Located less than 2 hours from Milwaukee and an hour from Madison, Wisconsin Dells is a popular Midwest destination for families year-round as “The Waterpark Capital of the World!”
The beauty of The Dells has been drawing generations of tourists to the area for years, and now I understand why.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do when you visit the Wisconsin Dells.
Our visit was sponsored by Travel Mindset and the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
My mother-in-law, niece, and youngest son joined me for a weekend adventure in The Dells. We experienced non-stop fun at so many places to add to your list.
Spend the Day at Noah’s Ark Waterpark
1410 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI
When you visit “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” a great place to start is at the Largest Waterpark in America, Noah’s Ark Waterpark.
Purchase Discounted Tickets for Noah’s Ark Waterpark Here
What I loved about this waterpark was that even though it’s HUGE (70 acres) the park doesn’t feel huge in a bad way.
You can find a variety of rides and thrill levels close to each other so you don’t have to walk very far between rides.
Our favorite rides of the day were the Black Anaconda water coaster, the longest in America at 1/4 mile long, and the Sting Ray slide that drops you down a super steep incline in a double or single inner tube.
My mother-in-law LOVED the water coaster and she was so glad we talked her into going on it.
We also enjoyed relaxing at the wave pool and the lazy river between thrill rides. There are over 51 slides and attractions appealing to families of all ages.
A few dining favorites at Noah’s Ark Waterpark are Pink’s Hot Dogs and the Dole Whip Oasis Stand. A Dole Whip is the perfect treat after a long day in the sun.
Tips Before You Go to Noah’s Ark Waterpark:
Save on admission to Noah’s Ark Waterpark by purchasing your tickets online.
It’s also worth paying the extra $ to upgrade your parking for closer access to the park.
If you want to keep your phone nearby consider bringing a portable safe for your chair while you swim if you don’t want to put it in a locker.
Enjoy the Scenic Upper Dells Tour with Dells Boat Tours®
107 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI
A two-hour tour of the Wisconsin River is a great way to introduce you to the amazing rock formations and cliffs at The Dells.
I loved that the Upper Dells tour also gave us two different opportunities to get off the boat to briefly explore and grab a snack at the concession stand.
Our first stop was Witches Gulch, which was such an unexpected surprise.
The mossy narrow formations felt like something out of a movie.
The trail path ends at a concession stand and bathhouse. We had about 20-25 minutes during that stop.
Our next stop was Stand Rock, which had more of an incline that might be more challenging if you’re in a wheelchair.
We learned about the site where famous photographer, Henry Hamilton Bennett took a photograph of his son jumping across to Stand Rock.
This is also where we watched a trained German Shepherd jump to and from the face of Stand Rock.
He only does it once so have your cameras ready to capture a photo or video, and there is a safety net in place just in case.
Tips Before You Go on the Scenic Upper Dells Tour with Dells Boat Tours:
Bring a sweatshirt or jacket because it can get cooler out on the water. When we started our tour, it was warm and sunny, but it became windier throughout our tour.
Seating for the tours is first come, first serve. You’ll wait on the benches before your departure and enter the boat in the order that you arrive.
We were glad we arrived early because we wanted to sit on the top deck.
You’ll have the opportunity to purchase a souvenir book during your tour that highlights the areas from the tour, along with vintage photos.
Take a Land and Water Tour With the Original Wisconsin Ducks®
1890 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
We didn’t have enough time to check out this tour, but the Original Wisconsin Ducks® tour is popular for tourists.
The one-hour tour takes you over sandbars and in the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton, and it’s the only tour in the world in continuous operation since 1946.
I’m definitely adding it to my list for my next visit.
Visit the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
560 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
If you visited Wisconsin Dells in the past there is a good chance that you attended the 90-minute Tommy Barlett water ski show that dates back to the 1950s.
The ski show is unfortunately permanently closed but you can still visit the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory.
The indoor attraction features more than 175 interactive activities and most guests visit for around 1.5 – 2 hours.
Face Your Fears on the BigFoot Zipline or Bigfoot Ropes Course
1550 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI
If you like a challenge, you’ll find hours of fun at the BigFoot Zipline and Bigfoot Ropes Course. We were tight on time during our visit so we opted to try the Ropes Course.
Each participant wears a harness and is connected securely to the course during their adventure.
My mother-in-law isn’t a huge fan of heights, but she did great as she worked her way up the course.
Participants can “choose their own adventure” with over 80+ elements to try on multiple levels.
You progress to the next height level at your own pace, and you can even step off the course if you need a break before moving on.
If you reach the top level of the course and walk across the beam, you can climb inside the helicopter at the top.
Free lockers are available for guests to secure valuables while they are up in the air. Their staff help ensure you have a positive experience on the course.
See Animals at Timbavati Wildlife Park
2220 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Timbavati Wildlife Park has more than 400 animals from over 70 species.
A few highlights include viewing the baby animals in the nursery, feeding the parakeets and giraffes, and taking a Safari Train Ride.
We had a short time to visit Wildlife Park because we had a plane to catch. One of the most popular areas during our visit was the giraffe feeding area.
If you are a registered guest at Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells you can also get free admission to Timbavati Wildlife Park.
