Wisconsin Dells for Adults: Beyond the Waterparks

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Wisconsin Dells is worth visiting for adults, even if waterparks aren’t your thing.

If you’re considering an adults-only trip to Wisconsin Dells, you might be wondering the same thing we were: Is there actually anything to do here without kids, or is it basically all waterparks and family attractions?

After spending two nights exploring the Dells without kids, we found plenty to enjoy, from the incredible scenery along the Wisconsin River to our first Wisconsin supper club experience.

Would we drive across the country just for an adults-only trip to the Dells? Probably not. But if you’re already nearby or Wisconsin Dells fits into your road trip, we’d definitely recommend stopping.

Funny enough, that’s not what we would have told you ten years ago

The Short Version

Two nights gave us enough of a taste to enjoy Wisconsin Dells without kids; three would let you add a hike, a winery, and a second supper club.

It works well for couples, as long as you don’t need every part of the trip to feel romantic. This is still a family destination at its core, and the waterparks aren’t going anywhere.

You’ll want a car to get between downtown and the resort areas, and if you try a Wisconsin supper club, don’t rush it; the wait is part of the evening, not something to work around.

The route brought us back: the change of heart came after we got there.

Why We Gave Wisconsin Dells a Second Chance

Our first trip to Wisconsin Dells was in January for a conference at Chula Vista Resort. It was -19 degrees, a temperature neither of us had ever experienced. At one point, we actually walked outside just to see what that kind of cold felt like.

When the front desk apologized that the outdoor hot tubs were closed, we couldn’t help but laugh. Outdoor hot tubs? At -19 degrees? There was absolutely no chance we were getting anywhere near them.

We left Wisconsin Dells after that conference with no real intention of ever going back.

Fast forward about ten years, and travel plans had other ideas.

We had a filming job that took us from Sandusky through Minnesota and Wisconsin, while our RV was spending some time in the shop in Elkhart. Wisconsin Dells happened to fall right along our route, so we decided to give it another shot.

This time it was summer. We had two nights, no kids with us, and we were pretty optimistic about seeing a completely different side of Wisconsin Dells.
And that we did.

What Is There to Do in Wisconsin Dells at Night for Adults?

We checked into the Staybridge Suites on the outskirts of Wisconsin Dells, which turned out to be a good place to ease back into the Dells. We weren’t immediately surrounded by waterparks, mini golf courses, and larger-than-life attractions.

Our first evening started at the Silo rooftop bar, and we both loved it.

The rooftop is 21+, making it a great place to grab a cocktail and take in the view without the family atmosphere you’ll find at many places around the Dells.

It was relaxed, fun, and the perfect place for Robb to order his first Wisconsin Old Fashioned of the trip.

Some of it was definitely a little cheesy, but it was also kind of fun. We especially got a kick out of the massive Roman-themed Mt. Olympus resort. We weren’t planning to spend our trip on waterslides, but you couldn’t help looking at some of these places and thinking they looked like fun.

We stopped at the Grateful Shed thinking we’d grab dinner, but once we got there, we just weren’t feeling the food-truck vibe that night. We did stick around long enough for a little moonshine tasting before continuing our exploring.

Eventually, we landed at Lake City Social for dinner, where the service was fantastic, and Robb continued his Wisconsin Old Fashioned education.

If you’ve never had one, Wisconsin does the Old Fashioned a little differently. Instead of whiskey, the traditional Wisconsin version is made with brandy, and you’ll find them just about everywhere—especially at supper clubs.

Let’s just say this wouldn’t be Robb’s last Old Fashioned of the trip.

By the end of our first night, Wisconsin Dells hadn’t completely won us over yet, but we were having fun. 

More importantly, we’d already answered one of our biggest questions about visiting Wisconsin Dells without kids. Yes, there are plenty of places to grab a cocktail, have a good dinner, and enjoy an evening without spending it at a waterpark or family attraction.

And we were just getting started.

