Our Two Cents Will Save You a Bundle at the Wisconsin Dells
Shay01
We are value-seekers who can't stand to waste our travel budget!
Jun 9, 2006
based on 34 votes
We love to travel and love to have fun but we hate to waste money on tourist traps that do not deliver all that they promise. We live in Wisconsin and have visited the Dells a few times now. We always have a great time, but we've visited some attractions and restaurants we would not waste our money on again. We would like to spare fellow travellers the same fate. This information will help you to plan a Dells trip that will be worth every precious cent!
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Explore locations featured in this goList:
Wisconsin Dells
- Category: Best of
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Traveler type: Sightseeing, Never been before, Repeat visitors
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Families with small children, Families with teenagers
- Seasons: Summer
- Tags: Wisconsin, Dells, Theme Parks
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| This motel was okay, but I was underwhelmed. The price is right, and they have some nice amenities like both indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and bonfires on the weekend. The hiking trail is a bit of a joke though, maybe okay for a morning stroll, but that's about it. We were disappointed with the aesthetics of the whirlpool room - the cheap paneling on the walls was a bit of a bummer. This motel would probably be a good choice if you are traveling with kids and/or you don't plan on spending much time in your room, but for similar rates and amenities check out the Blackhawk motel which is right across the street (see below). Rooms come with a free admission to Mt. Olympus - pretty standard for Dells accommodations. You also get a Dells Fun (discount) Card with your room. See what I have to say about the Fun Card below. |
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2. Riverview Park and Waterworld
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| Woah! Avoid Riverview and save your money! We were attracted to this park because of the cheap admission price - but we got what we paid for. This attraction is made up of a few run-of-the-mill carnival rides, a ho-hum midway, and questionable waterpark (we didn't actually go into the waterpark, but others said the water seemed to contain more than its share of chemicals). Riverview features a more affordable Night Pass and I could see the value of dropping off the kids while the adults go out for a nice meal. Otherwise, bite the bullet and take the whole family to Mt. Olympus instead - you won't be sorry. |
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3. Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
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| The admission price for Mt. Olympus is pretty steep - but worth it. You might want to choose accomodations that offer free passes to Mt. Olympus to keep costs down. Mt. Olympus features too many go-cart tracks instead of more interesting rides, but for roller coasters you can't do better in the Dells. Our favorite was Hades, which is very fast and goes through two underground tunnels. The park also features indoor and outdoor waterparks which are both very nice. The outdoor waterpark is comparible to Noah's Ark, although smaller. If possible, avoid long lines by going on a weekday or on a day that is threatening rain, then if it does rain you can always retreat to the indoor waterpark. |
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| Personally, I am not a huge fan of outdoor waterparks. Unless it is over 100 degrees in the shade, standing in line in your wet suit gets to be a chilly experience. Then once I feel cold, the last thing I want to do is get into freezing water again. Still, I realize they are a huge hit with kids, but here is my advice: Go to Mt. Olympus instead. The features are comparable, and once you get your water fix, you can head over to the theme park to ride some coasters. Or you can start out with the coasters and then cool off in the water. The point is, Noah's Ark can be too much of a good thing, and the cost of admission is not justified. A water slide is a water slide is a water slide and having a lot of variety does not matter that much. Besides, in my opinion the best feature at Noah's Ark is the wave pool, but they have one at Mt. Olympus. Plus, Mt. Olympus has an indoor waterpark option in case the weather is not all that cooperative. |
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| Yee Gads this place costs a fortune!!! Still, we had an amazing experience on the skycoaster and next time we visit the Dells we'll happily shell out the dough and brave another extreme ride. This attraction is not for the faint of heart - even the go-carts are SUPER FAST (definately not for younger kids). We purchased a souvenier DVD of our 'flight' but next time we won't waste our money. Nothing can capture the actual feeling of the ride, and watching it on the DVD doesn't do the experience justice. Save your money and have someone snap a photo or make your own video instead. Also, avoid the Castle of Terror. It is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill dark maze and it was very obvious to us that it was 'haunted' by one guy in a mask who just moved through to jump out at certain points (*** BIG YAWN***). Go for one of the extreme rides & the go-carts, but think twice about the rest. |
