Wisconsin Dells Attractions
What to See and Do, Where to Stay, Where to Eat
Your guide to the best activities, waterparks, restaurants, and hotels in the Lake Delton/Dells Area.
The Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton area is a vacationer's paradise. With beautiful natural surroundings on the Wisconsin River to fun-filled water parks and other amenities to great places to eat, the Dells has everything you need for a perfect vacation.
There are currently 71 water parks in America with 30 of them residing in Wisconsin, and the majority of those are in the Dells. This earns the city the title of "Waterpark Capital of the World." Many of the waterparks are part of indoor/outdoor resorts, providing fun year-round. Here is a list of some of the top attractions, places to stay, and eating establishments.
- Waterpark Resorts - There are five main resorts that draw visitors, plus a number of medium resorts and some hotels that have their own mini-versions of waterparks.
- Non-waterpark Hotels - This is the place to get a good deal in the Dells. Many hotel rooms come with free tickets to Mount Olympus, the giant indoor/outdoor waterpark and amusement park. At some locations this will bring the cost of your room down to a mere $5.
- Wizard Quest - Located in downtown Wisconsin Dells, this unique attraction is one of the best in the Dells. Suitable for ages from grade school to adults, you will have to use your mental and physical abilities to solve this treasure-hunt type game among the four chambers of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water.
- Knucklehead's - This place is like Chuck E. Cheese on speed. There are arcade games and rides for young and old, including a bowling alley. There is no pizza place incorporated here but Buffalo Phil's buffet is attached. Be prepared to spend a lot of money, though.
- Boat Rides - The Dells is famous for its army-style ducks that give people a splashing and roller-coaster type ride around the Wisconsin River. But there are calmer types of boats for sightseeing and even dinner cruises.
- Shopping - The newest shopping venue is the Tanger Outlets near I-94 and Hwy 12. But other shopping areas are tucked around the strip plus a long stretch of shops in the downtown area, including as many fudge shops as you could hope for!
- Spas - Almost every water park resort has a spa associated with it, some on site and some a short drive away.
- Horseback riding and carriage rides - There are a few stables in the area to get out and enjoy nature away from the boats. Lost Canyon provides horse-and-carriage transportation through one of the beautiful gorges in the area.
- Tommy Bartlett's Attractions - From the hands-on science exploratory to the world famous ski and sky show, they still bring in the crowds after all these years.
- Timbavati Wildlife Park and Storybook Gardens - One of the best attractions for the youngest kids in the Dells. Children love the old props and scenes from the fairytales they know by heart, and know exotic animals and birds in a mini zoo are part of the admission fee.
- Mini-Golf - There are many places for mini-golfing in the Dells, including Old River and Totem Pole, Pirate's Cove, and even on-site and included in the fee with Mount Olympus passes.
- Golf - For 9 to 18 holes of beautiful courses, visit Trappers Turn, Spring Brook, Christmas Mountain, and the Wilderness's golf courses.
- See a show - There are many choices, from the Desert Star Cinema to the Big Sky Drive-In Theatres, to live performances at Wisconsin Opry, Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, Fab '50s Live, and Broadway Dinner Theatre.
- Enjoy history at the H.H. Bennett Studio, run by the Wisconsin Historical Society. See collections of his photographs, including amazing stereographic images, and learn about the Dells' past.
- Get back to nature at nearby state parks, such as Devil's Lake State Park, where you can cross-country ski and snowshoe in the winter or hike, swim, and fish in the summer.
For a list of fabulous restaurant choices, you can choose from either fine dining establishments in the Dells for a special night out, or family-friendly restaurants serving all kinds of ethnic foods.
To read more about some of the adult attractions such as golfing, spas, and more, see the article on Wisconsin Dells for Adults.
