Known for its breathtaking river scenery and fantastic water parks, Wisconsin Dells is a popular vacation destination for families in the Midwest. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or an outdoor-oriented getaway, this friendly city is the perfect place. While you browse through incredible Wisconsin Dells vacation rentals, keep these 15 popular local attractions in mind for your itinerary.
1. Visit a Water Park
Wisconsin Dells’ many water parks are the city’s star attractions; you never need to drive far from local vacation rentals to find hair-raising slides. During the summer, head straight for Noah’s Ark, where you can fly down the 1/4-mile Black Anaconda or slide in a loop on the Point of No Return. In the winter, head to the Kalahari Waterpark, which sits under a huge heated dome, or to one of four indoor water parks at the Wilderness Resort.
2. Ride Roller Coasters
Head to the Mt. Olympus Resort theme park for jaw-dropping roller coasters and fun family rides. On the Hades 360 wooden roller coaster, make a 360-degree loop and drop 140 feet at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. If you’re looking for a gentler attraction, try the go-karts or the kiddie train.
3. Take a Boat Tour
Experience the gorgeous wilderness that surrounds Wisconsin Dells aboard a Dells Boat Tours cruise. The company’s two-level boats offer close-up views of bizarre sandstone formations, sheer cliffs, and forested river banks. For an evening out, try the picturesque sunset cruise, which includes dinner and a torch-lit walk through Witches Gulch.
4. Go for a Hike
Explore the Wisconsin wilderness on foot with a hike at Devil’s Lake State Park. For the best views of the lake and the Wisconsin River, hike the strenuous East Bluff Trail. For a fun family hike, check out the easy Tumbled Rocks Trail. If you’d like to hike with an expert, Expeditions Unlimited offers guided hikes in the park.
5. Play a Round of Golf
Work on your game and enjoy the views at the Trappers Turn Golf Club. Start in the large learning center, where you can aim at elevated target greens and use yardage references to measure progress. When you’re ready, head out to the elegant course, which features 27 challenging and beautiful holes.
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6. Go River Tubing
Float down the Wisconsin River on a large inner tube with a float trip from River’s Edge Resort. Over the course of 2 to 4 hours, you can float lazily in the sunshine, enjoying snacks and drinks as you go. Stop to swim or explore the shoreline, or pull up to a sandbar for excellent sunbathing.
7. Learn to Rock Climb
With its many rock cliffs, the Wisconsin Dells area is a rock-climbing paradise. Learn the sport with a lesson from Vertical Illusions. The Half Day Rock tour takes you to Chimney Rock Park, where professional guides customize their instruction to your skill level. The company welcomes everyone from first-timers to experts, making the tour a fun activity for the whole family.
8. Try Snow Tubing
Enjoy the Wisconsin winter with a visit to the snow-tubing hill at Christmas Mountain Village. Bundle up in your warmest gear, and fly down the groomed chutes at high speeds. For a fun family outing, visit during a nighttime Cyber Tubing when the hill lights up with colored lights.
9. Take a Train Ride
For train enthusiasts, the Riverside and Great Northern Railway living museum is one of Wisconsin Dells’ most entertaining attractions. Start your visit with a ride on the historic steam train, which winds through canyon, forests, and cliffs. Then, check out the locomotive turntable and head into the museum to see railroad artifacts from decades past.
10. Ride a Zipline
Test your bravery as you soar through the trees in Lost Canyon on the Wilderness Canyon Zipline. As you ride between six different towers, look down more than 60 feet to the canyon floor. The tour is open to anyone who weighs at least 70 pounds; it’s a good idea to reserve your spots in advance, particularly during the busy summer months.
11. Watch a Lumberjack Show
Watch skilled lumberjacks in action at the rollicking Dells Lumberjack Show. During each performance, these highly skilled athletes compete in competitions for log rolling, speed climbing, ax throwing, chopping, chainsaw racing, and more. Shows happen rain or shine, and are suitable for the whole family.
12. Navigate a Ropes Course
Gather your courage and walk across a high ropes course at the D-Day Invasion Adventure Park. With 80 different aerial elements that progress from easiest to most difficult, the course offers an exciting challenge for even the most athletic travelers. Climb the Monkey Net Bridge, try to keep your balance on the Moving Bridge, and figure out how to climb the Giant Steps.
13. Go Fishing
Get out onto the beautiful waterways surrounding Wisconsin Dells with a fishing trip. Rent a boat from Dells Watersports or Schleef’s Bait Shop and Pontoon Rentals, and head out into Lake Delton. The lake is packed with a variety of fish, including panfish, walleye, northern pike, and bass, so you can catch your dinner or enjoy an afternoon of catch-and-release.
14. Visit the Wisconsin Deer Park
Take a selfie with a deer at the Wisconsin Deer Park. The park’s resident whitetail deer are friendly and gentle, so you can pet them and feed them from your hand. The park is great for both kids and adults; enjoy a stroll around the 40-acre grounds to see elk, bison, and multiple species of deer.
15. Try Science Experiments
Make science fun at the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory Interactive Science Center. There’s something for everyone in the family at this exciting center: ride a bike across a high wire, watch your hair stand on end when you touch the Van de Graaff Generator, and walk through an authentic piece of the Russian MIR Space Station.
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