25 Fun & Best Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells lies on the Wisconsin River in south-central Wisconsin. This region of the state was glacier-carved.

The resulting craggy Cambrian rock formations were named Dells,from the French term dalles meaning slab-like rock. Some more distinctive rock formations are named for objects they resemble, such as Chimney Rock. 

Originally, Wisconsin Dells was named Kilbourn City after the railroad company president whose trains ran to the Dells area. But the name didn’t stick, and the area is simply called The Dells.

During the mid-1800s, Wisconsin Dells became a popular tourist attraction. Over the next decade, the number of theme parks, water parks, and activities in the Dells grew.

Popular resorts have become iconic to the area, including Noah’s Ark Water Park, Great Wolf Lodge, and Mt. Olympus Water Park. And this small Midwestern city has become widely recognized as “The Waterpark Capital of the World.”

Water is a significant part of life in the Dells – in and out of the waterparks. Area forest reserves such as Mirror Lake State Park are known for hiking trails and camping. And Lake Delton offers fishing, boating, and swimming.

But Wisconsin Dells is not just about the water. The area is home to championship golf courses, mini-golf sites, horseback riding, and ziplining parks. But it is also an excellent shopping destination with a few high-quality historical museums. 

Here are the top fun and best things to do in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

TL;DR

• Most significant landmark – H.H. Bennett Studio
• Best park – Rocky Arbor State Park 
• Best free activity – Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk
• Best activity for kids – Riverside and Great Northern Railway
• Best activity for adults – Monk’s Bar and Grill
• Best food – The Boathouse Restaurant
• Best nightlife – Rubbs Steakhouse
• Best all-around accommodation – Bluegreen Vacations Christmas Mountain Village

Fun & Best Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

1. Wilderness Resort

Address: 511 E Adams St, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Wilderness Resort in the Dells is one of America’s largest waterparks and is reserved exclusively for guests. It is home to four indoor waterparks, four outdoor pools, and even a small toddler water pad. Wilderness Resort offers something for everyone.

Wilderness Resort boasts the largest wave pool in the United States, roughly 13,000-square feet. Basketball and volleyball nets are set up on both indoor pool outdoor pools. There is a convenient swim-up bar, multiple lazy river rides, and an indoor and outdoor hot tub with Lake Delton views. 

There are also two dozen on-site eateries and a golf course. And the on-site Canyon Ridge Taproom offers adults a full bar, a fireplace, and pool tables for a casual adults-only evening.

2. Christmas Mountain Village

Address: S944 Christmas Mountain Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Christmas Mountain Village is a 1,200-acre golf and ski resort that offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and snowshoeing. Ski lessons are available for novices, and the bunny hills are designed with beginners in mind. 

Both indoor and outdoor pools sport hot tubs, perfect after a chilly day on the slopes. And this ski resort in Wisconsin Dells has a hilltop sports bar overlooking the golf course and slopes. Christmas Mountain Village Resort is also home to an 18-hole and a mini 9-hole championship golf course – both courses were designed by D. J. DeVictor.

Visitors can choose their Bluegreen Vacations Christmas Mountain Village accommodations according to their itineraries. Quiet, rustic log cabins, multi-story villas, cottages, contemporary townhomes, and a campground are all available. 

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Green Bay, Wisconsin

 3. Cave of the Mounds

Address: 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds, WI 53517

Cave of the Mounds is about an hour south of Wisconsin Dells near Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. It is full of speleothems – mineral deposits that form in the limestone.

Quarry workers discovered the cave in 1939, and it opened as a tourist attraction in 1940. This natural limestone formation is worth the drive if you are looking for a cave of wonders.

The cave is home to hollow tubes of minerals called soda straws, limestone flows, and a colorful geological record of the area. An educational video prepares visitors. And an extended guided tour explains the cave’s uniquely bent stalactites known as helictites and columns.

A rockhound gift shop selling rocks and crystals is on-site. A family-friendly park space surrounds the Cave of the Mounds with hiking trails, the Brigham Park Trail, and a picnic area. The Cave of the Mounds is open the daily, from 9 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm.

4. Dells Boat Tours

Address: 107 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Dells Boat Tours are a popular way to go sightseeing in Wisconsin Dells. Tours are available of both the upper and lower Cambrian-era gorge, although the Wisconsin River’s dam separates the two. The upper gorge tour passes pine tree growth, cliffed wall gorges, and sandstone formations.

