Wisconsin Dells was built around the heart of summer. With activities galore for as many activities you can think of, this location has maintained its magnetic pull for good reason. No matter what you are looking for to do in the summer, Wisconsin Dells has it in store for you!
Things to do in June:
Noah’s Ark Water Park
Noah’s Ark Water Park- you know the name because it’s America’s largest waterpark! Whether you are just up visiting for the weekend or if your a local who wants to take advantage of a season pass, this waterpark is on the top of everyone’s list for good reason. With countless slides and rides, you won’t leave with regrets. Not only are there water slides and activity pools for the little ones, but group rides and exhilarating rides for the adventure lover are there in plenty. Although dry activities and plenty of lounging areas are available, wet and wild activities are the main feature so be sure to pack your suit and prepare for a day you will never forget!
Wisconsin Deer Park
The Wisconsin Deer Park in Wisconsin Dells is a great choice for the animal lover or for those who want to get closer to nature. This attraction has a huge return of previous visitors who can’t wait to see more. Nestled on 28-acres of gorgeous wooded land, you can see tame white-tailed deer (and other wildlife) and even feed and pet them! This attraction is not only fun, but also educational as you learn about the various animals and see them in various cycles of growth and life. Definitely a great choice for families with children!
Golf
With Wisconsin’s gorgeous summers, it’s no wonder golf is such a popular sport in the area. Whether you’re family man looking to take out your bunch for the day or an enthusiast wanting to meet up with clients, Wisconsin Dells has a number of places to try. Trappers Turn Golf Club as well as the Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort are both very popular and well-maintained courses that we can recommend.
We also suggest the Wild Rock Golf Club at the Wilderness, featuring expansive greens and gorgeously breathtaking historic scenery. Christmas Village Mountain boasts a large, public 27-hole course as well, and nearby Baraboo offers 9 holes at the Fairfield Hills Golf Course and Range. If you’re looking for something a little more casual without the clubhouse scene, Pine Crest Par 3 is a great spot to meet up.
Pet Friendly Activities
Lots of pets owners cannot leave their dogs at home or simply choose not to! Because of this, Wisconsin Dells not only hosts a variety of pet-friendly hotels, but attractions and restaurants too. Of course, they are expected to be on their best behavior and leashed, but all good pet owners know this already. It’s perfectly reasonable to not only find a hotel that will accept your pet, but dine on an outdoor patio with Rover in tow and even take part in many activities without leaving your beloved pet behind. Pet policies do change with weather, current ownership and due to special events, so be sure to check out the property directly for current restrictions.
Berry Picking
Visitors to the Wisconsin Dells won’t miss out on Wisconsin’s home grown produce. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are available for your fresh discovery! Country Bumpkin, located in Wisconsin Dells, offers U-pick or we-pick at their farm. With strawberries starting off in June and a variety of raspberries, blueberries, corn, tomatoes, watermelon and more continuing on until August, this is one stop you won’t want to forget!
Fishing
Fishing in and around Wisconsin Dells is great activity choice for those who want to take in more of the outdoors. Choosing June to go can be beneficial as not everyone has quite got into the summer wing yet and the waterways are not quite as crowded as later in the summer months. Wisconsin Dells does offer fishing resorts for those who want to make it the highlight of their trip, such as the Cliffside Resort & Suites, Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort, Aloha Beach Resort & Suites, and the River’s Edge Resort. With the abundance of rivers and lakes in the area, fishing comes easy no matter where you stay. Prime fishing locations are available such as Mirror Lake, Lake Delton and the Wisconsin River (click on the links above for the area fishing reports.)
A popular spot for families is Beaver Springs Fishing Park- where no license is required and everyone is guaranteed to catch a fish. You can even have your catch express mailed to friends back home, ask a local restaurant to prepare it or make use of their free grilling area!
Things to do in July:
4th of July
Wisconsin Dells always has a lot going on. Add a holiday to that and you have yourself some prime entertainment! Wisconsin Dells has a Fireworks Extravaganza in the Downtown Wisconsin Dells for you to partake in the festivities. With lots of fireworks, refreshments on site and plenty of other activities, its a very popular spot to celebrate the holiday!