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6. The Torture Museum of Historic Torture Devices
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| This museum is an amazing experience, but I would caution against taking children under 17. If you are intrigued about the endless ways humans have found to inflict pain and suffering on each other, then you will find this museum fascinating. Still, the exhibits and information are haunting and saddening, and you may come away feeling somewhat depressed and bewildered by it all, as we did. It is open quite late and so would make for a very interesting late-night stop, but there is nothing light-hearted about what you will see here. We expected something like a fun-house, but it was nothing of the kind. Come preparred to do a lot of reading. It is worth the price of admission for the educational value alone. |
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7. Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum
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| We were bored stiff by this museum. Most of the exhibits were already well-known to us thanks to Ripley's television series. There are hundreds of tiny cards to read and the actual displays range from boring to corny. There is one especially disturbing model of a shark attack victim which is going for shock-value, but all it did was make our 8 year-old upset. The best part of our visit was the photo/sketch booth in the gift shop, but you can get there through the exit area without paying the price of admission. Save your money and visit the Torture Museum instead if you want to take a walk on the macabre side. |
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| We were skeptical as we waited more than 45 minutes in line to enter Wizard Quest, and balked at the somewhat high admission price, but our 8 year-old was determined so we toughed it out. We were glad we did! Wizard Quest proved to be a fun way to spend an hour-and-a-half, working together to beat the interactive game. This game is a blast for anyone who is into fantasy & adventure or role-playing games, or for those who are fascinated by Middle Earth lore. It is challenging enough to interest adults while still being fun for younger ones too. Probably the best thing about Wizard Quest is you experience it together - which can make for some great memories! |
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9. Original Wisconsin Ducks
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| When you visit the Wisconsin Dells, you pretty much HAVE to take a tour on a duck, but I am here to tell you it is NOT CHEAP!! You will definately want to take advantage of the Fun Card (2 for 1 discount), or look around for a coupon before you go. Still, the ride is worth it and you simply have to experience the natural beauty of the Dells this way. It is a great thing to do on a very hot day as the ducks wind through the cool woods before splashing into the river - which is a real thrill. |
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10. Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
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| If you go to the Exploratory, be sure to plan the be there for most of the day, especially if you are bringing kids. With 150 hands-on exhibits, a family can be easily entertained for hours and while it is a lot of fun, it is also very educational. The Exploratory is open year-round, so go during the off-season if you can. We went there in April one year and had the whole place to ourselves. When it is crowded the experience is compromised quite a lot because you have to wait your turn to try out the exhibits. In the summer it tends to be less crowded in the evenings (it is open until 9pm). Definately avoid it on a rainy day because EVERYONE else will have the same idea. |
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11. Paul Bunyan Restaurant
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| This place is a must if you are in the mood for a BIG!! meal. We tried their breakfast: The service is fast, the food is excellent and the price is reasonable for what you get. The meal is served "family style" which means the wait staff brings family-sized portions of food to your table, as much as you can pack away. We chose Paul Bunyans because others told us it beats Black Barts Stagecoach Buffet hands down, and we weren't disappointed. |
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12. R Place Italian Restaurant
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| Boo! Over-priced, over-hyped and underwhelming. The food was good and service was okay, but not nearly worth the prices. We met the owner and found her to be arrogant and rude. The decor was not so much 'cozy' as trite, cheap and out-dated. I think we spent over $80 for dinner and drinks for two and it felt like a waste. |
