Wisconsin Dells, in central Wisconsin, is a destination that ignites your inner child. With the largest concentration of water parks in the world and an abundance of theaters and museums, your holiday can focus on as much water or land as you like. If you prefer a little bit of both, take a trip on the famous amphibious Duck Boat tours that offer one of the area’s most iconic experiences.
The region, including Lake Delton , is collectively known as the Dells. You can easily find tourist activities like ziplining, skiing and live entertainment, but it’s hard not to notice the natural sandstone fortifications, wildlife and gorges that surround you.
One of the most notable areas, while difficult to reach on foot, is the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area . Views of some of the sandstone skyscrapers can be seen from the Wisconsin Dells River Walk, but the best way to observe the state’s natural area is on a sightseeing tour of the Wisconsin River.
The other attractions and scenic excursions here are within easy reach, meaning you can start your day on the water slides and end it watching the sunset in a gorge.
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1 Originele Wisconsin Ducks Boat Tour
One of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells is take a boat ride on the original Wisconsin Duck boats. Splash into the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton for part of your water excursion, then enjoy a drive through four miles of wilderness without ever leaving the vehicle. The historic amphibious vehicles were designed to transport supplies from ship to land during World War II. The vehicles have been used to provide visitors with a unique way to experience Wisconsin Dells, on land and in the world since 1946.
Adres: 1890 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.wisconsinducktours.com/
2 Noah’s Ark Waterpark
You’ll need to start the day early or plan a few days at Noah’s Ark Water Park. It is America’s largest water park, with more than 70 acres of water rides, entertainment and activities. The park is suitable for all ages and has four separate children’s playgrounds. Some of the popular features and attractions include the two rivers; two large wave pools; and tube rides such as the Bermuda Triangle, Dark Voyage and Time Warp that spin you around in a large bowl in a raft. There are several group rides, which are fun for families, and dry activities such as an arcade and a 4-D theater. If you are more of a spectator than a participant, you should book a private cabana for your visit where you can spend the afternoon.
Adres: 1410 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.noahsarkwaterpark.com/
3 Wisconsin Deer Park
As one of the original attractions in the Wisconsin Dells area, the Wisconsin Deer Park is still a family favorite after more than 50 years. This interactive park features 40 acres of wooded trails and feeding areas. The park’s most recognized resident is the white-tailed deer, a common species in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. As you stroll through the park, be sure to check out some of the other exhibits featuring bison, Japanese sika deer, and elk. One of the best times to visit is in early summer, when you are likely to catch a glimpse of some of the fawns that are born almost every day in May and June.
Adres: 583 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.wisdeerpark.com/
4 Rick Wilcox Magic Theatre
The Wisconsin Dells has no shortage of indoor theater attractions, but one of the most popular is the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. The grand illusion show is a combination of magic, live entertainment and comedy, all in one 90-minute performance. The family-friendly show features husband and wife team, Rick and Suzan Wilcox, who update the show every year with new illusions and on-stage performances. Make sure you take note of the real theater when you visit as it has a history of its own. Before opening for the Rick Wilcox show in 1999, it had a stint as a teen dance club in the 1980s and a country music theater in the 1990s.
Adres: 1670 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://rickwilcox.com/
5 Wilderness Resort
The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells is a sprawling resort with indoor and outdoor water parks. The Klondike Kavern Indoor Waterpark has a lazy river, body slides and a popular dump bucket for kids of all ages. One of the most impressive parts of the resort is the Wild WaterDome. It is a 70,000-square-foot indoor water park with the largest wave pool in the country, with five-foot waves and a skylight over the entire facility. There are two other indoor water parks: the Wild West, with thrill rides, and Cubby’s Cove, which has a sports pool with basketball hoops. There are several outdoor water parks to choose from, including the New Frontier, Lake Wilderness, Lost World with water adventure attractions and Cubby’s Outdoor. If you can’t choose between indoors or outdoors,
Adres: 511 E. Adams Street, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.wildernessresort.com/
6 The Palace Theatre in the Dells
If you spend time in Wisconsin Dells, you should plan at least an evening at The Palace Theater in the Dells. You can enjoy dinner and a show or simply take part in a performance. Shows in the theater featuring Disney classics such as The Little Mermaid, Broadway musicals and special acts year-round. The theater is centrally located and a popular evening option if you’ve spent the day exploring some of the more than 100 tourist attractions in the area.
Adres: 564 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.dellspalace.com/
7 H.H. Bennett Studio
While there are a number of museums to explore in Wisconsin Dells, one of the most interesting is the HH Bennett Studio, which is also the oldest operating business in the area. HH Bennett is considered one of the best landscape photographers of the 19th century. The photography studio opened in 1875 and is believed to be the oldest operating studio of its kind in the United States. The studio is now owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society and still features many of H.H. Bennett’s photographs and photography equipment. As you continue, stop at the 3D imaging area, which uses technology to digitally enhance some of Bennett’s old footage into a stereo image. It is one of the only such pieces of technology in the US.
Adres: 215 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://hhbennettstudio.wisconsinhistory.org/
8 Bigfoot Zipline
If you’re looking for an aerial view of the Dells, a zipline adventure is a fantastic option. Bigfoot Zipline Tours is one of the best adventure attractions in Wisconsin Dells. Tours generally last 2.5 hours and take you through seven ziplines that soar above trees and lakes. The park will soon open a D-Day Invasion Adventure Park, with an air course and ropes course. The company also offers combined attractions if you want to pack several adventures into one day.
Adres: 1550 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.bigfootzip.com/
9 Mr. Marvel’s Wondertorium
Nothing spices up a holiday like exhibits of the strange and unusual at Mr. Wonder Wondertorium. Tours let you explore a taxidermy exhibit featuring some of the most unusual animals from around the world, examine the hair of a woolly mammoth, and enjoy a live show of circus stunts. The museum lets you get up close to animals you’ve never seen before and take part in shows like the Lizardman Experience and WonderTHRILL, a comedy magic show with circus stunts.
Adres: 817 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.wondertorium.com/
10 Kalahari Waterparks
Wisconsin’s largest indoor water park, Kalahari is a one-stop shop for places to stay and things to do. The water park and the 30,000 m² indoor theme park will keep you busy for several days. Popular attractions in the park include the lazy river raft ride; Flowrider, where you can surf waves; the wave pool; and the winding Zig Zag Zebra slide. Since the water park is indoors, you can visit all year round. Try to book a private indoor cabana so you can sit back and watch the kids. They include a flat-screen TV, refrigerator and chaise longue.
Adres: 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.kalahariresorts.com/wisconsin
11 river walk
A scenic walk along the Wisconsin Dells River Walk is an unforgettable experience. The sandstone bluffs that mark this area were not always accessible to visitors, but the paved River Walk, which stretches for a quarter-mile, gives you the most beautiful views of the Wisconsin River on foot. Take some time to enjoy some of the public green space, game tables and park benches. This free attraction is also open to bicycles. The best times to take a hike are during Wisconsin’s spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Adres: 100 Block Downtown, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
12 Lost Canyon Tours
You can explore the deepest canyon in Wisconsin by horse and buggy on a Lost Canyon Tour. The mile-long trail that cuts through cliff-lined canyons gives you private access to one of the most scenic areas in the state. Your journey through the narrow passages by carriage is a unique experience. The horses navigate the cliffs and harness to give you the most natural exposure to areas that haven’t been touched by sunlight in over half a million years. Be sure to take your camera to capture the breathtaking sandstone rock formations from this unique perspective.
Adres: 720 Canyon Road, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Official site: https://www.lostcanyontour.com/
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