A couple of months ago a few of you gave me some great advice about visiting WI and I have a few questions about Kalahari since our plans have firmed up.

Staying overnight at Kalahari courtesy of my in-laws.
I have a 2 yr old and a 10 yr old. Any suggestions with regard to them?

Seems like a good idea to bring our own food since I hear the food is expensive there, true?

In-laws recommended we wear some water-shoes of some sort, suggestions, opinions?

Any other tips, advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys-

Quoted: A couple of months ago a few of you gave me some great advice about visiting WI and I have a few questions about Kalahari since our plans have firmed up. Staying overnight at Kalahari courtesy of my in-laws. I have a 2 yr old and a 10 yr old. Any suggestions with regard to them? Seems like a good idea to bring our own food since I hear the food is expensive there, true? In-laws recommended we wear some water-shoes of some sort, suggestions, opinions? Any other tips, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys-

Your kids should have a great time. Without knowing your history, the resort is located in an area called "the dells". It's a beautiful part of WI that imho has been marred by the tourists industry, think fudge shops and trinket shops on every corner.

Check out some of the other water parks in the area like Noah's Arc, when I was your oldest's age that place was the greatest. The Duck Rides are great for the kids too, get to see the cool water formations whilst riding on WWII amphibious "Duck".

Food isn't that bad if you know where to go, ask the guys working the bars where to get a cheap bite. Most of them are college kids working a summer job and know where the good food is.

I assume your driving, watch your speed after you cross the boarder. WI cops are not the worst but our tickets are expensive, keeps it less then 10 over and you should be fine. They like to give tickets to out-of-stater, IL in particular. Enjoy your stay!

-JTP

Turn your kids loose on Kalahari's water park.  They'll have fun, and it should be included in your room cost (at least it is at places like the Great Wolf, which is one of Kalahari's biggest competitors).

Monk's at the Wilderness is fairly close to the Kalahari, not a long drive and you'll miss the worst of the traffic.  They have the best burgers in town, family-friendly.  Highly recommended.

You could have a vacation without leaving the Kalahari, they work hard to make it a one-stop getaway.  But you will pay somewhat for that convenience.  The food is OK, not great, and more pricey than Monk's, for example.

Do NOT eat at Damon's, next door to the Kalahari.  The food isn't even mediocre and it's expensive.

My wife and I have kicked around the idea of writing a "Local's Guide to Wisconsin Dells".  If you have any other questions, just ask.  




edit  Are you looking for stuff to do during the day, or spending it with the in-laws?  Noah's Ark is fun, but you'll spend a lot of $$ and stand in lines.  With younger kids, I think the Kalahari's waterpark would be fine, they won't know the difference.  +1 on the Duck suggestion.  I still have my "driver's license" from when I got to steer one of those, when I must have been about 10.  

Thanks guys- I figured the area had probably become somewhat touristy so I came here for the real info.

Our plan is to spend a day and a half and one night at Kalahari. Our entrance to the Kalahari park is included with our room rate. The plan is for my wife and I to pair up with the kids so they're with one of us at all times. I'm sure we'll all have a good time.
We'll definitely check out Monks.
And I'd love to check out the Ducks but it seems they are pretty expensive?



The rest of our vacation will be spent around Montfort with my in-laws. For those of you that don't know Montfort is a small village of about 600 people. But we always find plenty to do there. Between the farm, bowling, the town pool, and going to Marcy's for a beer we have a great time.
We typically head over to Prairie Du Chien to shop at Cabela's and race go-karts at some place I can't recall the name of.

I'll second Monk's at the Wilderness, probably the best food you'll find for the price.

We spent a weekend there last year and it was great! At the time the kids were 4, 8, and 9. We had a blast, not much to do outside since we went in April and most things were closed. The Mouse Jaw has really good pizza and an in house brewery if you like that kind of thing. Not to pricey either and the kids will like it. I do recommend the water shoes, the concrete in the pool is a little rough and on the soft skin of the kids they could get blister and tiny cuts pretty easy (our 8 yr old did).

We stayed in one of the 2 bedroom suites, had a seperate bedroom for the wife and I, the kids had a room that had 2 double beds and then the living room area. Was nice and peaceful sleeping. Our Bedroom had a deck off it, was great for coffee in the morning when it was about 45 degrees out. Would work just as well for a late night drink with the misses in the summer.

Quoted: Glenn, you from the dells area I take it?