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13. Cheese Factory Restaurant
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| Oh my gosh does this place have delicious food!! First off, visitors must be aware that the Cheese Factory serves a totally vegetarian menu - so don't be shocked when you can't order a burger. Still, the menu does not disappoint, and the prices are quite reasonable. The decor and the garden are charming, and the staff was very welcoming and allowed us to explore the rooms upstairs. I ordered the most amazing eggplant parmesean sandwich ever, and my mouth waters just thinking about it! It is sure to be our first meal stop every time we visit the Dells. |
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14. Essen Haus - Wisconsin Dells
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| When visiting the Dells be sure to include dinner at the Essen Haus! Check their website beforehand and plan your trip according to their drink specials and/or entertainment schedule. We have a very enjoyable evening of wonderful beer, delicious food and top-notch entertainment, and it was reasonably priced for what we got. The restaurant is right on the main drag, so you can go for a stroll afterwards, and maybe even catch some of the free entertainment downtown - view the Riverwalk Free Entertainment schedule at www.wisdells.com. |
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15. Howie's Restaurant of the Wisconsin Dells
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| Howie's advertises a HUGE breakfast for $1.99 so we decided to give it a try. First, the breakfast wasn't really that HUGE and it wasn't all that great either. Still, the service was friendly, the restaurant was clean and it can be a good place to take a large family on a small budget. |
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| If you have a large, hungry family, and need to fill them up without breaking the bank, the Pizza Pub is the place! The food is very good and very affordable. Check their website for coupons & special offers, or use the Fun Card for a 2 for 1 lunch buffet. Their soup and salad bar is huge, and is only $7.49 for all you can eat. The atmosphere is rowdy and family-friendly, so don't go expecting a quiet meal. This is the type of place families will visit several times during their Dells visit because of its value and variety. |
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| For fine dining and excellent steaks, you can't do better than the Del-Bar, in the Dells, or anywhere. We were on our Honeymoon, so we were looking for a memorable, exquisite dining experience and we weren't disappointed. Still, it was very pricey and I think we spent about $140 for a full meal for two with drinks, appetizers, dessert and coffee. A word to the wise: I ordered the Surf & Turf, but felt that the lobster was a bit tough for my taste. The waiter informed me that it was Australian lobster and that it tends to be tougher than Maine. Next time I would probably skip the Surf and be satisfied with one of their truly amazing aged steaks instead. Of all the expensive dining establishments in the Dells, the Del-Bar has the best reputation, and we found it to be well-deserved. |
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18. Family Chef Restaurant
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| If this restaurant had not been next door to our motel, I doubt we would have given it a try, but we were glad we did. Family Chef serves the basic family restaurant fare, but the quality of our meal was much higher than we expected. The decor and the wait staff were quite pleasant and the prices were very reasonable. If you are looking for a good, basic dining experience in the Dells then give the Family Chef a try - you won't regret it! |
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19. Wally's House of Embers
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| We did not eat a meal at Wally's, but we did spend some time in their lounge. My husband was very excited to see that they serve Johnny Walker Blue Label, which is apparently a rare find. We enjoyed our evening listening to Billy Anderson on his vintage Hammond organ with the Leslie rotary speaker (quite the treat!). Next time we are looking for a fine dining experience at the Dells we are going try out Wally's cozy and romantic Omar Shariff room. |
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20. Wisconsin Dells Fun Cards
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| We received a free Fun Card with our stay at the Indian Trail Motel, but it would have been easily worth the $10 purchase price. It is a lot easier to use one card rather than search around for a bunch of coupons. Most of the best attractions offer a 2 for 1 admission with the Fun Card but I was less impressed with the dining discounts. You can only use each discount once because they will stamp or otherwise mark your card when it is presented. I recommend ordering the card through their website before your trip and have it on hand as you arrive. Skip ordering the Drink Card though, as some establishments have restrictions on which drinks are 2 for 1, and the bartenders we gave it to were not familiar with the card and made us feel silly to use it. |
