Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells is a city of 2,547 people in Adams County, Wisconsin, founded in 1857.
Why visit Wisconsin Dells
Townapedia lists 41 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 91 places to eat, 54 places to stay and 8 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, The Wonder Spot, Kilbourn Public Library and Bowman House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 8°F, and about 41 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Wisconsin Dells
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells (formerly Kilbourn) is a city in Columbia, Sauk, Adams and Juneau counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,942 at the 2020 census. The city takes its name from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic gorge that features sandstone formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River. It is a popular Midwestern tourist destination, home to several water parks and tourist attractions.
From the Wikipedia article Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do8
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
Monument and historic site · 1.7 mi
Amusement park in Wisconsin, United States
The Wonder Spot
Monument and historic site · 3.5 mi
Tourist attraction in Wisconsin, USA
Wisconsin Deer Park
Zoo and aquarium · 1.4 mi
2183 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
Rick Wilcox Magic Theater
Cinema and theater · 2.1 mi
1670 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Lake Delton
Museums and landmarks41
Kilbourn Public Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Library building in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
Bowman House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic house in Wisconsin, United States
H. H. Bennett Studio
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic photographic studio and photography museum located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
Hulburt Creek Garden Beds
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Archaeological site
Jacob Weber House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, listed on the NRHP in Wisconsin
Marshall Memorial Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
Town hall and library building in Lake Delton, Wisconsin
Wawbeek-Horace A.J. Upham House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Historic house in Wisconsin, United States
Dells Mining Co.
Monument and historic site · 0.8 mi
427 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Su-Mo, Fr-Sa 10:00-17:00; Tu-Th 10:00-16:00
H.H. Bennett Studio & History Center
Museum · 0.7 mi
215 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
May 27-Sep 17 10:00-16:00; Sep 18-Oct 29 Th-Su 10:00-16:00; Oct...
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Monument and historic site · 0.7 mi
105 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
09:00-23:00
Vertical Illusions
Monument and historic site · 1.0 mi
2433 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
Museum · 3.1 mi
Attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
29 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Mt. Olympus Park
Sports field and stadium · 1.9 mi
1701 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Timbavati Wildlife Park
Sports field and stadium · 1.2 mi
2220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Alligator Alley Adventures
Sports field and stadium · 1.9 mi
1800 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Lake Delton
Land of Natura
Sports field and stadium · 2.0 mi
250 Natura Drive, Wisconsin Dells
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes91
Amigos Dells
Restaurant · Peruvian, Columbian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, South American · 2.4 mi
Food_truck
1470 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Th, Su 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-20:00
Bella Goose Coffee
Cafe · Regional, Coffee Shop · 1.0 mi
2370 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Su 07:00-17:00
Big Boy
Restaurant · Burger · 0.8 mi
701 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Su-Th 08:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-22:00
Daylene's Supper Club
Restaurant · Supper Club · 2.3 mi
469 County Highway A, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:30; Su 11:00-21:00
Famous Dave's
Restaurant · Barbecue · 0.8 mi
435 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Su-Th 12:00-20:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-21:00
Hofbrewzhaus
Restaurant · German · 0.8 mi
514 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa-Su 11:00-23:00
MACS
Restaurant · Macaroni & Cheese · 0.8 mi
208 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Su, Fr-Sa 10:30-21:00; Mo-Th 10:30-15:00
Pizza Villa
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.8 mi
737 Superior Street, Wisconsin Dells
Mo, Su 11:00-21:00; Tu-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
San Antonio Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 0.8 mi
742 Eddy Street, Wisconsin Dells
Su 10:00-21:00; Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 10:00-23:00
Showboat Saloon
Diner · American · 0.8 mi
24 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Mo-Th 15:00-02:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-02:30; Su 11:00-02:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.1 mi
320 Wisconsin Highway 13, Wisconsin Dells
Su 05:30-21:00; Mo-Th 05:00-21:00; Fr 05:00-22:00; Sa 05:30-22:00
79 more on the map.
History
The natural formation of the Dells was named by Early French explorers as dalles, a rapids or narrows on a river in voyageur French. Wisconsin Dells is located on ancestral Ho-Chunk and Menominee land. The Ho-Chunk name for Wisconsin Dells is Nįįš hakiisųc, meaning "rocks close together".
According to Indian agent Joseph Montfort Street, the Sauk leader Black Hawk sought refuge with Ho-Chunks near the Dells of the Wisconsin River at the end of the Black Hawk War of 1832 before surrendering to the United States, but more recent research has argued that this was a mistranslation of the true location. The U.S. acquired the land in treaties with the Ho-Chunk nation in 1837 and with the Menominee in 1848, but Ho-Chunk people who resisted the U.S. policy of Indian removal continued to return to the area and eventually acquired small homesteads.
From the History section of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay54
Best Western Ambassador Inn & Suites
Motel and hotel · 1.5 mi
610 South Frontage Road, Wisconsin Dells
Days Inn & Suites Wisconsin Dells
Motel and hotel · 0.9 mi
2504 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells
Churches and places of worship2
Bethany Lutheran ELCA
Church · Evangelical Lutheran · 0.9 mi
620 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Saint Cecilia Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 0.9 mi
603 Oak Street, Wisconsin Dells
Shopping37
Gas and EV charging6
Schools, colleges and libraries7
Healthcare2
Map of Wisconsin Dells
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°F | 8°F | 1.3 in | 11.5 in |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 1.4 in | 10.2 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 22°F | 2.3 in | 5.9 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 33°F | 4.1 in | 2.0 in |
| May | 69°F | 45°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 79°F | 56°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 57°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 49°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 37°F | 2.8 in | 0.4 in |
| Nov | 44°F | 26°F | 2.2 in | 2.0 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 15°F | 1.8 in | 8.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Wisconsin Dells (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Adams County has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-10-18: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
- 2016-10-20: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2008-06-14: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Volk Field (VOK) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 32 miles away.
- Lake Delton 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- West Baraboo 11 mi south, about 18 min by car
- Baraboo 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Reedsburg 13 mi southwest, about 21 min by car
- Portage 17 mi east, about 27 min by car
- Mauston 19 mi northwest, about 30 min by car
- Lake Wisconsin 21 mi southeast, about 34 min by car
- Adams 22 mi north, about 35 min by car
- Westfield 22 mi northeast, about 36 min by car
- Prairie du Sac 24 mi south, about 38 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Wikideas1, CC0
- OldKilbournLibrary, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- BowmanHouse, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Jacob Weber House Wisconsin Dells, Jeff the quiet, CC0
- Horace A J Upham House, Jeff the quiet, CC0
- BennettStudio, User:Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Marshall Memorial Hall, Tgkrause, CC BY-SA 3.0
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