Wisconsin public schools all have their spring break the week following Easter. If Easter falls late on the calendar, you can wind up with some beautiful weather but if Easter is early, like it was this year, it can still feel like winter. When I told people we were going to the Wisconsin Dells for spring break, I got some interesting looks. (For you non-Wisconsin people, the Dells is a tourist area known for its waterparks and other outdoor attractions. It is typically thought of as a summer destination.)
My family actually prefers to go to the Dells during the off season. The roads are much less crowded, we don’t have to wait at restaurants, and we stay at the Wilderness where there is plenty to do even if the temperature doesn’t go above 40 degrees. (Yes – it was a chilly week up there!) The Wilderness Territory is a vacation destination that is made up of The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness on the Lake, and Sundara Spa. No matter where you stay, you will have access to over 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor waterparks. The only way to gain access to the waterparks is to be a Wilderness guest – no day passes are sold. If you are like us and visit during the chillier months, you will still have four indoor waterparks to choose from!
Don’t be fooled – this pool is heated!
While splashing around in the water is one of LJ’s favorite things to do, there are tons of things to do at the Wilderness besides the waterparks. We took advantage of the indoor mini-golf courses and played several glow-in-the-dark 3D games. We played laser tag and had fun in the arcade.
LJ practiced his driving in the arcade.
If you look up above the arcade, you will see an elaborate ropes course which wound up being a huge favorite of LJ’s. He actually went on it three different times!
Jay and LJ climbed all through the ropes course.
We also had a blast getting scared in the Haunted Hotel and getting lost in the Mineshaft Mirror Maze!
If you are interested in checking out all of the fun activities I mentioned, you will want to grab some of Wilderness Territory’s Fun Passes. This card gives you access to all of the fun activities I mentioned (plus the bumper boats and a discount at the ice cream counter) for a discount. Each pass is only $19+tax.
What is your favorite vacation destination when the weather is less than ideal?
Deb says
Thanks for this super shout out for the Wilderness. I absolutely love the Wilderness and my kids do too. I love the fact that Wilderness also caters to the older teens with the cool zip lining activity (onsite) that usually begins late spring, early summer. And, if you need a bit more room check out the condos and cabins of the Wilderness. We usually stay at the Wilderness on the Lake is great because the rooms offer gorgeous lake views are quiet with plenty of room.
Kat Garcia says
Thankfully we live in the south, So are weather is pretty good all year round. But we do have something similar to that place, and now I am wanting to go since reading your post! =-)