5 of the Best Family-Friendly Places to Stay Next Time You Go to Wisconsin

It's that time of year when we all start dreaming about and planning our next vacation. I don't know about you, but I don't think a great vacation always requires a lot of travel time or preparation. Sometimes just getting away from home and out of your normal routines is all you need to recharge your batteries, and your next great vacation could just be a short car trip away.

Five Great Resorts to Check Out in Wisconsin

Since we have 2 young kids in our family who won't handle long travel times too well, my husband and I have been looking at resort options in Wisconsin lately. We aren't too picky about where we stay, we just want to find places that we haven't been to before, are family-friendly, and have lots of ways to keep us all entertained.

While searching for resort options, I came across this article on familydestinationsguide.com, and although they provide 15 different Wisconsin resorts to choose from, let's zero in on the five I, (and my kids), found most appealing;

Meadowbrook Resort in the Wisconsin Dells - If you want your vacation to have a rustic Wisconsin cabin feel, but still have all the activities available at a fancy resort, Meadowbrook Resort might be the perfect place! Meadowbrook offers something for everyone from watersports and golf, to nightly campfires with s'mores, a waterpark, playground, game room, fun activities for all ages, and it is pet-friendly too! Get available vacation packages and more information at meadowbrookresort.com.

Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin - Whether it be a vacation for just your immediate family or the entire extended family, Gordon Lodge can accommodate your needs. If water fun is a must, Gordon Lodge's grounds feature a private beach with complimentary equipment rentals like kayaks and paddleboards, a pool, hot tubs, a tennis court, and more! Guided fishing and hiking tours are available too. Get more info at gordonlodge.com.

Cedar Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells - Cedar Lodge is located on the banks of the Wisconsin River and has a more relaxing, family vibe. It's located right by the main strips of the Dells, so there's plenty to go off-site and do, but Cedar Lodge has plenty of fun to offer too. There 's a beach, a heated pool, nightly campfires, and horseback riding. (My kids have picked this as their favorite option).

Metropolis Resort and Conference Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin - If you want to take a vacation highly focused on fun for your kids, Metropolis is it! This resort has all the major waterpark fun with fewer crowds, and when I saw waterpark fun, I mean a WHOLE lot more than just swimming. Yes, there's a waterpark, but there's also a go-kart track, a trampoline park, laser tag, bumper cars, a climbing wall, an arcade, and many more things guaranteed to wear your little ones out! Get more info at metropolisresort.com.

Edgewater Resort in Ephraim (Door County), Wisconsin - If laid-back fun and gorgeous sights are what your family wants, Edgewater Resort is where you need to be. This resort is within walking distance of some of Door County's finest attractions, but also offers movie nights, swimming, bike tours, and horseback riding. Get more info at edge-waterresort.com.