Wisconsin Dells

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Wisconsin Dells/Chicago Summer 2005

A June 2005 trip to Wisconsin Dells by mtemail

Mt olympusMore Photos

A 10-day road trip with the family!!!!

  • 5 reviews
  • 2 stories/tips
  • 28 photos

Club Optima at Treasure IslandBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Our unit
Best Things Nearby:
Very nice location for all of the tourist traps!

Best Things About the Resort:
This resort includes daily admission to an adjoining water and amusement park (Mt. Olympus - see the photos from there in my file -the place is really something!)

Resort Experience:
This is the BEST place for a family to stay if you are seeking FUN FUN FUN non-stop . . . and of course, that means that's what everyone else is there for also . . . so there are lots of people and children . . . continuously! There is a full water park with slides, lazy river, and a wave pool, plus about six or seven go-cart courses and a few pretty nice roller coasters. If you love coasters, Hades is a very great wooden coaster!

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mtemail on June 21, 2005

Club Optima at Treasure Island
Wisconsin Dells Parkway Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Peppertree at TamarackBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

our unit
Best Things Nearby:
This resort is just a few miles from everything in the Dells - all of the tourist areas.

Best Things About the Resort:
We traveled with a large group. The group with the kids stayed at Treasure Island, and some of our adults stayed here. It is very quiet and relaxing.

Resort Experience:
This location is further off the direct path, but within a few miles of everything tourist at the Dells. It is very close to a Wal-mart. It was clean and quiet, and provided a nice, restful setting when compared to Treasure Island's constant-activity location.

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Good
  • Amenities: Good
  • Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
  • Family Friendliness: Good
  • Service: Good
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by mtemail on June 21, 2005

Peppertree at Tamarack
874 Xanadu Road Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(608) 254-4929

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Mt. Olympus Go-Carts and Roller Coaster Park"

Mt olympus
Your room at the adjoining Treasure Island resort is very nice. The building is new and clean, and has ample parking. Each day you get a wristband for the Mt. Olympus park, and absolutely all of the attractions of the park are included . . . this is about a $28 per person/per day FREEBIE with your room! The units have an adjoining parking lot, so you can walk over for an hour or two or spend the day! It was a great park. The wooden coasters are very nice . . . and the Hades coaster actually has underground tunnels, which have the illusion while on the ride that the track is ending just ahead of you. There are LOTS of water slides outside, a lazy river and a wave pool, AND an indoor water park with lots of fun water slides and pools!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mtemail on June 21, 2005

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
Highway A Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965
(608) 254-2490

Circus WorldBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A fun half day of activity
This is essentially a fairgrounds type of setup with a circus tent that has daily shows. It take a few hours to see it all. They had a children's circus that was just geared towards picking children out of the audience to recreate their own circus acts (e.g., the children wear pony hats to be the pony act, and you can carry that idea through the elephants and dogs). There are lots of photo opportunities. The cast go out of their way to be available for shots after the circus . . . volunteers are around and are very happy to help.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by mtemail on June 21, 2005

Circus World
550 Water Street Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53913
(608) 356-4161

Dells Boat ToursBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Lower Dells Duck Tours"

Wonder spot
The ducks are WWII vehicles that take you on back roads with bumps and hills (the kids love that part), and they drive you into the river for a reasonable distance. The whole ride is about an hour to an hour and a half. They leave every 10 minutes from 8am through about 7pm. The lines, even at peak time, are pretty reasonable. It's a fun ride. The drivers have their corny jokes, which seem to be crowd pleasers.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mtemail on June 21, 2005

Dells Boat Tours
11 Broadway Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965
(608) 253-6661

stop in ChicagoBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Hancock building
If you are driving from the East to the Dells, take the time to see something in Chicago. Perhaps just ride to the top of the Hancock Building on the fastest elevator in North America . . . or make the day of a 5- to 9-year-old girl (and break your wallet) by taking her for an excursion to American Girl Place. Make early lunch reservations (months ahead) so you can have a table by the window! There’s a show adults will be poking their eyes out over - but the little girls love it . . . and go to Broadwayacrossamerica.com and see if there are any shows you can get to see. We were lucky enough to be there when both Wicked and Lion King were playing. Also, don't miss Blue Man Group for great family entertainment - everyone and anyone will love it!

House on the Rock!!!!Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

house on the rock
This was really an indescribable day!!! It is a 2.5-mile walking tour (self-guided and self-paced) through a house that has the most eclectic and bizarre items. The man who built it had a dream and desire and accomplished it. There are dollhouse collections, gun collections, an ocean-creature room, an organ room, and the largest carousel (which contains no horses, only other animals and creatures).

It is a 1.5-hour drive southwest of the Dells, but for the truly unique experience, it is well worth the drive. It has an infinity room, which is essentially a protrusion from the building that is really incredible.

See my photos, and it does have a site on the Net. It is not something for kids as much as adults, because you will want to take time to see all the items around and above you, so a small child would have a tough time sticking with it.

About the Writer

mtemail
mtemail
Huntsville, Ohio

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