The Waters of Minocqua Resort Hotel & Waterpark

Up next in our series on Wisconsin’s indoor waterparks & water activity centers, we head to the Northwoods to The Waters of Minocqua.
No matter what the weather outside, you’ll find 13,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor waterpark fun for the entire family at The Waters of Minocqua!

Two 3-story-high, completely enclosed body slides carry you to a refreshing plunge pool. Or, have fun in the indoor/outdoor activity pool and relax in the indoor/outdoor hot tub. For the younger children, check out the kiddie area  with a slide of it’s own and shallow depth water.

A snack bar onsite offers pizza, nachos, soda and a few alcoholic drinks for the adults. For dry fun, don’t miss the huge arcade just off the waterpark – great fun for “kids” of all ages!

On the Calendar this Winter:

• Holiday Open House with Jack Frost, November 20-22, 2009
• Freezin for a Reason, January 2, 2010
• Cruiserfest, February 12-13, 2010
• 20th Annual Klondike Days, February 20-12, 2010
• 2010 Lakeland Loppet, March 6, 2010

As always, click on over to WisconsinLodging.info to learn more about The Waters of Minocqua as well as more Wisconsin waterpark destinations.

Special Note: The kiddie pool at The Waters of Minocqua will be closed until November 12, 2009 for maintenance. Please contact the property for additional information if needed.

Andrew from North Freedom wins free night at Hilton Madison

Congratulations to Andrew F. from North Freedom, WI!  Andrew is the winner of the November WisconsINN Getaways free night give-away at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace in Madison.

If you’re interested in being entered to win a different free night each month, simply sign up for the WisconsINN Getaways monthly e-newsletter. Every month, you’ll receive an email with up to 10 special deals or packages for amazing places to stay in Wisconsin & each month you’ll be entered for another chance to win a free stay.

Upcoming giveaways include:
* Brookfield Suites Hotel (Brookfield)

Click over to the WisconsINN Getaways newsletter to sign up today and again, Congratulations to Andrew!

Football, Fans & Favre

You’d pretty much have to be living under a rock not to have heard that Vikings QB #4 Brett Favre is headed to Green Bay with his team this Sunday to take on the Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt is well aware Favre is headed back to Green Bay and has issued “4 days to Victory“: four good-natured challenges for residents and fans, designed to rev up the hometown prior to Sunday’s game.

1. Today, 8th grade students across Green Bay will compile their “Top 12 Reasons 4 Staying in Green Bay” for a chance to win $300 for their class.
2. Also today through Monday, Minnesota Avenue is being renamed Aaron Rodgers Drive.
3. Friday, folks are encouraged to wear flip-flops in homage to the retired-not retired status of #4 over the last two years.
4. Finally, on Saturday, Titletown Brewery will hold a Packers Rally serving up “waffle fries” (yes, again a jab at Favre’s decision-making abilities)

Yes, we love to poke fun at Favre, but it’s with much anticipation that Packers’ fans will tune in Sunday to the game… Will Aaron Rodgers and the Packers take the win at Lambeau or will they once again fall to mighty purple #4?

At 4-2 to close out October, do the Packers have a chance at the Division Title? The 6-1 Vikings sure hope not!

While the city and the team ready themselves for a circus this weekend, if you’re headed up for the game, click on over to WisconsinLodging.info to find  your perfect place to stay in Green Bay.

7 Spook-tacular ways to celebrate Halloween across Wisconsin

Ghouls, goblins, thrills & chills… Check out seven SPOOK-tacular ways to celebrate Halloween in Wisconsin:

October 23rd-25th  and  October 29th-November 1st
Wisconsin Fear Grounds, Waukesha
What it is: Three haunted houses in one location- Morgan Manor, Morgana’s Torment & Unstable
How scary is it? Billed as “30,000 square feet of TERROR” -may not be for the faint of heart!
Cost: $15 per person for Morgan’s Manor, $30 per person for all three (but check out their website for coupons before you go!)

