Tommy’s First Birthday Trip to the Dells

Great Wolf Lodge July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Today I’m sharing a little recap of Tommy’s first birthday, mainly the quick trip that we took to the Wisconsin Dells. The three of us got away for two nights, one full day the week of his birthday. It was brief, but honestly, just about perfect for a one-year-old.

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Wisconsin Dells Trip July 2018 | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Jake and I have been to the Dells about every other year since we’ve been married. Now that we have Tommy, we’re planning to make it an annual trip, even if it’s just three or four days. As we get more experience traveling there with kids, I hope to share more lengthy posts about our favorite Dells recommendations for little ones. For now, I’m sharing a brief run down of our itinerary for this trip.

  • Great Wolf Lodge. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge because they have a stellar kid-friendly reputation. It didn’t disappoint. Virtually every aspect of the resort is geared around making the trip awesome for kids from the layout of the rooms to the water park features to the ice cream selections. Great Wolf Lodge was an ideal place to stay with Tommy. It will only get more fun as he gets older.
  • Riverside & Great Northern Railroad. Riverside & Great Northern Railroad is just off of the main Dells drag and not a place I ever would have come across on my own. It’s super cute and perfect for little ones, especially those who are into trains.
  • Timbavati Wildlife Park. Timbavati Wildlife Park is a little zoo right in the heart of the Dells. As it’s not huge, it’s a nice destination for young kids but definitely a place that older kids will enjoy as well.
  • Buffalo Phil’s. Buffalo Phil’s is a restaurant where they deliver the food on a train. Little trains run all around the restaurant, stopping at tables with drinks and food. Periodically, trains run through blowing bubbles or with fun toys riding along. Needless to say, kids love this restaurant. The food was surprisingly good and not expensive. Every single table had kids, many of whom were in high chairs. It’s nice to dine out and not worry about your kid being the loudest, most obnoxious, etc.

We also went to Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty for both breakfasts. Paul Bunyan is a tradition for us in the Dells and something we’ve been excited to share with kids for years. They have one of the best all-you-can-eat breakfasts that you’ll find anywhere.

Finally, we always make a stop at Carr Valley Cheese on the way out of town. I know that it’s incredibly cliche to stop for cheese on vacation in Wisconsin. There is no shortage of good cheese in this state. Carr Valley remains a favorite, though. They produce a number of original blended cheeses (i.e. goat and cow’s milk cheese) that are amazing.

I know that I sound like a broken record, but I’m still in shock that we’re a whole year into life with Tommy and thinking about baby #2. Here’s to another amazing year with our little guy.

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