My family picked the "DELLS?"
Jun 25th, 2002, 03:09 PM
#1
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My family picked the "DELLS?"
My family (wife,2boys 9&15) picked Wisconsin Dells this year for our annual "See the USA" pick. We've been to alot of the national parks, snowmobiling, diving, NYC, San Fran, and to cheesy places; will we enjoy this place (we love water "sports") and what place to stay? (price no object). Thank You
Jun 28th, 2002, 08:17 AM
#3
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Ramjet, you'll get a combo of water and cheese. Lots of water parks, mini golf and the like. Lots of large fiberglass Paul Bunyan-esque things and moccasin shops. You'll have a hoot! If you need to be in the middle of things, try the Great Wolf Lodge or any of the resort-type places like Chula Vista. You'll have fun!!
Jun 28th, 2002, 10:19 AM
#5
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Driving from Atlanta to see the Dells, thats got to be a first!! Anyway since Wisconsin is my home state and I used to take my kids to the dells every summer, here's a few suggestions:
Noahs Ark: the best waterpark around and really fun.
Big Chief: best go carts and huge intresting tracks.
Most people seem to forget that this area was popular in the early 1900's because of the natural beauty of the Wisconsin river. The boat tours are still kind of nice as you actually get to see that beauty although they've managed to kitch that a lot too.
The Crane foundation: Very interesting and they have done some remarkable things to preserve this highly endangered bird.
If you have a day, follow the Wisconsin river road all the way to Prairie du Chien where it meets the Mississippi. Pikes Peak state park in Iowa and Waylusing state park in Wisconsin offer incredible views of this historic confluence and the geography is very unique. The glaciers never covered this pocket of land and as a result, its very rugged and beautiful.
Enjoy your stay. Let us know if you have more questions.
Noahs Ark: the best waterpark around and really fun.
Big Chief: best go carts and huge intresting tracks.
Most people seem to forget that this area was popular in the early 1900's because of the natural beauty of the Wisconsin river. The boat tours are still kind of nice as you actually get to see that beauty although they've managed to kitch that a lot too.
The Crane foundation: Very interesting and they have done some remarkable things to preserve this highly endangered bird.
If you have a day, follow the Wisconsin river road all the way to Prairie du Chien where it meets the Mississippi. Pikes Peak state park in Iowa and Waylusing state park in Wisconsin offer incredible views of this historic confluence and the geography is very unique. The glaciers never covered this pocket of land and as a result, its very rugged and beautiful.
Enjoy your stay. Let us know if you have more questions.
Jun 28th, 2002, 10:24 AM
#6
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Most of the drive from Atlata to WI is flat and boring. A couple of good stops along the way might be Mammoth Cave in Kentucky (you need to get there early to get in on any of the good cave tours), and you'll also probably pass right through or near Chicago, which has the great Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. There's also a Six Flags north of Chicago, although I don't know if it's any better than the Six Flags in Atlanta. Other than that, there isn't much besides flat farming land in between.
Jun 28th, 2002, 10:42 AM
#7
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Another good, pricey alternative to the Great Wolf Lodge is the nearby Kalahari Resort.
We stayed there in the winter, so it was important to us that their indoor waterpark is one of the best (could be important to you, too, if it rains!).
To be right in the center of it all on the main strip, try Treasure Island. All of these resorts have web sites, plus the Dells has one of its own.
Enjoy! (Oh, and also on the way from Atlanta, good at least for a pleasant place to get out and stretch your legs, is Kentucky Lakes.)
We stayed there in the winter, so it was important to us that their indoor waterpark is one of the best (could be important to you, too, if it rains!).
To be right in the center of it all on the main strip, try Treasure Island. All of these resorts have web sites, plus the Dells has one of its own.
Enjoy! (Oh, and also on the way from Atlanta, good at least for a pleasant place to get out and stretch your legs, is Kentucky Lakes.)
Jun 28th, 2002, 09:12 PM
#10
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Try to get your hands on "Fun With the Family in Wisconsin" by Martin Hintz and Stephen V. Hintz. Gives you 100s of ideas for day trips with the kids, given by regions. It's been great reading about my state, learning a lot! Maybe try visiting Madison, our capitol, before you leave. Don't forget to try a brat and have some great Wisc. cheese before you leave, and have a great time!
Jul 1st, 2002, 07:18 AM
#12
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Ramjet if you didn't like Atlantis, you'll positively hate the Dells.
It puts the tack in tacky.
Lots of obese, pasty white tourists walking around in "I'm with stupid" T-shirts with holes in them, complete with armpit stains, and too short to cover the ol' beer belly.
Think Clark Griswald's cousin's family from the Vacation movies.
It puts the tack in tacky.
Lots of obese, pasty white tourists walking around in "I'm with stupid" T-shirts with holes in them, complete with armpit stains, and too short to cover the ol' beer belly.
Think Clark Griswald's cousin's family from the Vacation movies.
Jul 5th, 2002, 01:32 PM
#13
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There are many families who make the Dells their vacation spot every year and just love it, to me it is too Touristy and Expen$ive!!! (take at least twice as much as you think you will spend). There are many waterparks, mini golf courses, shops, amusument parks and theme park (robot world for example) to see while you are there.
I have to recommend that you do go on the Boat Tour of the Upper & Lower Dells, that is where you will actually get some history and get to see the beautiful scenery that is what the Dells is supposed to be.
I go to Dells the for a Day about once every 3 years, and that is more than enough for me (of course I live an hour away, so it is not as much of a novelty)
The Dells can be a great location for day trips to other areas of the State. So if you get tired of doing the "tourist thing" and want to see a little more here is a list of other places within a reasonable drive of the Dells.
