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city in Wisconsin, United States
North America > United States of America > Midwest > Wisconsin > Southwest Wisconsin > Greater Madison Area > Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a popular vacation area in central Wisconsin, best known for its rock formations and water parks.

Understand

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Wisconsin Dells is an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest, famous for the steep and scenic bluffs along the rivers that make great cruising, and is also famous for the many water and theme parks.

Carefully vet Dells-related websites -- most are dot com sites but there are some dot org and dot edu sites that have valuable information. Pick up a free travel and attraction guide to help planning. Many feature ways to save money with coupon books and discount cards. Check online newspaper sites for events and festivals. Look for online reviews and specials to see what other travelers are saying before you book. Many times you can subscribe to a dells website for free coupons, email offers and last minute specials. The area marketing has grown so you can get many discounts, savings and offers directly to your mobile devices. While you're there having a good time make sure you remember to save enough gas money to get home!

Get in

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Map
Map of Wisconsin Dells

By plane

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The Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is an hour to the south. Further away lies O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and Milwaukee Mitchel International Airport in Milwaukee. Also, there are general aviation airports: Sauk Prairie Airport in Sauk City/Prairie Du Sac, and the Baraboo/Dells Airport for Baraboo and, of course, the Wisconsin Dells.

By train

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See also: Rail travel in the United States
Union Depot

By car

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Interstate 90/94 passes right through the Dells area with four exits leading directly to the Wisconsin Dells area. U.S. 12 also passes through the Dells from major cities such as Madison, Tomah, and Eau Claire.

By bus

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The Greyhound Bus stops at the Citgo/Burger King at 611 Frontage Rd.

Get around

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The majority of Wisconsin Dells tourist attractions are along Broadway (Downtown Dells) and the Wisconsin Dells Parkway (Dells and Lake Delton). Both of these streets merge to form an "L" shape curving along the river as it progresses through town. This route can be traced from highway 16, where Broadway essentially begins, to Interstate 90/94. If you continue to follow this route past the interstate, you will eventually come to the Ho-Chunk Casino followed by the neighboring community of Baraboo.

Taxis

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Tommy Bartlett Show
Poseidon's Rage Surf Pool at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells
"Top Secret Incorporated" is a haunted house which takes place in an upside-down White House

Wisconsin Dells offers a wide variety of attractions and activities ranging from waterparks and rides to shopping, as well as boat rides on the upper and lower Dells on the Wisconsin River. The terms "upper" and "lower" Dells refer to the areas above (upper) and below (lower) the Hydro-Electric Dam which partly powers the City of Wisconsin Dells. The two regions differ in geography and scenery. Upper Dells Boat Tours travel upstream from Wisconsin Dells while The Lower Dells Boat Tours travel downstream. The area boasts Noah's Ark, Americas Largest Waterpark, along with several other waterparks, like the resort waterparks: Kalahari Resort, Wilderness Resort, Great Wolf Lodge, Chula Vista Resort, Mt. Olympus water & theme park giving Wisconsin Dells its motto: The Waterpark Capital of the World!. Special coupons and promotional packages for multiple attractions throughout Wisconsin Dells can be found at www.dells.com. Also, check out the championship golf courses and world class spa and day spas.


Boat Cruises

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Many companies operate boat tours, including:

Downtown Wisconsin Dells offers a wide variety of shopping options. Explore the area and the broad mix of stores including gift shops, antique stores, art galleries and apparel boutiques. Indulge in sweet treats, like fudge, saltwater taffy and gourmet caramel apples. All of this lies along the scenic river walk of downtown, providing beautiful views of the Upper Dells. Further down the parkway, you can find some of the standard faire, such as Walmart and Kohls Department Stores, as well as some more unique shops like Parson's Indian Trading Post & Museum, which boasts one of the worlds largest collections of Native American crafted products. And then at the end of the parkway, you can find the Tanger Outlet mall (Also known as Outlets at the Dells), which offers discount merchandise from popular retailers such as Coach, Adidas, American Eagle and Banana Republic. Finally, after passing the 90/94 overpass on the Dells Parkway, there's the Wisconsin Dells Antique Mall, offering everything from World War II memorabilia to antique toys to sports merchandise.

