The Dells

[CAFarmerGirl]

Since I have found info through Google leading to the Dis, I figured I would just ask my questions here.

I am planning a road trip to the Dells (via Tetons, Yellowstone, Minneapolis and returning through Mount Rushmore) in late July/early August. We will have our travel trailer and I just booked the last electric, wooded site at the Devil's Lake State Park. Now, I thought that would be a financially smart move ($20/night), but I am having second thoughts seeing all of the "stay on our site, get in free" type ads. Soooo....

What parks should I take my kids to, given I won't be staying on site? Sould I change one of the nights to stay on site somewhere?

Lastly, any suggestions for first time visitors (and possibly last, due to the distance)? Oh, and we will be there 2.5 days and 3 nights.

Thank you!

 

[schultzywi]

We live in Wisconsin and visit the Dells several times a year. You were very lucky to get a site at Devils Lake. It is a beautiful state park. Camp sites closer to the Dells are going to be 4-5 times what you paid and the sites are very small and right on top of each other at most of the campgrounds.

The two major theme parks in the Dells are Mount Olympus and Noahs Ark. Mount Olympus does have roller coasters and go karts, which does cause it to get a little more crowded. You should easily be able to find discounts to both parks throughout the summer. There are a number of other waterparks at resort hotels that also sell day passes.

Some of our favorite things to do include the duck tours, mini golfing at pirate's cove or timber falls, shopping at the Tanger outlets (they have a Disney outlet) and go karting at Big Chief Go Karts (just $3 a ride). The boat tours are also nice if you are looking for something relaxing, but kids often get bored. Don't waste your money on Top Secret (the upside down white house) and Timbvati Wildlife center, plus a lot of the other tourist traps. Stick with the traditional attractions. If you are looking to do a number of things, you can also buy combination tickets and save money.

I would keep your campsite at Devils Lake and buy a combination attraction ticket instead if you are looking to do more than just a waterpark.

 

[McKelly]

The Dells is crazy busy in the summer. You might like to go back to the campground to escape the traffic, etc.

I would also suggest Noah's Ark. It is the Dells premier waterpark and is often featured on the Travel Channel. If you buy your tickets on-line in advance, there is a discount, I think there was even a family pack this past summer.

I would also suggest the Ducks or a boat ride if you want to learn some of the history of the Dells. If your kids want more excitement, there are the jetboats, but they don't offer any history, just "spin-outs" on the river, along with a good soaking. If you are coming from Yellowstone and did any type of whitewater rafting, the jet boats will probably pale in comparison.

My kids like to eat at Paul Bunyan's for breakfast. It's a lumber jack type of place. We also enjoy Famous Dave's for BBQ.

Lots of touristy stuff galore, mini-golf, horseback riding, go-karts, etc. There is enough to keep you busy for 2.5 days.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Thank you! I was starting to second guess my pick!

I like the idea of Noah's Ark...That means we will going from America's largest mall in Minnesota (for dd) to America's largest water park (for ds). Nice.

Thanks for the food suggestions, as well. I figured we would also need to get cheese, right?? My dd loves cheese and going to the Tillamook cheese factory in Oregon was a highlight for her (or, maybe it was the ice cream cones ).

What else is Wisconsin known for?? We always like to try local cuisine we cannot get in our area (like, BBQ nachos and caramel cake we only found in the south). I still dream of that cake....

 

[McKelly]

Well, we are best know for cheese, specifically cheese curds, which squeak when you eat them!

We are also known for bratwurst, beer, cranberries and Friday night fish frys. The Dells specifically is known for its fudge.

I found this link:

http://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-experience/article.cfm?articleid=159

It gives some suggestions...

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Well, we are best know for cheese, specifically cheese curds, which squeak when you eat them!

We are also known for bratwurst, beer, cranberries and Friday night fish frys. The Dells specifically is known for its fudge.

I found this link:

http://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-experience/article.cfm?articleid=159

It gives some suggestions...

We love cheese curds!!

Hubby will be happy about the beer and brats! And, ds will be estatic about the fudge.

