September 15, 2025
Wisconsin Dells – "The Waterpark Capital of the World!®" – is famous for family fun and excitement, including adrenaline-pumping activities like rollercoasters, go-karts, and jet boats, as well as waterparks. However, guests with sensory sensitivities, or those who prefer a quieter, calmer experience, might find this bustling destination to be intimidating. Fortunately, Wisconsin Dells has started embracing sensory-friendly travel, offering experiences and services that cater to all visitors, including those with sensory-friendly needs.
Whether you're traveling with children who have sensory processing challenges, or you simply prefer quieter environments, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this iconic Wisconsin vacation spot in a way that’s comfortable and accommodating. Here’s a guide to sensory-friendly travel in Wisconsin Dells, highlighting peaceful escapes, inclusive activities, and tips to make the most of your trip.
Sensory-Friendly Experiences for Kids
Traveling with children who have sensory sensitivities can sometimes be challenging, but Wisconsin Dells has a number of attractions that offer appropriate experiences, and even special opportunities to participate.
- Noah's Ark Waterpark: Noah’s Ark Waterpark has partnered with the Autism Society Affiliates in Wisconsin to host monthly Sensory Days during their summer season (June – August). During these events, registered guests can arrive at 9am to enjoy the waterpark in a quieter and more relaxed setting before it opens to the general public at 10am. During this first hour, sensory accommodations involving lights and sound will be made to certain rides around the waterpark. Noah’s Ark will also have designated quiet places for individuals who may require sensory breaks during their time at the waterpark. Find the schedule of events from their events page.
- H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum: Pioneering landscape photographer H.H. Bennett helped transform Wisconsin Dells from a small lumber town into a nationally known travel destination. Step into his 1875 studio and take a fascinating self-guided tour that includes landscape photography, late 1800s film equipment, artifacts, and hands-on activities for guests of all ages. H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum has a quieter atmosphere with opportunities to pause, read, and absorb the stories behind the photographs. The slower, gallery-style setting makes it a welcoming stop for guests who prefer low-stimulation activities.
- Wizard Quest: A self-guided and fully immersive experience where visitors can choose the difficulty level that best fits them as they explore fantastical creatures hidden in fire, earth, water, and air realms. This attraction is great for those who like to observe as well as those who crave sensory interaction. What makes this attraction appealing to sensory-friendly travelers is the freedom to choose your own path. You can engage with the adventure as deeply – or as lightly – as you like. Some families dive into the full quest, while others simply enjoy wandering through the imaginative sets and visuals at their own pace.
- Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – Interactive Science Center: This science and technology playground is the place to be for hands-on family fun. It is filled with more than 175 interactive activities, including the Giant Lever, which lets visitors test the laws of physics and lift a 5,000 lb., full-sized vehicle off the ground. It also includes an authentic Russian Space Station MIR core module, one of only three ever built and the only one on display worldwide. Unlike fast-moving rides, Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is all about curiosity and discovery, pressing buttons, solving puzzles, trying experiments, and learning through touch and sight. Families can take breaks when needed, step outside for a pause, and return without missing out.
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum: Find a variety of activities to expand sensory experiences, including hands-on gadgets throughout a bizarre art gallery, an interactive sandbox, a room with shag carpet walls, and a sparkle wall, where you use your hands to create drawings by moving sequins in different directions. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum also offers guests interactive wall games, musical instruments, a braided climbing area and swings, and a create-your-own-monster wall. While some areas are visually stimulating with bold colors and quirky designs, there are also quieter pockets where families can pause and reset.
Visit Serene Natural Attractions
Wisconsin Dells is famous for its natural beauty, and many of the area’s outdoor attractions offer a peaceful, sensory-friendly experience.
- International Crane Foundation: The International Crane Foundation headquarters in nearby Baraboo is the only place in the world where one can see all 15 species of cranes, 10 of which are threatened with extinction. This expansive 300-acre property offers inspiring views of its restored prairie and breeding facility. It also has a newly remodeled indoor exhibit space which includes a self-guided interactive journey on the how, where, and why of crane migration. International Crane Foundation is committed to making their grounds as inclusive as possible, offering visitors a sensory bag at the checkout, including headphones, fidget toys, and laminated emotional explanation cards. Learn more at International Crane Foundation’s Guest Services and Accessibility page.
- Lost Canyon Tours: Lost Canyon Tours offers visitors quaint horse-drawn carriage rides through a magnificent mile of cliff-walled gorges, including several narrow passages where the guides must talk the horses through the tight squeeze. Because the tour is guided, there’s no need to navigate on your own, and the steady pace allows plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The quiet sounds of nature and gentle movement of the horses create a calming, structured experience outdoors.
- Rocky Arbor State Park: The area’s signature sandstone bluffs are on display at Rocky Arbor State Park. Just 1.5 miles from downtown Wisconsin Dells, it offers visitors a break from the bustling attractions with relatively easy hiking trails, as well as picnic and playground areas in a setting surrounded by pine trees and sandstone bluffs.
- Mirror Lake State Park: Another beautiful natural gem, Mirror Lake State Park, offers serene water views, gentle hiking trails, picnic area, playground, and plenty of shaded spots to sit and relax. This is a great location for sensory-sensitive visitors who want to enjoy nature without the crowds.
Finding Sensory-Friendly Hotels and Resorts
Several hotels and resorts in Wisconsin Dells now offer sensory-friendly options, which cater to guests who may have sensory sensitivities. These accommodations often feature quieter rooms, reduced lighting, and soundproofing measures that minimize outside noise and distractions.
- Kalahari Resorts & Conventions: The newest option is at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Located on the second floor of the facility’s main lobby, Kalahari’s Calming Room offers a serene sanctuary designed to provide relief and comfort for guests who need a place to decompress. Developed in partnership with the SSM Health Treffert Center, it offers sensory-friendly activities, books, fidget toys, and noise-canceling headphones, as well as comfortable seating and calming visuals.
- Wilderness Resort: Wilderness Resort has gotten kudos from families with autistic children, who appreciate the option to stay in one of the resort’s secluded cabins away from the main property. The cabanas at Wilderness Resort Waterpark are also a great option for sensory sensitive guests, as it gives them a chance to take a break from the sounds of waterslides, geysers, and water coasters.
- Great Wolf Lodge: Great Wolf Lodge has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to ensure their amenities are welcoming to all kids and families – including those who may be neurodivergent or have sensory sensitivities. In addition to designated quiet areas and dining accommodations, their Sensory Guide describes the anticipated sensory stimulation for each ride and attraction at their waterpark to help guests prepare for their visit. Great Wolf Lodge staff also receive training on interacting with sensory-sensitive guests and helping them have the most comfortable stay possible.
- Waterfront rental properties and secluded cabins: Wisconsin Dells also offers a variety of cozy cabins and lakeside rental properties where families can get away from it all while surrounded by woods and water.
Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Visit to Wisconsin Dells
With its growing array of sensory-friendly accommodations, attractions, and activities, there’s no reason why people with sensory needs can’t enjoy what Wisconsin Dells has to offer. Many places are happy to accommodate sensory needs, especially when you let them know in advance. Whether it’s arranging for a quieter environment or requesting accommodations like a slower-paced tour, don’t hesitate to reach out for special requests. By planning ahead and taking advantage of quieter, calming spaces, you can create a trip that’s not only fun, but also comfortable for every traveler.
See the complete list of attractions to help shape your sensory-friendly Wisconsin Dells experience.