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Top 10 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells (2026):
Top 10 Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells (2026):
- Noah’s Ark Waterpark: Explore America's largest waterpark, featuring 50+ rides, slides, and wave pools.
- Kalahari Indoor Waterpark: Enjoy the massive indoor waterpark and theme park, open year-round.
- Wisconsin River Boat Tours: Experience the scenic Upper or Lower Dells, including stops at Witches Gulch.
- Timbavati Wildlife Park: Take a safari train and interact with exotic animals in a 14-acre zoo.
- Wilderness Territory: Stay and play at the massive Wilderness Resort, featuring multiple indoor/outdoor parks.
- Wisconsin Deer Park: Feed and walk among deer in a petting zoo setting.
- Wizard Quest: Engage in an interactive, weatherproof scavenger hunt in downtown Dells.
- Downtown Dells & Riverwalk: Stroll the scenic 1/4-mile paved walkway, shop, and visit attractions like the Dells Mining Co..
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf: Play at one of the top mini-golf spots, offering 91 holes.
- Asgard Axe Throwing: Enjoy a fun indoor activity in downtown Dells for all skill levels. [1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
Bonus Activities: Visit the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, take a jet boat tour, or experience a live show at the Legacy Dinner Theater. [7, 11]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[3] https://dellsdinneradventures.com/top-15-things-to-do-on-your-summer-vacation-in-wisconsin-dells/
Yes, Ripley's now owns the former Tommy Bartlett property in Lake Delton/Wisconsin Dells (the large 37-acre show site at ~ 560 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy plus the adjacent Exploratory at 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy)
The Exploratory
(interactive science museum) is open year-round under the new name
**Ripley's Tommy Bartlett Exploratory**.
The big show/amphitheater site itself remains undeveloped for now (no ski shows, no public events, Tommy Bartlett signs removed). Ripley's has stated they have "future development plans" for family entertainment there, but nothing specific (like an aquarium) has been announced as of April 2026.
### Images of the New Ripley's Property
Public photos of the *large undeveloped show site* are limited (it's private land held for future use). Here are the most relevant recent/historical views:
(Above: Historical views of the old Tommy Bartlett amphitheater and ski show on Lake Delton — this is the core of the new Ripley's property.)
For the **operating Exploratory** (part of the same acquisition):
(Above: Inside the Exploratory — real Russian MIR space station module & astronaut suit exhibit; exterior of the iconic red "rocket" building.)
### Promo Materials
Ripley's current promo focuses on the Exploratory's hands-on science exhibits (lift a real car with a giant lever, Van de Graaff generator hair-raising fun, Bernoulli Effect ball floating, MIR space station walkthrough, etc.). Official promo pages:
- Exploratory → https://www.ripleys.com/attractions/tommy-bartlett-exploratory
- Wisconsin Dells Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum (separate downtown location) → https://www.ripleysdells.com/
No dedicated promo campaign or materials exist yet for large-scale events on the undeveloped show site.
### Contact Info to Inquire About Events at the Ripley's Property
Reach out directly — they handle group bookings/parties at their operating attractions and can answer questions about the larger property/future opportunities:
- **Ripley's Tommy Bartlett Exploratory** (the science museum on the property):
Phone: (608) 254-2525
Email: wisconsindells@ripleys.com
Address: 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
- **Ripley's Believe It or Not! Wisconsin Dells** (main museum, same ownership/Concept Attractions team):
Phone: (608) 254-2184
Email: contactus@conceptattractions.com
Address: 105 Broadway St, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Mention you're interested in **events, private rentals, or group activities on the former Tommy Bartlett show property**. They currently host birthdays/parties at other venues (like Guild Hall), but the big lakeshore site isn't set up for public events yet.
### Can You Camp There?
**No.** The property is commercial entertainment land (former show venue + future development site) with no camping facilities, RV hookups, or public access for overnight stays. Nearby campgrounds in the Dells area (e.g., Bonanza Camping Resort) are plentiful if you're looking for that.
### Custom Promo Graphics I Created for You
Here are some original graphics I generated using Grok Imagine — feel free to download/share them as promo ideas for events, the Exploratory, or the future Ripley's Dells experience:
Let me know if you want more graphics (different styles, event-specific, etc.), updated ticket links, or help drafting an inquiry email!
The iconic Tommy Bartlett Water Ski, Sky, and Stage Show— which had run for 68 seasons since 1952 on Lake Delton— closed permanently in September 2020. The owners cited a “catastrophic loss of business” from the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to operate the 2020 season (and beyond) as the reason it never reopened.
### What happened to the large Tommy Bartlett property?
The entire 37-acre show site (including the amphitheater, 1,500 feet of Lake Delton shoreline, and 827 feet of frontage on Wisconsin Dells Parkway at 560 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy in Lake Delton) was sold on May 5–6, 2025, to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment.
- Ripley’s kept the adjacent **Tommy Bartlett Exploratory** (the interactive science museum at 510 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy) open year-round and rebranded it as **Ripley’s Tommy Bartlett Exploratory**. It continues to operate with hands-on exhibits.
- The main show/amphitheater property itself is being held for future development by Ripley’s. The Tommy Bartlett name and signage have been removed, and there are no plans mentioned in any reports or updates to revive the water ski performances.
As of early 2026, the former show site has seen some activity (trailers, etc.), but it is no longer a ski-show venue.
### Are there *any* ski shows left in the Wisconsin Dells?
- **No daily public tourist ski shows** like the old Tommy Bartlett production exist in the Dells area right now.
- Wisconsin still has several excellent free or low-cost water ski show teams that perform regularly in other parts of the state (e.g., Rock Aqua Jays in Janesville, Aquanut Water Shows in Twin Lakes, etc.).
- The Dells area does host ski-related events such as the **Think Tank Water Ski Convention & Expo** (a training/clinic weekend for show skiers and teams held at Chula Vista Resort), but that is **not** a spectator performance show.
- The big annual **Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships** are held in nearby Wisconsin Rapids (not the Dells).
Some resort or attraction websites still list outdated info about the Tommy Bartlett show, but those pages have not been updated since the 2020 closure and 2025 sale—reliable recent sources (news articles, Tripadvisor, official announcements) confirm it is gone.
If you’re visiting the Dells and looking for water-based entertainment, the waterparks, boat tours, and Ripley’s Exploratory are still big draws, and you can always head to other Wisconsin towns for live show-skiing performances during the summer. Let me know if you want links to current show schedules elsewhere in the state!
Friday, April 3, 2026
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