Traveling to Wisconsin? Check Out Wisconsin Dells!

February 20, 2025

For people thinking about a Wisconsin vacation, Wisconsin Dells generally tops the list. And with good reason! Situated alongside the beautiful Dells of the Wisconsin River, Wisconsin Dells has been a vacation destination for more than 150 years. It first became known in the 1870s, when pioneering photographer H.H. Bennett published stunning photos of the area’s steep-sided canyons and sandstone bluffs. Since then, Wisconsin Dells or Dells has become a magnet for vacationers, with resorts, attractions, and shopping experiences that are hard to match.

Duck and Boat Tours

Visitors today can get an on-water view of the cliffs and canyons from many different watercrafts.

Dells Boat Tours^®: Classic guided tours on both the Upper and Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River. Stroll through the famous Witches Gulch, a glacier meltwater canyon on the Upper Dells tour. Or enjoy an evening of surf-and-turf with live music on Dells Boat Tours^® Sunset Dinner Cruise.
High-Speed Jet Boats: Get your heart racing and explore the river at higher speeds when you board Jet Boat Adventures or Wildthing Jet Boats.
Duck Tours: The area’s famous “Ducks” are amphibious vehicles that splash in and out of the water. Wisconsin Dells has two Duck tour operations to choose from, Original Wisconsin Ducks^® and Dells Army Duck Tours.

Waterparks and Indoor Waterpark Resorts

Today, Wisconsin Dells is recognized as “The Waterpark Capital of the World!^®” It is not only the birthplace of the indoor waterpark, but has more waterparks than any community on earth, with 20 different facilities, and more than 200 waterslides. These include:

Kid in inner tube at Noahs Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells.

America’s Largest Outdoor Waterpark: With three miles of waterslides across 70 acres, Noah's Ark Waterpark is America's largest waterpark. Noah’s Ark is also home to the world's largest King Cobra slide, Raja, with twists, turns, and a drop that will delight even the most adventurous. Another slide, perfect for the whole family, is The Chameleon, a waterslide experience that combines lights and sound.
Wisconsin’s Largest Indoor Waterpark: Kalahari Resort Waterparks, currently the state’s largest indoor waterpark at 125,000 sq. ft., is adding a nearly 75,000 sq. ft. expansion in 2026, bringing even more fun indoors. Check out the FlowRider, where surfing skills are put to the test, or relax in the wave pool or lazy river.
America’s Largest Indoor/Outdoor Combination Waterpark: Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort’s 500,000 sq. ft. of combined indoor and outdoor waterpark space makes it the nation’s largest indoor/outdoor combo waterpark. With four indoor and four outdoor waterparks, there is sure to be a ride for everyone’s taste. From mat racers to tube slides to a swim-up bar for older guests, these waterparks will have you wanting to explore them all before you leave!
America’s Largest Floating Waterpark: Land of Natura is America’s largest inflatable waterpark. It floats on the world’s largest naturally filtered man-made lake, Lake Wisconsin Dells.
North America’s First Rotating Waterslide: This distinction belongs to Medusa’s Slidewheel at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park. This colorful ride combines the movement of a Ferris wheel and the speed of a waterslide.
America’s Tallest Waterslide: Opened in summer 2024, the 146-ft. Rise of Icarus, also at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, is the nation’s tallest waterslide.
America’s Largest Indoor Wave Pool: The Great Wave, located in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, is the nation’s largest indoor wave pool.

See our list of major resorts and waterpark hotels in Wisconsin Dells to learn more about hotels with water activities.

Shopping

Of course, no vacation experience is complete unless you bring home a few mementos. Whether you’re looking for home decor, food items, apparel, or something else, Wisconsin Dells has you covered. Here are a few of our favorites out of the many area shopping hot spots:

Fudge being made at Swiss Maid Fudge in Wisconsin Dells

Gifts and Collectibles

Winnebago Gift Shop is a longtime favorite for folks seeking seasonal home decor. Whether your taste is traditional, whimsical, or even a little bohemian, there is a fun new item waiting for you. Home decor is also abundant at DooHickey’s Gifts, as well as collectibles, wildlife art, and souvenirs of all kinds. Speaking of art, Watson’s Woods features one-of-a-kind sculptures by Dave Watson, a Grand National Chainsaw Champion. Along with his carvings, this boutique offers specialty furniture, yard ornamentation, Native American artwork, pottery, and more.

Fudge and Desserts

Shopping for food items is also a must. Fudge shops have been part of the “classic” Dells experience for generations. There are many tempting choices in the downtown area, including two that are more than six decades old, Original Wisconsin Dells Fudge and Swiss Maid Fudge. Candy shops are also prevalent, including Goody Goody Gum Drop, another Wisconsin Dells staple, which boasts a huge selection of candy. Pure Sugar Factory offers jaw-dropping candy sculptures, sugary mosaics, and themed photo backdrops for capturing sweet memories.

World-Famous Wisconsin Cheese

If you’ve made the effort to travel to Wisconsin, cheese must be on your shopping list! Market Square Cheese has a large selection of Wisconsin cheeses, as well as homemade sausages.

Farmers’ Markets

For delicious seasonal food and on-the-farm experiences, there’s Country Bumpkin Farm Market and New Life Lavender.

Other Must-See Shopping in the Dells

Activewear: Check out the Outlets at The Dells, where you’ll find factory outlet stores from companies like Eddie Bauer, Under Armour, Columbia, Nike, and Adidas.
Footwear: If your taste runs in a cozier direction, visit Sole Moccasins & More or Gifts of the World. Both carry the beloved Minnetonka Moccasins that Wisconsin Dells visitors have been buying for generations, as well as sandals and winter footwear.
Western: Stop into The Pickled Cowboy for a wide selection of boots, high-quality western wear, and home goods. As for the “pickled” part, that would be the salsas, sauces, and pickles they stock from The Original Wisconsin Dells Pickle Company.

Unique Family Attractions and Restaurants

The waterparks and Dells of the Wisconsin River aren’t the only unique things to discover in Wisconsin Dells. Here are a few other places you won’t find anywhere else but “The Waterpark Capital of the World!^®”

Kid in inner tube at Noahs Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells.

Top Secret, A Highly Classified Experience: This attraction imagines a future in which humans and robots are at battle. Guests walk through a White House replica building that’s been turned upside-down in the fight for the world.
Bigfoot Tubing: Visitors can go snowtubing even when there isn’t snow. Tubers at this year-round, “no-snow-needed” hill hit speeds of up to 35 mph. There are multiple lanes offered at varying speeds so you can race a family member or simply enjoy the ride.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum: Walk and slide through amazing galleries, puzzling illusions, and the strangest stories ever told. The large, eclectic collection of art and odd items is something you will never see anywhere else!
Wizard Quest: Guests at this interactive experience go on fantasy “quests” that combine digital and real-life gaming, immersing players in the realms of fire, earth, water, and air.
Big Boy Wisconsin Dells: Serving burgers with a side of nostalgia. The first operating Wisconsin Big Boy location in 30 years, this 88-year-old institution was once a staple of the state’s restaurant scene. Try America's first double-decker hamburger.
Hot Rocks - Sear. Sizzle. Savor.: Diners can indulge in sizzling meals, prepared on lava rocks, in an inviting tropical island atmosphere ideal for families seeking a fun-filled ambiance.
Buffalo Phil's Pizza & Grille: Get your food and drinks delivered by a miniature train, and see a large LEGO^® Brick City, created by artist Paul Hetherington.