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What's New in Wisconsin Dells

Rendering of a large medieval resort.

Last Updated 09/09/2026

What’s New in Wisconsin Dells in 2026?

Wisconsin Dells, "The Waterpark Capital of the World!®" promises visitors even more excitement in 2026. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best family vacation destinations, this vibrant area is gearing up for summer with a wave of new attractions, including a medieval-themed resort, luxury lakeside treehouses, expanded waterparks, and a host of other adventures. Here is a brief overview of the resorts, restaurants, and attractions new in Wisconsin Dells this year.

Hyperlink to Kalahari Waterpark listing.

Opening October 2026

Kalahari Resort Waterparks Expansion

Wisconsin’s Largest Indoor Waterpark is only getting bigger. Opening in October 2026, Kalahari Resort Waterparks is expanding with a 75,000-sq.-ft. indoor waterpark addition. This open-air glass structure with a retractable roof will feature several new waterslides, including Zambezi Rapids – the world’s first enclosed boomerang, a six-person water coaster, and a racing slide with room for four individual racers. Other expansion highlights will include a nearly 10,000-sq.-ft. pool with tanning ledges and in-water lounge chairs, a family whirlpool, interactive water playground, and more! The addition will also introduce a new fast-casual restaurant, daiquiri bar, and adult swim-up bar.  


Hyperlink to Wilderness Resort Waterpark listing page.

Opening October 2026

Major Renovation at Wilderness Resort Waterpark

One of the most iconic waterparks at Wilderness Resort Waterpark is undergoing a major transformation. Reopening in October 2026, the Wild WaterDome will have a fresh look, new thrills, and a new zero-depth area for visitors to enjoy. Renovation highlights will include replacement of the signature see-through roof, a new volcano-themed raft slide, and reimagined kids’ area. Improvements will be extended to food and beverage outlets, providing a well-rounded, heightened experience for guests.  


Hyperlink to Dellshire Resort listing page.

Opened May 2026

Dellshire Resort

The medieval-themed Dellshire Resort offers 208 guest rooms and suites within a fully realized, immersive setting featuring castle-style architecture, stone-masonry facades, cathedral-style windows, story-driven design elements, and an entrance guarded by a 70-ft. fire-breathing dragon. The facility also has five on-site dining outlets, five indoor and outdoor pools, a 9,000-sq.-ft. family entertainment center with arcade games and a private party room, and meeting and event space for up to 280 guests. Perhaps most intriguing is Dellshire Resort’s “mixed reality” gameplay, which is integrated throughout the resort. This technology allows guests to engage with story-driven adventures, quests, and challenges that unfold across physical spaces rather than on a single screen. 


Hyperlink to Daylene's Supper Club listing page.

Opened May 2026

Daylene's Supper Club

One of the most anticipated new eating establishments in Wisconsin Dells is Daylene’s Supper Club, located on the shores of Lake Delton. Blending a cozy midwestern supper club experience with elevated dining, Daylene’s features craft cocktails, classic Wisconsin supper club fare, and spectacular lakeside views. Rich wood interiors and soft amber lighting add to the warm, nostalgic atmosphere. The menu highlights Midwest traditions with hand-cut steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, French onion soup, and decadent desserts.


Hyperlink to Kalahari Treehouse Adventures listing page.

Opened May 2026

Kalahari Treehouse Adventures 

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions added Kalahari Treehouse Adventures, a unique lakefront lodging experience on Lake Delton, to their array of accommodations. Nestled among the pines, these elevated retreats were designed in partnership with Nelson Treehouse & Supply, stars of the popular Animal Planet show, “Treehouse Masters.” Each treehouse is a one-of-a-kind design, with cozy charm and stunning lake views. Select treehouses include unique extras like slides or stargazing nets, and the lakeside setting offers boat slips, a private beach, and Daylene’s Supper Club.

More Resort and Lodging News

Unique lodging can also be found at Casacampo Alpaca Ranch. Guest options here include The Farmhouse, a spacious six-bedroom retreat sleeping up to 18; or two Bunkhouses, cozy private cabins, that can each accommodate six people. Ranch stays include a guided tour to meet a herd of alpacas and learn about their fiber production. Additional ranch experiences include movement and stretching classes, wine tastings, and crafts. For day visitors, self-guided access to view and meet the alpacas is available, and Dells Trolley Tours’ Wine and Charcuterie tour now includes a stop at the ranch. 

In addition to new construction, several local lodging properties have undergone extensive renovations. For built-in entertainment, First Class Vacation Rentals now offers luxury vacation homes with options like arcade gaming rooms and theaters. The “FORE” unit also has a Full Swing golf simulator and a backyard putting green. At Great Wolf Lodge, all 128 condo unit rentals received makeovers with new bathrooms, flooring, paint, lighting, art, and drapery. At Hilton Garden Inn, guests can enjoy a drink in the fully renovated bar and lounge. Fans of “glamping” (glamour camping) will be drawn to the newly renovated cabins at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ & Water Playground. The 16 upgraded retreats offer kitchens, luxury bathrooms, and pillowtop mattresses – not to mention plush robes and slippers!

Waterparks

As always, there are a host of new waterpark features opening in “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®” this year!

This summer, Land of Natura introduced its Lady Bug Splash Pad, where young guests can play in geysers and spray features with water from the naturally filtered lake. Another outdoor facility, Noah’s Ark Waterpark, got a new look on Friday and Saturday nights in July and August. During their “Neon Nights” events, colorful LED lights, special effects, and lively music will set the mood for wave pool fun and waterslide experiences. 

