Wisconsin Dells Vacation

This year with everything going on this summer (new job, my Mom's health, busy social lives!) we didn't have a chance to take our annual summer vacation to Michigan.  But we wanted to have a little getaway just the four of us, so we ended up booking four days in beautiful Wisconsin Dells, WI the weekend after Labor Day.  A trip down memory lane for me, as I used to go there almost every summer of my childhood.  The kids LOVED it and we all had a fantastic time.  So much to see and do!  Highly recommend going to places during the "shoulder season."  No crowds and great rates!

The Blackhawk Motel (yes, motel) really fit the bill.  #1 on TripAdvisor for a reason, folks.  The kids loved their motel experience, which started out strong with a free upgrade to THREE beds in the room!

FREE admission to Kalahari Indoor Theme Park and Noah's Ark included with motel stay.  Luke wasted no time doing the ropes course.

The little kid version was fun for Claire, too.

Indoor Go Karting

Rides galore

Rock walls

Fun train-themed dinner at friends Shelley & Rob's recommended restaurant.  The train brought the homemade grape soda and root beer for the kids.

Ripley's Believe It or Not on the strip

Getting caramel apples from the myriad of candy stores and eating it by the beautiful river.

Matt read the kids this story about Skuppers the Sailor Dog every night and did it in such a way that he was CRACKING the kids up.  The sound of those unstoppable giggles are so clearly in my head as I type this even now (in January of 2018!).  These are the precious memories:)

A "must-do" while in Wisconsin Dells, the Paul Bunyan breakfast!

My absolute favorite part of the trip- hiking at Devil's Lake State Park.

It was quite rugged terrain for the little lady, but she did awesome.  Luke was fearless, he gave us some moments of worry when he went so close to those edges!

The views were awesome

This is the trail, right next to the cliff edge!  What is this, Utah??

Back to the Dells to do real go-karting

And mini golf

Luke and Matt went zip lining one afternoon and had a blast

Matt said Luke did awesome!  It was super high and the runs were long.  Brave kid.

Claire and I went to the Deer Park - at first she was nervous about the deer, but then really got into feeding them

These guys would almost overtake you for some food if you let them!

Big buck back there

Biting pigs

Then Claire and I did a horse drawn wagon right to the Lost Canyon, also soooooo beautiful.

Pancake Breakfast at the restaurant that looks like a paddle steamboat.

Upper Dells Boat Tour was also amazing.  Highly recommend!

We took a boat to this remote trail and hiked a while back between these cool rock formations, and then out of nowhere is a concession stand back there!  Ha!

We watched a dog jump between these two standing stones

We watched this hydroplane land and take off.

Luke was taking these pictures, so cute.

Lunch at the Cheesy Tomato

A trip to the Dells wouldn't be complete without a trip to Noah's Ark, only a portion of it was open since it was past Labor Day, but it was still fun.

Luke zip-lining into the water

Luke and Matt did a bunch of slides for bigger kids while Claire and I hung out.

Long awaited horse back riding trip - requested by Claire

We had an interesting character for our guide ("Precious!!") and the place wasn't quite up to code, I wouldn't say.  It was a little nerve wracking for our first time horse back riding as a family, but all's well that end's well.  Claire especially loved it.

Hit one of the many arcades.

Final dinner out al fresco had this fun game area.

Wonderful last evening to cap off a wonderful vacation.