Best Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells, WI With Kids
Wisconsin Dells' family activities are Noah's Ark (the country's largest outdoor waterpark, summer only), a ride with the Original Wisconsin Ducks amphibious tour, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park (indoor and outdoor, open more of the year), a Dells Boat Tours scenic cruise through the sandstone gorges, and a round at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf.
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1Area photo: Nicole Donatantonio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Noah's Ark Waterpark
The largest outdoor waterpark in the country, with dozens of slides split across multiple zones, a wave pool, and dedicated shallow-water areas for younger kids. It's genuinely big enough that families rarely repeat a slide unless they want to, and a full day here doesn't feel padded.
Watch out: Strictly a summer, outdoor operation — check the current-year opening and closing dates before booking, since the season is shorter than people expect. It gets crowded on peak summer weekends; arriving at opening gets you shorter lines on the marquee slides.
2Area photo: Nicole Donatantonio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Original Wisconsin Ducks Tour
World War II-style amphibious vehicles drive through Dells-area forest roads and then splash directly into the water for a lake portion of the tour — a genuinely fun novelty that most kids haven't experienced anywhere else. It's also a good lower-energy break from waterpark days.
Watch out: It's an open-air vehicle for part of the ride, so dress for sun or a bit of splash depending on conditions. Runs seasonally (spring through fall, roughly); check current operating dates for your travel window.
3Area photo: Nicole Donatantonio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
Combines outdoor and indoor waterpark sections with a small Greek-mythology-themed amusement park (including real roller coasters), and its indoor component means parts of it operate through more of the year than a purely outdoor park like Noah's Ark. Good pick if your trip dates fall in shoulder season.
Watch out: Which sections are open (indoor vs. outdoor, and which rides) varies by season — check the current schedule for your specific dates rather than assuming everything is running. It can feel busier and more compact than Noah's Ark since it packs waterpark and theme-park elements into one property.
4Area photo: Nicole Donatantonio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Dells Boat Tours (Upper Dells)
A scenic boat cruise through the actual sandstone gorges the Wisconsin River carved — the geological feature the town is named for, and a quieter, more scenic activity that makes a good contrast to a waterpark day. The Upper Dells route is the more dramatic of the two available routes.
Watch out: It's an outdoor, exposed boat — bring sun protection and check the weather forecast, since tours run rain or shine barring storms. Runs seasonally; not a year-round activity.
5Area photo: Nicole Donatantonio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
A themed mini golf course that's a step above a standard putt-putt setup — waterfalls, caves, and pirate theming that make it more of an experience than a quick game. It's a good lower-cost, lower-energy activity to slot in between bigger-ticket waterpark days.
Watch out: Popular in the evening after waterpark closing time, so expect a short wait during peak summer weeks. Some course sections have uneven terrain that's less stroller-friendly than a flat course.
Frequently asked
What happened to the Tommy Bartlett Show?
It's closed — Tommy Bartlett's water ski show, long a Dells fixture, is no longer operating. Don't plan a trip around it; if you see it on an older list, that list is out of date.
What can we do in Wisconsin Dells in winter?
Most of the area's famous outdoor waterparks, including Noah's Ark, close for the season. Winter visitors lean on indoor resort waterparks (many area hotels have their own) and Mt. Olympus's indoor sections, which stay open longer into the colder months than purely outdoor properties.
Noah's Ark or Mt. Olympus — which is better for a family?
Noah's Ark for the sheer number and variety of slides if you're visiting in peak summer. Mt. Olympus if your dates fall in shoulder season, since its indoor component operates when purely outdoor parks are closed, or if you want theme-park rides alongside waterpark slides in one property.
Is the Wisconsin Ducks tour worth it if we're also doing waterparks?
Yes — it's a genuinely different, lower-energy activity (about an hour) that works well as a break day between two waterpark days, rather than competing with them for the same kind of fun.
Same destination, where to stay
Booking these activities? Pick the right resort first.
Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Wisconsin Dells family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
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