Along with thrilling water features, Wisconsin Dells’ waterparks are continuing to add spaces designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Noah’s Ark Waterpark now has a new Calming Room, with soundproof wall panels, foam blocks, weighted pillows, and weighted toys, among other features. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has also added a designated calming sanctuary for guests looking for a place to decompress.

Attractions & Experiences

The quiet beauty of butterflies is the focus of one of Wisconsin Dells’ newest attractions. At Brilliant Butterflies, guests can explore  a greenhouse filled with hundreds of these delicate insects. Open May through September, the screened exhibit has more than 20 species of butterflies for visitors to learn about and feed with sugar sticks. Lucky visitors may even catch a metamorphosis in process! 

The immersive fantasy gaming complex, Wizard Quest, has introduced a new expedition. Guests on this quest wander through beautifully staged, colorful realms in a 30,000-sq.-ft. labyrinth as they search for 12 magical personalities and discover special shrines. A new, full-sensory movie experience can be found at Take Flight, Wilderness Aerial Adventure Ride at Wilderness Resort. “Wonders of the American West” takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey across mountains, deserts, and other iconic American landscapes. Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – Interactive Science Center unveiled its new Hurricane 360 VR simulator, offering visitors the adrenaline of a rollercoaster with the six degrees of freedom and full horizontal 360° rotation.

At Mid-Continent Railway Museum, new adventures on antique trains await. After restoration efforts that spanned two decades, the museum’s steam locomotive #1385 (built in 1907) will chug through the Baraboo River Valley once again. Visitors can also check out another new addition, the Domtar #1001, a diesel-electric locomotive built in 1949. Additionally, the museum has also brought back its popular dining train tours, offering patrons the chance to enjoy a delicious meal aboard one of its historic diner-lounge cars.

Outdoor fun can be had at Country Bumpkin Farm Market & Lil' Bumpkin Play Village, which has added a new five-station ropes course to its large play area. Kids can climb and swing their way through the playground and pet and feed the farm animals. For a relaxed outdoor experience, New Life Lavender is offering “Picnic on the Farm,” a private lunch experience for two set among the beautiful lavender fields.

Golf Course Enhancements

Leading golf courses in Wisconsin Dells are also making significant enhancements for 2026. The signature hole at Trappers Turn Golf Club, Canyon #7, has been renovated by Wisconsin golf icon Andy North along with Craig Haltom of Haltom Design. The new layout showcases the natural sandstone rock formations around the hole and nearly doubles the size of the green to 6,000 sq. ft. The facility has also expanded its tee boxes, added new water features, and renovated its short game area to include a larger practice green and more challenging bunkers. 

Wild Rock Golf Club at the Wilderness reveals a major greens restoration project for the 2026 season, enhancing the championship level experience visitors have come to expect. Following the extensive bunker refurbishment completed in 2025, the course has now renewed 10,000 sq. ft. of sod and removed invasive trees throughout the course creating new sight lines for an improved game.

Off the links, New Tech Golf Carts LLC is offering visitors an alternative way to get around town. Its street-legal, low-speed electric carts are available for rent by the day, week, or month, with easy pickup near downtown Wisconsin Dells.

Spas, Jewelry and Body Art

Wisconsin Dells spas have also been expanding their offerings over the winter. Navi Spa at Chula Vista Resort has updated its facilities and added a new menu of services, including a  couples massage. Sundara Inn & Spa has introduced Hydrotherapy Scalp Renewal, a luxurious new treatment to detoxify, exfoliate, and nourish your scalp. For those whose style leans a little bolder, the new Twisted Legends Tattoo Studio combines creativity and innovation in their custom body art, piercings, and permanent makeup.

Dining and Drinks

Dells Panaderia is a colorful restaurant, bakery, and coffee shop specializing in traditional Mexican-style bakery treats. In addition to hearty meals and specialty coffee, it offers homemade pastries, breads, cookies, and desserts, all made fresh daily. 

The Lucky Leprechaun is the first Irish pub and grill in Wisconsin Dells. It features a wide range of authentic stouts, ales, and lagers, as well as corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, and other entrées from the Emerald Isle. Diners with a craving for smoked meats will find plenty to enjoy at Station 136 Kitchen & Cocktails BBQ,  specializing in southern-style dishes and featuring unique items like deep-fried gator bites. 

There are also several new and improved fast-food options in Wisconsin Dells this year, including Tommy Salami's, a NYC-style deli that serves fresh homemade-style sandwiches stacked high, along with hearty soups, salads, and wraps. A popular breakfast and lunch spot, Courtyard Cafe, is expanding to double its size, creating space for additional seating, bakery offerings, and new coffee selections. Longtime adults-only destination, Edge-O-Dells Bar & Resort, has added a new beach bar and man-made swimming lake this year, perfect for laid-back afternoons and sunset drinks. 

Wine lovers will be delighted to hear that the historic Wollersheim Winery & Distillery is now offering Sunday brunch in their Bistro, pairing locally sourced fare with wine and spirits. Additionally, Fawn Creek Winery has expanded into downtown Wisconsin Dells with Fawn Creek Tasting Room. Their new space offers guided wine tastings, curated small bites, and a cozy atmosphere as well as specialty offerings and an intimate outdoor seating area. 

A different type of spirit is offered at Shed's Honky Tonk & Moonshine Tasting, which features two of Tennessee’s famous moonshine brands, Ole Smoky and Sugarlands Distilling Co. Guests can enjoy live music while sipping samples and dining on the many delicious food truck options from next door at Grateful Shed.

For Media

Contact

Ken Leiviska
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
KLeiviska@boelterlincoln.com
(414) 588-4950

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