Overview
Wisconsin Dells is a popular vacation area in central Wisconsin, best known for its rock formations and water parks.
4 sights · 16 things to do · 9 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 13 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wisconsin Dells
Circus World Museum
Baraboo.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum
A 7-mile train journey.
Noah's Ark Waterpark
America's largest waterpark.
Mt. Olympus Water and Fun Park
Dozens of waterslides, go-karts, and an indoor water park. Multiple parks along Wisconsin Dells Parkway (Map location is main park)
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
Science museum with many fun attractions including lifting up a car.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Madison)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSN Dane County Regional Truax Field, Madison — 40 mi away. Directions
- ATW Appleton International Airport, Appleton — 76 mi away. Directions
- MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 105 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is an hour to the south. Further away lies O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and Milwaukee Mitchel International Airport in Milwaukee. Also, there are general aviation airports: Sauk Prairie Airport in Sauk City/Prairie Du Sac, and the Baraboo/Dells Airport for Baraboo and, of course, the Wisconsin Dells.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Noah's Ark Waterpark, Dells Army Duck Tours, Mt. Olympus Water and Fun Park
- Lunch The Cheeze Factory Restaurant
- Afternoon Original Wisconsin Ducks, Top Secret Attraction
- Dinner Bronco Billy's Saloon!
- Evening Showboat Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Mid-Continent Railway Museum, Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, Great Wolf Lodge
- Lunch Monk's Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Knuckleheads Indoor Trampoline, Bowling & Amusement Park, Rick Wilcox Theater
- Dinner Mr. Pancake
- Evening Nig's
Day 3
- Morning Circus World Museum, Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
- Lunch Buffalo Phil's Grille
- Afternoon Dells Jet Boat Adventures
- Dinner Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co.
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Wisconsin Dells is an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest, famous for the steep and scenic bluffs along the rivers that make great cruising, and is also famous for the many water and theme parks.
Carefully vet Dells-related websites -- most are dot com sites but there are some dot org and dot edu sites that have valuable information. Pick up a free travel and attraction guide to help planning. Many feature ways to save money with coupon books and discount cards. Check online newspaper sites for events and festivals. Look for online reviews and specials to see what other travelers are saying before you book. Many times you can subscribe to a dells website for free coupons, email offers and last minute specials. The area marketing has grown so you can get many discounts, savings and offers directly to your mobile devices. While you're there having a good time make sure you remember to save enough gas money to get home!
Tourist information
Get in
By plane
The Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is an hour to the south. Further away lies O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and Milwaukee Mitchel International Airport in Milwaukee. Also, there are general aviation airports: Sauk Prairie Airport in Sauk City/Prairie Du Sac, and the Baraboo/Dells Airport for Baraboo and, of course, the Wisconsin Dells.
By train
- Routes stopping at Wisconsin Dells:
- Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
- Borealis operating daily between Saint Paul and Chicago, making all the same stops as Empire Builder east of Saint Paul.
By car
Interstate 90/94 passes right through the Dells area with four exits leading directly to the Wisconsin Dells area. U.S. 12 also passes through the Dells from major cities such as Madison, Tomah, and Eau Claire.
By bus
The Greyhound Bus stops at the Citgo/Burger King at 611 Frontage Rd.
Get around
The majority of Wisconsin Dells tourist attractions are along Broadway (Downtown Dells) and the Wisconsin Dells Parkway (Dells and Lake Delton). Both of these streets merge to form an "L" shape curving along the river as it progresses through town. This route can be traced from highway 16, where Broadway essentially begins, to Interstate 90/94. If you continue to follow this route past the interstate, you will eventually come to the Ho-Chunk Casino followed by the neighboring community of Baraboo.
Taxis
- Dells City Taxi, +1 608-448-1818
See
Do
Wisconsin Dells offers a wide variety of attractions and activities ranging from waterparks and rides to shopping, as well as boat rides on the upper and lower Dells on the Wisconsin River. The terms "upper" and "lower" Dells refer to the areas above (upper) and below (lower) the Hydro-Electric Dam which partly powers the City of Wisconsin Dells. The two regions differ in geography and scenery. Upper Dells Boat Tours travel upstream from Wisconsin Dells while The Lower Dells Boat Tours travel downstream. The area boasts Noah's Ark, Americas Largest Waterpark, along with several other waterparks, like the resort waterparks: Kalahari Resort, Wilderness Resort, Great Wolf Lodge, Chula Vista Resort, Mt. Olympus water & theme park giving Wisconsin Dells its motto: The Waterpark Capital of the World!. Special coupons and promotional packages for multiple attractions throughout Wisconsin Dells can be found at www.dells.com. Also, check out the championship golf courses and world class spa and day spas.
- - located in Wisconsin Dells
Boat Cruises
Many companies operate boat tours, including:
- Dells Ghost Boat 11 Broadway Ave, +1-608-254-8555
- Upper & Lower Dells Boat Tours, +1 608 254-8555. April to October.
