Help - I am on a limited budget and my husband and I want to take our 3 children ages 9, 11 & 12 to somewhere within a days driving distance. Thought about Wisconsin Dells, but so many choices! Any other ideas would be appreciated. Do you know any special places - 1st week of April. Thanks

A day's driving from where?

Well it depends on your budget and your starting location. WI Dells is not inexpensive in anybodys world that I know. If the Dells fits your "limited" budget, let me know and I have some additional ideas.

If your budget is less than $200+ per room, I have alternate ideas.

WI Dells is fun for kids, especially since there are some pretty decent indoor waterparks for winter time. You may want to try Priceline to name your own price. However, that may not always ensure that you'll get a hotel with a waterpark.

Have you thought about Milwaukee? There is a lot to do there, museums, etc.

April showers brings May flowers. It might be iffy for outdoor fun.
It would be very helpful to know the starting location. If Chicago then I would head south.
Why take them to just another water park when 3 world class sights are with in reach. Low cost camping is available too.

4 1/2 hours from Chicago to Old Louisville Kentucky Mansions. Old Louisville is a historic preservation district and neighborhood in central Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It is the third largest such district in the United States, and the largest single neighborhood featuring purely Victorian architecture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Louisville

Another 2 hours south to Mammoth Cave. The most extensive cave system known in the world. Friendly to extreme cave tours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Cave_National_Park

Or head east to Lexington to the Kentucky Horse park. The Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park, the only one like it in the world. I think 40,000 horses are born each year around Lexington. (nearby Louisville has the Derby)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Horse_Park

If not starting from Chicago I would still look at Kentucky it would just be a longer drive.

I MYSELF TRAVEL ON A BUDGET,A SINGLE MOM WITH 3 KIDS.I HAVE FOUND THE KIDS LOVE WISCONSIN DELLS.WE HAVE GONE 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.IT REALLY DEPENDS ON YOUR BUDGET AND HOW MUCH WATERPARK FUN YOUR LOOKING FOR.WE USUALLY STAY AT CHULA VISTA AND GET THE ALL INCLUSIVE PLAN. CHECK OUT wisdells.com IT WILL LINK YOU TO ALL THE HOTEL WEBSITES.WE USUALLY STAY 2-5 NIGHTS AND NO MATTER WHERE WE STAYED I NEVER SPENT MORE THAN $900 IN ALL.ALSO THEY HAVE COUPON BOOKS AND DISCOUNT CARDS YOU CAN PURCHASE.DO YOUR HOMEWORK ONLINE AND ENJOY!

Limited budget- I compare to WI Dells, a LONG days drive, KIDS, maybe Cedar Point Amusement park Ohio over Detroit way. Consistently ranked the #1 park in the WORLD! http://www.cedarpoint.com/

I don't know that Cedar Point would be open the first week of April. And I wouldn't count on the weather being conducive to pleasant roller-coasting.

The WI Dells might be the only choice.

I have to really think about this. I grew up in Pittsburgh and never went on a Spring Break trip once. My first Spring Break holiday was to Mexico-- when I was in grad school at UCLA!

Maybe a ski holiday in WV or PA...?

I was right. Cedar Point opens May 12.

Actually, the Indoor Water Parks within rural settings are the new "thing" re kids this age, IMHO.

There is a new one near Starved Rock in Utica. I think it is indoor and that would be awesome with a combo trip to Starved Rock N. Park which, IMHO, is great in spring. View the IL River and surrounding area. Google to see if all is open and what else is going on near the IL. How about a farm visit too? My kids would have loved that combo.

If not that one, there are at least 4 in the Dells that are available and 2 or three other new ones in IL and IN. My son went to a Holidome in IN for this once a few years ago, as well. Kids were in seventh heaven.

All the Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterparks are great too.

Yes, the Great Wolf in the Dells is the one my best friend's daughter and kids goes to all the time. They have a home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.