Take a scenic boat road to see the Wisconsin Dells and brave the tidal wave at Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park.

These were the top activities we did when we visited the Wisconsin Dells in the summer.

ON THE WAY: Fenelon Place Elevator

Driving up we stopped in Dubuque, Iowa to ride the world’s shortest and steepest railroad.

Fenelon Place Elevator is a funicular that goes up 296 feet taking you to a high hill above Dubuque, Iowa, with views of nearby Illinois and Wisconsin.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily April 1- November 30. Closed in Winter.

Admission: Adults, $2, one way and $4 round trip; Children 5-12, $1 one way and $2 round trip; Children under five are Free. Bicycle and rider $3 one way. They do not accept debit or credit cards, cash only.

Address: 491 W 4th St, Dubuque, IA 52001

HOTEL STAY: Staybridge Suites Wisconsin Dells-Lake Delton

This hotel stay includes breakfast and evening snacks and drinks Monday-Wednesday during the week.

Staybridge Suites Wisconsin-Dells-Lake Delton has a pool, whirlpool, basketball court, and outdoor courtyard with grilles.

I picked it since we were two families and needed a small living room/kitchen space with a separate bedroom. We stayed three nights in the Wisconsin Dells and this extra space helped us enjoy our time here. Also, if we had stayed at a resort, we would have had to pay a resort fee for smaller rooms.

Address: 1345 Great Wolf Dr, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

FIRST DAY: BOAT TOUR

We began the day doing a Dells Boat Tour of the Upper Dells.

This tour is not a Duck Boat Tour or a Dells Jet Boat Adventure but a leisurely boat ride through the amazing rock formations for which The Dells were first known.

This is a 2-hour tour that includes 2 scenic shore landings.

At the Boat Dock

First, I parked in the large lot downtown behind the shops. Then headed to the boat dock. You can use the stairs or take the elevator down. Located by the elevator and then again available at the Witches Gulch stop are restrooms.

We had bought our ticket earlier online to reserve a spot that day.

Start of the Tour

Along the boat ride a guide will announce information on the history of the area and some of the rock formations along the main river.

The first rock sculpture we saw looked like a chimney all alone along the eroded shoreline.

Then the next was like a face with eyes and a long nose.

Next, we came to an island and went to the right along a narrow channel.

This led to the Witches Gulch, which was the first stop on our excursion.

Witches Gulch

Then we got off the boat and headed along the boardwalk that led through a canyon.

Along the walk, you come to the Witches Bathtub.

Water flows fast over the Witches Waterfall.

Then you go into darkness as you pass by the Witches Window.

My son stood for a moment for a photo as the rock walls narrowed.

A plaque along the walk provides some history of the gulch.

The water that flows along the creek is completely clear.

Then at the end, you come to a snack shop and restrooms behind it. There are places to sit so you can take a break before walking back.

My son and I bought some candy bars and then headed back to the boat.

This was a fun experience.

Stand Rock

After going back on the boat, we went to the shoreline across to stop at Stand Rock.

You come off the boat once more to see this rock formation. Made famous by Photographer H.H. Bennett who brought interest in the area in the late 1800s with his photographs of the rugged landscape.

He created and used the stop-action shutter on his camera at Stand Rock in 1886. The instantaneous shutter captured his son in motion jumping back and forth to Stand Rock, this motion had never been captured before.

We walked down below Stand Rock to watch as a German Shepherd demonstrated the jump. A net is below for safety. They no longer have the guides do it for safety reasons.

Then you walk in a different direction than the way you entered the area going through a cave-like area. Then walk below Pedestal Rock high above you.

I stopped for a moment to take in one last view of the waterway before heading back onto the boat.

Heading Back

On the way back I took a few more photos of the intricate cliffs and rocky terrain of the waterway.

Hours: Daily mid-April-early November, weather permitting; 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., early June- Labor Day; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., April-May, Sept.-Nov. (Check website for boat departure times)

Admission: $36.30, Adults; $18.15, Child 4-11; 3 and Under, Free

Address: 107 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 NOTE: Take Wisconsin Highway 23 to downtown Wisconsin Dells then make a left onto River Road, and then parking is on the left behind the buildings. Located to the left of the parking down by the river are the boats. Look for the blue-roofed boats.