The five-mile-long canyon, formed by glaciers, is a spectacular tour, and one of the most fascinating stops is Witches Gulch. This unique formation is a slot canyon carved from an ancient lakebed – the depth gives the appearance of a deep valley.

The trail to Witches Gulch is only accessible via a tour and provides an intimate narrow path. Dells Boat Tours offers a sunset cruise with dinner, music, and a torch-lit stroll through Witches Gulch.

If you are looking for a fine meal to round out your day, The Boathouse Restaurant at The Vue Hotel is within walking distance of Dells Boat Tours. This trendy seafood restaurant has some of the best sunset views in the Dells.

It is easy to find a great place to stay in the Dells. There are hotels and VRBO locations for every budget. Less than a mile away is the Holiday Inn Express Wisconsin Dells, perfect for couples and solo travelers searching for accommodations with sufficient amenities.

See Related: Things to Do in Tomah, Wisconsin

5. H.H. Bennett Studio and Museum

Address: 215 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The H.H. Bennett Studio, which opened in 1865, is the oldest business in Wisconsin Dells. It is also the oldest historical photography studio in the United States. 

The studio was established by renowned photographer H.H. Bennett, a Canadian-born photographer, and innovator who developed stop-action photography. He also invented a revolving solar darkroom, which is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution. Much of Bennett’s old working photography lab is still on display.

H.H. Bennett was considered one of the 19th century’s most significant landscape photographers, and his work drew thousands to the Wisconsin Dells area. Curated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, the studio is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

See Related: Best Restaurants in Door County, Wisconsin

6. Lost Canyon

Address: 720 Canyon Road, Lake Delton, WI 53965

Lost Canyon is Wisconsin’s longest canyon. It is also the state’s deepest canyon. Exploring one of the best attractions in Wisconsin Dells is easy with a charter on the family-owned Lost Canyon Tours.

Each 30-minute tour begins at Lake Delton’s south shore and loops into and through the canyon. Conveyed by a 15-seat horse-and-carriage, visitors are given time to listen and enjoy the sandstone formations and cliffs.

If you prefer to hike the canyon, this is a popular 3.5-mile loop. March through October is the best time of the year to attempt the hike. The one-and-a-half-hour trail hike is considered moderately challenging. Dogs are welcome on the trail, on a leash, of course.

See Related: Best Hiking Trails in the World You Must Visit

7. Kalahari Waterpark

Address: 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913

Kalahari Waterparks are part of the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center and include 220,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor water parks. The Zambezi, or outdoor water park, is open during the summer. It offers a lazy river, a hot tub, swimming pools, and water slides. There is also a kid’s water pad.

The indoor waterpark is open year-round, featuring a FlowRider for surfing and bodyboarding. The park offers over 32 different water features.  The indoor theme park houses an African-themed carousel and a six-story Ferris wheel. All ages can enjoy bumper cars, challenging mini-golf, or a 24-lane bowling alley. 

Connected with the Resort and included for all Kalahari guests is access to the Timbavati Wildlife Resort. For those needing extensive pampering, the Kalahari Resort has a full-service spa. Spa Kalahari and Salon offers daily or hourly appointments, including massages and skin and body treatments.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Superior, Wisconsin

8. Mount Olympus Park

Address: 655 N. Frontage Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Mount Olympus is a Greek-themed resort and theme park that has thrilled Wisconsin Dells visitors for over half a century. The park itself is divided into four separate sections. Each contains thrills and excitement, with activities for all ages. 

The Kiddies’ Train is great for toddlers and young children, while the Turbo Go-Kart Track and the flying biplanes are great for in-between ages. The multiple rollercoasters offer a thrill-a-minute. The indoor water park claims the only rotating water slide, the Medusa Slide Wheel, and offers a putt-putt golf course, a lazy river, and a rock climbing wall.

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Appleton, Wisconsin

9. Redbeard Bowfishing Tours

Address: River Road and Indiana Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

For outdoor enthusiasts and avid anglers, one of the more unique activities in Wisconsin Dells is bowfishing on the pristine Wisconsin River. Bowfishing is exciting and challenging and can be done during the day or night. 

During day tours, it is common to fish bowfin, carp, sheepshead, and catfish. At night many of the river’s animals emerge. It is possible to spot black bears, otters, and pelicans.

For over 15,000 years, humans worldwide have used primitive hunting tools to bow fish. Even contemporary tribes such as the Negritos in the present-day Philippines use a type of spear for bow fishing in the clear-water shallows and lagoons.