October 23rd-24th  and  October 30th-31st
Ghost Boat Tours, Wisconsin Dells
What it is: One & a half hour boat tour to Witches Gulch with “several illusions and special effects along with a great storyline that is sure to get hearts pumping”
How scary is it? Not recommended for 10 & under, parents’ discretion for older kids
Cost: $15 per person

October 24th
Dracula, Green Bay
What it is: Nosferatu, the 1920’s silent movie based on Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula‘ accompanied by Frank Rippel on a live theater organ
How scary is it? Show time is 1:00 pm, so when the movie creeps you out, there will still be hours of (vampire-free) daylight left when you leave!
Cost: $5 per person

October 25th & 30th
Gothic History Tours, Cedarburg
What it is: One & a half hour walking tour through historic downtown Cedarburg
How scary is it? Billed as “chilling”, not scary
Cost: Check out their website for details, advanced ticket purchase recommended

October 28th
Ghost Stories in the Park After Dark, Phillips
What it is: Follow a lighted trail through the park to hear “ghost stories, haunting tales and urban legends”
How scary is it? “Spooky but not too scary”
Cost: I believe this one’s free, but call for more info: 715/339-4505 or 800/269-4505

October 29th-30th
Ghoulees in the Coulees, Coon Valley
What it is: 1/2 mile hike along a wooded trail lined with “haunting, thrilling and chilling spook stations”
How scary is it? Runs from 5:30-9 pm, hikes after 8 pm will be “SUPER SCARY”
Cost: $8 per person

October 30th
Haunting of River Park, Mosinee
What it is: “A haunted trail through spooky River Park”
How scary is it? For kids 13 and over, call the Mosinee Chamber for more info: 715/693-4330
Cost: $5 per person

For more haunting good times in southeast Wisconsin, check out this list and map from JSOnline.com as well. As always, check out WisconsinLodging.info for great places to stay, then hit the road for some SPOOK-tacular Halloween adventures!

Not-So-Spooky Fun Around Wisconsin

With Halloween just around the corner, many families are seeking fun, safe, and affordable ways to get in the spirit and celebrate. Here are a few to get you started:

Fridays & Saturdays in October:
Zoo Boo – New Zoo, Green Bay
Cost: Zoo Admission: advanced tickets $8, at the gate $10, 1 & Under are free
Begins: 3 p.m.
Features: Inflatable fun, games, horse-drawn haunted wagon through ‘Freaky Forest’, dancing with live D.J.

October 17:
BooFest – Wisconsin Ave. & Commercial St, Neenah
Cost: Free
Begins: 9 a.m.
Events: Pumpkin carving, scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin recipe contest & trick-or-treating

Zoo Boo – Wildwood Wildlife Park, Minocqua
Cost: Under 12 free with non-perishable food donation, over 12: $7 admission at door
Begins: 1 p.m.
Events: Costume contest, fun activities & trick-or-treating

October 23:
Spooka Minooka – Minooka Park, Waukesha
Cost: $10 per car (some activities have additional fees)
Begins: 5:30 -9:00 p.m. for kids 6-12 (Haunted Barn Encore for older kids 10/24)
Events: Haunted trail ride, ‘Spookagraphs’, crafts, cookie decorating, campfire & Haunted Barn

October 24:
Halloween Fest – Prairie Springs Park, Pleasant Prairie
Cost: Free (some events may have additional charges)
Begins: 4 p.m.
Events: Costume contest, camp fire, pumpkin painting, scavenger hunt, “feel factor” for kids, hayrides

October 23-24:
Candlelight Cave Tours – Ledge View Nature Center, Chilton
Cost: $5 per person
Begins: 5:30 Friday, 4:30 Saturday
More Info: Use stairs & ladders to descend into the caves led by costumed guides, dress in layers!

As always, check out WisconsinLodging.info for great places to stay, then hit the road for some fun (& not-so-spooky) fall adventures!
Thanks Pamela for all your help with these!