LUNCH: Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co.

Here you can have pizza and wings and the kids like the fact you receive free moose antlers.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., Daily

Address: 110 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

WISCONSIN DELLS DOWNTOWN WALK

In the afternoon we checked out restaurants and shops downtown.

Museum of Root Beer

Here we did a root beer flight and checked out the gift shop. We did not do the museum which has an admission charge.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Address: 513 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Dells Mining Co.

Here the kids used water to find rocks, which there is a charge and there are different amounts depending on what rocks you want to find.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily

Address: 427 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum

We did not go in, but we took a photo with the world’s tallest man. Admission charged.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Daily

Address: 115 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

After the walk, we went to a nearby mini-golf course.

Here the course included a cave along with waterfalls. There are five different courses in all.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily

Admission: The cost is based on how many holes you want to do and varies. Ages 4 and under are free. Look for discounts on coupon books in town or online. More information online.

Address: 193 U.S, State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

SECOND DAY: Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park

On our first day, we went the Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park. You can obtain discounted tickets in the spring for $5-$10 per person online. Parking is $30 per vehicle and $30 per person at the gate. During the summer it is $20 per person online.

You can stay the night and then the theme and water park are free but know there are resort fees with this lodging stay. One advantage of staying the night in the resort complex by the park you don’t have to worry about parking.

THEME PARK AREA

From the parking lot you first enter the Theme Park area before you come to the water park.

World Go-Kart Track

Since my son is younger, we did kid’s rides. My son enjoyed the World Go-Kart Track that goes through a tunnel. Know a young child will need to ride with an adult. The space is tight, also.

Kids Swing Ride

With his cousin, he rode the kid’s swing ride. There is a kid section with small fair rides.

We spent most of our time in the water park area, but here is a listing of other rides.

MORE AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES

Hades 360 Roller Coaster

With speeds of 70 miles per hour, a drop height of 140 feet, and a 360-degree loop, this is the world’s first upside-down wooden roller coaster, with the world’s longest underground tunnel.

The Manticore

Standing more than 140 feet tall, the Manticore is a high-impact and high-capacity ride. The ride is made by one 140-foot tall tower with a rotating and lifting center equipped with 12 single-connected arms, and 12 double-seat chairs hooked with 4 chains each.

Trojan Horse Go-Kart Track

This track goes up into a Trojan Horse adding to the fun of racing around a track.

Cyclops Rollercoaster

Cyclops roars 70 feet above the ground and intermingles with the structures of Zeus and Hades. It has a 1,680-foot run, with a 70-foot drop.

Helios Go-Kart Track

This ride includes a multi-level track in which you race against each other.

Zeus Rollercoaster

This rollercoaster ascends one height after another, twisting and turning over 2,700 feet of track. Racing through a vast forest, Zeus climbs 90 feet and then plunges 60 miles per hour down with an 85-foot drop.

Hermes Turbo Go-Kart Track

This is the fastest track in the park.

Titans Tower Go-Kart Track

This is the park’s longest go-cart track.

Apollo’s Swing

A swing ride is high in the air for older kids and adults.

Pegasus Rollercoaster

This roller coaster swoops and dives over 60 feet above the ground. It races over 1,600 feet of track, reaches heights of 60 feet, and goes down to a 45-foot drop.

Kiddie Train

Pint-sized adventure train.

Little Titans Rollercoaster

A steel roller coaster designed specifically for kids.

Orion (Juniors) Go-Kart Track

A go-cart track for younger kids to do on their own.

Tiny Hero Go-Kart Track

This is the perfect track for the first-time racer.

Bi-Plane Ride

Kids can feel the rush of flight on this ride.

WATER PARK AREA

Poseidon’s Rage

This is the largest wave pool in Wisconsin Dells. It has a towering 9-foot wall of water followed by other waves. These are huge waves and you have to stand back from the start of the wave. My son enjoyed this wave pool but know to join your kid here since again it is a huge wave. It knocked me down along with everybody else.