Taste of Wisconsin Dells
The annual Taste of Wisconsin Dells features over 20 local restaurants with wide ranges in food from BBQ to ethnic specialties. A festive beer tent and live entertainment with local performers helps bring the entire weekend together for some great, and tasty, local fun! For the 2016 season, the dates are set for June 11-12, 2016.
Downtown Dells
The Wisconsin Dells’ iconic downtown district is an activity all in its own! With great places to stop and eat, souvenir shops galore, candy shops with fresh fudge and freshly made caramel apples and more, the downtown is one area of the Dells that you don’t want to miss. Vintage portrait studios, laser tag, and fun houses are just a few of the amazing attractions that are nestled right into the heart of all the fun.
If you can’t quite choose what to do, walking the Downtown Dells should be first on your list of things to check out! Not only will you be able to take in all the unique shops and activities, but tourist booths are set up throughout, eager to help you explore what the Wisconsin Dells has to offer. (They sometimes have special discounts for activities that you wouldn’t otherwise know about!)
Boating/Kayaks/Tubing
Taking advantage of Wisconsin’s many waterways is one of the huge perks that come with this gorgeous area. Because of that, many area attractions are ready to cater to you and your needs when it comes to entertainment on the water. Mirror Lake Rentals can easily cover your needs as long as what you want is manpowered. They can also handle groups of to 75!
Lake Delton Watersports has almost everything you can think of! With wave runners, pontoons, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards/boats and more, this might be the one-stop hop you need. Recently adding a new tubing pontoon, this rental has everything you need for a day of tubing out on the water.
Devil’s Lake State Park also has canoe and kayak rentals along with a host of other entertainment at this vastly popular park. This is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy a day of hiking, backpacking and grilling
Zip Lines
They sound exciting because they are! Bigfoot Zipline was Wisconsin’s first World Class Zipline, offering nearly 2 1/2 hours of thrills year-round. (Listed by Tripadvisor as the area’s number one attraction!)
Another great choice is the Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Tours, which offer daily tours from 9am – 9pm (weather permitting). Soaring 60 feet above Lost Canyon, you will soar through the tree tops in a tour that spans six towers. Whether your an adult with kids in tow or just young at heart, this attraction will leave you thrilled and very, very pleased!
Things to do in August:
Water Parks
One thing that is hard to plan ahead for is always the weather- no matter what, it can change on you. With this in mind, Wisconsin’s Dells water parks which feature both an indoor and outdoor zone are a great place to plan for. Some options are the Kalahari Waterpark Resort, Wilderness Resort, Chula Vista Resort and Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark, or the Mt. Olympus Theme and Waterpark. The benefit to going in August is that many parks start to offer discounts in order to bring people in before the start of school in September, so you can get some great deals if you plan ahead! All of these water parks are extremely popular for good reason, so be sure to check out specials and events when choosing which one is right for you.
Dells Boat Tours
Wisconsin Dells offers a variety of boat rides for you to choose from. Though anytime in the summer is a fine choice, the cooling waters are even more appealing in the heat of August. As attractions which have stood the test of time, venturing out on one of the many available choices won’t leave you disappointed.
Whether it’s the tradition Dells Boat Tours of the upper or lower Dells, the Original Wisconsin Ducks, Jet Boats, Wisconsin Dells Army Ducks or the Ghost Boat, you will enjoy one of these long-standing traditions. Want to add a little romance to your evening? Then by all means, don’t forget to try the Sunset Dinner Cruise!
Mini Golf
Maybe it’s a Wisconsin thing, but summer fun without mini golf just doesn’t seem to make sense. A round or two on these courses is great way to spend time with the family or your group of friends- regardless of age or skill level. The Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort has not only indoor but outdoor mini golf, so no matter the weather their a great choice. With three indoor 3-D courses and an elaborate outdoor Lost World Jurassic course, there are plenty of courses to choose from.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf offers five adventure golf courses and also has a free family playground available to picnic and play. Take it one step further and you can even plan for a cookout on one of their available outdoor grills. Timber Falls Adventure Park offers mini golf for the whole group, and even a few thrill rides as well. Helicopter Roller Coaster, Sky Scraper Thrill Ride, Bumper Boats and more is available for an additional charge to extend your day!
