Wilderness Resort

Wilderness Resort sits on six hundred acres in Wisconsin Dells and is built around eight waterparks — four indoors and four outdoors — which means water slides and pools run year-round regardless of the Wisconsin weather. The scale is large enough that the waterparks are the destination rather than an amenity beside the main stay.

Lodging runs across several formats: hotel rooms, villas, condominiums, and cabins. Hotel rooms come with flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi, microwaves, and coffee makers. Villas, condominiums, and cabins suit families or groups who want more space and a separate living area.

Beyond the water, the resort runs a go-kart trail called Wilderwoods, a laser tag arena, and Clip 'n Climb challenge walls. These are dry-land options for when the waterparks are at capacity or for guests who want a different kind of afternoon. Multiple restaurants and bars are on the property, so there is no need to leave the resort for a meal.

Wisconsin Dells is a roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago and about an hour from Madison, which makes the resort a practical long-weekend stop for families driving from either city.