Looking for fun with the family? Look no further than Wisconsin Dells! This destination is always a go-to for many families, and this summer we wanted to experience it…as safely as possible. Here’s what’s you can do in one weekend at the Waterpark Capital of the World.

Disclosure: Our family was hosted by the Wisconsin Dells Convention Bureau. I was not required to express a particular point of view, and all opinions are my own.

Stay and play at a waterpark

Infinity Pool at Wilderness on the Lake

A visit to the Waterpark Capital of the World is not complete without splashing away at a waterpark. And what better place to do so than at Wilderness Resort with more than 8 (yes 8!) waterparks both indoor and outdoor. Not only can you play in the water, but the resort also offers dry activities like go carts, mini golf, a ropes course and so much more. Honestly, we could have stayed here the entire time, but what’s the fun in that? Stay tuned for a complete post on Wilderness Resort. 

Get on the Ducks

It’s been years since we’ve been on the Original Wisconsin Ducks, but what a fun time it was! (Fun fact: The Dells happens to have the largest fleet of the WWII vehicles.)  Traversing both land AND water,  the amphibious vehicle was not only informative, but quite entertaining and tons of fun with roller coaster-type drops and turns through the forests and on the Wisconsin River, and Lake Delton.

Tip: For a better chance of getting splashed, sit in the back.

Food trucks galore

Wanting to stay safe, we wanted to stay outdoors as much as we could which is always a ittle tricky when it comes to dining. At the Grateful Shed Truckyard, we could easily do both! The vibe is ultra cool, fun and vibrant with a vintage Greyhound bus above the bar, an Amoco sign, fun seating areas in antique trucks or VW vans, bright artwork, and even a White Claw claw crane. How about the food? Choose from grilled cheese creations at Melted, tacos from Pasqual’s Cantina, or our personal favorite poke bowls from Tavernakaya.  Save room for dessert and order an ice cream sammie from Hey Moo.

We ordered with our masks, grabbed a pager, and waited at our outside tables until our food was ready. Once the kids were done eating, they could play bags or oversized Jenga outside. We loved this place so much that we dined here twice. 

Go mining

My kids LOVE mining and searching for rocks, so going to Dells Mining Co. was a must. We went to the downtown location, but probably would have enjoyed the location next to the Grateful Shed Truckyard since it was partially outdoors.

Take a stroll downtown

Yes, you will find kitschy souvenir shops but you’ll also find a few hidden gems like Winnebago Gift Shop and a pop culture store with tons of Funko Pops. Here you’ll also find plenty of fudge shops. If we had time we would have liked taking a walk down the Riverwalk.

See animals

With 25 acres of open space and home to over 400 animals, social distancing may have been the easiest  at Timbavati Wildlife Park. We saw rhinos roaming, giraffes being fed, and prairie dogs burrowing. We adored the baby animals in the nursery. Our kids’ absolute favorite animal may have been the Amur tiger (the white one was especially cool!) The monkeys swinging around was an absolute hoot! 

Get your dose of lavender

Located just a few minutes outside of the Dells in Baraboo, New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm boasts over 25+ varieties of lavender, 10,000 lavender plants, as well as 5 acres of wildflower fields. It was the perfect place to stop and smell the flowers and indulge in lavender goodies. DO NOT leave without trying the homemade lavender ice cream. Have you ever had lavender cherry pie? it is as divine as it sounds. After perusing the lavender field, the kids had a blast playing on the playground. Me? I adored strolling through the ruins of the farmhouse. 

Interested in learning more? Here are 9 reasons why you will want to visit New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm.

Swing perfect for selfies!

Have you been to Wisconsin Dells with the family? What are some of your favorite things to do?