Essentials

Hold on to your seats as your World War II-era amphibious vehicle plunges into the Wisconsin River during a Lower Dells tour with either Original Wisconsin Ducks Inc. or Dells Army Ducks .

Whoosh through the Wisconsin Dells on a high-speed jet boat ride offered by local boat tour companies, but brace yourself for the dizzying 360-degree spins that are a customary part of every trip.

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Amble along Broadway in downtown Wisconsin Dells to shop for souvenirs, indulge your sweet tooth at one of the many candy shops or watch the sightseeing boats come and go from a paved path atop a bluff overlooking the Wisconsin River.

Meander through a dim pine forest and along the edge of boulder-strewn bluffs 500 feet above a spring-fed lake at Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo .

Celebrate the history of the American circus at Baraboo's Circus World , where you'll find beautifully restored circus wagons, a multitude of Ringling Brothers Circus exhibits and historic buildings used by Ringling Brothers as their winter quarters until 1918.

Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau
Count up to 15 different kinds of cranes as you wander from enclosure to enclosure at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, where among the large, long-necked birds you'll find rare whooping cranes thriving in a simulated Wisconsin wetland.

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Don your swimsuit for a day of sliding, floating and splashing at Noah's Ark Waterpark , and when the weather turns cold, stay in one of several hotels offering indoor waterslides and heated pools.

Avoid whimsical obstacles like volcanoes, waterfalls and pirate ships as you putt to your heart's content at one of Wisconsin Dells' miniature golf courses.