The Upper Dells Boat Tour Is Worth It, Even With Kids Around

Like we usually do when visiting somewhere new, we started searching online for things to do in Wisconsin Dells. Most of what we found was exactly what you’d expect—waterparks, mini golf, and the usual tourist attractions.

We chose the Upper Dells Boat Tour primarily because it is the only way to visit Witches Gulch, and that ended up being one of the best decisions we made in Wisconsin Dells.

The boat was full of families, and a few kids on board made it clear they’d rather be at a waterpark than watching sandstone cliffs go by. It didn’t ruin the tour, but it was a reminder this isn’t some quiet, adults-only excursion; you’re sharing it with everyone else visiting the Dells.

The narrow passage reminded us of the slot canyons we’ve explored out West, except instead of dry desert walls, Witches Gulch was covered in thick green moss. We both love a good boat ride, and when we learned the only way to visit Witches Gulch was on the Upper Dells Boat Tour, the decision was pretty much made for us.

The boat ride itself was beautiful. Our captain and narrator were a father-and-son team, with Dad at the helm and his son doing much of the storytelling. What stood out wasn’t just what they told us about the area, but how much they seemed to genuinely love the Dells and what they called “their river.”

That made the experience even better.

Walking Through Witches Gulch

Witches Gulch was every bit as cool as it looked in the photos.

The walk is less than a mile out and back on a mostly flat boardwalk, and we found it very easy. As you move farther into the gulch, the passage narrows, and the sandstone walls rise around you.

It felt almost eerie in there, in a good way.

The damp air, towering walls, and heavy green moss made it feel completely different from the dry slot canyons we’d seen out West. It’s hard to believe this kind of landscape is tucked away just beyond all those Wisconsin Dells waterparks.

For us, Witches Gulch alone made the boat tour worth doing.

Stand Rock Was a Different Experience

The second shore landing at Stand Rock was a little more challenging.

Unlike the flat boardwalk through Witches Gulch, this walk has an uphill section. If you have difficulty walking uphill, this is something I’d consider before starting because the boat drops you off at one pier and picks you up at another. Once you get off, you’ll need to complete the walk to meet the boat on the other side.

We didn’t find it difficult, but there was definitely more effort involved than at Witches Gulch.

At the top, the rock formations were worth the climb. Some of them reminded me of the hoodoos we’ve seen while traveling out West, another landscape I wasn’t expecting to find in Wisconsin.

And yes, we saw the famous dog jump at Stand Rock.

The tradition goes back to 1886, when Wisconsin Dells photographer H.H. Bennett captured his son Ashley jumping between the rocks. His stop-action photograph caught Ashley in midair and was so unusual for the time that some people thought it had been faked.

Knowing the story made watching the dog make the same famous jump a lot more interesting.

Between the river scenery and the two shore landings, the Upper Dells Boat Tour ended up being one of our favorite experiences in Wisconsin Dells.

If you’re visiting the Dells without kids and wondering whether there’s anything here for you beyond waterparks, put this one on your list.

Exploring Downtown Wisconsin Dells

By the time we got back from the boat tour, we were ready for lunch and, more importantly, cocktails.

Our captain had suggested the Showboat Saloon, so we took his advice and headed there. The food was good, the service was friendly, and the cocktails were excellent. After spending the morning on the river and walking through Witches Gulch and Stand Rock, it was exactly what we were looking for.

And yes, there may have been another Wisconsin Old Fashioned involved.

After lunch, we walked down to the Riverwalk and followed it along the Wisconsin River for a bit before heading back toward downtown.

This was more like the Wisconsin Dells most people probably picture.

The downtown area is very walkable and filled with the usual things you’d expect in a tourist town: souvenir shops, fudge, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and plenty of places designed to catch your attention as you walk by.

Was it a little touristy? Definitely.  But that’s also part of the Dells.

We weren’t looking to spend hours shopping or checking off attractions. We were perfectly happy walking around, taking some photos, and seeing what caught our attention.

Later, we hopped back in the car and drove around some more, checking out the enormous waterparks, mini golf courses, and all the wonderfully over-the-top attractions that make Wisconsin Dells what it is.