Closer to home, for those new to the sport or who need instruction, Redbeard Bowfishing Tours is on-hand to help. All equipment is included with the private tour, and dedicated guides safely instruct visitors on their choice of traditional bow or crossbow. The charter tours are roughly four hours.

See Related: Best Places to Travel in Your 20s in the US

10. Riverside & Great Northern Railway

Address: N115 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Riverside & Great Northern Railway is a living museum dedicated to operating and preserving locomotives and passenger cars made by the Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works from 1950–1980. It offers steam train rides. The museum is free, but train rides require a ticket.

The ride is a favorite of children and adults and winds through a 3-mile 15-gauge railway course through woodlands and canyons. The route hugs the sheer rock faces along the Wisconsin River. The museum also has train memorabilia and a souvenir shop.

Once you are finished with this breathtaking tour, stop in for dinner at Rubbs Steakhouse, north of downtown near the Woodside Wisconsin Dells Center Dome. This area hotspot is considered one of the premier restaurants in Wisconsin Dells.

See Related: Where to Stay in Door County

11. Rocky Arbor State Park

Address: N101 US Hwy. 12 and 16, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Rocky Arbor State Park is located 1.5 miles from downtown Wisconsin Dells. The state-protected location has spectacular sandstone ledges and walls formed over years of erosion.

Rocky Arbor State Park is a 244-acre park facility with 89 campsites, a playground, facilities, drinking water, and showers. The main gate closes at the end of the summer, but the park is open year-round for foot traffic.

Regardless of the season, it is one of the most popular places to visit near Wisconsin Dells and an excellent location for picnicking, hiking, hunting, and fishing. The main trail in the park is a 1.5-mile loop that is considered relatively easy to hike and takes roughly 30 minutes to complete. Hikers looking for more of a challenge can find more strenuous hiking off-trail through the wetlands and up the steep slopes of the bluffs. 

See Related: Best National Parks to Visit in November

12. Miniature Golf in Wisconsin Dells

Address: 1000 Stand Rock Road, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Ok, so you love miniature golf. Wisconsin Dells has you covered. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf of Wisconsin Dells is a 5-course mini-golf complex boasting 91 unique holes. Ranked as one of the best Wisconsin Dells attractions.

The golf park also has a well-maintained playground and picnic area. The course play ranges in difficulty from easy to difficult with waterfalls, bridges, and cave challenges. There is even a mammoth sundial, so you always know the time.

Another option to get your mini-golf fix sits right next door. Timber Falls Adventure Golf is a bit more intimate but with a spectacular view.

Pine trees shade four excellent mini-golf courses and overlook the Wisconsin River. The theme park-styled site is home to the Hellcat Roller Coaster, a 10-story thrill ride with 100-foot drops. There is also a water log flume, bumper boats, and a petting zoo.

Timber Falls is also home to the Skyscraper, a 360-degree swing that reaches 60 mph while 160 feet off the ground. If all the swinging and putting makes you hungry, the picnic pavilion has space for the whole family to enjoy lunch or dinner while watching the lazy river.

13. Monk’s Bar & Grill

Address: 220 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Monk’s Bar and Grill has been a family-friendly Wisconsin Dells tradition since 1947. Residents and visitors regularly gather here to watch Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packer games. 

The menu serves traditional pub fare — deep-fried pickles, cheese curds, hot pretzels, and onion rings. Entrees include juicy burgers served with beer-battered fries, sandwiches, and salads. The restaurant has three stories, but the top floor is reserved for live local bands each weekend. 

Across from Monk’s Bar and Grill, near Lake Delton Skate Park, is the starting point for a City and History Trolley Tour, a three-hour historical tour of the city.

See Related: Best Things to Do in La Crosse, Wisconsin

14. Wisconsin Deer Park

Address: 2183 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Wisconsin Deer Park is an original tourist attraction in the Wisconsin Dells area. The family-owned park consists of a 40-acre petting zoo with over 100 Virginia white-tailed deer to feed and pet.

The herd has all ages of animals, from fawns to adults. Not afraid of humans, the small deer will eat directly from your hands. 

In addition to white-tail deer, a popular Midwestern species, there are other animal classifications, including American elk and bison, European fallow deer, Japanese sika deer, goats, game birds, peacocks, emu, llamas, lemurs, horses, and pigs. 