Kinda off topic but I went to school out in Fennimore ( 'bout 15 miles to the west of Monfort). I currently have a buddy who lives in monfort. Great little town. I also have a some friends that own a machince shop just to the north in Highland. I loved that area while I was out there for school.

Back on topic. Kalahari is a nice place. The food is ok and a little expensive but it is all there.

Also while you are out there if you have any interest in Apples I am not sure if they are in season but head over to Gays Mills and hit up one of the many apple orchards there. Can be some real fun to get the family involved in some apple picking.

Thanks all this is some good advice,  if you have any more tips jump on in.

For breakfast: as you are heading down Hwy 12 towards downtown you will pass a restaurant on the left called "Moose Jaw" right across the street is a little tiny cafe called Denny's (not the chain) it has the best breakfasts in the Dells (IMHO) and cheap too. Take into consideration that I love to find little hole in the wall greasy spoons. This is where if you are following Hwy 12 you will make a right turn to go thru Lake Delton.

This place has the Little Rascals playing on the tv the whole time they are open so it gives the kidlets something to watch.



The original Monks is uptown in the Dells (it is a bar) with the best burgers I have found. They pipe the grill exhaust out over the sidewalk so when you walk by you get to smell all the grilling burger and onions (great marketing play IMHO). I don't hesitate to take my daughter there during the day but it is kinda hard to get a seat during the lunch rush.

Quoted: For breakfast: as you are heading down Hwy 12 towards downtown you will pass a restaurant on the left called "Moose Jaw" right across the street is a little tiny cafe called Denny's (not the chain) it has the best breakfasts in the Dells (IMHO) and cheap too. Take into consideration that I love to find little hole in the wall greasy spoons. This is where if you are following Hwy 12 you will make a right turn to go thru Lake Delton. This place has the Little Rascals playing on the tv the whole time they are open so it gives the kidlets something to watch. The original Monks is uptown in the Dells (it is a bar) with the best burgers I have found. They pipe the grill exhaust out over the sidewalk so when you walk by you get to smell all the grilling burger and onions (great marketing play IMHO). I don't hesitate to take my daughter there during the day but it is kinda hard to get a seat during the lunch rush.

For me one of the best parts about going to WI is eating at the mom and pop diners.

Pardon a south of the border lurker here:

I went to the Dells in 2000 with my girlfriend and her family and my mom.  I stayed on the other end of town @ Tresure Island.  I've heard good things about Paul Bunyans restaurant but never been there to eat.  There is a 50's theme restaurant in that area but the name escapes me and it was seven years ago, who knows if it's still open, maybe Glenn knows.  

Yes, IIRC the H20 park is included in the fee(at least it was at Treasure Island).   TI(at the time) had a good waterpark, and also kid friendly stuff like a huge game room and it was really kid-friendly.  

Never been to Kalahari but they were building it when I went, they were advertising stuff like a movie theater, water roller coaster, a surfing simulating ride and other stuff.   I've heard good about Great Wolf Lodge as well.  I wish I could have gone on the Ducks when we went, oh well, maybe next time.  (Are they even open year round? After all it was winter when we went)

Quoted: Pardon a south of the border lurker here: I went to the Dells in 2000 with my girlfriend and her family and my mom.  I stayed on the other end of town @ Tresure Island.  I've heard good things about Paul Bunyans restaurant but never been there to eat. been closed for a few years thankfully, it was garbage  There is a 50's theme restaurant in that area but the name escapes me and it was seven years ago, who knows if it's still open, maybe Glenn knows.   Yes, IIRC the H20 park is included in the fee(at least it was at Treasure Island).   TI(at the time) had a good waterpark, and also kid friendly stuff like a huge game room and it was really kid-friendly.   Never been to Kalahari but they were building it when I went, they were advertising stuff like a movie theater right next door , water roller coaster havent seen that one yet , a surfing simulating ride lots of fun watching the women ride this one in bikinis and other stuff.   I've heard good about Great Wolf Lodge as well.  I wish I could have gone on the Ducks when we went, oh well, maybe next time.  (Are they even open year round? nope closed in the winter (kinda hard to have a boat ride when the lakes are all frozen After all it was winter when we went)

Quoted: Quoted: Pardon a south of the border lurker here: I went to the Dells in 2000 with my girlfriend and her family and my mom.  I stayed on the other end of town @ Tresure Island.  I've heard good things about Paul Bunyans restaurant but never been there to eat. been closed for a few years thankfully, it was garbage

Edit-thanks None for the IM.  

