Then why would you want to read my page? I will give you our family's opinion of our favorite and not so favorite places, our "must-sees and skip" opinions, rather than just the descriptions written from the companies promoting their attraction.
Waterparks: Noah's Ark, www.noahsarkwaterpark.com , is the best and biggest of waterparks with easy float rides, a kiddie waterland, and the wildest of water rides--many. Noah's Ark beats out DisneyWorld's Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and River Country, even if you put the 3 Disney waterparks together. We've been there; we know. It's also the most expensive of the three in the Dells at $25.99 for the adult pass, but you can easily spend the day. Our suggestion is to go off the grounds, (easy and uncomplicated to do, unlike Disney) and eat elsewhere. There's a Subway sandwich shop just a block or so away where we usually go. Swimwear is just fine and common there in the summer. You'll get a better meal for a lot cheaper (and I do mean a BETTER MEAL). There are lots of other restaurants nearby if you prefer; I'm just telling you what we do. Noah's Ark has two easy float trips-- the Lazy River (boring) and Adventure River. The Adventure River has a few differences where a part of the river speed up (a little) or water shoots out the inland area and gets you wet as you float by. The Lazy River is good for sunning yourself on the move.
The next waterpark in size is Familyland www.wisdellstreasureisland.com . Now it is associated with the Treasure Island Hotel but anyone with the price of the ticket can go. We don't care for it for one reason and that is the water is just too cold. At the other two parks you get used to the water, but this is just missing the ice cubes. We gave it more than one try but the last time was two years ago and that was about the time TI was taking it over so maybe it's okay now. Again, eat outside the park.
The third park is the smallest of waterparks but it is a combination of waterpark and amusement park. This is your best value if you want to do both and have a family which includes kids. The Riverview Park and Waterworld www.riverviewpark.com is $16.99. This was our first water slide ride (years ago). We parents, were ready to try something new yet a little apprehensive about the ride but the kids were anxious to try. So this is the park we chose. It was great! Like a rollercoaster without the car or the big scary drops--still very exciting. I see they also offer a coupon for $3.00 off the adult ticket, so you might want to visit and print it up. Oh, I forgot to mention that our resort which is for rent offers discounts for those staying at Peppertree to these and many, many more attractions. Just show the gold card that you'll get when you check into the resort. The gold card is good for the Peppertree Sports Club (pool and exercise room, etc.) and many, many of the attractions, stores and restaurants in the Dells.
Casino: The Ho Chunk Casino is right outside the Dells. [no website] The Dells is a small city and we usually do our first, main grocery shopping for the condo in Baraboo. Baraboo is very close to the Dells, like the next suburb. The Ho Chunk Casino is between the Dells and Baraboo.
Tommy Bartlett Show: It has gone through many name changes but the best name was The Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky and Stage show www.tommybartlett.com. That was the best name because it said it all. Right now it is the Tommy Bartlett Thrill Show. The show starts out with waterskiing, then goes to a major sky event of which we've seen these over the various years-- a kite flyer -- man in the air with one of those huge glider/kites; the Nerveless Knocks are three people on swinging poles and they change poles high above the ground; a highwire act above the lake; or the giant wheel that spins and someone keeps their balance in and on it. The third part is a stage show which is usually 2 or 3 acts: a comedic juggler; Mr. Sound Effects; some acrobats; a contortionist; 3 drummers from the Carribbean; and others. TB has shows in the afternoon and an evening show. They are the same cost and we recommend DEFINITELY go to the evening show. After the stage acts during the evening show, there is the section of the Dancing Waters and also a Lazor Show. It's terrific. We also recommend getting the better seats up front and definitely getting your tickets before the evening of the show. Even if you go at noon to get tonight's show, you'll have better seating. But if you're staying in the Dells a week, listen to the weather report and go a day or two before the evening of your show to purchase your tickets in advance. Most people buy them right before the performance so you also won't have to wait in line. Tickets are taken before the seating area.
Boat Trips: The "Dells Boat Trips" www.dellsboats.com are two trips from the same company (not to be confused with the Ducks which I'll get to next). The Dells Boat Trips tickets can be bought as Upper Dells Boat Trip and Lower Dells Boat Trip or the Combination Ticket (which is tickets for both). The Upper trip and the Lower trip are two separate boat rides and you'll be taking them at two different times (probably two different days) from two different locations. We suggest you buy the Upper Dells Boat Trip and a ticket for the Original Ducks. I don't suggest the Lower Trip because we usually fall asleep through it and the Ducks will take you on the best of the Lower Dells anyway. The Upper Trip has two places to get out and tour. If you go on only one Boat Trip, chose between the Upper Dells Boat Trip and the Original Ducks.
"Ducks" are owned by two different companies-- The Original Ducks www.wisconsinducktours.com and the Red, White, and Blue Ducks [no website]. We have only gone on the green Original Ducks; they own some land that have some of the old Kilbourn statuettes. Not much, but we've always heard that they were better. Everyone loves the Ducks. They are amphibious tanks used by the military long ago. The tour is on the Upper Dells, on land, and then on the Lower Dells. They have lots of corny jokes that are still funny each time we hear them.
We go to the Dells as a family at least once a summer and try to go with a Milwaukee Radio weekend where we can get free tickets. This is why I can still give a valid opinion on the attractions and not say were on this 5 years ago, etc. We go on the Dells Boat Trips & Ducks about every other year where we pay little or use the promotional tickets. The trips haven't changed much except the Upper Dells Boat Trip used to be three stops where you can get out and walk instead of the now two trips. Going with different people makes the trip fresh in our eyes so we still enjoy the attractions.
Golf, miniature golf, go-carting: There are places to golf in the Dells, but we don't golf so I won't give recommendations. Miniature golf places are all over. Most places also offer go-carting. You could spend your entire week just doing this.
State Parks: Mirror Lake and Devils Lake are the two state parks in the Dells. Both are beautiful but we prefer Devils Lake for the hiking trails in the cliffs. Looking down from that height is beautiful (and a great place to rest for us out-of-shapers).
There are so many more attractions in the Dells that I haven't mentioned. Horseback riding, Auto Museum, Deer Park, Storybook Gardens (for the little ones), a few Haunted Houses (we did them all one year for fun), and a little farther afield is the House on the Rock, a must-see if you're staying for a week. If you have questions, just write to me at jplus@wi.rr.com and I'll respond. Do consider staying a week for a nice vacation. It is so different from just a weekend visit. Joyce