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

You'll just be missing the Sauk County Fair (July 7-14 2014) which is in Baraboo WI where Devil's Lake is. There is so much to do in Dells. I was also going to add there is a Casino close by, Ho Chunk, if you or your husband like to play slots or blackjack and want a few hours or alone time. My kids love Pirates Cove for miniature golf.

There is neat restaurant Bufallo Phil's Pizza & Grille where you can have your food delivered by miniature trains.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

You might want to look at The House on the Rock if you have time. It might be an hour or more drive but VERY interesting.

 

[McKelly]

We love cheese curds!!

Hubby will be happy about the beer and brats! And, ds will be estatic about the fudge.

Great! I would then recommend Culver's. It is a fast food chain here in the Midwest (but expanding) that has really good fried cheese curds! And great burgers!

 

[daughtersrus]

We have a lake house abour 1/2 north of the Dells and go there often. Moose Jaw is a nice place to eat. Most of the telephone books have coupons for $2 off a pizza.

There are 2 radio shows in the Chicago suburbs that sell discounted coupons. We went to Tommy Bartlett's water show for about $7.50 a person. Most certificates are good for 90 days so as it gets closer, you may want to look at their websites. They will mail the certificates. They do go quick so if it's something you would be interested in, check them early and often. Sometimes they restock he certificates and sometimes they have a limited number. The radio show in Aurora is WBIG and their sister station is WRMN. Sometimes one has a better price than the other does.

If you're looking for fudge/candy, the Cow Pie store right across the street from the casino has the best prices. They close early though. I think 5:30.

If you want to shop at the outlet mall, pick up one of the tourist books in town or a restarea. The ad for the mall usually have a code to text or if you bring in he page to the service area (by Old Navy) you will get a free coupon book.

 

[wiigirl]

Great! I would then recommend Culver's. It is a fast food chain here in the Midwest (but expanding) that has really good fried cheese curds! And great burgers!

x2

 

[tazdeb]

Visit this website http://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-attraction/. It has a lot of info on the area. We like to walk the downtown "strip" at night and visit all the shops. Keep the reservation at Devils lake, it has some of the best hiking trails in Wisconsin.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I knew there was a wealth of information on this site!

Thank you, everyone!

 

[clh2]

The Circus World Museum is a piece of Americana that should not be missed! The circus wagons that have been lovingly restored are on display! And - in the summer - there is a ton of stuff going on. This is in Baraboo - which "is" the town that Devil's Lake is by.

As someone else mentioned - The House on the Rock - well it rocks!
And- if you are going that direction - Cave of the Mounds has a great tour too!(CotM is a nice cave by Wisconsin standards, but small compared to other caves in the country) So - if you've been to other big Caves - like Carlsbad, you might be underwhelmed.

And - WELCOME to Wisconsin!

***I also like my cheese curds squeaky!

 

[JoJoFromNY]

Well, I'm not from Wisconsin but sure have been there numerous times since I married a guy from there. Difinately get yourself some "squeaky" cheese curds. I am partial to a little cheese shop where my inlaws had their cows milk sent to on a daily basis called:

Carr Valley Cheese Company, Inc.
Factory & Retail Store
S3797 County G
La Valle, WI 53941
(608) 986-2781

(They give out lots of samples - yum, yum)

I too agree you need to eat at a Culvers Restaurant. My family loves the food and it is reasonably priced. It is a really casual place. Sort of fast food but they bring the food to your table so it just seems better. Great burgers, frys, and excellent fried cheese curds. Ice cream for dessert if your not too full.

Noah's Ark has the best waterslides as well. You will need a full day there because there is so many slides, wavepools, etc.

We also have enjoyed the Tommy Bartlett Waterski Spectacular show. We always go to the evening show - lots of laughs and fun. The duck boats are a favorite also that shouldn't be missed.

You picked a great place to stat at Devil's Lake. We always go there to walk around the trails. We comment each time we should camp here someday but just never have in our 23 years of marriage.

Hope you enjoy yourself while visiting "God's Country".

 

[BadgerGirl84]

If you want some Wisconsin food (beer, brats, fried cheese curds and Friday night fish fry) go to Sprechers. It's a local brewery from Miilwaukee that has expanded to a few restaurants in the state. Monks is also a great place to eat with similar food but they don't make their own beer.

