More about Beaver Dam:

More Wisconsin Destinations:

Beaver Dam
Door County
Eagle River
Fond du Lac
Green Lake
Hayward
Lake Geneva
Madison
Manitowoc
Mauston
Mercer
Minocqua
Phillips
Port Washington
Rhinelander
Rice Lake
River Falls
St. Germain
Sheboygan
Tomahawk
Wausau
Westby
Wisconsin Dells

For about the same amount of time that it takes to get from Chicago to the Wisconsin Dells, you can also visit a place that offers less flashing lights and less hype.  There are plenty of places to stay and many restaurants at which to eat.  You won't find the water slides and theme parks.  You also won't spend as much money. 

Beaver Dam Lake, Fox Lake and several smaller lakes nearby offer plenty to see and do.  And nearby Horicon Marsh will treat your senses with great scenery, diverse populations of birds, waterfowl and other wildlife, and other abundant opportunities for amateur and professional photographers alike.  Even if you don't stay overnight the first time, take a drive through the area.  It's scenic, quiet and not that far out of the way. 

I was told by several local sources that even though the lakes aren't very deep, they're loaded with walleye, perch, Northern pike, crappie and bass.  If you don't like long drives, try the Beaver Dam Lake and Fox Lake area.  It's only about 45 minutes from Madison, just east of Sun Prairie, WI on Route 151.