While Wisconsin Dells is rightfully famous for its water parks, there is so much more to this award-winning Wisconsin community
Some vacation spots are defined by a single activity. You go to Mt. Rushmore to see the presidents. You go to Vegas to gamble. You go to the Grand Canyon to explore nature. Some might say you go to Wisconsin Dells to play in the waterparks and, to a very large degree and to the delight of visitors and local business owners alike, that would be true. But that’s not the only activity this award-winning family destination is known for.
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is one of the well-known waterpark resorts in Wisconsin Dells
Planning a group outing or family reunion has its own set of distinct challenges but none that keeps the organizer awake at night more than wondering whether there will be enough activities to keep everyone in the group occupied, from tots to octogenarians. That’s why this information for holding a group outing or family reunion in Wisconsin Dells is so perfect. There are activities galore, so sleep easy.
The family reunion trend in the Dells has really picked up in the last several years. Certainly the waterparks have something to do with that. There are waterpark resorts of every size and style in this community and they are vacationland for anyone traveling to a reunion with kids ages toddler through teen. The most well-known resorts include Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, Chula Vista Resort, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort and Great Wolf Lodge. Water roller coasters, wild funnel rides, racing slides, even a surf machine at Kalahari rank high on the list of favorite waterpark activities.
Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort is located right on Lake Delton
Water Parks
But let’s not stop with the waterparks because lots of other places are set up very nicely to accommodate big groups. In fact, some of the most popular family reunion spots are the resorts that rim Lake Delton. Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort is a prime example, as are the vacation rentals through Sand County Vacation Rentals. Away from the lake, and more secluded in the woods, Meadowbrook Resort has its own indoor water playland and several outdoor pools, and they have lots of packages with admission to some of the larger outdoor waterparks in the area. Their evening bonfire provides a chance to catch up with family and friends. Also on the list is the Spring Brook Vacation Home Resort community. They offer fully furnished homes for rent and the amenities include pools, a playground, fishing lake, golf course, restaurant and gathering rooms.
Experience the Scorpion’s Tail ride at Noah’s Ark Waterpark
Honestly, groups of any size can be as busy as they like all within the 20-mile radius of Wisconsin Dells. Let’s get right to the must-do and that’s ride and slide your way through a favorite waterpark or two. Outdoors, it would be impossible to choose between Noah’s Ark Waterpark and Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, so make time for both. At Noah’s Ark, their looping waterslide called Scorpion’s Tail is one of the largest in the world. At Mt. O (that’s what the locals call it), crash through the nine-foot waves of their Poseidon’s Rage surf pool.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks come in the outdoor and indoor varieties too. Let’s start with outdoors. Timber Falls Adventure Park has many noteworthy attractions – including their end-over-end Skyscraper ride that pulls four G’s at 60 mph 160 feet off the ground. At Mt. Olympus, all their roller coasters are a scream, but top prize goes to Hades, a wooden coaster made diabolically fun with a 65-degree drop, the world’s longest underground tunnel and speeds up to 70 mph.
Zipline over a canopy of trees and four water crossings at Bigfoot Zipline Tours
Moving to indoor amusement parks, the Kalahari Indoor Theme Park is a great spot. Check out their elevated go-kart track, rock climbing wall, ropes course and laser tag. If you’re traveling with little ones, there’s Knuckleheads Bowling & Indoor Amusement Park. Another great group outing idea is ziplining. The Wilderness Canyon Zip Line takes you over Lost Canyon and an expansive tree canopy. Another area zip line, Bigfoot Zipline Tours, has four water crossings.
And, at some point during your trip, a tour of the Wisconsin River is a must. You can head out on a Duck, an amphibious WWII vehicle that gives you a little land travel with your water tour. Choose from the Original Wisconsin Ducks® or Dells Army Duck Tours. Or, you can relax aboard a double-decker tour boat. Some offer you shore landings to explore the gorges and see a trained dog make the famous Stand Rock jump from one bluff outcropping to another. Other aqua tour options include jet boats, a paddle wheeler, tours without shore landings and dinner cruises.
The Tommy Bartlett Show is a high-energy waterskiing show. A must for every group.
Attractions and Dining
There’s also mini-golf, go-karting, bowling and horseback riding. If anyone in the group likes magic, they should take a seat at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. Train buffs will be fascinated with the Riverside & Great Northern Railway living museum with its 15-inch-gauge steam trains that take riders on a three-mile trip through canyons, woods and rock cuts beside the Wisconsin River. The locomotive is turned on a hand-operated turntable for the ride back. For hands-on exploration, it’s none other than the Wisconsin Dells staple, the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – Interactive Science Center.
Your family will enjoy receiving lunch from the train at Buffalo Phil’s Pizza and Grille
While lots of photos are bound to be snapped over the course of the reunion, add to the album with a family photo at one of the two old-time portrait studios downtown – Old Abe’s Old Time Portraits or Prof. Porter’s Old Time Portraits – where you’ll even find costumes for infants and sets large enough to fit 30 or so of your favorite friends or relatives.
Of course, while there may be a potluck dinner or two, you’ll need some restaurant recommendations for your stay. Big groups will like Pizza Pub for its buffet, Famous Dave’s BBQ for its ribs, Monk’s Bar & Grill for its famous burgers and Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille for its great southwestern flair.
Planning is a breeze when you use the community’s official website, wisdells.com. Don’t forget to check out the “Find Great Deals” section or call (800) 223-3557 for more information and planning help.
Contact Information:
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
www.wisdells.com
(800) 223-3557
Group Sales
groups@wisdells.com