Great for the entire family, the Wisconsin Deer Park also has a snack bar and a gift shop open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

15. The Palace Theater in the Wisconsin Dells

Address: 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Palace Theater in Wisconsin Dells is one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin Dells for a memorable evening of delicious food, concerts, and broadway-style entertainment. 

Located across from Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, The city-based theater provides a rotating mix of classic and modern broadway shows. The Palace Theater in the Dells boasts performances of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland. Innovative concerts and musical tributes are also part of the year’s choices.

In addition to great entertainment, the Palace Theater in the Dells has a full dinner and drinks service. Salads, steaks, and prime rib are all cooked to perfection.

There is even a children’s menu – go ahead, we know the chicken fingers and french fries are for you, not for the kids. The auditorium consists of both floor and tiered seating.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Minocqua, Wisconsin

16. Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk

Address: 105 Broadway Ave #91, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk is a popular free attraction in the city. It is a serene public green space with a half-mile paved recreational path that begins in the heart of the Dells River Arts District on Broadway and continues to Crandalls Bay and the marina on Illinois Avenue.

The path is designed for walking and bicycling activities and has panoramic views of the Wisconsin River, sandstone bluffs, and surrounding foliage. It is a perfect walking space. The park also has benches, picnic and chess game tables for a quiet afternoon.

And whether in summer or winter, Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk is the ideal place to enjoy a sunrise or color-filled sunset. During the winter season, a massive holiday tree, the Tree of Light, marks the park. There are also 70 additional lit holiday trees lining the trail. 

17. Bigfoot Zipline Tours

Address: 1550 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Bigfoot Zipline Park is part of the Dells Adventure Park. It offers a zipline course designed for both adults and children.

Each expert-guided tour takes about two and a half hours, covering seven different zip lines. Line lengths vary. The shortest is 462 feet, and the longest is 1,397 feet. And zipline speeds can reach 40 miles an hour.

The park also offers a Bigfoot Ropes Course. This aerial rope course is open to all athletic skill levels, designed from easiest to rugged. It boasts 80 challenges, including crawl spaces, swinging midair bridges, and climbing.

After a day of swinging in the trees, try a night of entertainment. The woodland adventure park is a short drive from Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, a family-approved Vegas-styled Magic show.

See Related: Best Vacations for a Group of Friends

18. Dells Mining Co.

Address: 427 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Dells Mining Co. is a great family-friendly activity in Wisconsin Dells that keeps you dry for the afternoon or on a rainy day. Grab a bucket of sand and search for semi-precious gems. Most buckets are guaranteed to have small gemstones – rubies, garnets, amethysts, emeralds, blue topaz, or other treasures. Admission to either location is free.

The mining buckets have a one-time charge. If you are unsure how to mine for treasure, Dells Mining Co. assistants are on hand to help with the details and offer information about the stones and minerals found.

If you are interested in mining and shopping, the Dells Mining Co also has a location in Downtown Wisconsin Dells near the Bavarian Village. This German-themed area has numerous shops and restaurants housed in chalet-styled buildings.

While you are sampling the cheese at the local cheese shop, take an hour to visit the famous Glockenspiel in the heart of the square. Each hour the Glockenspiel chimes, this replica German clock and figurines detail the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

19. Timbavati Wildlife Park

Address: 2220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Are you wondering what there is to do in the Dells? Try the Timbavati Wildlife Park. This safari-styled park is designed for all ages and is one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin Dells. This savannah-centric animal park is home to over 400 animals of 75 different species. 

The animals are separated by habitat. The Grassland creatures include antelope, zebras, camels, and giraffes, While the Woodland habitats have kangaroos, zebras, kudus, sloths, and emus. The Feline area houses the big cats. And there are individual primates, reptiles, and penguin pens. 

There is even a petting pen or giraffe feeding station. And with some trip planning, the park guides can schedule behind-the-scenes VIP tours. And a paved path directs visitors throughout the park. For those that wish to see the larger animals from a different perspective, the Safari Train circumnavigates the park.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Baraboo, Wisconsin

20. Great Wolf Lodge

Address: 1400 Great Wolf Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913

Like many resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Great Wolf Lodge offers more than a place to stay. Located roughly five miles south of downtown Wisconsin Dells and 32 miles from the airport, the indoor waterparks at Great Wolf Lodge offer lagoons, hot springs, and water slides, all conveniently located side by side.