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| On our most recent trip to the Dells I tried this motel based on other Trip Advisor reviews and I was not disappointed! This place is perfect... low rates, especially for what you get: both indoor and outdoor pools, 2 whirlpools (including one extra-hot one just for adults), and just a 10 minute walk to the downtown 'strip'. This place is unbelievably CLEAN and so-well maintained. Many of the fixtures are obviously older (bathroom tiles, wall heaters) but they have been kept up so nicely, it is like staying in a living museum with a very retro feel. There have been updates where it matters: the beds are quite comfortable, there is newer carpeting, and each room has a fridge & microwave. Next time we go we are definitely going to stay in one of the whirlpool suites, which have their own private balcony overlooking the pool (with also very reasonable rates). The only downside I could see is there are no coffee makers the the rooms, but there is always free coffee available in the main office. Still, this was a minor issue, and overall I was absolutely THRILLED with this motel. If you book a stay here, be sure to ask for one of the rooms across from the pool. Our friends stayed in another 'wing' of the motel and their rooms was not quite as big or nice. Also, don't forget to ask for your free Fun Card when you check-in, they won't present it otherwise. With the great rates, location and the excellent quality of the rooms, I don't see a reason to stay anywhere else in the Dells (unless of course you are looking for one a waterpark resort... in that case stay at The Great Wolf Lodge). |
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| When we really want to splurge on a special getaway, we come here. It is pricey, but we love the indoor waterpark (haven't been there in the right season to try the outdoor one, but I prefer indoor waterparks to outdoor ones anyway because I don't get as chilly!). The waterpark is huge, and I like the way it is separated into 3 great rooms, the slides are great and do not disappoint even the most seasoned waterslide veteran, and there is enough to do to keep kids of any age happy and busy for a few days at least. If they do eventually tire of the waterpark action, there is still plenty of other stuff for them to do. There is a great indoor playground called Wiley's Woods (free with your stay) where they can shoot Nerf balls at each other to their heart's content, or the hotel has a craft area where staff will help them make cool crafts - usually with a seasonal theme. They also seem to have a lot of planned activities like scavenger hunts, etc. - there has always been way more available to us than we could take advantage of - but that could be a very good thing if you're staying a week or more. One thing I really like is that the rooms are quite nice and comfortable, they also seem to be on the extra-wide side and feel less crowded than other places we've stayed. The breakfast buffet in the attached restaurant is also very good. |
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| The kids couldn't wait... TO LEAVE! Our trip to the Wilderness Resort will go down as one of those unfortunate "live-and-learn" experiences where we wasted way too much money and had way too little fun. I am hoping I can save a few people the same fate by writing this. The Wilderness might be okay for a summer vacation when guests can use both the indoor and outdoor facilities, but the 3 small indoor waterparks are woefully inadequate to accommodate a resort full of guests in the winter. There were people everywhere: The lazy river felt more like a log-jam, the hot tubs looked like people-soup, there were 45 minute lines for the slides, it was standing-room only in the wave pool and you could walk around for an hour looking for a chair to park your towel. To make matters even worse, the 3 indoor waterparks are located at least a 1/4 mile away from each other, which meant long walks down crowded hallways in a wet suit (skin chaffing anyone?) just for the privilege of spending another hour looking for a chair to park your stuff. We did a lot of walking and standing, but not much swimming and sliding. To quote one of our 11-year-old guests: "It pretty much sucked". The Wilderness should seriously consider adjusting the number of rooms it rents to how many people the facilities can actually accommodate, but it would seem that once again greed trumps customer service. Don't make the same mistake we did - visit the Great Wolf instead. UPDATE: I wrote a letter to the Board of Directors to express my disappointment. I was later contacted by a rep (Chris) who said that since the resort is "in the business to make money" (exact quote) they had no intentions of limiting winter reservations and he couldn't do anything for us except offer us advice on the less busy times of the year to book a room. Uh... no thanks, Chris. Make money off some other chump cuz' we ain't coming back. |
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Compliment Shay01
