What to Do in Wisconsin...besides the Dells?

If they love water how about something involving boats? do they still have the ducks? how about fishing somewhere? hiking?

Here are some places in WI I've been with my kids. There would be a lot more, but I got tired of pulling info. You should search the specific towns/cities along your travel route.

*Spring Valley, WI
Crystal Cave
http://www.acoolcave.com/

*Eau Claire, WI
Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum
http://www.paulbunyancamp.org/
Chippewa Valley Museum
http://www.cvmuseum.com/
Action City (go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, rock climbing, etc)
http://www.metropolisresort.com/action-city/
I haven't been to AC but my nephews love it.

*Chippewa Falls, WI
Irvine Park and Zoo
http://www.ci.chippewa-falls.wi.us/your-government/parks-...

*Green Bay, WI
Bay Beach Amusement Park (cheap)
http://greenbaywi.gov/baybeach/
Bay Beach Wildlife Sancutary (free)
http://www.baybeachwildlife.com/
NEW Zoo (New = North East Wi)
http://newzoo.org/
Neville Public Museum
http://www.nevillepublicmuseum.org/
National Railroad Museum
http://www.nationalrrmuseum.org/

*Appleton, WI
The History Museum at the Castle
http://www.myhistorymuseum.org/

*Stevens Point, WI
Stevens Point Brewery (they also make soda)
http://www.pointbeer.com/
Green Circle Trail, including Schmeekle Reserve and the Sculpture Park
http://greencircletrail.org/index.aspx
http://stevenspointsculpturepark.org/

Definitely Door County--the Cape Cod of the Midwest!

beautiful sunsets, beaches, golfing, fishing, boating, shopping, swimming, fish boils, cherry picking, camping, hiking, biking, eating, para-sailing, winery tours, ferry to Washington Island, Swedish pancakes and goats on the roof at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay, ice cream and a walk by the boats at Wilson's in Ephraim, the 4th of July parade in Bailey's Harbor, Peninsula State Park, drive-in movies, county parks and on and on...

Hit the beaches at Lake Geneva. Around the lake is a nice little town area with good restaurants and shopping, and if you want fancy dining and spa, you could go over to Grand Geneva, which is the big area resort.

We're going up to Madison this weekend to do a few brewery tours, and I'm told that the downtown area is nice for walking around (I have not been there).

And it's Summerfest in Milwaukee this weekend, which is a big festival with tons of bands and food outside.

I lived in Madison for 12 years, and it is a lovely little city, particularly in the summer. There are several neat old houses, if you like architecture--one built by Louis Sullivan (grandfather of the skyscraper) and one by Frank Lloyd Wright. The downtown area has a pedestrian mall which goes between the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the state Capitol building, and it has lots of great restaurants and bookstores. In the area around the capitol, on Saturday mornings, there is a farmers' market which also has lots of crafts vendors, cheese makers, etc. The capitol itself is pretty interesting for a tour, too. Also, the downtown is a strip of land between two lakes with parks and biking paths. The University is on one of the lakes and has a great terrace for sitting, eating ice cream or fried cheese curds (a local specialty), and enjoying the view. There is an arboretum south of another little lake, which is also worth a look. If you like biking, it is a great city for it.

Outside of Madison, you could check out the state parks. Devil's Lake is really neat (and near the Dells), and Mill State Park has some amazing rocks. It's right on route 94, so if you are following that route, you can just stop there. Anyway, have fun!

Tripadvisor.com

I don't plan a vacation without it.

Hayward, WI is a beautiful area. Around Hayward, there is a Wilderness Walk for families, the town has a delicious candy shop called Tremblays Sweet Shop-Yummy. Tubing down the rivers in the area is popular. Most resorts in northern WI can help you with rivers-canoeing, fishing, etc. if that is what you are interested in. Rice Lake, Shell Lake are nice lakes for fishing, kayaking, etc. The Apostle Islands are amazing. Door County is beautiful and cherry picking is always fun. House on the Rock in Spring Green, WI is interesting (note some people love it/some don't). Sparta Bike Trail-very nice. Manitowoc has a Maritime Museum. I would also suggest for your family to really look at your route and then pick areas of interest. If you are going way west WI, Duluth, MN is a nice town. Safe travels.

Milwaukee is lovely in the summer time, although I'm not sure that kids your boys' age will be particularly wowed by it or consider it a "not to miss" place.

When are you going? That might help us give you more targeted replies if we know of certain special events happening.

If you like outdoors things go to the Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin. I don't know if it would be out of your way. We were there close to 10 years ago so I don't remember tons of details, but it is a place I'd love to go back to. If you have bikes there are a couple if islands with good bike trails. I think there are places to rent bikes too. You can also find places that have kayaks and canoes to rent. It is a very laid back area, but great if you love being outdoors. If you are there at the right time I think there are pick your own farms. Google Apostle Islands to get more ideas.

Do a search. It's really the only way to find out everything there is to do.