Wisconsin Dells

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

Understand
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!

By plane
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

 * Routes stopping at Wisconsin Dells:
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
 * Borealis operating daily between Saint Paul and Chicago, making all the same stops as Empire Builder east of Saint Paul.
 * Borealis operating daily between Saint Paul and Chicago, making all the same stops as Empire Builder east of Saint Paul.

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

Get around
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

 * Wisconsin Dells Taxi, +1 608-253-7433
 * A1 Wisconsin Dells Kangaroo Taxi!, +1 608 432-4627

Do
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.
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells
 * - located in Wisconsin Dells

Boat Cruises
Many companies operate boat tours, including:
 * Dells Ghost Boat 11 Broadway Ave, +1-608-254-8555
 * Upper & Lower Dells Boat Tours, +1 608 254-8555. April to October.

Buy
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

 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.

Drink

 * River's Edge Pub & Grub, +1 (608) 253-6600. 30 Co Rd A
 * River's Edge Pub & Grub, +1 (608) 253-6600. 30 Co Rd A

Stay safe

 * 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.