Camping
Whether you’re looking for a state park or more of lodge-style camping, Wisconsin Dells has more than an abundance to offer. Popular campgrounds include Devil’s Lake State Park and Mirror Lake State Park, both which offer hiking trails, swimming and boating to round out your trip.
Areas such as Arrowhead Resort Campground, the Baraboo Hills Campground and Holiday Shores offer amenities such as cabin rentals, tent sites and wooded RV sites, all while featuring planned activities, events, swimming and movies for a more resort-feel.
Amusement Parks
We might be known for our wet and wild rides, but don’t think for a minute Wisconsin Dells doesn’t offer your typical thrill rides! For those looking to take part in more of these dry activities, you don’t have to look far. Mt. Olympus Theme Park offers not only outdoor roller coasters and rides, but an indoor theme park too for a break from the sun. The Kalahari Indoor Theme Park boasts over 100,000 square feet of multi-level fun with countless attractions and activities! August is the perfect month to choose a place where you can relax indoors away from the heat or venture outside as well!
Big Chief Go Karts is also a great idea for the older kids or the kid in you!
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing has a huge following in Wisconsin and particularly near Wisconsin Dells. Home to some of the best rock climbing in the United States, the nearby Baraboo Bluffs offers countless areas to conquer. Devil’s Lake State Park is one of our well-known areas to climb, with easy access to the rock walls and faces through the variety of hiking trails. This sport requires some know-how and definitely the right safety gear, so please don’t take it on without a little preparation. We can offer some suggestions to take on this thrilling activity safely by clicking here.
Horseback Riding
Many people may not think of horseback riding when choosing to vacation at the Waterpark Capital. Because of the gorgeous landscape Wisconsin Dells is nestled in, horseback riding remains a very popular activity. For those who’d rather not splash it up all day and instead see the countryside carved out in this magnificent area, it’s a great way to see a lot of the local sights you otherwise would not have taken in. A few places to consider are Beaver Springs Horseback Riding, Canyon Creek Riding Stable, and Red Ridge Ranch just 19 miles away in nearby Mauston. Check out their website to be sure you get the experience that’s right for you!
Wine Tours and Tastings
Wisconsin is not just all about beer and brats. A great part of our history and tradition also lies in our very popular wines! What better way to see what Wisconsin has to offer than to check out where and how it’s made? Home to many popular breweries, a tour or tasting is a great way to mix up a normal routine while divulging in the finer aspects of life. Fawn Creek Winery has not only daily wine tastings but also exciting events you can check out on their calendar. Well-known Wollersheim Winery, near Wisconsin Dells in Prairie Du Sac, hosts daily wine tours from 10am – 5pm. A well-landscaped wine garden offers relaxing scenery spring through fall for those who would like to enjoy some of Wisconsin’s finest wines and cheeses on-site.
Backpacking and Hiking
Because Wisconsin has so many state and natural areas that are simply picturesque, the draw for backpackers and hikers has been greatly accommodated to. Devil’s Lake State Park and Mirror Lake State Park caters to the hiking enthusiasts. Devil’s Lake especially has an abundance of trails for all levels of skill and both offer trails that accommodate pets and biking. Because they are state parks, a vehicle admission sticker is required.
The iconic Wisconsin Ice Age Trail also runs near Wisconsin Dells. This historic trail borders what is known as the driftless region- a historical tour of where the push and shove from Wisconsin’s last glaciation finally receded, resulting in the topography that draws thousands to Wisconsin every year!
Spas
Sometimes, a vacation just isn’t a vacation with a trip to the spa! Fortunately, Wisconsin Dells has an abundance. At Sundara Inn & Spa, you can stay right there at the 26-acre sanctuary in one of their luxurious suites or simply check in for a day at the spa. Spa Kalahari and Salon is a great one-stop spa for all the treatments, from massage to nails and salon care. Very convenient if you’re already staying there! (A great choice for a resort that has everything at your fingertips!)
If your looking for the full spa experience but want non-resort prices, Spa Serenity is actually a wonderful day spa found nearby in Baraboo, WI, just a short drive from the Dells!
Have you spent time in Wisconsin Dells in the summer or are you a local? Share some of your favorite experiences and locations with us in the comments so others can take advantage of all we have to offer to the fullest!