Going on a road trip through Wisconsin (driving from Chicago up through Wisconsin, then down through Michigan.

Only have time for either the Wisconsin Dells or Door County. Will only spend one night.

Family of four - two daughters, 12 and 17.

Opinions of which one we should choose.

Door County
The Dells are the epitome of tacky tourist trap

Agree. Door County. We just got back from a week up there - it's beautiful and relaxing! You could take the car ferry from Manitowac (WI) to Ludington (MI).

Depending on where you are headed, the Dells is too far to the west anyways.

You do not say what time of year you are going. The Dells are a bit far west and is one big carnival during the summer months. It is also the water park capital of the US so there are water parks, chain restaurants and t-shirt stores.

I would opt for Door County.

Thanks. Going to skip the Dells. From what I hear, they are a bit like Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach, both of which we've been to. The water parks sound fun, but we could do that anywhere.

While I agree that the Dells are cheesy, we have kids roughly same ages and they do enjoy the water parks. FWIW we stayed at a hotel with multiple parks adjacent. While there are chain restaurants there are also smaller local restaurants or local chains that are fine. There are a few other things to do that, while touristy, can be fun if you don't take yourself too seriously.