Honest Opinions About 13 Attractions In Wisconsin Dells

Ghost Boat is not recommended to bring kids under 10, and for good reason. I took my 11-year-old son and 12-year-old niece. One loved it, one did not. 

The boat boards from a building on the main drag in the downtown Dells area. The beginning of the tour was exactly what I expected with a relaxing nighttime cruise down the Wisconsin River. In early June, It was a little chilly on the top level of the boat, so bringing hoodies was a great idea. 

Since I hadn’t looked at the website, I expected a nighttime ride and some spooky stories.  

I was right about that but, I should have looked at the website because there was much more to it. The boat ride takes you to a canyon, where you get off the boat to hike through the dark. There are actors and fog machines, making it just like a haunted house in the woods. 

I would have thought it was fun if we didn’t have a terrified kid along for the trip.  

I should have checked out the website, it’s very clear about what to expect. There are plenty of other boat rides to choose from if you need a more kid-friendly option. 

If you go to Ghost Boat

Open: every night from Memorial Day through Labor Day; Friday and Saturday nights in September and October.

Cost: $34.16 for adults, $23.49 for children 11 and under

Parking: Free and conveniently located across the street

The Wisconsin Ducks are legendary in the Dells. I kept seeing the signs and had no idea what they were all about. I was pleasantly surprised by the history included in the tour.

The Ducks are hybrid vehicles from World War II that drive on land and cruise through the water. You will see them all over The Dells, parked and waiting to pick up passengers. You can also drive to the building to purchase a ticket and take off from there. 

The tour starts by driving through the woods, and building up to “splash downs” into Sasquatch Lake and Dell Creek. 

The tour guides are very knowledgeable about the sandstone rock formations along the way, and will give you plenty of history and geography at the same time.  

Kids and adults both loved the ride. 

This is something I recommend you do not miss on a trip to the Dells. 

If you go to Wisconsin Ducks

Open: Check website for available times

Cost: $37.99 for adults, $24.99 for children, ages 3 and under are free on lap

Located in the heart of the downtown Dells, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum is an interesting option when you need a break from the waterparks.

Like many museums, most kids would blow through this in 10 minutes and be hanging on your shirt asking if it is time to leave. Luckily, the Ripley’s people have found a great way to get around this age old problem. 

You are given the option to participate in a scavenger hunt game that forces you to find all these secret passageways and things you would probably never know were even there.

If seeing a portrait made out of dog hair, Willie Nelson drawn with corks, or pictures made out of pills, sounds like something you would like to see, this place will be right up your alley. 

It’s worth mentioning that the staff was extremely friendly and helpful.

There is a prize at the end of the scavenger hunt that leads you to a cute little popcorn shop next door for a free sample.  Oodlesmack Popcorn is just the kind of place I like to discover when I’m out of town. Small, family-owned, and easily overlooked if you aren’t paying attention. Definitely check it out! 

My 11-year-old son and 12-year-old niece enjoyed the scavenger hunt. It was well suited for their ages, although the ball pit was not. They both said they almost got stuck in it. Leave that for the younger kids!

My husband said it felt like we were in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.  He felt like it would not be worth the price of admission if you didn’t do the scavenger hunt. 

If you go Ripley's Believe It or Not! in The Dells

Open: Every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cost: $26 ages 10+ and $18.99 ages 3-9

I was annoyed immediately with Kalahari because if you buy a day pass to the park, there is no option to get a towel. To be fair, had I looked on the website, I would know this in advance.  

But the most expensive waterpark we visited, with an $80 price tag per person for one day (plus at least $20 for a locker), I felt like they could cough up a towel, but I digress….

Kalahari was definitely the most upscale of the waterparks, with plenty of VIP areas.  We didn’t stay there, but the property was very well-maintained and looked nice throughout.  And I’m sure if you stay there, the waterpark is included AND you get a towel. 

As far as the waterpark itself, I would be impressed if it were not located in a town full of waterparks. The wave pool is tiny. The indoor Lazy River is sometimes less than 2 feet deep. 

They do have a waterslide/rollercoaster called Volcanic Falls, which is terrifying. My niece loved it, but I felt sure I wouldn’t make it out alive. I’m a fan of more tame waterslides. 

Okay, enough complaining because the surf simulator Flow Rider was incredible. They even had a coach lying on a board at the bottom, showing the riders different moves to try. 

The staff in general at Kalahari was very friendly and professional. Another positive point. 

The kids rated the waterpark as only okay.  My husband noticed there were almost no places for adults to just relax outside of the VIP areas. 

It wasn’t a total loss because the next part of Kalahari that we explored was awesome…..

Tom Foolerys, Kalahari’s arcade and fun area, is outstanding. There are tons of things to do including laser tag, carnival rides, miniature golf, go-carts, and a huge arcade.

It was a nice, bright, cheery place that was nicer than similar places we had been.  

The kids liked the rides and had a lot of fun there. The rides included everything from an upside-down spinning ride to a carousel, so there were plenty of options for all ages. 