Budget

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  • Bronco Billy's Saloon!, ☏ +1 608 355-1055. Bronco Billy's Saloon is known for its famous 2/3 lb Char Grilled Bronco Burger. A large menu, daily specials and drink specials available every day. Karaoke, live entertainment, volleyball and horseshoe courts with panoramic views. 
  • Monk's Bar & Grill, ☏ +1 608 254-6036. A Wisconsin Dells tradition since 1947 among locals and visitors alike. Try the monk's burger made from angus beef. Two level seating. Full drink menu and great food. 
  • Mr. Pancake, ☏ +1 608 253-3663, toll-free: +1-800-648-4765. 7AM-2PM. Another Dells landmark since the 1960s. Offers a selection of pancakes, waffles and omelets. Try the Hot Fudge Banana Split Waffle or Strawberry Blintzes. 
  • Grateful Shed, +1 608 253-0588, 1470 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. 11AM-2:30AM (Kitchen closes at 9PM). An Indoor-Outdoor Restaurant with food from savory Grilled Cheese to amazing shakes, you have to stop by and give it a try! Recommend the cocktails and their Signature Smashburger.

Mid-range

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  • Buffalo Phil's Grille, ☏ +1 608 254-7300. Watch the chefs prepare your meal in their State-of-the-Art show kitchen with roasting spits of meat & a Woodstone oven as they prepare a medley of rotisserie chicken and wood fire pizzas. Indoor entertainment right next door...Knuckleheads Bowling & Indoor Amusement Park. 
  • Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co., ☏ +1 608 254-1122. The Dells first micro-brewery features ten hand-crafted beers. From the tanks of the micro brewery straight to your glass. The Moosejaw brewmasters use locally grown hops to brew a huge variety of fantastic beers, ales and lagers. Free delivery. 
  • The Cheese Factory Restaurant, ☏ +1 608 253-6065. A smoke-free, vegetarian restaurant serving breakfast till 2 (At which this establishment excels). Full soda fountain, espresso and cappuccino bar, desserts and a free jukebox. 
  • Mexicali Rose, ☏ +1 608 254-6036. Wisconsin Dells oldest Mexican restaurant, Mexicali Rose offers a broad menu of Mexican Favorites and a view of the Wisconsin River. 

Splurge

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  • The Del Bar, 800 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, ☏ +1 608-253-1861. Established in 1943, The Del-Bar is first and foremost in fine dining in Wisconsin Dells. Designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School of Architecture. Known for Dry Aged steaks, Pan Fried Walleye and Jumbo Tempura Shrimp. (updated Jul 2018)
  • Ishnala Supper Club, S2011 Ishnala Rd, Lake Delton (inside Mirror Lake State Park), ☏ +1 608-253-1771. M-F 4PM-close, Sa-Su 3:30PM-close. The floors are built from 76 tons of flagstone mined from a nearby quarry, with giant Norway pines growing through the floor and ceiling. They do not accept reservations. (updated Jul 2018)

Drink

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Sleep

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Budget

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Mid-range

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Camping

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Stay safe

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  • The Wisconsin Dells Police Department is at 712 Oak St. Next to the Kilbourn Fire Department. Emergency Number is 911, Non Emergency is +1 608 253-4375.
  • Lake Delton Police Department is at 50 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. Emergency Number is 911, Non Emergency is +1 608 254-8331.
  • The Wisconsin Dells Clinic is at 1310 Broadway, +1 608 253-5451.
  • The Lake Delton Clinic is at 530 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy., +1 608 254-5400.
  • St Clare Urgent Care Center is at 530 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy. +1 608 254-5959.

Go next

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Routes through Wisconsin Dells
St. Paul ← Tomah ←  W  E  → Portage → Milwaukee
Rochester/St. Paul ← Camp Douglas ←  W  E  → Portage → Madison
Eau Claire ← Camp Douglas ←  W  E  → Baraboo → Madison
Ashland ← Wisconsin Rapids ← Jct W E ←  N  S  → END
Mineral Point ← Spring Green ←  W  E  → Jct N S → Green Lake → Fond du Lac


This city travel guide to Wisconsin Dells is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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