July 23, 2019
When most people think of Wisconsin Dells, one thing comes to mind: waterparks. Known as the "Waterpark Capital of the World!®", this popular destination is packed with indoor and outdoor attractions that attract millions of visitors each year. But what many travelers don't realize is that Wisconsin Dells offers much, much more than waterslides, wave pools and lazy rivers.
If you want to experience a different side of the Dells, you'll find plenty of unforgettable adventures waiting well away from the waterparks. From scenic natural wonders and museums to racetracks, ziplines, motorsports rentals, and amusement parks, there's something for every type of traveler.
Here is a rundown of all the fun things to do in Wisconsin Dells beyond waterparks.
Silent Sports: Hiking and Paddling
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Wisconsin Dells area offers four state parks, five state natural areas, a segment of the National Park Service’s Ice Age Trail, and numerous bodies of water.
- Devil’s Lake State Park is the most-visited state park in Wisconsin. The park features a large beach area and 29 miles of hiking trails. Hikers will be challenged by trails up and around the 500-ft. quartzite bluffs overlooking the lake. Popular hiking routes like Balanced Rock Trail and East Bluff Trail offer incredible panoramic views that are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Devil’s Lake also includes a section of the Ice Age Trail, a National Park Service property. Just outside Devil’s Lake, hikers will find dramatic gorges in Pewits Nest State Natural Area and Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, which also connects to the Ice Age Trail.
- Just minutes from major waterparks, Mirror Lake State Park offers miles of hiking trails that wind through pine forests, climb sandstone bluffs, and end along the calm waters of Mirror Lake. Kayaking and canoeing are especially popular here, with watersports rentals available from Mirror Lake State Park: Boat & Kayak Rental and very little motorboat traffic, making it ideal for beginners and families.
- Rocky Arbor State Park is located just north of downtown Wisconsin Dells. Its peaceful hiking trails are surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, dense woodlands, and Native American petroglyphs. The trails here are relatively flat and short, making this park a great option for leisurely hikers or families with small children. For those who want to venture farther north, Roche-A-Cri State Park also features petroglyphs, as well as a towering 300-ft. rock outcropping.
- While Devil’s Lake and Mirror Lake draw scores of kayakers, canoeists, and stand-up paddleboarders, Lake Delton is another popular spot to get out on the water, with rentals available from Dells Watersports: Full Service Marina & Boat Rentals. The area’s namesake “Dells” (the sandstone gorges, bluffs, and canyons along the Wisconsin River) can be explored by renting a kayak from Holiday Shores Watersports. For those who’d like to paddle with a local expert, Vertical Illusions Zipline, Kayak & Rock Climbing offers guided tours of the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River.
Not-So-Silent Sports: Racing and Motorsports Rentals
If you’re looking for an entirely different type of experience, get ready to crank the throttle with an ATV, UTV, or 3-wheel motorcycle rental – or take in thrilling NASCAR regional short-track racing!
- Rake Motorsports - Polaris Slingshot Rentals: Feel the thrill of the open road on a Polaris Slingshot 3-wheel motorcycle. Perfect for touring the hilly, winding roads surrounding the Wisconsin Dells area, a Slingshot adventure is something you’ll never forget!
- Dells Raceway Park: Experience the excitement of short-track racing at the raceway’s 1/3-mile banked track. Discover everything from sportsman, hobby stock, and late model races to streetcar showdowns and destruction shows!
- Adrenaline Rush Sports: The premier provider of ATV and UTV guided tours in the Wisconsin Dells area, offering adventures for everyone from raw beginners to seasoned experts. Tours can accommodate groups of up to 50 people while exploring some of the state’s most beautiful scenery.
More Outdoor Thrills
Another can’t-miss for adrenaline junkies? Ziplining! Several adventure parks in the Wisconsin Dells area offer guided canopy tours featuring multiple zip lines, sky bridges, and aerial platforms. Riders can soar above forests while enjoying incredible views of the surrounding landscape.
Many tours accommodate beginners, making it an accessible activity for families, couples, and groups alike. Options include Vertical Illusions Zipline, Kayak & Rock Climbing Guided Adventures and Bigfoot Zipline Tours.
After you’re done ziplining, try the Bigfoot Ropes Course. This unique adventure includes a helicopter challenge atop three exciting levels, each calibrated for varying degrees of fitness. With 80 diverse elements like the Monkey Net Bridge, Pyramid, Jungle Tracks, Bigfoot, Pirogue Bridge, Moving Bridge, Mushrooms, Giants Steps, and Chinese Bridge, there's excitement for everyone!