Make sure that you get your tickets at the Kalahari front desk.
Great Places to Eat in Wisconsin Dells
You’ll want to add these local restaurants to your list when you visit Wisconsin Dells.
Breakfast in the Wisconsin Dells
You can’t go wrong with the following restaurants for breakfast.
Fill Up at Paul Bunyan’s Northwoods Cook Shanty
411 State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Taking family-style food to another level, you’ll need a big appetite for Paul Bunyan’s Northwoods Cook Shanty.
You can get a picture with Paul Bunyan or Babe the Blue Ox on your way to eat at this lodge-themed restaurant.
You pay for your meal before you are seated, which is a little different, but it does make it faster when you are ready to leave after your meal.
If you want your server’s tip added to your bill, make sure that you tell the cashier ahead of time.
Our breakfast started with buttermilk donuts, biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage links and ham, camp-fried potatoes, flapjacks, coffee, and juice.
We could have gotten refills on any of the breakfast items, but we were stuffed after the first round.
Kudos to those who keep those refills coming. The restaurant also serves different menu items for lunch and dinner if you visit at a later time.
Enjoy Breakfast Sweets at Mr. Pancake
1405 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
This is a great breakfast spot in a building shaped like a giant paddle boat.
The specialty pancakes are large and the omelets even come with pancakes, so you don’t have to choose between sweet or savory.
You will definitely not leave hungry. Mr. Pancake is across the street from the Noah’s Ark Waterpark entrance.
That makes it a great place to fill up before your big day at the park.
*This is a popular spot for breakfast, so try to avoid the morning rush and get there extra early or later.
Restaurants for Lunch & Dinner in the Wisconsin Dells
These are great restaurants to stop by for lunch or dinner while at Wisconsin Dells.
A Cheese Lovers Paradise at MACS – Macaroni and Cheese Shop
208 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Mac and cheese fans, this place is for you! Don’t let the pan sizes fool you, because the regular size is filling.
MACS has an assortment of creative combinations to mix up your mac n’ cheese, and I can guarantee that it will be love at first bite.
A few of our favorite dishes were the bacon, chicken, ranch, and jalapeno popper. My younger son is a mac and cheese purist and he still loved his version too.
Stay and Play at The Grateful Shed Truckyard
1470 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
The Grateful Shed Truckyard was one of my favorite discoveries during our visit.
It combines food trucks, great live music, creative seating, and decor including an elevated rehabbed Greyhound bus that you can dine in.
You can choose from food trucks with Asian food, street tacos, and grilled cheese variations. The hardest part is narrowing down your options.
There is a bar and plenty of seating areas inside or outside. The bus is a unique seating option if you don’t mind heights.
There are a few smaller buses to dine in on the lower level too.
The outdoor area also has fire pits and cornhole.
You really need to take your time to look around at everything while you are there.
There are so many fun details located throughout the space.
Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille
150 Gasser Rd
I’m a sucker for a gimmick, and Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille has a dining experience that will put a smile on the faces of adults and kids alike.
You can sit in an area where your food and drinks are delivered by a server …or you can sit where the food is delivered by train.
Seriously, why would you want to sit anywhere else?
Our sandwiches and burgers were delicious and delivered quickly, which was good because we had a time crunch before leaving for the airport.
The expressions on the kids’ faces as the train passed by blowing bubbles or when it delivered their meals were priceless. I’ll admit, I was super excited when our food came by train, too.
Cook Your Meat at Hot Rocks
399 Co Rd A
Hot Rocks is a tiki-themed restaurant with fun drinks and menu items you can watch cooking on a hot lava stone.
Your server will give you pointers for the best practices for when to flip or sear your meat depending on what you select.
We tried the Filet Mignon Medallions, Jumbo Tiger Shrimp, and the Porterhouse.
What’s great is that you’re in charge of ensuring that your meat is cooked to your preferences on the 750 degrees Fahrenheit lava stone in front of you.
Don’t forget to save room for the Hot Rocks Fudge Volcano for dessert. This is a great dessert for sharing, and the brownie is delicious.
Where We Stayed in Wisconsin Dells, WI
You can compare prices and save money on lodging in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Wisconsin Dells
1305 Kalahari Dr, Wisconsin Dells, WI
For the best of both worlds stay at a resort that doubles as an amazing indoor and outdoor waterpark.
Save on Your Stay at Kalahari Resort Here
We’ve previously stayed at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH and it was great to visit another one of their properties.
The outdoor waterpark allows you to soak up the sun, relax, or try a few thrill rides.
We had a blast on their water coaster and group tube slides.
Kalahari is Wisconsin’s largest indoor waterpark and provides areas that will appeal to families of all ages.
The air temperature at the indoor waterpark is warm making it an awesome year-round adventure.
Adults will enjoy the 21+ up hot tub area and swim-up bar.
Lodging at Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells
Kalahari Resort offers a range of room options for families depending on their size and amenity needs.
We stayed in the Sands section of the hotel with access to the waterparks via the skywalk so we never had to go outside in our swimsuits to visit the other section of the building.
We enjoyed our visit to The Dells and found many reasons to want to come back!
