National Train Day was actually started by Amtrak a few years back, which is the perfect segue to sell in the merits of letting someone else do the driving to the Dells. What, you didn’t know we have an Amtrak station? Well, we do, right downtown as a matter of fact. The ride from Chicago is a mere 3.5 hours, from Minneapolis about 5.5 hours. Inquire about a shuttle ride to your resort when you reserve your room, or there’s always Wisconsin Dells Taxi or A1 Wisconsin Dells Kangaroo Taxi.
At Mid-Continent Railway Museum, you’ll ride through the Baraboo Hills in restored steel coaches built a century ago. This seven-mile ride takes just under an hour. The Riverside & Great Northern Railway is a 15-inch gauge railroad living museum where steam trains travel along a three-mile roadbed. A perfect experience for little ones.
Finally, at Timbavati Wildlife Park, hop aboard the Safari Train for a loop through the open pastures where exotic animals roam and a swing past the giraffes. Depending on your age, you may recognize this train as Engine # 9 from the old Fort Dells. So nice to keep the tradition rolling along.