And because everything is indoors, it is warm throughout the year. Children can choose water rides, magic shows, or scavenger hunts during the day and themed storytimes just before bedtime.

Great Wolf Lodge also boasts several on-site family-friendly restaurants, and there’s even a way to combine water and sweet treats at the ice-creamed themed Scoops Kid Spa. A bit more upscale, the Lodge Wood Fired Grill offers premium, wood-fired steaks, fresh seafood, and smoked ribs.

For those visitors staying elsewhere, such as the Staybridge Suites Wisconsin Dells, the Great Wolf Lodge offers a Day Pass for park access.

21. Country Bumpkin Farm Market

Address: E9745 County Road P, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Possibly the best outdoor activity to do in the Dells is Country Bumpkin Farm Market. This family-owned market is located just north of Mirror Lake State Park. Established in 1997, this pick-your-own farm offers sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, and berries.

Rotating vegetables and fruits include asparagus, cucumbers, and tomatoes. During the summer, you can fill your baskets with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, muskmelons, and watermelons. And the fall harvest is complete with a patch of pumpkins.

The on-farm greenhouse grows over a thousand plants grown annually for fresh-cut flowers and flower baskets. The farm market also has a Lil’ Bumpkin Petting Farm and Lil’ Bumpkin Play Village for young children. Kids can play at the pedal kart raceway, tractor corral, or on the children-sized zipline. There is even a Country Bumpkin Express Train Ride.

See Related: Best Places to Visit in the US

22. The Original Wisconsin Ducks

Address: 1890 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

One of the most successful conveyances in WWII, the DUKW, was used to transport troops onto shore efficiently. Reaching a land speed of roughly 50 mph and a water speed of over 6 knots, duck boats were used in D-Day landings and the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific. In fact, over 21,000 Ducks were built during World War II, lasting through the end of the Korean War.

Melvin H. Flath brought back an amphibious truck and established the world’s first Duck Tour company in 1946. The Original Wisconsin Ducks Tour company has delivered fun and adventure on and off the water in Wisconsin Dells for over half a century.

23. Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Address: 107 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Beyond the river walk, downtown Wisconsin Dells is a charming and historic part of town. There is a long list of retail boutiques, family restaurants, antique stores, a few intimate museums, and even an axe-throwing bar. The downtown also offers unique art galleries.

Famous for its candy shops, visitors can grab a square at Wisconsin Dairyland Fudge or choose one of over 1000 candy types at Goody Goody Gumdrop. Downtown Dells also boasts the world’s only root beer museum, the Museum of Root Beer. 

Several breweries and pubs complement the Chalet Lanes & Lounge bowling alley. And a strange non sequitur wedding chapel.

Downtown Wisconsin Dells is very walkable, or when your feet give out, there are several taxis and ride-share companies. Although, you may need a car to better explore the area in depth.

See Related: Things to Do in Racine, Wisconsin

24. Tommy Bartlett Exploratory

Address: 560 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Beginning as a mid-20th century water-ski show on Lake Delton, the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory evolved into an impressive hands-on science center and museum boasting over 175 exhibits. There are two iconic attractions – the Giant Lever, which, through engineering, enables anyone to lift a 5,000-pound vehicle, and the circus-style High Wire SkyCycle.

Amazingly, a Russian space station core module – one of just three made- allows visitors to walk through the module.  Open year-round, the museum’s hours change depending on the season. For accessible accommodations, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wisconsin Dells is across the street.

See Related: Things to Do in Wisconsin & Places to Visit

25. Cascade Mountain

Address: W10441 Cascade Mountain Rd., Portage, WI 53901

Cascade Mountain is located 20 miles southeast of downtown Wisconsin Dells. This unique area is considered one of the best small ski areas in the United States. And it is open from November through March for various winter activities, including downhill skiing and snow tubing.

Lift tickets for children under 12 years old are free with the purchase of an adult pass. For skiers needing instruction or just a refresher, lesson options range from private lessons to group instruction. Roughly a dozen chair lifts access over 48 trails on Cascade Mountain. The area is also famous for downhill night skiing. 

The Inn at Wawanissee Point is just 7 miles south of the ski resort for a quick commute and a race for the first chair.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Marinette, Wisconsin

FAQ

Related Resources

• Minnesota vs Wisconsin: What’s the Difference?
• Best Small Towns in Wisconsin to Visit
• Best Breweries in Wisconsin: Craft Beer & Taprooms