9 of 32

Write now Article Tools

The last thing most families are looking for when they take that long awaited vacation, are hordes of college co-eds cavorting around scantily clad and making way too much noise. Unfortunately, for most families with school age children, the reality is that the only time to take a spring vacation is Spring Break. If you can't change the time of your vacation then the only solution is to be very careful about the destination. Fortunately there are many places that simply don't appeal to the party crowd and are perfect for a family spring break.

During Spring, the weather can certainly be an issue. If you live in the northern states and want to vacation closer to home then you really have to plan for anything from sunbathing weather to snow. Spring brings many things and constantly changing weather is one of them.

A great solution is to choose a location with an indoor water park. This way even if spring showers develop into something closer to a monsoon, you have plenty to keep the kids occupied. Wisconsin Dells, located pretty centrally in Wisconsin, is the water park capital of the USA. In fact it bills itself as the "Water Park Capital of the World". It is home to a seemingly endless array of hotels with their own indoor and outdoor water parks. The outdoor parks don't open until Memorial weekend, so make sure you choose one with good indoor facilities.

The Dells have built Condominium hotels in just about every theme. You can vacation anywhere from the African Savanna, to a traditional log cabin in the woods. There are some great state of the art facilities, with luxuriously appointed condo's and cabins. However, there are also a lot of older properties whose facilities are a little tired. Make sure you do your research thoroughly. Check out the pictures on the websites and read the descriptions carefully.

Condo's or Cabins are the perfect solution for any vacation. For an active family vacation, they are essential. The convenience of your own laundry facilities means that no matter how muddy or dirty the kids get, you are ready for more fun the next day. When you are all cooped up in a hotel room, downtime can be closer to torture than relaxation. With the freedom of a condo you can at least escape those reruns on the Disney Channel that the kids insist on watching.

The Dells is definitely an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Wisconsin River gently winds through the landscape. A boat trip, or better still a tour of the area on one of the Amphibious Ducks is a great way to see the sights, and to check out the magnificent sandstone bluffs and the wonderful Wisconsin landscape. The kids will love riding in a truck that floats.

There is a lot more to the Dells than Water Parks. It is an outdoor enthusiasts dream and a great place for the equestrian. There are plenty of stables offering horse back rides and treks. There are miles of trails through this beautiful area and it is a great way for the whole family to have some fun together.

Wisconsin Dells is also home to many fabulous golf courses. Some of the larger resorts have their own courses on site, with fantastic cabins located around the course. Spring Break is a wonderful time for the whole family to get together to try out a new sport or build on an existing one. Why not book a couple of Golf lessons for the the whole family. It is a great way for everyone to get out and have some fun, and something that you can do together for years to come.

Wisconsin Dells is not all beautiful scenery and luxurious resorts. Parts of it are, to put it politely, "overdeveloped". If you are looking for amusement arcades, cheap burger joints and endless souvenir shops, then you will find it and more on the main drag through town. It is a good old fashioned resort town, loud and full of flashing lights and reminiscent of many peoples childhood vacation experiences. In fact some parts look just the same as they did in the 1970's or 80's.

If you have teenage kids they will love the go carts and fair ground rides. The great thing is when the day is over you can retreat to your luxurious lake cabin, open a bottle of wine, sit back, relax and enjoy the view. If you plan carefully Wisconsin Dells can be the perfect spring break vacation for the all the family.

Learn more about this author, Julie Wood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Best destinations for a family-friendly Spring Break?
We want to hear your view. Write now!