Where to Stayover in WI - Madison, Dells or Milwaukee
Jul 11th, 2002, 09:37 PM
#1
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Where to Stayover in WI - Madison, Dells or Milwaukee
We have two chldren, pre-teen and early teen, and will be traveling through Wisconsin this Summer. Each of these places sounds appealing.
How should we divide our time with two nights and three days to spend?
How should we divide our time with two nights and three days to spend?
Jul 11th, 2002, 09:51 PM
#2
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I have been to all three, with the least time in Milwaukee. I was not really impressed with it, but I also didn't see much of it. Summerfest there was fun though.
I enjoy Madison. It's a nice college town. The area near the capital, Monona Terrace, downtown etc is enjoyable to stroll through on a warm summer evening. The Hilton Monona Terrace is a relatively new hotel there.
The Dells is cheesy, tacky, touristy, you name it. Your kids will love it...there will be tons to entertain them. If they're the daredevil type, Extreme World (not really a "world" but a small area with some scary rides) may be up their alley. Among the attractions...
- The "superswing"
- Bungee jumping
- What I call "The Catapulter" - where you're strapped in to a big cage like ball and catapulted straight up in the air. You are left bouncing and rotating every which way...and screaming your heading off. In my opinion, the scariest one...even worse than the Bungee.
You can also do go carts and rock climbing.
Feel free to ask any questions. I go to Wisconsin on business. I took a bunch of people to Extremeworld, bought them cheap beer and paid for rides. Tip: too much beer and the rides do not mix!
I enjoy Madison. It's a nice college town. The area near the capital, Monona Terrace, downtown etc is enjoyable to stroll through on a warm summer evening. The Hilton Monona Terrace is a relatively new hotel there.
The Dells is cheesy, tacky, touristy, you name it. Your kids will love it...there will be tons to entertain them. If they're the daredevil type, Extreme World (not really a "world" but a small area with some scary rides) may be up their alley. Among the attractions...
- The "superswing"
- Bungee jumping
- What I call "The Catapulter" - where you're strapped in to a big cage like ball and catapulted straight up in the air. You are left bouncing and rotating every which way...and screaming your heading off. In my opinion, the scariest one...even worse than the Bungee.
You can also do go carts and rock climbing.
Feel free to ask any questions. I go to Wisconsin on business. I took a bunch of people to Extremeworld, bought them cheap beer and paid for rides. Tip: too much beer and the rides do not mix!
Jul 12th, 2002, 02:55 AM
#4
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Madison has plenty to offer but consider going out to Spring Green (a bit west of there) for the outdoor theater there-- a comparatively painless way to introduce youngsters to theater, and maybe even a little architecture if you go to Frank Lloyd Wright's home/studio at Taliesen. I know, sounds a little long-hair for middle-schoolers, but they might surprise you.
Jul 12th, 2002, 05:08 AM
#5
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Missy: What direction are you going/coming from? If your vacation is kid-oriented, spend two days and one night in the Dells and one night in Madison. Most Dells area hotels will not accept one-night stays on the weekends. Your kids will love the Dells, you'll probably hate it. Regarding Madison vs. Milwaukee, what are your interests?
Jul 12th, 2002, 07:46 AM
#6
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Thanks to all for your ideas. I figured the Dells would be good for the kids, and I was hoping to squeeze some time in for Madison and Milwaukee, too. 2 nights and 3 days just isn't very much time, though for all three!
Mina, we will be there mid-week, so I think we will miss out on things like Summerfest, Farmer's Market.
Kind of in-line with what your second post says, but to run it by you again......What do you think about us spending first half of day in Milwaukee, late afternoon in Madison and then 2 nights in Dells? Or should we do both nights in Madison and drive to Dells for activities, or split the nights, one Madison and one Dells?
Mina, we will be there mid-week, so I think we will miss out on things like Summerfest, Farmer's Market.
Kind of in-line with what your second post says, but to run it by you again......What do you think about us spending first half of day in Milwaukee, late afternoon in Madison and then 2 nights in Dells? Or should we do both nights in Madison and drive to Dells for activities, or split the nights, one Madison and one Dells?
Jul 12th, 2002, 08:55 AM
#7
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I believe it's a 2-2.5 hour drive from Milwaukee to Madison, then 1.5-2 hours to the Dells in a different direction. If I understand correctly, you want to do be in Milwaukee in the morning, Madison in the afternoon, then drive to the Dells at night to spend your two nights there? I think you will be very tired, and I do not recommend it.
I think splitting time between the two - Madison and the Dells - would be good (if they will allow a one night booking at the Dells). Doing both in Madison, then driving to the Dells is feasible (the drive isn't too bad) but you will be tired. You could certainly plan a day trip to the Dells if you stayed in Madison for both nights.
I think splitting time between the two - Madison and the Dells - would be good (if they will allow a one night booking at the Dells). Doing both in Madison, then driving to the Dells is feasible (the drive isn't too bad) but you will be tired. You could certainly plan a day trip to the Dells if you stayed in Madison for both nights.
Jul 12th, 2002, 12:24 PM
#8
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Drive times are 1.5 hours tops (more like a little over an hour) from Milwaukee to Madison, and 1 hour tops from Madison to the Dells.
So it's conceivable to do your schedule as you say, but personally I'd stay in Madison the first night and the Dells the second.