Tomfoolerys is completely separate from the waterpark, and passes can be purchased either separately or together.

If you want to check out the waterpark there, I recommend staying onsite to get free passes and a towel. 

If you go to Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Wisconsin Dells

Cost: All Day waterpark pass is $79.99. Waterpark + Tomfoolery’s combo pass is $104.99

This was our third trip to the Dells, and we have stayed at the Wilderness each time. We love it because we get a condo with a full kitchen to cook our own meals. 

The Wilderness is huge, so bring comfortable shoes and a stroller or wagon for little ones. There are three indoor waterparks and three outdoor parks, in addition to zip lining, arcades, paint your own pottery, horse and carriage rides, laser tag, a ropes course, and more. 

There are slides and pools for every level of swimmer and daredevil. Each area has several restaurants, and tourist pricing is in full effect. We have tried the food and did not find anything outstanding, so we keep snacks on hand. 

The Wilderness is home to the world’s largest indoor wave pool. There is a glass roof to let the sunshine in, and this was especially great the year we went during Spring Break. It’s big enough that you can forget you are inside. 

Speaking of Spring Break, we all agreed that it was fun, but going during the summer was the best. The addition of the three outdoor waterparks makes a huge difference.  There are plenty of places for parents to relax while watching the kids. 

Guests at the Wildnerness receive towel cards and free admission to all of the Waterparks. An unlimited activities pass can be purchased for $60 allows access to the other amenities like laser tag, go-karts, the ropes course, miniature golf, and a little money to the arcade.

Having never stayed at the other resorts, I can’t make comparisons, but we have always been very happy with our stay at the Wilderness and would recommend it to anybody. 

If you go to Wildeness Resort

Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: All day waterpark pass is $59.95

This trip was the first time we ventured to other waterparks. We had been excited in past years to check out some of the bigger outdoor parks, and Noah’s Ark Waterpark was high on the list. My son had been watching videos of the Raja waterslide for weeks, and the excitement level was high. 

Noah’s Ark, named the Best Outdoor Waterpark in Newsweek Magazine’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards, did not disappoint.

We loved it. One of my favorite parts is that each waterslide is rated from mild to intense. As a reluctant slide rider, this feature was much appreciated. How many times have I found myself on an innocent-looking slide that was entirely too scary? Too many. 

The food at the park is pricey, as you would expect for any tourist attraction. There are some options for bundle purchases on the website that include meal deals.  Otherwise, plan on spending about $60 on a meal for four people without buying drinks. 

Another favorite for me is that this was the first place we saw an actual pool that was not a lazy river or a basketball court. Most of the waterparks are so busy trying to be thrilling and fun that the basics are missing. 

Speaking of pools, the wave pool is gigantic. This was the first place I saw a height restriction on entering, and they had lifeguards posted at the entrance enforcing it. Very smart. As much as I love the Wilderness wave pool, there are no restrictions, and unfortunately you see stray children get in too deep once in awhile. The lifeguards are on top of it, but it’s still scary. 

There are plenty of intense slides for thrill seekers. The Raja, the one my son was looking up on YouTube,  looks like a giant cobra snake, and sends riders careening down a steep drop and up the other side. The black anaconda is Noah’s Ark version of the waterslide coaster. I smartly opted out to let my husband ride it. He said it was fast and scary and I would have hated it. Thrill seekers hop on! 

There was a charge for parking at Noah’s Ark, which we had not encountered at Wilderness or Kalahari. I never like that, but like high concession prices, it’s not a surprise at a venue like this. It’s the same over at Mt. Olympus, which I will talk about next. 

If you go Noah's Ark Waterpark

Open: Daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend

Cost: $59.99 for a day pass - there are plenty of ways to bundle and save on the website

Sadly, we did not make it to Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort on this trip. We had planned to, but the weather was not cooperating. The day we planned to go was rainy and in the low 70s. I would consider swimming on a day like that similar to doing a cold plunge. No, thank you. 

I do know a few things about it. When I called to ask about parking, I found out it’s $40.

Mt. Olympus just opened a new slide called Icarus, the country’s tallest waterslide. Unlike other tall slides, it’s a tube slide that appears to be fun and not terrifying. You know, not straight down from the clouds (I watch those videos and almost can’t even look). Icarus winds around a tower, and there are several other shorter slides along the way. 

Mt. Olympus is also home to the world’s only spinning waterslide. I have wanted to try this thing since the first time we went. The description on the website talks about it being like a ferris wheel. An interesting concept, and we are definitely going again next year to check it out.

Mt. Olympus has a full theme park, and admission to both parks are included if you stay at a Mt. Olympus property. 

Speaking of which, you can very much see a throwback to the 70s and 80s in the Dells. Along the main strip, there are a lot of vintage motels, many of which are still open. I loved driving by and seeing the hotel pools with pink flamingos and dolphins. It’s plain to see this is how the waterpark capital of the world moniker got its start. 

