Additional Coverage:
- We took a multi-gen trip to the ‘Water Park Capital of the World’. It worked for our family, but I wouldn’t go back. (businessinsider.com)
A recent family trip to Wisconsin Dells offered a mix of natural beauty and tourist attractions, but left one traveler hesitant about returning.
The trip, organized after more than a year of coordinating schedules among 14 family members across several generations, brought everyone together in this well-known Midwest vacation spot. Wisconsin Dells is famous for its scenic sandstone cliffs and extensive water parks, often dubbed the “Water Park Capital of the World.”
The family opted for a spacious VRBO rental in a quiet neighborhood close to town rather than a busy resort. This choice proved ideal, especially for the children, who enjoyed dedicated play areas complete with foosball tables, swings, and climbing structures. The rental stood out as the most kid-friendly accommodation the family had ever experienced.
While the area offers many family-oriented activities, much of downtown had a strong “tourist trap” feel. The streets were lined with arcades, novelty mini-golf courses, and various interactive experiences, each with admission prices that added up quickly for a large group. The abundance of souvenir shops and snack vendors made strolling through town somewhat overwhelming for the children and adults alike, prompting the family to limit time spent in the busy commercial areas.
Dining experiences featured heavily themed restaurants with elaborate decor. Breakfast at Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty was hearty and rustic, while evening meals at establishments like Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. and Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille offered fun atmospheres with menus focused on familiar fare like pizza and burgers. Although the kids loved the playful settings, the adult palate found the menu options somewhat repetitive.
The family largely skipped the water parks, partly due to concerns about supervising young children and the mixed ages of the group. Instead, they embraced the region’s natural attractions.
A horse-drawn carriage tour through deep-cut sandstone canyons provided a memorable glimpse of the local landscape. A duck boat tour aboard a vintage amphibious vehicle showcased the area’s waterways and forested surroundings, earning high marks from both adults and children despite the steep ticket prices.
Overall, the trip catered well to the diverse ages and interests within the group, though the traveler noted a preference for natural and outdoor experiences over the heavily commercialized tourist offerings. While appreciative of the chance to explore Wisconsin Dells, the family member expressed little desire to return, finding the more tourist-driven parts of town less enjoyable for future visits.
Wisconsin Dells remains a destination with something for everyone, but this family’s experience suggests that those who aren’t drawn to the water parks might find the area’s charm more in its outdoor beauty than its bustling downtown attractions.