So it's conceivable to do your schedule as you say, but personally I'd stay in Madison the first night and the Dells the second.
Jul 12th, 2002, 01:13 PM
#9
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Hi Missy...
Sean is probably right. I overestimated the times for you (after all, it's only 2.5-3 hours to chicago). I always get stuck behind the 4 cars driven by old ladies going 20 miles per hour.
I do remember the drive to the Dells seemed quick. The one to Milwaukee to Madison, less so because we were so tired.
Sean is probably right. I overestimated the times for you (after all, it's only 2.5-3 hours to chicago). I always get stuck behind the 4 cars driven by old ladies going 20 miles per hour.
I do remember the drive to the Dells seemed quick. The one to Milwaukee to Madison, less so because we were so tired.
Jul 12th, 2002, 01:15 PM
#10
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THANKS, again - I'll try to do that - split the nights.
Is one place just as good as another in the Dells area, or would you have recommendations on where to stay?
From what I can tell at the website, it looks like some hotels/resorts have inside waterslides. Are they all like that?
Is one place just as good as another in the Dells area, or would you have recommendations on where to stay?
From what I can tell at the website, it looks like some hotels/resorts have inside waterslides. Are they all like that?
Jul 12th, 2002, 02:41 PM
#11
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The Wisconsin Dells---oh yuck! If this trip is for your kids, go for it. But you wouldn't enjoy it much. Madison is a lovely town with a beautiful lake and the main campus of the university. Milwaukee is interesting for outlet shopping and good German restaurants although has a pretty area just north of the city.That's all the help I can give, you know your kids and yourself better than I.
Jul 12th, 2002, 03:27 PM
#12
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Sally,
Actually what you have to say is also quite helpful and just reaffirms I will try to stick to my plan of one night in Madison for us (the adults) and one night at the Dells, if possible, (for the kids!) Maybe we could find a good German Restaurant for lunch in Milwaukee before we head over to Madison and the Dells.
Actually what you have to say is also quite helpful and just reaffirms I will try to stick to my plan of one night in Madison for us (the adults) and one night at the Dells, if possible, (for the kids!) Maybe we could find a good German Restaurant for lunch in Milwaukee before we head over to Madison and the Dells.
Jul 13th, 2002, 11:44 AM
#13
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MADISON, WI
Wednesday nights in the summer........ ahhhhhh Concerts on the Square.....the Madison Chamber Orchestra.......bring a picnic, wine, beer, blanket and have a wonderful time. An experience you'll treasure.
There is also a smaller scale Farmer's Market (but still very good ) on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (runs directly from the Capitol building on the square) on Wedndedays.
Enjoy our beautiful city.
Wednesday nights in the summer........ ahhhhhh Concerts on the Square.....the Madison Chamber Orchestra.......bring a picnic, wine, beer, blanket and have a wonderful time. An experience you'll treasure.
There is also a smaller scale Farmer's Market (but still very good ) on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (runs directly from the Capitol building on the square) on Wedndedays.
Enjoy our beautiful city.
Jul 13th, 2002, 02:27 PM
#14
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Carol, that is perfect!! Wednesday happens to be one of the nights we will be in the area - thanks for a great idea.
Where should we stay? Of course I wasn't planning on packing a blanket for a picnic in the park! Think the hotel will mind if I borrow theirs? ;-)
Where should we stay? Of course I wasn't planning on packing a blanket for a picnic in the park! Think the hotel will mind if I borrow theirs? ;-)
Jul 13th, 2002, 02:40 PM
#15
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Missy,
There are a few hotels right on the Capitol Square. The Concourse, which is nice, the Inn on the Park, which is OK, and the new, beautiful Hilton (608) 255-5100,which ataches to our beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright Convention Center (which sits right on the Lake Monona) At the Hilton you can have either a lake or Capitol view, each is great. There are also some quality B&B's in Madison, but none are right on the square. The location of all three cannot be beat!
You family will also love our UW campus, especially the Memorial Union, which is located right on Lake Mendota and has a Terrace overlooking the lake. There is often live music there....you can get beverages, beer, food, and the best ice cream in the world. They often show free movies outdoors on the Union Terrace.
email me at [email protected] if you want more phone numbers, or information. You have picked a perfect day to come to the city. People come from all over our state for the Concerts on the Square.
Enjoy, and contact me if I can help any more.
Carol
(who just retired from 33 years of teaching kindergarten)
There are a few hotels right on the Capitol Square. The Concourse, which is nice, the Inn on the Park, which is OK, and the new, beautiful Hilton (608) 255-5100,which ataches to our beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright Convention Center (which sits right on the Lake Monona) At the Hilton you can have either a lake or Capitol view, each is great. There are also some quality B&B's in Madison, but none are right on the square. The location of all three cannot be beat!
You family will also love our UW campus, especially the Memorial Union, which is located right on Lake Mendota and has a Terrace overlooking the lake. There is often live music there....you can get beverages, beer, food, and the best ice cream in the world. They often show free movies outdoors on the Union Terrace.
email me at [email protected] if you want more phone numbers, or information. You have picked a perfect day to come to the city. People come from all over our state for the Concerts on the Square.
Enjoy, and contact me if I can help any more.
Carol
(who just retired from 33 years of teaching kindergarten)