Medusa’s Slidewheel

This attraction combines the movement of a Ferris wheel and the thrill of a waterslide. The intricate tangle of tubes on a horizontal axis allows the entire ride to rotate while you whip through it.

We weren’t able to do it since it had a 60-minute wait. Yet, it does sound cool. It is also an indoor attraction along with some slides and a pool.

Lost City of Atlantis

My son spent a lot of time at this outdoor water fortress. Along with a monster dump bucket, it’s packed with 7 different water slides including the spinning champagne bowl slide, the exciting boomerang slide, and the kid’s water slides

Great Pool of Delphi

This is a large swimming area that has two islands, cabanas, geysers, a kid’s splash pad, and a 50-foot-high waterfall. This is an ideal place to play especially if you have little ones.

The River Troy

This lazy river ride has a current that you float along on inner tubes. The kids enjoyed doing this and we spent a lot of time here.

Tidal Wave

This is another wave pool and has a shallow area for non-swimmers.

Tritons’ Challenge

It is a 6-lane side-by-side downhill racer that goes down 350 feet.

Triton’s Fury

Climb the three-story tower of this multi-person raft ride that has a variety of twists, turns, and drops into a water pool.

Triton’s Rage

Go up this five-story tower for a multi-person raft ride and go down through a variety of twists, and turns, and drop into a water pool.

DETAILS

Admission: Check the website for specials. Prices vary throughout the year.

Hours: Vary throughout the year. Available attractions also vary during the year, especially in winter. Check the website for more information.

Address: 1701 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy A, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 (Use this address, the theme park has a number of resort areas through The Dells.)

DINNER: Buffalo Phil’s Pizza and Grille

My family enjoyed Buffalo Phil’s Pizza and Grille which has a small train that delivers your food.

Different trains are used throughout the place and include areas like a Star Wars Lego land, a railroad village with bubbles, or a circus where you can put a coin to watch it move.

My son enjoyed having a picture with Darth Vader.

They have fruity drinks that include a plastic light-up ice cube you can take home.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday- Thursday; 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday

Address: 150 Gasser Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Note: Attached to Knuckleheads which has an indoor fun center with bowling, rides, go-carts, a 4D theater, a ropes course, and more.

THIRD-DAY: PARFREY’S GLEN STATE NATURAL AREA

This hike at Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area follows a stream that goes through a canyon and includes waterfalls and rapids.

This is a 1.75-mile out-and-back hike with 174 feet of elevation gain.

Start of the Hike

It starts pretty easy before you come to a creek in which you jump rocks to get across.

As you walk make sure to continue to check out the creek.

We found small rapids.

Then another was created by fallen logs.

Along the creek are many large leafy plants.

Then we crossed the creek once more.

Canyon Area

Next, we came into the canyon area. The kids checked out a tree with long roots around the rocky terrain.

The trail ends and now you can continue through the narrowing canyon along the creek.

It ends with a waterfall.

Heading back

Since we are with kids we didn’t go too far before retracing our steps back.

Final Thoughts

The kids enjoyed climbing around the rocks. Just know the rocks can be slippery. Also, this is a natural surface trail and once you are in the canyon it becomes very rocky and there is no real trail to follow.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Daily

Admission: Non-Residents- $20 per vehicle

Address: 1377 County Rd DL, Merrimac, WI 53561

OCHSNER PARK ZOO

Next, we stopped at Ochsner Park Zoo which is free and allowed the kids to see some animals before the drive back home.

First, we saw some prairie dogs.

Then a bear up in the rocks.

We came across some large emus.

Stopped to watch the otters play about.

Then ended our time here feeding the goats.

Admission: Free

Address: 903 Park St, Baraboo, WI 53913

LUNCH: Broadway Diner

This was a great treat for brunch with biscuits gravy and eggs.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Daily

Address: 304 Broadway St, Baraboo, WI 53913

MOUNT HOREB STOP: Finding Trolls

On the way home we stopped in Mount Horeb to look for trolls. The town has troll statues throughout it and the kids enjoyed looking for them.

At Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce, you can get a map to help you find them.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday- Friday; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday; Closed, Sunday

Address: 300 E Main St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572

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