For attractions, noah's ark is the best, followed by the ducks boat ride. The coasters and go carts are fun at mt Olympus but the waterpark side if things is a dud.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We visited the Dells in the summer of 2010 and stayed for 8 nights onsite at Hotel Rome, the Mount Olympus resort hotel. I swear that we did almost every touristy thing there was to do in Dells!!!

Our favourites were Noahs Ark (its a great waterpark), the wave pool at Mount Olympus, the duck tour, the jet boat ride, Wizard Quest (it was a lot of fun for the four of us!!), and the Lost Canyon tour (a horse and carriage ride through the canyon...a nice place to escape the oppressive summer heat). We also went to the Tommy Bartlett show (some parts were great, others were a bit of a disappointment), went go-karting at several locations, visited Alligator Alley, mini golfed at Pirates Cove and a couple of other courses, shopped at the Tanger Outlets, and did both the indoor and outdoor waterparks and theme parks at Mount Olympus.

Moose Jaw was a dining favourite, as was Culvers, Paul Bunyans and Mr. Pancake. For the latter, I highly recommend the hot fudge banana split waffle and the peanut butter pancakes.....divine.

Don't miss the Baraboo Candy Company. We ended up bringing home a whole case of Cow Pies for family and friends (and a few for yours truly ). Sooooo yummy.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

We visited the Dells in the summer of 2010 and stayed for 8 nights onsite at Hotel Rome, the Mount Olympus resort hotel. I swear that we did almost every touristy thing there was to do in Dells!!!

Our favourites were Noahs Ark (its a great waterpark), the wave pool at Mount Olympus, the duck tour, the jet boat ride, Wizard Quest (it was a lot of fun for the four of us!!), and the Lost Canyon tour (a horse and carriage ride through the canyon...a nice place to escape the oppressive summer heat). We also went to the Tommy Bartlett show (some parts were great, others were a bit of a disappointment), went go-karting at several locations, visited Alligator Alley, mini golfed at Pirates Cove and a couple of other courses, shopped at the Tanger Outlets, and did both the indoor and outdoor waterparks and theme parks at Mount Olympus.

Moose Jaw was a dining favourite, as was Culvers, Paul Bunyans and Mr. Pancake. For the latter, I highly recommend the hot fudge banana split waffle and the peanut butter pancakes.....divine.

Don't miss the Baraboo Candy Company. We ended up bringing home a whole case of Cow Pies for family and friends (and a few for yours truly ). Sooooo yummy.

Peanut butter pancakes?? My dh and ds will be in love!!

 

[iheartwalt]

While we always stay on site at The Wilderness and love it, we go during the off season, I think staying at the campground during the summer is a great idea.
We LOVE Wizard Quest, it is so much fun and everyone in our family (age 3-63) has a great time there.
Make sure your dd saves some money from MOA for the outlet mall in the dells. They have lots of great stores.
We love to eat at Buffalo Phil's, they have a pizza buffet for lunch that we like. It can add to the wait but we always ask (and then wait for) a train side table.
While in Minnesota make sure you try a Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar or at the 5-8 Club. The Science Museum in St Paul is a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. The Sculpture Garden is also nice (who wouldn't want to get their picture with a giant cherry on a spoon) in the summer.
Have fun while you are here, the midwest has so much to offer!

 

[lilaurora]

I live fairly close to the Dells and was up just this past weekend to shop at Tanger Outlet. If you are a member of AAA, you can stop into their service office and pick up a coupon book for free (and can pick up another one each day). I was just flipping through mine, and in addition to mall coupons, there were discounts included to some restaurants and tourist attractions that you may find useful. Just a couple: Tommy Bartlett (Ski and the Exploratory), Timber Falls, Original Ducks, Moose Jaw, Culvers, Buffalo Phil's. I'm sure that there may be changes from now until your visit, but I would imagine it would be similar things. I hope you enjoy your time in Wisconsin!

ETA: I just noticed on the front of the booklet that it says "Five Dollars." So, if you can't get it for free, you could buy it and still probably end up ahead.