Hands on Thrills with a Dells Tradition

Located next to the entrance to the exciting Tommy Bartlett water show, the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is a hands-on museum of fun. There are more than 150 interactive exhibits that allow kids and parents to experience technology, space, and science. Exhibits include an authentic Russian Space Station MIR core module. The museum is the only place on earth people can see inside the module that served as the living quarters during space missions. There is also a Mercury Space Capsule which offers visitors an upclose look at the pod American space explorers rode in during their first exploration.

The High Wire SkyCycle is a 12 foot ride in the air on a modified bike that balances on "the world's thinnest bike trail.'' The Virtual Sports Center allows visitors to play in extreme games and sports in a safe, computerized environment. The Bridge of Fire is one of the most loved experiences at the museum and teaches visitors about static electricity. The Shadow Room invites museum guests to pose and stand back so they can see their shadow shape posted on the wall.

More than 3.5 million people have visited the Exploratory since it opened in 1982. There is no time limit while in the museum, but most tours take about two hours. The museum is known as "a playground for people of all ages'' and the mind boggling exhibits will entertain children and adults, making it the ideal family experience. Some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratory are the virtual reality exhibits. The Kick-It-Pro soccor game allows you to kick a real ball to test the speed at which you are kicking. It is like clocking your pitch for soccer.

Admission to the Exploratory is reasonably priced at $9-12. Group discounts are available for groups larger than 20 people. The museum is a popular field trip destination for schools in the Wisconsin Dells area. It is estimated that nearly 300 school and youth groups visit the Exploratory each year. The museum is open year-round, so those visiting the Dells during the off-season can experience all the fun that is offered all summer long.

The Exploratory experience is one of the most unique you will have in the Dells. The town is filled with water and theme parks and families typically head out for a visit primarily to experience the fun of water slides, wave pools, and roller coasters. However, there is more to the Dells than these amusements. A Dells vacation is often not complete without a round of mini-golf, a Tommy Bartlett Show performance, a pizza at Moosejaw Pizza and Dells Brewing Company, and a few hours at the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory. Others pair the Exploratory with outlet shopping and a trip to the Sundara spa. The best part about the museum is its ability to appeal to children young and old. No matter what your itinerary in the Dells includes, be sure to include this unique, science-filled experience. The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is a Wisconsin Dells classic.