Wisconsin Dells Attractions

Many tourists love Dells Boat Tours along the Wisconsin River. Choices include trips along both the Upper and lower Dells for up-close glimpses of soaring bluffs and lush wilderness. A jet boat tour is a more high-energy trip, with boat spin-outs and quick stops choreographed into the tour. A sunset cruise is as popular with families as it is with couples, who get a kick out of disembarking at the river's Witches Gulch landing for strolls along a torch-lit boardwalk. Ticket booths at Upper Dells Dock (107 Broadway) and Lower Dells Dock (intersection of Highways 12, 13 & 16).

This prairie sanctuary in nearby Baraboo is the only place in the world where the public can see all 15 known species of cranes, including rare whopping cranes. The site includes four nature trails that wind through more than 100 acres of restored wetlands, prairie and oak savannah. Self-guided trail tapes geared to both kids and adults are available at no charge from the visitor's center; guided tours are also offered three times daily. The site is open daily from April 15 through October 31st.

Can't swing a trip to Greece? This park, with massive replicas of the Parthenon, the Coliseum and other famous Greek sites may just be the next best thing (for the kids). The massive indoor/outdoor theme park is also home to six roller coasters, more than 40 water slides, go karts, bumper cars and batting cages, including many rides dedicated exclusively to the 48-inches-and-under set. There's a hotel on site, plus a pub, cafe, pizza restaurant and several concession stands.

At a massive 70 acres, Noah's Ark bills itself as America's largest outdoor water park, and with 49 water slides, two waves pools, four kids' water play areas, an 1-hole mini-golf course how many holes? and three arcades, we're not about to argue. The park has been a Dells fixture for 30 years, drawing families with kids of all ages to wade, swim and scream their way through an ever-evolving array of wet attractions, including Black Anaconda, a water coaster that reaches speeds of 35 miles per hour over six drops that take just 75 seconds to complete. Picnic areas and grill access mean families come early and stay all day, and grown-ups like that they can retire to the more than 4,000 lounge chairs spread throughout the park while the kids run around. Noah's Ark is open daily from late May through early September.

A local source of pride is the fleet of army DUCKs - lumbering, amphibious WWII trucks that can operate on both land and water -- in use for tours in the Dells since 1946. Two companies, Original Wisconsin Ducks (608-254-8751) and Dells Army Ducks (608-254-6080) conduct summertime tours along wilderness trails, into Lake Delton and through Dells Glacial Park for up close views of massive rock formations from a quirky, one-of-a-kind vantage point.

Choose from five different pirate-themed 18- and 19-hole courses at this enormous mini golf park. Lush landscaping includes waterfalls, caves, footbridges and flower beds, plus drink stations situated along the courses. There's also a picnic area with an enormous playground and a "family fun center" with jump shot basketball, pedal carts and a sand-and-water play area for smaller kids. The park is open from mid-March through late November, weather permitting.

Illusionist Rick Wilcox's show is a newer Dells tradition which attracts an all-ages crowd with a fast-paced show that offers a Vegas-style wow factor. Among the highlights: Wilcox and his wife perform a double levitation and recreate Harry Houdini's famous jail escape. The audience especially loves it when Wilcox makes a Lamborghini appear out of thin air. Shows are performed year round and the act is updated regularly with fresh tricks.

Wet and dry attractions stand side-by-side at this 35-acre outdoor theme park that's been open since 1968. The amusement park has go karts, and a mini Indy car racing track area that is a big hit with older kids. There's a dedicated area for kids ages 5 and under with smaller go karts, a merry-go-round, jumping "pillow," train ride and other attractions. The water park has three 50-foot water slides, five inner tube slides and a wave pool, plus a toddler area with baby bumper boats. Night passes attract teens and older kids for time away from parents; live performers like magicians and acrobats roam the park during opening hours.

The name Tommy Bartlett is synonymous with Wisconsin Dells. This water ski show on Lake Delton has been an area must-see since 1923, drawing huge crowds who "oooh" and "ahhh" at skiing stunts, pyrotechnics and circus-style acts. Bartlett passed away in 1998, but the show continues to be a quintessential part of a summertime trip to the Dells. It's staged twice a day, rain or shine, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, meanwhile, offers year-round, indoor family fun with exhibits that examine the fun and silly side of science. Highlights of the more than 150 hands-on activities include an interactive High Wire SkyCycle that gives visitors a chance to ride a bicycle on a tightrope 12 feet in the air, and the Van de Graaff generator, which makes your hair stand on end with the help of more than 10,000 volts of static electricity. The museum also has a number of exhibits related to space exploration, including a full-size replica of a mercury space capsule initially built for the Kennedy Space Center, and the original Russian Space Station MIR Core Module.