Nestled in beautiful natural landscapes in Wisconsin, you’ll find giant, colorful waterslides and loads of family fun around every corner. Wisconsin Dells is a kid’s dream come true from the moment they wake up to the time their head hits the pillow.
My family of four has visited Wisconsin Dells several times, when our children were little to now that they’re both teens, and we still all savor the classic establishments, while also looking forward to new, exciting attractions. This family travel guide will help you make the most of your visit to Wisconsin Dells.
What’s new in Wisconsin Dells in 2024
The tallest water slide in America is now open at Mt. Olympus. The Rise of Icarus is 145 feet tall and quite the exhilarating body slide. My husband and daughter tackled it with glee. There are also 5 other new waterslides on the tower at Mt. Olympus plus a new outdoor children’s play area boasting 10 slides and water play features.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions was already our favorite Wisconsin Dells hotel, but they continue to make it better and better. They recently completed $80 million in renovations, which include new guest rooms at Hillside at Kalahari (perfect for 4-6 guests), dining, retail and pool deck activity upgrades.
Arcade PVP Bar is a great downtown option when the weather isn’t cooperating. Before 9 p.m., families can enjoy unlimited game play and fun, fruity drinks. My son was enamored with the punching bag game, while my daughter and I shot hoops and my husband played Golden Tee.
Sundara Inn & Spa continues to rake in recognition, now selected as a 2024 Oprah Daily Best Hotel O-wards Winner. If you can make an escape to this tranquil facility, you definitely won’t regret it. The WellSystem Wave is a new, 25-minute treatment that is an electronic waterbed massage experience that is fully customizable from the aroma wafted around you to the music gently playing. It was like bobbing in the water on a super relaxing float. New Cryo T-Shock spa services are designed to firm and tighten aging skin. I experienced the Cryo/HydraFacial Combo and felt like my skin was definitely awakened with the cold and warm contradictions.
Coming this fall, Aquavia Lumina, a multi-media night walk will launch at Wilderness Resort. Lights, lasers, music and videos will enhance your evening stroll through the canyon outside the resort.
Choose your Wisconsin Dells hotel
Kalahari Resorts take home the #1 spot for indoor water parks on the USA Today 10Best list of Readers’ Choice 2024 Awards. This African-themed water park resort features fun from the Master Blaster waterslide with rollercoaster feels to Tom Foolerys Adventure Park with ropes courses, go-karts, a climbing wall, rides and arcade games. Suites and villas are available to accommodate various group sizes. Don’t pass up the new Cinco Ninos breakfast buffet. Surprise the family by having sweet treat delivered to your room at check-in.
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort features 4 indoor and 4 outdoor water parks, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course. Take Flight is an exhilarating 4D movie experience with Space Flight as the newest edition. There’s a lot of new news around Wilderness, including 5 bedroom treehouse cabins. How cool would it be to stay in one of the treehouse cabins with 21 of your closest friends and relatives!
Great Wolf Lodge is a great choice for toddlers and littler kids. With an indoor water park, themed suites, a Build-a-Bear Workshop, story time and arts & crafts, Great Wolf knows how to show families a howling-good time.
Aquatic adventures and other activities
Land of Natura is a true outdoor gem. America’s largest inflatable water park on the largest naturally filtered man-made lake in the world entices all ages to jump, climb and splash the day away. Like Slip ‘N Slides built into a hill, Mt. Natura water slides catapult you into the cool waters after a 60 foot slide. Lounge on the beach, play beachside games and dig into some dining. Land of Natura is a place you’ll want to stay as long as possible as everyone has an absolute blast.
When you visit Mt. Olympus, check out Medusa’s Slidewheel (if you dare). It opened in 2022 as America’s first rotating waterslide. Slide back and forth in a turning network of tubes for over a minute on this four-person indoor raft ride. Our kids’ favorite attraction at Mt. Olympus is Poseidon’s Rage, the wave pool featuring 9-foot waves. You can hear the shrills of excitement every time it starts up.
Hop on an Original Wisconsin Ducks tour for a quacking good time. These amphibious boats traverse land and water with plenty of hokey jokes along the way. Choose from five different courses at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. Putt by waterfalls, scenic views and hopefully score a hole in one.
Restaurants you’ll want to go back to
Moosejaw Pizza, with their antler hats and fresh made crusts, Monk’s Bar & Grill, with their crave-worthy burgers and kids’ meals served on frisbees, and Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty, with lumberjack meals and homemade buttermilk donuts, are some of the classic Wisconsin Dells eateries that you won’t want to miss. If a supper club is your style, Ishnala is located on nearby Mirror Lake and is renowned as one of the best.
Grateful Shed is a super cool indoor food truck extravaganza with a vehicle you can eat in, a tie dye making station, games like cornhole and Giant Jenga and, of course, a variety of mouthwatering foods. The jerk chicken with plantains and potato salad with peas was especially tasty. My group enjoyed tacos, pizza and acai bowls. There’s also barbecue and grilled cheese food trucks.
Summer House Grill & Bar offers a serene lakeside setting with everything from peel-and-eat shrimp to milkshakes and salads. Our teen enjoyed a juicy burger topped with fried cheese curds. Talk about two Wisconsin favorites coming together as one. It was love at first bite.
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