mentioned. The first three are not in the Dells but are a short drive away. House on the Rock in Spring Green and Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, WI. The last on is Madison is only about 43 miles away. There is a free zoo there and you could also visit the capital building. Madison is also home to the largest Farm's Market in the State They are can't miss attractions if you are going to be in that area of WI. The is also a Drive in Movie Theather in The Dells, Big Sky Drive in Theatre. I agree with eveyone Noah's Ark is really a lot of fun. You might want to see what coupons are offered in the Madison area Entertainment book, if you wait till summer to buy it you can get it for cheaper. Since you are driving be sure to stop at one the the many cheese factories and try some fresh cheese curds and string chesse. The cheese curds should be still warm and squeek when you eat it them. Another thing to try is Brats, we have the best brats in WI. Enjoy you trip to my home state hope you have a wonderful time

 

[OhMari]

You asked about a WalMart. There is a one on I90. It would be Exit 89 I believe. There's also a Home Depot, a Kohl's and a McDonalds' right there.

There are a ton of places to eat. They have an Applebees by the IHop. The Damons next to the Kalahari has been taken over by the resort and has gone up in price and down in quality. We will not be stopping there again. If you want a real splurge place that has nice ambiance - Ishnala. It sits on Mirror Lake and is a beautiful setting. It's pricey though. A once every few years for an anniversary type of place - meals are $20-$30 range.

Wow, Wisconsin Dells got a Walmart? Doesn't surprise me, but the farm land is so expensive in that area, I'm sure Walmart paid a fortune for the land.

Hotel Rome is what the hotel/timeshare is now named that's adjacent to Mount Olympus.

And Family Land is no longer...it's now all Mount Olympus. It hasn't been Family Land for a few years.

Wisconsin Dells is a fun place! Enjoy your vacation.

I clicked on someone's link and saw the the Hotel Rome used to be Treasure Island/Family Land/Mount Olympis.

To OP, your boys will definately love this place. When the go-karts first opened, you got to do at least 4 laps, now the shortened everything to one lap. But, you just get off and go right back on. I'm pretty sure, if you stay at Hotel Rome, it includes the price of the water, go-kart area.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you so much.....you all have given us some GREAT ideas!!!

The boys are so jazzed about some of the dining options you have rhymed off, especially the chain restaurants (no one ever accused a teenage boy of having discriminating taste!). We don't have an IHOP or Cracker Barrel in our neck of the Canadian woods, so it will be fun for them to get to try the places they've seen advertised on the American TV stations and in the movies. (I know, I know.....IHOP is probably not something to get that excited about, but it will be new and novel to us nonetheless!).

All of the suggestions and "insider info" is soooo appreciated. You guys rock!

 

[D&DDisney]

Good restaurants:
**Pizza Pub - This is a MUST!!!! FANTASTIC pizza or they have a huge buffet. Pizza is moderately priced. It is only a few blocks away from Hotel Rome.

Paul Bunyan's place - Fun for breakfast or dinner. Eat like a lumberjack - tin cups, plates, wooden benches, etc. Fun and good food too.

Mr. Pancake - Great breakfast!

Howies

Culvers - Fast food but known for their delicious custard. Can't visit WI w/o eating some custard. Great Butter Burgers too.

Fields At the Wilderness or House of Embers - Nice restaurants for fine dining


Fun Things to Do

Pirates Cove Mini Golf

Speed Boat Rides Jet Boat Adventures - teen boys just LOVE this!!!

Hotel Rome/Mt. Olympus where you are staying has 1 indoor, 1 outdoor waterparks and indoor/outdoor amusement parks. It will be fun rain or shine.


There is a Wal-Mart only about a mile from where you are staying.

Downtown will have a bunch of amusements (wax museum, house of horrors, arcades, bowling, etc) and tons of stores. The bars are good. Lots of restaurants and candy stores and souvie shops too.

Have a great time!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Culvers - Fast food but known for their delicious custard. Can't visit WI w/o eating some custard. Great Butter Burgers too.

Ooooh, custard.... . Sounds like that might be worth the 15 hour road trip in itself!!!!

But I have to ask....what's a Butter Burger??

 

[daughtersrus]

Ooooh, custard.... . Sounds like that might be worth the 15 hour road trip in itself!!!! But I have to ask....what's a Butter Burger??

it's a hamburger. their salads are very good as well

 

[jamesnnick]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet that my family enjoyed is Wizard Quest--it's an interactive game where you need to solve puzzles and search through a variety of obstacles to release the wizards.

The House on the Rock is certainly something to see as well--it's got a little something for everyone.

And I second the cheesecurds; not to be missed!

 

[jme829]

Wow, Wisconsin Dells got a Walmart? Doesn't surprise me, but the farm land is so expensive in that area, I'm sure Walmart paid a fortune for the land.



I clicked on someone's link and saw the the Hotel Rome used to be Treasure Island/Family Land/Mount Olympis.

To OP, your boys will definately love this place. When the go-karts first opened, you got to do at least 4 laps, now the shortened everything to one lap. But, you just get off and go right back on. I'm pretty sure, if you stay at Hotel Rome, it includes the price of the water, go-kart area.

Hmmm, idk...we were there this past August and we got at least 3 laps on each track...It was moderately busy when we were there...not super long lines, but there was about 15-20 min waits for most of the go karts and coasters. OP if you like coasters you have GOT to go on Hades...holy cow that thing is crazy!! I literally couldn't catch my breath after! Be warned though, all of their coasters are VERY jerky. You will get bounced around pretty good.