Wisconsin Dells, or “The Dells” like the locals and frequent visitors call it, is one of those places that leaves a lasting memory. For weeks before our first trip to Wisconsin Dells dozens of people who had grown up going to The Dells year after year raved about it. It wasn’t like the way people love a new restaurant, this was a deep rooted love, something that immediately brought them back to being seven and sliding down 15 waterslides in one day.

A friend on Instagram DMed me saying how jealous she was of our upcoming trip – “OMG, you have to go to the Tommy Bartlett show!” “Don’t miss breakfast at Paul Bunyan’s!” “Obviously you’re going to do the Dells Duck Boat Tour.” Another colleague, who lives in Chicago and visited The Dells every year, twice a year, mentioned which waterparks were his favorites and how we had to stay at Wilderness Resort because the hotel had indoor AND outdoor waterparks. I’d later learn that Wisconsin Dells has so many waterslides and waterparks that it’s been named the “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”.

And stories like this kept coming at us. As we continued hearing so many positive things about The Dells, I wondered not only what could make this place so special but how could I give those memories- share those experiences – with my 3-year-old toddler in a way that she would look back and have the same heart eyes when someone asked about her family vacations growing up.

Eighteen summers is all we as parents have of kids before they become their own people, and I’d even say that the trips that really cement those lasting memories are only until 12 or 14. Seeing as how Augustine is now 3 and fully remembering things, I need to get my act together about creating these lasting family vacations. No better way than to start at The Dells.

Our trip started off like I imagine many other families trips begin- road tripping an hour through Madison to The Dells. We decided to skip the interstate and instead go the back road highways, making a pit stop at Devil’s Lake State Park. In my mind, we would also have time to stop by Mirror Lake, about 10 minutes outside of Wisconsin Dells, but our adventurous hearts had other ideas.

We ended up doing the Balanced Rock hike at Devil’s Lake State Park and ended up spending a couple hours on the hike and just enjoying the park. This was Augustine’s first time really hiking the whole way without having to be held – or even waiting to be held for some of it. I was seriously impressed. She was, too, and she kept telling us how proud she was of herself, which for a three year old is too adorable. 

Afterward, with Augustine fast asleep in the back of the car, we drove the final leg to Wilderness Resort, where we checked in and unloaded our stuff into the hotel room for the long weekend. Bob had all the waterparks completely planned out. We could go to dinner and still have time to hit up two of them before a late bedtime. Augustine was game- changing into her bathing suit before dinner.

We fell asleep fast, recounting how many slides we all went down as our heads hit the pillows.

Breakfast was at another local favorite, Mr. Pancake, which had some of the fluffiest pancakes we’ve ever tasted. Highly suggest getting there before 9:30, as this crowd is early risers and the line will quickly be out the door if you sleep in.

Right as the gates opened, we flooded into Noah’s Ark Waterpark, the United States largest waterpark at 70 acres and 51 waterslides. After renting a cabana (perfect for our large group, with a waiter and locked safe for all our valuables), we lathered up the sunscreen and got in line for our first slide. Since Augustine is so tall, she could ride almost all of the slides and ride she did. She is so brave for being only three and a half. You could tell she was nervous a few times, but she wanted to do them and had such a blast on each one. As we walked off the first one she shouted “let’s do that again!”.

After a Dole Whip to end the waterpark day, we left Noah’s Ark and headed out on a wild animal safari by train at Timbavati Wildlife Park. With giraffe and camel feedings, plus pig races, Augustine and Bob were very happy campers. 

With a 4:30 performance of the Tommy Bartlett Show’s famous waterski spectacular on our afternoon itinerary, we hit the highlights of the Timbavati Wildlife Park before making our way over to see the 67th season of Tommy Bartlett’s stunt show.

We made a quick stop by The Grateful Shed Truckyard for a yummy snack and a beer and could have stayed all night. This place is too cool with three food trucks inside, tons of draft beer options, a live band, and tons of game for kids and adults to chill out to. But we couldn’t stay all night because based on the recommendations of half a dozen people, we had to make our way over to the Dells Boat Tours®  – Sunset Dinner Cruise.

While most of the people on the cruise were adults on romantic dates, there were a few other families, and the cruise was so fun as a family. With a stop at Witches Gultch and live music, our little one rocked out and loved the Disney-witch talk, I’m fully convinced she thought she was going to see Sleeping Beauty’s witch back there! The Dells Boat Tour offers a daytime version too, but seeing the sunset over the river was a sight to see. We knew we wanted to do a few other “only in daylight hours” activities, so we made time for this sunset cruise. 

Don’t worry though, even though we got back to the hotel a bit after 9, we still made it over to the wave pool for 45 minutes of waterpark action before again falling fast asleep as we recounted that day’s activities.

Our final day started with a trip to Paul Bunyan’s Northwoods Cook Shanty, an all-you-can-eat breakfast, served family style in a log cabin. It’s every bit as kitsch as it sounds, which means it’s 100 percent awesome.  We left very full and almost regretting that second round of hot donuts, but nah, they were totally worth it.

All three of us checked out the final waterpark in Wilderness Resort and this is when Augustine really came into her own. She loved swimming, going down a few bigger slides all by herself (with the trusty lifeguards at the bottom, ready and willing to catch her) and just getting in the flow of waterparks.

When she acts so grown up and independent it’s really difficult to remember that she is only three and a half. She travels so well and is so brave and confident and will try almost anything at least once. I love that adventurous spirit, but there were moments of my trip where I wanted to pause time- this is one of my eighteen summers with her. Will she remember being so excited that she did that green waterslide all by herself? Will she remember the taste of the cotton candy while it rained down on us at the Tommy Bartlett Show? Does she understand how much I love her?

I had someone recently say “Why do you travel with your young daughter?… She isn’t going to remember it.” The thing that this trip taught me is that while Augustine only has 18 summers until she’s an adult, I only have 18 summers as her parent. And even though she might not remember all these little moments, I will and I’ll cherish them for years to come.

The Dells is now part of our family vacation story, the summer Augustine went down a waterslide by herself, the summer she rode a camel, the summer she perfected her game of corn hole.

Planning the perfect trip to Wisconsin Dells:

Where to Stay: Wilderness Resort or Kalahari Resorts

What to do:

• Tommy Bartlett Show
• Noah’s Ark Waterpark
• Original Wisconsin Ducks® 
• Dells Boat Tours® (Upper Dells)
• Timbavati Wildlife Park
• BigFoot Zipline or Ropes Course
• Mirror Lake State Park
• Baraboo Bluff Winery

Our trip to Wisconsin Dells was sponsored by Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau as part of an Instameet with Travel Mindset.

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