1. BARABOO AREA
---Mirror Lake State Park
---Circus World Museum
---Ho-Chunk Casino (not my place either)
2. DODGEVILLE/SPRING GREEN AREA
---Goveneor Dodge State Park
---Tower Hill State Park
---House on The Rock
---Taliasin (sp?)
3. MADISON AREA
I have to recommend that you do go on the Boat Tour of the Upper & Lower Dells, that is where you will actually get some history and get to see the beautiful scenery that is what the Dells is supposed to be.
I go to Dells the for a Day about once every 3 years, and that is more than enough for me (of course I live an hour away, so it is not as much of a novelty)
The Dells can be a great location for day trips to other areas of the State. So if you get tired of doing the "tourist thing" and want to see a little more here is a list of other places within a reasonable drive of the Dells.
1. BARABOO AREA
---Mirror Lake State Park
---Circus World Museum
---Ho-Chunk Casino (not my place either)
2. DODGEVILLE/SPRING GREEN AREA
---Goveneor Dodge State Park
---Tower Hill State Park
---House on The Rock
---Taliasin (sp?)
3. MADISON AREA
Jul 5th, 2002, 01:35 PM
#14
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Posts: n/a
There are many families who make the Dells their vacation spot every year and just love it, to me it is too Touristy and Expen$ive!!! (take at least twice as much as you think you will spend). There are many waterparks, mini golf courses, shops, amusument parks and theme park (robot world for example) to see while you are there.
I have to recommend that you do go on the Boat Tour of the Upper & Lower Dells, that is where you will actually get some history and get to see the beautiful scenery that is what the Dells is supposed to be.
I go to Dells the for a Day about once every 3 years, and that is more than enough for me (of course I live an hour away, so it is not as much of a novelty)
The Dells can be a great location for day trips to other areas of the State. So if you get tired of doing the "tourist thing" and want to see a little more here is a list of other places within a reasonable drive of the Dells.
1. BARABOO AREA
---Mirror Lake State Park
---Circus World Museum
---Ho-Chunk Casino
---Devil's Lake State Park
---Cross the Ferry in Merrimac
2. DODGEVILLE/SPRING GREEN AREA
---Goveneor Dodge State Park
---Tower Hill State Park
---House on The Rock
---Taliasin (sp?)
3. MADISON AREA
---Tour our beautiful state capitol
---Vilas Zoo (free)
---Olbrich Botanical Gardens
---State Street
I know other people can add more, but I just want to get you, or anyone else interested a little helpful start.
I have to recommend that you do go on the Boat Tour of the Upper & Lower Dells, that is where you will actually get some history and get to see the beautiful scenery that is what the Dells is supposed to be.
I go to Dells the for a Day about once every 3 years, and that is more than enough for me (of course I live an hour away, so it is not as much of a novelty)
The Dells can be a great location for day trips to other areas of the State. So if you get tired of doing the "tourist thing" and want to see a little more here is a list of other places within a reasonable drive of the Dells.
1. BARABOO AREA
---Mirror Lake State Park
---Circus World Museum
---Ho-Chunk Casino
---Devil's Lake State Park
---Cross the Ferry in Merrimac
2. DODGEVILLE/SPRING GREEN AREA
---Goveneor Dodge State Park
---Tower Hill State Park
---House on The Rock
---Taliasin (sp?)
3. MADISON AREA
---Tour our beautiful state capitol
---Vilas Zoo (free)
---Olbrich Botanical Gardens
---State Street
I know other people can add more, but I just want to get you, or anyone else interested a little helpful start.
Jul 6th, 2002, 08:28 AM
#15
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Sorry to disagree, but the House on the Rock was the least favorite thing I have ever done on a vacation. Dark, dusty, hot, packed with sweaty tourists, and just packed with JUNK. We now call it "House of Schlock". Go to the dells, enjoy the water parks, "duck" ride, mini-golf, but skip house on the rock. Truly awful!
Jul 6th, 2002, 05:25 PM
#17
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Somewhere on this board is another thread with lots of comments on the House on the Rock - almost all of them negative, including mine. Forewarned.
What about making the drive up thru Illinois with a stop in Springfield and New Salem State Park for some Lincoln lore for your kids? Now that's worthwhile - and enjoyable. And, of course, Chicago.
(With all of the map to choose from....driving all the way from Atlanta to the Dells is a bit mystifying.)You could get all the water you wanted, w/o all the schlock, by heading to the opposite side of the state for a Door County visit....)
What about making the drive up thru Illinois with a stop in Springfield and New Salem State Park for some Lincoln lore for your kids? Now that's worthwhile - and enjoyable. And, of course, Chicago.
(With all of the map to choose from....driving all the way from Atlanta to the Dells is a bit mystifying.)You could get all the water you wanted, w/o all the schlock, by heading to the opposite side of the state for a Door County visit....)
Jul 6th, 2002, 06:35 PM
#18
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Why in God's good earth would you go to the Dells if you live in Atlanta? Wisconsin is fabulous(lots of great things to see and do) but the Dells is the worst.Boy, the next thing you will be doing will be stopping off at a Jerry Springer taping in Chicago with all the other trailer park people.......................
Jul 6th, 2002, 08:09 PM
#20
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If you are travelling solely for your kids, have fun at the water parks.The boat and duck rides are also informative if not exciting. If you and your wife want to enjoy a couple of days ,you are too close to Door County not to visit. This is the one place we want to go back to without the kids.