- ,
Buy
- Downtown Wisconsin Dells offers a wide variety of shopping options. Explore the area and the broad mix of stores including gift shops, antique stores, art galleries and apparel boutiques. Indulge in sweet treats, like fudge, saltwater taffy and gourmet caramel apples. All of this lies along the scenic river walk of downtown, providing beautiful views of the Upper Dells.
Further down the parkway, you can find some of the standard fare, such as Walmart and Kohls Department Stores, as well as some more unique shops like: *Parson's Indian Trading Post & Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of Native American crafted products.
And then at the end of the parkway, you can find the *Tanger Outlet mall (Also known as Outlets at the Dells), which offers discount merchandise from popular retailers such as Coach, Adidas, American Eagle and Banana Republic and features many unique shops like Pure Sugar and Drink Wisconsinbly.
Finally, after passing the 90/94 overpass on the Dells Parkway, there's the *Wisconsin Dells Antique Mall, offering everything from World War II memorabilia to antique toys to sports merchandise.
Eat
Budget
Eat Bronco Billy's Saloon!
Bronco Billy's Saloon is known for its famous 2/3 lb Char Grilled Bronco Burger. A large menu, daily specials and drink specials available every day. Karaoke, live entertainment, volleyball and horseshoe courts with panoramic views.
Eat Monk's Bar & Grill
A Wisconsin Dells tradition since 1947 among locals and visitors alike. Try the monk's burger made from angus beef. Two level seating. Full drink menu and great food.
Eat Mr. Pancake
Another Dells landmark since the 1960s. Offers a selection of pancakes, waffles and omelets. Try the Hot Fudge Banana Split Waffle or Strawberry Blintzes.
- Grateful Shed, +1 608 253-0588, 1470 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. 11AM-2:30AM (Kitchen closes at 9PM). An Indoor-Outdoor Restaurant with food from savory Grilled Cheese to amazing shakes, you have to stop by and give it a try! Recommend the cocktails and their Signature Smashburger.
Mid-range
- Across the street from Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari resorts.
Eat Buffalo Phil's Grille
Watch the chefs prepare your meal in their State-of-the-Art show kitchen with roasting spits of meat & a Woodstone oven as they prepare a medley of rotisserie chicken and wood fire pizzas. Indoor entertainment right next door...Knuckleheads Bowling & Indoor Amusement Park.
Eat Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co.
The Dells first micro-brewery features ten hand-crafted beers. From the tanks of the micro brewery straight to your glass. The Moosejaw brewmasters use locally grown hops to brew a huge variety of fantastic beers, ales and lagers. Free delivery.
Eat The Cheeze Factory Restaurant
A smoke-free, vegan restaurant serving appetizers, salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, and more for lunch. Gluten-free options. Kids' menu. Non-alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic beer. Desserts baked in house. They published a cookbook with their most requested recipes.
Eat Mexicali Rose
Wisconsin Dells oldest Mexican restaurant, Mexicali Rose offers a broad menu of Mexican Favorites and a view of the Wisconsin River.
Splurge
Eat The Del Bar
Established in 1943, The Del-Bar is first and foremost in fine dining in Wisconsin Dells. Designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School of Architecture. Known for Dry Aged steaks, Pan Fried Walleye and Jumbo Tempura Shrimp.
Eat Ishnala Supper Club
The floors are built from 76 tons of flagstone mined from a nearby quarry, with giant Norway pines growing through the floor and ceiling. They do not accept reservations.
Drink
- River's Edge Pub & Grub, +1 608 253-6600. 30 Co Rd A. Rivers Edge is a pub/restaurant situated next to the Wisconsin River and is known for its fish, burgers, cocktails, and pizza, it also has Root Beer (and other beers of course due to how common it is in Wisconsin) on tap. Also, they have a resort going by the Rivers Edge name right next to the restaurant, along with a boat ramp for recreational activities like jet skiing and fishing, and Rivers Edge Bait Shop for fishermen nearby.
Drink Showboat Saloon
Longstanding tavern with drinks and food with daily deals, live music, and karaoke.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Camping
Stay safe
- The Wisconsin Dells Police Department is at 712 Oak St. Next to the Kilbourn Fire Department. Emergency Number is 911, Non Emergency is +1 608 253-4375.
- Lake Delton Police Department is at 50 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. Emergency Number is 911, Non Emergency is +1 608 254-8331.
- The Wisconsin Dells Clinic is at 1310 Broadway, +1 608 253-5451.
- The Lake Delton Clinic is at 530 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy., +1 608 254-5400.
- St Clare Urgent Care Center is at 530 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. +1 608 254-5959.
Nearby
Baraboo
City / town · 16 listings · 11 mi away
Portage
City / town · 3 listings · 16 mi away
Prairie du Sac
City / town · 3 listings · 24 mi away
Coloma
City / town · 5 listings · 30 mi away
Necedah
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Camp Douglas
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Spring Green
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Richland Center
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