Thrill seekers will also love Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster. This alpine coaster is built on the rolling hills of the region, and it uses gravity and the natural elevation of the land to generate speed, navigating sharp curves and exhilarating drops. Riders can zoom down at top speed or hit the handbrake and ease their way down.
Museums and Historical Attractions
The Wisconsin Dells area has plenty of attractions for history buffs, including two Wisconsin State Historical Society sites, two railroad-related museums, and two stunning examples of turn-of-the-century residential architecture.
- Built in 1875, the H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Wisconsin Dells. It features the landscape photography and antique equipment of H.H. Bennett, the pioneering photographer who helped make the Dells famous.
- Located on the former Ringling Brothers winter headquarters in nearby Baraboo, Circus World exhibits circus artifacts year-round and hosts daily live circus performances throughout the summer. Nearby is the Ringling House, a historically rich bed and breakfast, which offers guided tours. Constructed in 1901, this stunning property was formerly the residence of Charles Ringling, one of the five famous Ringling Brothers.
- Mid-Continent Railway Museum is a living history museum that owns and operates antique railcars. Fall is an excellent time to visit with so many special events happening from special Vintage Rail Car Tours to Autumn Color Weekend and Pumpkin Special.
- Rail history enthusiasts will also appreciate The Riverside & Great Northern Railway, which operates authentic 15-inch gauge miniature trains near downtown Wisconsin Dells. In fall, hop aboard one of the railway’s popular Fall Pumpkin Trains for a seasonal ride complete with a stop to pick out a pumpkin.
- Located in Bowman Park in downtown Wisconsin Dells, the Bowman House Museum is a beautiful example of Prairie Style architecture, circa 1904. Used as a vacation home for working women from the late 1930s to mid-1970s, today it houses many artifacts and images of Wisconsin Dells’ past.
Spooky Attractions
- Ghost Outpost Haunted House: This terrifyingly haunted house features rooms with unique, state-of-the-art animatronics. A great rainy-day activity, it is not recommended for the timid, young children, or anyone afraid of the dark!
- Ghost Boat: This after-dark boat excursion takes passengers up the Wisconsin River to the eerie Cold Water Canyon for a daring walk into the cavern. The experience has dramatic lighting, props, and audio effects guaranteed to scare, surprise, and even delight those who are brave enough to make the nighttime journey.
- The Haunted Mansion: This classic haunted house-style attraction is within walking distance from most downtown Wisconsin Dells restaurants and businesses.
- Haunted History Tours offered by Dells Trolley Tours: This adventure takes visitors to some of the reportedly haunted sites in Wisconsin Dells. Visit a historic cemetery, hear stories of other allegedly haunted locations, and learn the chilling tales behind them.
Resorts Attractions and Arcades
- Aquavia Lumina: Located at Wilderness Resort, Aquavia Lumina brings technology and nature together for a truly innovative experience. The enchanted night walk takes you into the beautiful Wilderness Canyon after dark for a multimedia experience with lighting effects. A moving storyline with dramatic music along with set designs using natural elements of the canyon’s sandstone walls and tree canopy creates a unique narrative as you walk through the mile-long pathway.
- Tom Foolerys Adventure Park: Part of the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions complex, Tom Foolerys is an interactive world of fun and adventure with state-of-the-art thrill rides, games, and more! This 100,000-square-foot facility features a challenging ropes course, climbing wall, an indoor zip line, bowling, laser tag, mini-golf, and 250 of the world’s best arcade games.
- Wilderness Fun Pass – Wilderness Resort visitors can save BIG with the Wilderness Fun Pass! Each pass includes one admission each to these popular attractions: Lost Cabin Laser Tag, Northern Lights Sky Ropes Course, Wild Abyss Black-Light Mini Golf, Wilderwoods Indoor Go-Karts, and Clip ‘n Climb Challenge Walls.
Beyond the Bathing Suit
While Wisconsin Dells may be world-famous for its waterparks, it offers far more than wave pools and waterslides. Whether you're hiking along sandstone cliffs, paddling across peaceful lakes, riding an ATV or 3-wheel motorcycle, ziplining over trees, or playing at an arcade, you'll discover a side of Wisconsin Dells that many visitors miss.
The area’s natural beauty, history, and adrenaline adventures present a whirlwind of options beyond waterparks. The next time you plan a trip, consider bringing more than just a bathing suit, and spend a day or two exploring non-waterpark attractions.