Kalahari
The water roller coaster is the "Master Blaster".

Water shoes- I have a pair of CROCS that I wore on another trip but they're excellent water shoes and double as summer shoes and around-the-house footwear.  A lot of stores(i,e., Walgreens) sell imitations for half the price(they're about 30 bux) but they're durable and washable.

Quoted: Water shoes- I have a pair of CROCS that I wore on another trip but they're excellent water shoes and double as summer shoes and around-the-house footwear.  A lot of stores(i,e., Walgreens) sell imitations for half the price(they're about 30 bux) but they're durable and washable. i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/deej11686/crocs.jpg?t=1185560630

Oh no you didn't post that picture....... YOU KNOW HOW WE KNOW YOU'RE GAY........just messin with ya....

Well the merits of the crocs have been posted far and wide here on arfcom but I'm just not going to be able to wear any of those. Shoot, I even bought a high dollar pair of driving shoes one time and couldn't wear them. For me it's a pair of old school Vans, or when needed, a pair of boots.

Dang- did I just hijack my own post??

ETA- I've had more conversation in this forum than in the NC hometown forum. If you guys would go ahead and get CCW I might head north.

Quoted: ... ETA- I've had more conversation in this forum than in the NC hometown forum. If you guys would go ahead and get CCW I might head north.

This bittersweet state if ever there was one. Lots of industry (7th in the union iirc) so the job market and pay is ok. People are pretty cool 'cept for some of the big city dwellers. A top rate education system. Lakes and wild areas abound. Mixed with higher taxes and a government that panders to the bottom 20%.

CCW has been across the governors desk with a large following but he refuses to sign and then turns one of his cronies so he can't be overruled. Oh and we drink a lot of brandy.

-JTP

I must add that Paul Bunyan's is open.  They're only open in the summer, they close in the winter.  I haven't yet eaten there.  Some people report it's fairly decent, others that it's junk.  

Quoted: I must add that Paul Bunyan's is open.  They're only open in the summer, they close in the winter.  I haven't yet eaten there.  Some people report it's fairly decent, others that it's junk.

Really?  Wow I heard thru the grapevine a couple of years ago that they had closed down. I guess I never really payed any attention to them since I refused to eat there after I ate there once when I was like 20 yrs old.

<-- Grew up in Wisconsin Dells, graduated High School there....what a racket that town is.  Each time I go back, it is kicking and screaming....LOL...


Get to Paul Bunyans before noon, all you can eat breakfast, very reasonable.  As for the rest of town, I'd mimic what Glenn says about Monk's Burgers.

VJ

Well, we just returned from a week stay in WI. Let me just say it was too short. The southwestern part of the state is beautiful.
I'd also like to say that I bought a portable GPS for the truck which really came in handy on some of those county roads
Spent two days at Kalahari waterpark and all had a blast.
Ate at Moosejaw and after having two pints of their beer, a drink for the wife and large pizza, appetizers and drinks for the kids I still got out of there for less than $50 with excellent service.

Spent the rest of the time enjoying good home cooking, a little bit of bowling, and some Old Style beer.

Quoted: Get to Paul Bunyans before noon

+1 for Paul's. The stacked plates of those little cake doughnuts are awesome.

Originally Posted By divkat9 Ate at Moosejaw and after having two pints of their beer, a drink for the wife and large pizza, appetizers and drinks for the kids I still got out of there for less than $50 with excellent service.

WOOHOO!!!! I won with Mousejaw suggestion!!!! Do I get a prize?

Quoted: Originally Posted By divkat9 Ate at Moosejaw and after having two pints of their beer, a drink for the wife and large pizza, appetizers and drinks for the kids I still got out of there for less than $50 with excellent service. WOOHOO!!!! I won with Mousejaw suggestion!!!! Do I get a prize?

I think this is the standard arfcom prize-


I'm telling you that place is great. I would drive an hour just to go eat there. If anyone goes, don't be discouraged by the crowd at the door. They get you seated quick. We went at a peak time and didn't wait more than 20 minutes.
They also have a bar/gameroom downstairs. So you can have a pint or two and give your kid(s) a couple 3-4 dollars and by the time your done with your beers you're getting a table.

My wife and I have driven there from Racine (near Milwaukee) 1.5 hr drive, to have dinner there and then drove home the same night. We do that a lot in the fall after terrorist...... I mean tourist season.