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I have so much more to share about our amazing weekend getaway with partner, Travel Wisconsin, to Wisconsin Dells, that I had to write another post all about it! Here is the first one in case you missed it. Today I am sharing some extraordinary family experiences you must do when you visit the Dells.
Starting with Devil’s Lake!
I’ve shared this before, but this should definitely not be called Devil’s Lake. Paradise Lake is a much better name. Until you actually see the lake, you have no idea as you are driving up that this much beauty awaits you. We could have spent all day here because there are water activities, hiking and rock climbing trails, and plenty of places to just relax and enjoy the lake.
Wisconsin’s largest state park offers magnificent views from 500-foot Quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Enjoy lakeshore picnic areas, sandy swimming beaches, bird watching, or ease into the back country solitude. A beautiful year round park with an intriguing natural history along the 1000-mile Ice Age Trail. Nature programs are seasonal. Summer only features: hot showers, flush toilets, sanitary dump station, canoes available. Call park for pet rules. No gas motors on lake. 5 reservable shelters, call park for more info. No lifeguard on beach. Climbing/scuba at own risk. The Wisconsin River once flowed where Devils Lake now lies. In its last gasp, the continental glacier blocked both ends of the river’s quartzite gorge with moraine. The clean, blue lake and rocky bluffs it left make Devils Lake one of the most scenic spots in the state, and a great place to mountain bike.
A fall time favorite to see the changing leaves is the Mid-Continent Railway Museum for the Amid Brilliant Hues Of Fall Train Ride. We boarded the train and sat back for the ride into the forest of trees and along the ponds and streams that ran beside it. They even have a lovely meal service car you can make reservations to eat in as you ride the train.
World-Class railroad museum with extensive collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Enjoy a seven-mile, 50-minute round-trip train ride through the beauty of the scenic Baraboo Hills. Museum displays of historic steam railroad locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars. Visit the historic depot constructed in 1894 and gift shop.
I absolutely must talk about all the delicious food in Wisconsin and especially the Dells.
You already know that they are famous for cheese… and until you have tried it, you can’t believe how wonderful it really is. The one word I would use to describe it was what Ash told me, fresh! You can taste the difference. Surprisingly, they also have restaurants that cater to vegans and there were gluten-free options everywhere we visited. I would highly recommend the different themed restaurants in Wisconsin Dells. They make mealtime even more fun. We ate at Cheeze Factory Restaurant (vegan), Dells Pizza Lab for delicious build your own pizza, and other places along the way. Here is a sampling of the delicious food we enjoyed.
No visit to The Dells is complete without an Upper Dells Boat Tour.
When we boarded the boat we really thought this was going to be a leisurely boat ride where we just relaxed as we went up and down the shores. It was all of that, and so much more! There are two stops on the tour (both with restrooms because we know kids always need to go) and one with refreshments available for purchase most of the time. The first stop was at Witches Gulch, and it was like we were transported to a completely different place. It was cool and damp, and it felt like we were walking through caverns! The second stop is where you can see a dog jump between two ridges at a place called Stance Rock. There is a safety net if you are a worrier like me, so it is completely safe for the dogs. We had so much fun on this tour. Be sure to watch the videos below for all the details!
The last stop for us was to Red Ridge Ranch for a haunted corn maze, haunted hayride, and a not so scary hay maze!
This is specific to fall time and loads of fun! The hayride is best for teens and preteens as Em was scared out of her mind during the ride. Afterward, she boasted about how she survived the monsters! The monsters were all really nice and as soon as they knew there was a little one there, they became very friendly to her before reverting back to their scary ways for the older girls. We don’t have bonfires here in SoCal because of the fire danger since we are in a drought, so that was another huge bonus for us. If we are back in The Dells in the fall again we would definitely do this again!
Here are our videos from our time in Wisconsin:
That sounds like an amazing experience. I would love to take the family there and enjoy nature.
Wisconsin Dells is the best! My family goes there about once a year, and it’s always a great time. It’s perfect for making family memories.
Really Jen? I can’t believe we just went for the first time and you’ve been enjoying it for years! We can’t wait to go back!
It looks like an amazing weekend. All of the pictures are amazing and the food looks yummy.
What a great vacation!! I haven’t been to Wisconsin before, but it looks like a place I should add to my family travel destination!
Thanks!
This looks like so much fun! I have never been on a train before! I would love to do something like this with my family.
Oh my! Really You must do it! Loads of fun!
Wisconsin Dells sounds like a blast! I’ve never been, but I’d love take the kids. I think it would make so many great memories.
It totally is a great place for making memories because there is so much to do for everyone in the family. Even spas for mom!
