The Water Park Capital of the World

Wisconsin Dells bills itself as “The Water Park Capital of the World.”  Their web site, www.wisdells.com proudly proclaims ”Travel the world and the seven seas and you still won't find a place that can hold a candle to Wisconsin Dells water parks. Yes, we're that confident about our water parks in Wisconsin Dells. Maybe it's because the indoor water park was pioneered here in Wisconsin Dells.  Or because we have the largest concentration of outdoor and indoor water parks of any place on the planet.  Or because we lead the way with new rides and slides every year. If it’s water park fun you're after, then you're sure to find it at the water parks in the Dells.”

Water parks abound in Wisconsin Dells.  Although this one looks fairly
large, it is not nearly as big as some of the newer indoor parks.

The stunning natural beauty of the Dells can sometimes be overlooked or forgotten in favor of all of the activities – including water parks – in this upper-Midwest playground.  The lovely, tranquil setting of the Upper and Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River can be viewed from the serene topside of a double-deck excursion boat, or a seat in a unique WW-II style “Duck” – that all-purpose vehicle that can travel on both land and water - or in the jet boats plying the waters of the Lower Dells, below the dam, that are designed to thrill you with scenery, speed, and a thorough soaking as the operator performs 360 degree spins and “stop-and-reverse” maneuvers designed to send a wall of water cascading over the riders.

Excursion boats on the Upper Dells, docked, waiting
for their first passengers of the day

The Upper Dells on a beautiful summer morning

Enjoying the scenery from the top deck

Al and Sue walking along the wooden walkway through
Witch's Gulch, one of the stops on the Upper Dells tour

One of the world-famous Wisconsin Dells "Ducks"

When you get off of the Lower Dells jet-boat tour,
you will be wet...count on it!  Our group is soaked.

The town of Wisconsin Dells offers ample opportunities to shop for everything from t-shirts (naturally!) to geodes and fossils of fish skeletons preserved in stone.  Cuban (really?) cigars; restaurants that cater to every taste; bars and lounges; souvenir shops selling Minnetonka moccasins, rubber tomahawks and spears, hats of every variety, (sadly, feathered Native American headdresses seem to be conspicuously absent these days) and sunscreen by the truckload line the streets of this popular tourist attraction.  Funnel cakes and saltwater taffy contribute to the “we’re on vacation” atmosphere.

Winnebago Gift Shop, a long-time Dells establishment

Heading for lunch at Monk's Bar and Grill on the Dells
"strip".  Of course, Mike points out the way!

The Glockenspeil chimes on the hour, then presents the
story of the Pied Piper leading the children out of Hamelin

 

Close-up of the Glockenspeil. It is actually much like a cuckoo clock.
It has a series of small metal pieces struck with hammers to produce music
 

One of the perennial attractions of the Dells is the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show (now called the Tommy Bartlett Sky, Ski and Stage Show.)  For 62 years at the Dells, this staple has astounded vacationers, and this year’s edition, with a “variety” stage show following the ski performances, did not disappoint.  Sure, it is a little old-fashioned and a bit corny to see a “bevy of beauties” skiing in a pyramid formation, perched on one another’s shoulders, but that’s part of the charm of the Dells.

We all stopped to pose with the beaver at the entrance
to the water ski show, but still don't know who he is!

This guy was "flying" on a jet of water supplied by a hose connected to the
water outlet of a jet-ski. He could make his board do a variety of tricks

The "bevy of beauties" fly past. It was dark, and they were
performing in a rather small cove, but attained breakneck speeds

The Dells offers other entertainment opportunities geared to the young and the young-at-heart, including go-cart tracks, miniature golf courses, roller coasters, water parks, and quirky attractions like the Upside Down Whitehouse.  Within driving distance are other interesting places to visit to round out your Wisconsin adventure, including Circus World Museum in Baraboo (about 10 miles) (see our earlier blog, The Circus is Coming to Town, published Aug. 19, 2014) and House on the Rock in Spring Green (about 35-40 miles).  We visited both, and were thoroughly captivated by both sites.

 

There are several amusement parks with roller coasters at the Dells.
This one just happens to go through the stomach of the Trojan Horse.

The Upside Down White House. The furniture is fastened
to the ceilings, hanging upside down, as well.
 (Of course,this SCREAMS to be a current editorial cartoon.)

 

Our band of travelers camped at Country Roads Motorhome and RV Park, 1633 State Highway 23, Lake Delton, WI 53965  (608 / 253-2132) a beautiful park just a short five-minute drive from downtown Wisconsin Dells and the majority of the Dells-area attractions.  There are other RV parks in the area, but I think all of us who were there would recommend this park, and would stay there again if we were to make a return visit.

Our campsites at Country Roads RV Park

Readying a potluck dinner at Ralph and Adrienne's trailer

OK, bring on the food...

Al and Al, digging in.  Of course, the rest of us were right there, too!

To cap off each evening, whether it was after our first-night dinner at Famous Dave’s bar-be-queue restaurant or following the two scrumptious pot-luck dinners we enjoyed at the campground, we had a roaring fire, s’mores, a glass of wine, and the company of good friends.

Dinner over, table cleared, getting ready for a relaxing fire

As darkness falls and the moon rises, we settle in for drinks and talk

There is nothing like a great campfire, and
Ralph makes some great ones...

 

Wisconsin Dells.  The Water Park Capital of the World.  And just a retro, cool, fun place to visit for a few days.  That is what makes RV’ing so special and produces some of the best Road Stories.