Water Parks and Scary Rides in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Cheap Thrills

Family Land, copyright Wisconsin Dells V&CB

Plunge down an extreme water slide. Fly across the water in a jet boat. Watch a magician levitate an audience member (maybe it'll be you!). Or laugh until you cry at the antics of circus clowns.

You don't have to go to California or Florida for big-time fun. Water adventures, scary rides, glitzy acts, and a fair amount of kitsch are just a day's drive from Chicago at Wisconsin Dells, the "Coney Island of the Midwest."

What's more, you won't go broke taking the family along. Attractions cost less than half the price of Disney, Universal and other brand-name theme parks. And they're all conveniently located along Wisconsin Dells Parkway (a 3-mile stretch of Highway 12).

Your biggest challenge will be choosing which park to visit. But not to worry. Scattered among the two-headed-goat museums and carnival-type sideshows are some real treats. We've scoped out the newest and hottest things to do in the Dells (with some old favorites sprinkled in):