I used to go to Wisconsin Dells all the time! This brings back memories big time! That place is awesome! There is SO much to do and it is a nice break from driving (when driving from MN to IL LOL).
This looks like an incredible place to visit.
The Wisconin Dells is on my bucket list now. I would love to see Devils Lake in person.
I love the Wisconsin Dells! We only live 3 hours away so as a child, I used to think the entire world came to ‘The Dells’ to vacation – I thought it was the only vacation destination! My favorite thing to do is ride the Duck Boats!
We were there several years ago for spring break, looks like we need to go back and do all the things you mentioned!
Just look at all of the gorgeous greenery Wisconsin has to offer. It sure is a change from the desert landscape that we are used to here in Las Vegas.
I’ve only ever driven through Wisconsin but it does look like a fun state to visit. Of course, I’m mostly just familiar with Milwaukee but seems like there’s so much more to the state.
Your travel photos are always so spectacular! The train ride looks like it was so much fun!
This looks like it was a great trip. My son would have loved the train. I haven’t had a weekend getaway since May. It’s been way too long.
Looks like a great place to visit. My kids would love it. I’ll have to add it to our travel list. Thanks for sharing!
This looks like such a fun way to spend time with your family. I have always wanted to go and explore Wisconsin.
This is an amazingly beautiful place. I would really like to visit with my family. The food in your photos looked amazing as well.
Wisconsin is such a beautiful state. I’ve visited before, but for business. I’d love to go back for pleasure, and get me some more cheese curds!
What a fun family vacation in Wisconsin! I didn’t know that there’s so much that you can do and see with the kids over there! It’s definitely worth visiting!
I love Wisconsin Dells. I’ve been there a few times. It’s always such fun. Looks like your family had an amazing time there!
That sounds like a great experience. I would love to travel there and explore it! The food looks sooooo good too!
The boat tour sounded so cool! I’d have to do that for sure. It’s good to know you can find some great food around there!
What a fun family trip! I love all of these pics – I can only imagine how pretty it is in person! That caprese looks amazing too! Great post!
I love all your family trips! Wisconsin is definitely on our bucket list! Love your photos!
This sounds amazing, looks like such a great time. Going to have to visit with my family one day! We love to travel, so this is great to add to our list!
What a great place to visit. It looks like you all had a fun time and I loved the boat tour tour – well I loved it all LOL
I would just love to take a train ride like that, it would be so relaxing! And that food, oh just looking at it makes me hungry!
Wow! Looks like such a fun and beautiful place to visit and take the family. I would love to go there.
My husband and son went on a weekend camping trip. I loved it.
The train ride would be our son’s favorite part of a trip like this.
This would be so much fun to do! It looks so beautiful and like the perfect place to spend some good family time. we havent gone away for a weekend in what feels like forever!
Wow, what a lovely lake! How I wish we can go there too before the year ends.
wowsers! what epic photos i love them. also your daughters lipstick is gorg. she can totally post beauty tips. such a gorg girl. lol
I haven’t had the chance to go to Wisconsin. This looks like a beautiful place to explore. I bet it is getting chilly up there now.
Oh, how I wish I can go there before the Holidays! Lovely lake!
Wow, your family surely has a blast! What a wonderful time to bond together, the place is so lovely!
I’ve always heard amazing things about the Dells. I had friends who were from there or had homes there and they raved about its beauty. I really do need to visit. It looks like a great place for a respite.
Oh wow Wisconsin Dells sounds really amazing, what an amazing experience
That’s really nice, it’s the perfect place for a family vacation, one wherein you get to catch up and just enjoy each other’s company. I would love to take the kids here!
Wisconsin looks like such a fun place to visit, and a gorgeous one!! I would love to visit there one day!!
This looks like an amazing family getaway! The scenery is just gorgeous and there’s so much to do for everyone to enjoy.
Looks like you had an absolutely fabulous time with your family. What great photos. One reminds me of Polar Express. 😉
The train ride looks so awesome! My family would love that !:)
What a great weekend with your family!
What a wonderful family getaway! Your photos are so stunning I totally felt as if I were there!
I would love to experience this vacation setting. It looks really laid back and country-like!
This was so much fun to read! I adore the Wisconsin Dells, and I learned about so many places that I’ve never been, like Devil’s Lake. I can’t wait to return and check out some new places . . . thanks to you! Cheers.
Wisconsin is one of the few states that I haven’t been to for any reason. I have heard again and again about how beautiful it is, definitely need to get up there!
It makes me feel so excited on having fun and enjoyable trips with family! Thank you for having this post! 🙂
Devil’s Lake looks more like heaven on earth to me! And don’t me started on those delicious food up there, wow. Corn mazes, haunted or not, really creep me out but the adventurer in me wants to experience it.