This was our second time visiting Wisconsin Dells. When someone told me a few years ago that this is the “water park capital of the world” I thought she was kidding. Who knew you could play at water parks year-round in Wisconsin?

This was our second time visiting Wisconsin Dells. When someone told me a few years ago that this is the “water park capital of the world” I thought she was kidding. Who knew you could play at water parks year-round in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Dells is known as the Water Park Capital of the World. When someone first told me that I thought they were crazy. I mean seriously, Wisconsin that might only have a few weeks of summer, known for water parks? Then I found out that many of the water parks are indoors and they really are amazing!
We passed through this area during the week of Jake’s 12th birthday. Another fun birthday on the road!
We parked our house at a nearby RV park for the week, but spent a couple of nights at 2 different water park hotels. Since it’s the off season we were able to get really great rates for the hotels and the cost of the hotel includes water park access. It’s actually cheaper to do that than pay admission for 4 to a water park.
The first hotel we stayed at was Wilderness Resort. This place is huge! They have 4 indoor water parks and 4 outdoor, but the outdoor parks were closed for the season. And only 2 of the indoor parks were open while we were there, but that was plenty. That also may be why it’s so inexpensive at this time of the year.
Klondike Kavern
Klondike Kavern has several slides, a large lazy river, an indoor/outdoor hot tub and our favorite the Hurricane slide.
Wild WaterDome
Wild WaterDome has a giant wave pool and a fun family slide.
Wilderness Resort also has many other non-water indoor activities like a go cart track, mini golf, laser tag, a ropes course and a huge playground. We did not spend the money on all of those extra activities, but I was impressed by how many fun things they have to do there.
The other hotel we went to was the Great Wolf Lodge.
This place has one indoor and one outdoor waterpark, but both parks are huge and all in one place instead of spread out around the resort like Wilderness.
This was one of our favorites where all 4 of us could race on toboggan style mats.
We enjoyed both of these resorts very much, it’s hard to say which one is better because they both had many fun things to do.
And again we had both places almost to ourselves with very short lines if any. September birthdays are lots of fun, and Jake said this was his best birthday ever. Jesse said the same thing about his birthday celebration 2 weeks earlier at Mall of America. It looks like I have my work cut out for me to try to come up with something just as fun for each of them next year.
One of my co-workers lives on a beautiful farm in Amery, Wisconsin. She invited us to park on her property so we went there after Minneapolis. I recently learned that parking at someone’s house is called “Driveway Surfing” or as another friend put it “Mooch-docking”. 🙂
Whatever it’s called I like it! I need to find more friends that have room on their property for us to park. This was really fun, and just look at this beautiful spot!
Jenna and Scott were such gracious hosts and we really enjoyed spending a few days with them. We especially enjoyed evenings by the campfire! We surprised Jesse with a birthday cake after dinner one night even though it was now past his birthday.
Jenna took us kayaking one evening. That was so much fun and the lake was so peaceful and beautiful.
This was the first time Jake kayaked on his own and he did great!
The Amery Fall Festival was that weekend so we got to attend a small town parade and carnival.
As if the kids really needed more rides after Mall of America!
They tried to help Jenna win a goldfish with no success.
Jenna had a temporary roommate from Mexico living with her, a very sweet lady named Rebecca. She made us a real authentic Mexican dinner one night that was so delicious! What a treat that was!
We are so grateful to Jenna for inviting us to stay with her for a few days. We all really enjoyed our time there!