Noah's Ark Wisconsin Dells

Nearly all of the usual suspects are here-- speed slides, lazy river, mat slides, etc.-- and there are multiples of many of them. Curiously absent from the ride lineup at Noah's Ark is a funnel ride or a FlowRider surfing attraction. But with two wave pools, numerous rides designed for groups to enjoy together, and some seriously harrowing slides, there are plenty of ways to get wet.

Or not. Perhaps more than any other water park, Noah's Ark offers a surprising number of dry attractions. Its 4-D Dive-In Theater (cute name), for example, offers 3-D shorts mixed with sensory enhancements. There's also the Curse of the Crypt dark ride, mini-golf, bumper boats, a kiddie roller coaster, and arcades. And while passengers (and nearby onlookers) definitely get drenched, it's unusual to see a splashdown boat ride such as Flash Flood at a standalone water park.

Noah's Ark has a number of marquee attractions, including Scorpion’s Tail, North America's first nearly vertical water slide loop, and Time Warp, a huge bowl ride with special lighting effects. For sheer thrills, it doesn't get much wackier than Point of No Return a dual, racing speed slide that starts, gulp, 10 stories up in the air.

Noah's Ark Wisconsin Dells Phone

From Chicago: I-90 W to Exit 87 towards Wisconsin Dells. Right on Hwy 12 to park on the left.

From Minneapolis: I-94 E to Exit 87 towards Wisconsin Dells. Right on Hwy 12 to park on the left.

From Milwaukee: I-94 W to Exit 87 towards Wisconsin Dells. Right on Hwy 12 to park on the left.

• Compare rates for Noah's Ark-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

• Fantastic Voyage family raft ride at Wilderness indoor water park in Wisconsin Dells.
• Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster at Typhoon Lagoon water park in Walt Disney World.
• Dragon's Den bowl ride at New York's Splish Splash water park.

For 2012: Quadzilla
It's a race to the finish -- water park style -- in this 4-slide attraction.