District Guide

The Wisconsin Dells area is rich in natural and man-made wonders. Gorges cut into the sandstone by ancient floodwaters are what first attracted tourists to this central Wisconsin town, but more recent features like indoor water parks keep visitors coming year-round. The town of Wisconsin Dells sits right across the river from nearby Lake Delton, which together form the area known as "the Dells." Several miles south of the Dells is Baraboo, a slightly larger town. This area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Midwest, with many families returning year after year. The majority of the major attractions and accommodations are located within the town of Wisconsin Dells or around Lake Delton, but there are several interesting attractions in the surrounding areas that may merit a day trip.

Wisconsin Dells
This small town is located in the middle of Wisconsin along the Wisconsin River. Just a short drive north of Madison, Wisconsin Dells is the self-proclaimed "Waterpark Capital of the World," with almost twenty waterparks like Great Wolf Lodge. This town has a small native population, at just over 2,000 inhabitants, but along with Lake Delton, it hosts about five million visitors every year. Most of the major attractions and restaurants in town are located along "the Strip," also known as Wisconsin Dells Parkway, a stretch of Highway 23 running through the Dells from the intersection of I-90 and I-94 in Lake Delton to the intersection of highways 13 and 16 past downtown Wisconsin Dells. This main street is a unique mix of touristy kitsch like the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, and classic old-fashioned establishments like Tug's Kitchen. River Road runs perpendicular to the Strip, and is the place to go for Swiss Maid Fudge and a tour of the H.H. Bennett Studio, the original studio of the 19th-century photographer whose pictures of the Dells helped make the area famous.

Lake Delton
Lake Delton has seen a recent comeback after it was mostly drained in June, 2008 when excessive rainfall caused the water to erode the shoreline and flood into the Wisconsin River. Thanks to community efforts, the man-made lake has been restored to its previous beauty, making the village of Lake Delton once again a prime tourist destination. The lakeshore is lined with hotels and resorts like the Delton Oaks Resort, and the more upscale Rhapsody Resort & Spa on East Hiawatha Drive. Every summer the Tommy Bartlett Show regularly takes place on the lake, featuring extreme water skiing and stunts. Wisconsin Dells Parkway runs right through the center of town, and along this stretch of road one can find numerous hotels and restaurants, plus Dells Comedy Club. There are also lots of waterparks on this road, such as Noah's Ark. Best of all, Lake Delton is just a short drive away from Wisconsin Dells, so it's easy to go back and forth between the two towns.

Baraboo
Baraboo is located about ten miles south of the Dells, and provides a different sort of entertainment than the better-known towns of Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells. Baraboo's native population is much larger than that of Wisconsin Dells, at around 12,000 people, but it has fewer huge entertainment complexes and therefore makes a nice day trip to get away from some of the Dells crowds. The quaint historic downtown area around Fourth Avenue and Oak Street is the perfect place to window-shop, and when your feet are too tired to continue, get a cup of coffee at the Little Village Café. Afterward, see a movie or show at the Al. Ringling Theatre. Architecture buffs will enjoy a trip to the House of Seven Gables, a Gothic Revival- style house from the late 19th century. A spicier taste of history can be found at the Circus World Museum at the winter quarters for the Ringling Bros. Circus, which was founded in Baraboo in 1884. For something a little different, follow Highway 123 south from downtown Baraboo to reach Devil's Lake State Park and its bucolic beauty.

Surrounding Areas
There's enough entertainment and variety in the Dells and Baraboo to satisfy the most energetic groups, but if you feel you've exhausted the possibilities in these towns, head to the surrounding areas for some new activities. The town of North Freedom provides historical fun at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, which offers 50-minute rides through the countryside on a restored coach. For an old-fashioned evening out, head to the Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theater, featuring two movie screens and a snack bar. For family entertainment or a romantic getaway, the Dells area has a lot to offer.