My. Olympus’ properties are all throwback motels up and down the road. Unlike Wilderness and Kalahari, it’s not all included in one giant area. There is also an indoor park, but it’s only open during the off-season, after Labor Day. 

If you go Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort

Open: The theme park is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the indoor slide wheel. The waterpark is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting. The indoor water park is closed through Sept. 7.

Cost: $45 per ticket online, $50 at the gate. Admission is free when staying on the property.

Buffalo Phil’s is a tradition for us. The food is delivered by train, and elaborate LEGO villages are displayed throughout the restaurant. It’s a fun experience for kids, especially train lovers. 

But…(everybody’s got a big but…) tourist pricing is in full effect here. My husband and I typically split a pizza to be a little more economical, but you won’t be getting a good deal here. At $18 for a buffalo chicken sandwich, it’s just a bit pricey. 

I will give a shout-out to the sour pig pizza. A Canadian bacon and sauerkraut creation -- my favorite from Happy Joe’s in the Quad Cities -- it’s absolutely delicious. If you’re into that kind of thing. 

Buffalo Phil’s is a fun place to go, just be prepared to spend. Cha-ching! We were a little annoyed this time because our server was very inattentive. We spent $12 on four sodas and never got a chance to ask for a refill since we didn’t see her again. 

Oh, and watch out for the little gift shop on the way out the door. They have some cute merchandise in there to commemorate your overpriced culinary experience.

Attached to Buffalo Phil’s is an indoor amusement park called Knuckleheads. We checked it out for the first time this year, and it was pretty fun. There are a few rides, cosmic bowling, miniature golf, a small trampoline park, a virtual reality dark ride, and a jumping pillow. 

Admission to rides could be purchased separately or on an unlimited wristband. We opted for the wristband so we could experience everything. The trampoline park and bowling were separate, so I just looked at those and we did not partake. 

The overall impression was that it was fun, but it couldn’t compare to Tom Foolerys. For my money, I would go there instead. 

If you go Knuckleheads

Open: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday and Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: There are several different options to mix and match, but the unlimited wristband is $39.99.

Take Flight is a full sensory ride complete with a 65-foot movie screen. Strapped into a seat that is similar to an airplane seat, you hover above the ground and feel like you are flying. It’s almost disturbingly real at times. I caught myself gripping the arms to hang on. 

If you’ve been to Legoland in Florida, they have a triple-decker couch attraction that is very similar. 

The ride is located inside of Wilderness Resort, but is easily accessible from outside. We all enjoyed it, but agreed it was too short.

There are two film options, "World Flight" and "Space Flight." We chose "World Flight." If you don’t pay attention to the pre-show, there are certain things you won’t understand because there is no narration. This would not be great for younger kids. "Space Flight" may be different.

If you go to Take Flight

Open: Check website for viewing times

Cost: $17.99 general admission, $12.99 for Wilderness hotel guests

Moosejaw Pizza is another great kid-friendly restaurant. If you’re in the Dells for long, you will see their delivery vehicles driving around with giant moose sprawled on the top. 

Much like Buffalo Phil’s, be prepared to pay tourist prices. 

We always get the beer bread appetizer, which is delicious. Last year, I got beer cheese soup, because you have to eat cheese in Wisconsin, and it did not disappoint. 

We have enjoyed the pizza in the past. This year we went off script and ordered other things, which we unanimously do not recommend. They were edible, but not impressive, and for the price tag... 

Stick with the pizza, beer bread, and beer and you will leave here a happy family. 

Oh, and you’ll also have some complimentary moose hats for your trouble.

Going to a mall on vacation is not my idea of fun, but the rest of my family disagrees.

The last time we went to Outlets at the Dells, I thought it looked like it was a dying mall. My family says I’m wrong, though, and maybe I was. This time there was a full option of stores, including a Nike factory store, Lids, Adidas, New Balance, and a new Rally House store. 

My son got a deal on two basketball jerseys, which might be his favorite memory. There’s also a Crocs store, which we don’t have here in Omaha, so if you need a Croc fix, be sure to head over. It’s conveniently located right off the main drag on Gasser Road.

This might be my favorite thing to do in The Dells. Maybe because I snuck away and met a friend there and left the children behind…

But you wouldn’t need to leave them. Devil’s Lake State Park includes a stunning lake with hiking and biking trails, a public beach, picnic areas, and canoe or kayak rental. Camping is available on the property, as well as hunting, fishing, and rock climbing. Check the website for requirements ahead of time for these activities. 

In the winter there is cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. 

The park can be very crowded on weekends and holidays, so I recommend going on a weekday to get the full tranquil effect. 

The park hosts occasional events like guided hikes and pop-up educational series. The cost of admission is $16 per car for non-Wisconsin residents which can be purchased online or at the park. 

I highly recommend taking the 20-minute drive from The Dells to this park. It showcases the stunning beauty of the area and offers a break from the nonstop tourist feel of the Dells.