If you are looking for a northern vacation destination that offers plenty of family entertainment and numerous water activities, one place to consider is the southern region of Wisconsin. In southern Wisconsin, you have the largest city, Milwaukee, the exciting Wisconsin Dells, and beautiful Lake Geneva. With enough attractions and activities to keep the whole family captivated, you'll want to come back every year for the cheese and the adventure.

There are a lot of places to see and even more information to take in when you visit the commercial and manufacturing center of Wisconsin. The influence of the German brewers who arrived in the 1840s is still prevalent in Milwaukee, as visitors can tour the Pabst Mansion, the Miller Brewing Company, and the Sprecher microbrewery. However, there is much more to this city than beer, so head over to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, or the Milwaukee county zoo for a more family-friendly experience and to pick up a new tidbit or two as you stroll through the exhibits.

When the sun is shining and the heat is blazing (it actually does get quite hot in the summer), a trip to the Wisconsin Dells is in order. This area is perfect for families who want to escape the summer heat and have a great time doing it. There are a variety of water parks and theme parks in the area, with the one can't miss being Mt. Olympus, so jump in a go kart, run to the next water slide, or cruise down a lazy river and free your inner child. Other popular attractions include touring the Cambrian rock formations via amphibious vehicle, the "Ducks," and hitting the links at one of the numerous scenic golf courses. There is also gambling at the Ho-Chunk Bingo & Casino and a highly entertaining magic and illusion show at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater.

A visit to Lake Geneva involves more than just the usual lake activities many expect and are accustomed to. You will certainly find the usual options for boating, swimming, parasailing, and fishing, but there are other resources readily available to keep your entire family occupied. Big Foot Beach State Park offers hiking and biking trails, there are readily available tours of the surrounding orchards and wineries, and you can find numerous outlets that provide hot air balloon rides and horseback riding excursions. A day at Lake Geneva can be what you make of it, but if you want to simply unwind, bring your picnic basket to the shore and let the day unfold before you.

Since you'll want to visit these different areas of Wisconsin throughout your vacation, you definitely need accommodations that actually accommodate your movement throughout the trip. Rather than packing up the family each time you journey to a new locale, try a southern Wisconsin vacation rental that is ideally situated around these great destinations. You can stay in between the cities or stay in the city you plan to spend the majority of your time at. However you plan your vacation, your Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, or Lake Geneva vacation rental or condo will be a convenient home away from home throughout the duration of your trip.