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Wisconsin: Wisconsin Dells, Family Vacation Ideas – River Ducks, Fishing Spots and a Circus.
Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show, Wisconsin Dells, Family Travel IdeasAnchored on bluffs more than 100 feet above the Wisconsin River, the Dells offers visitors natural beauty and a funky family vacation atmosphere. The vacation menu includes the various amphibious adventures, mega water slides, Indian heritage, shopping, science challenges, water-skiing shows and circus antics.
 
For more than six decades the Dells has been entertaining families on vacation adding new options with each decade and sustaining popular family vacation traditions like the Dells Ducks and Tommy Bartlett’s amazing water shows. While the city is known for its abundance of waterparks, each with its own water thrills and WOWs, our list includes some of the best not-so-wet options to share with your kids.
 
Go where the skiing looks easy.
For many Midwesterners, Tommy Bartlett is “Mr. Wisconsin Dells” so it’s not surprising that his shows attract some of the most spectacular ski talent in the nation, ready to make what they do on water and in the air look easy. For more than five decades Tommy Bartlett Water-Ski Show has been providing vacationers an amazing choreographed show on Lake Delton. Each 90-minute show entertains with two acts, which change theme every season. The first act is the world famous Tommy Bartlett water ski show. The second act varies by season, but includes other world famous comedy, acrobatic and dare-devil talents. (Toll-free 1-800-223-3557, (608) 254-2525 or www.tommybartlett.com)

Boggle your mind. Enter Bartlett's Robot World & Exploratory and get lost in the wonders of science, technology, space travel and educational fun. The Exploratory challenges visitors with everything from mind-boggling puzzles using simple blocks to computerized toys featuring virtual reality and simulation technologies. Ride the  High Wire SkyCycle on the a super thin bike trail; play extreme sports at The Virtual Sports Center;  see how the Van de Graaff Generator works to create a “Bridge of Fire.” Bonus points: Docked onsite is one of the three MIR Space Stations - step inside the world of Russian cosmonauts. (Tommy Bartlett's Robot World & Exploratory 701 Superior Street Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965. Toll-free 1-800-223-3557, (608) 254-2525 or www.tommybartlett.com)
 
Whoosh with the entire family. Riding “The Ducks” often evokes the phrase, “When I was a kid…” from nostalgic adults.  640DellsDucksThat is because for more than six decades families have been riding the Original Wisconsin Ducks curious looking amphibious vehicles that splash in and out of the Wisconsin River meandering on land as if on a secret mission.  The unique land and water tours are conducted aboard military landing vehicles that offer a slightly exciting view of local terrain with plenty of chances for scenic pictures. Duck drivers mix bits of Wisconsin geology, a dash of world history and, of course, plenty of old-fashioned Midwest humor. Bonus points: The one-hour tour has two splashdowns – one into the Wisconsin River, and the other into beautiful Lake Delton. (Original Wisconsin Ducks 1890 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-8483. (608) 254-8751 or www.wisconsinducktours.com)
 
Try to believe. There’s a Ripley's Believe It or Not in the Dells. The facility spans eight themed galleries arranged on two floors. Like its sister operations you’ll find the quirky, strange and hard to explain – the perfect activity for a rainy day of an early evening of fun. See puzzling illusions, effects 'King Tut and His Curse' and maybe even a shrunken head. Here’s the deal. Purchase a Dells Discovery Pass and get admission to WizardQuest, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and, FREE admission to DELLS 4-D special FX Theater.  Ripley's (Believe It or Not 115 Broadway Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-1549. (608) 253-7556 www.ripleysbelieveitornotdells.com

Share a family quest.
Quick, easy, and fun Wizard Quest requires the imagination and talents of everyone in the family to solve mysteries and riddles in the fantasy themed Quadrasphere. The computer interactive game played in a live participatory setting presents questers with secret passages, hidden entrances, a confusing forest, and bizarre creatures within a themed labyrinth. The portal opens every five minutes and participants are given 90 minutes to complete the quest to locate and release the imprisoned wizards something the opposition appropriately named Havoc attempts to prevent. (Wizard Quest 105 Broadway Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-1549. (608) 254-2184 or www.wizardquest.net)

Try high speed low drag.
With surrounding natural scenery as a backdrop Jet Boat Adventures has just the thing for anyone looking for high-speed adventure with soaking wet spinouts, and an adrenaline rush. The sleek watercraft transport passengers on 50-minute river tours combining thrilling maneuvers that cause heart pounding fun and laughter. The high energy 58-passenger jet boat excursions take in both Upper and Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River. Skimming the water speeds at speeds of up to 40 MPH expert pilots mix safe and exciting boat maneuvers with entertaining narrative. Bonus points: Participant in the Wisconsin Dells Coupon Book.  (Jet Boat Adventures 1890 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy.Wisconsin Dells, WI 5396. (608) 254-8555 www.jetboatadv.com)

Cast a line or saddle up. For more than five decades families have been fishing at Beaver Springs because it is impossible not to catch a fish. Today it is Wisconsin’s largest fishing park but still family friendly. Onsite you’ll find nine ponds stocked with more than 20 species of fish. Catch n' Release or Keep Programs are options for those wishing to put a pole in the water for those just along to watch admission is free. No state fishing license required. Fish less than 8" are free and the cost of larger sizes is determined by the inch. Check the website for family rates and weekly specials. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the charcoal grills at the nearby picnic area and meet the friendly llamas. Bonus points: Beaver Springs Fishing Park also offers guided trail rides, and a huge public aquarium. They offer "First Time Rider Certificates" for anyone who wishes to have proof of actually ridding horse in Wisconsin Dells. There’s also a riding arena for young children. Here’s the deal. They participate in the Wisconsin Dells Coupon Book discounts available online. (Beaver Springs Fishing Park 600 Trout Rd Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. (608)254-2735 or www.BeaverSpringsFun.com)640BarabooCircus
 
There’s a circus nearby.
Just 10 miles from the Dells, Circus World is a place where everyone can be a kid again. Each year from the end of May to the end of September it is easy to share a close encounter of the circus kind.  From the Big Top performances, Tiger Adventure Show, and the "Ring of Illusions" Magic Show to the  interactive Kids' Circus, elephant rides, circus pony encounters, and the Circus World Museum, it is supper easy to have fun. Twice daily young children are encouraged to join the circus for 30 minutes and create their own performances. Bonus points: During the season daily guided tours of the National Historic Landmark Site of Ringlingville are available. The buildings date from 1897 through 1918 and are the largest surviving group of original circus structures in North America. (Circus World 550 Water St. Baraboo, WI 53913. (608)356-8341, toll-free 1-866-693-1500 or http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org)

Make it happen. The Dells is known as "The Waterpark Capital of the World!®" and is definitely a vacation destination of choice for families who want to share in the fun. The Wisconsin Dells official tourism website offers oodles of discount coupons to ease family vacation costs. More information call 1-800-22-DELLS or visit www.wisdells.com

Content researched and created by FTF, updated by Scott Kamps-Duac. Images provided by Scott Kamps-Duac, Circus World, and Original Duck Tours. Copyright 2011.


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