You don’t have to participate in all of it to have fun looking at it.

We even decided to check out one of the Dells’ more adult attractions.

Now, gentlemen’s clubs aren’t really our thing, but we’d read about one on the outskirts of town that welcomed couples and looked surprisingly nice. Curiosity got the better of us, so we drove out to take a look.
Turns out, we were too early.  It wasn’t open yet.

Apparently, our Wisconsin Dells nightlife schedule needed a little work.

We didn’t make it back later that evening, but even our failed attempt added to something we were beginning to realize: there was a lot more here for adults than we had expected.

Our First Wisconsin Supper Club Experience

Before this trip, neither of us really knew what a Wisconsin supper club was.

We had heard the term, but honestly, we pictured something more like a local American Legion or a beef-and-beer event, where everyone knew everyone else. Were we going to walk in and immediately look like the two people who didn’t belong?

So, of course, I did a little research.

Turns out, Wisconsin supper clubs are for everyone. The “club” isn’t about membership. It’s really about making an evening out of dinner.

Come early. Have a cocktail before dinner. Sit and talk. Enjoy a leisurely meal. Stay for dessert or another drink. Most importantly, don’t be in a hurry.

Once I understood that, I was all in.

Ishnala Supper Club Was Worth the Wait

We decided to arrive at Ishnala around 5:00 p.m. Since it was summer and we had plenty of daylight left, we figured we’d get there early and enjoy the property before dinner.

Ishnala doesn’t take reservations, so when we arrived, the hostess took our name and very politely told us our wait would be about two and a half hours.

Two and a half hours.

Normally, that would have us heading straight back to the car.

But this didn’t feel like a restaurant where you stand around staring at your phone and waiting for a table. There are several bars and lounge areas throughout the property, including an outdoor bar along the water with live music.

We found seats on the patio at one of the bars and settled in. After all the walking we’d already done that day, I wasn’t particularly interested in tackling another set of stairs in sandals to reach the bar by the water.

Robb continued his Wisconsin Old Fashioned education; I had some wine, and the service was quick and friendly.

And suddenly, a two-and-a-half-hour wait didn’t seem quite so bad.

Don’t Rush the Ishnala Experience

One thing we weren’t sure about beforehand was how we should dress.

We went business casual, which fit right in. Most men were wearing button-down shirts or something similarly casual, while women wore summer dresses, shorts sets, or pants. We saw jeans, too.

You certainly don’t need a dinner jacket or tie, and you don’t need to get dressed up if that’s not your thing. You can be comfortable dressed nicely or casually.

Although maybe leave the vintage punk-rock T-shirt in the hotel for this one.

When our table was finally ready, we were treated to a window seat overlooking Mirror Lake just as the sun was going down.

It was outstanding.

The sunset reflected across the lake while we ate; the dining room was dim without being dark, and even though the restaurant was busy, the tables didn’t feel crammed together. We weren’t listening to our neighbors’ conversations, and the servers seemed to have mastered that wonderful balance of being there whenever you needed something without constantly interrupting your dinner.

Then there was the food.
We both ordered the prime rib special, which was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and we had the Shrimp Ishnala, four enormous shrimp prepared with garlic, parsley, Pecorino Romano cheese, and butter.
I don’t throw this around lightly: they may have been the best shrimp we’ve ever had.

Our dinner for the two of us was somewhere around $120, if I remember correctly. Back home in Delaware or Philadelphia, this same meal would easily run $200 or more. For two prime rib specials, the Shrimp Ishnala, salad, potatoes, fresh rolls, and a glass of wine, it felt like real value, not just a price tag.

Every bit of it was worth the trip.

Ishnala Is More Than Dinner

Looking back, Ishnala wasn’t simply our favorite meal in Wisconsin Dells. It was one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip.

That’s the part I didn’t understand about supper clubs before we went.

The two-and-a-half-hour wait wasn’t something we had to endure before the experience started. It was part of the experience.

We had cocktails. We talked. We wandered around. We enjoyed the property. Then we sat down for an excellent dinner while watching the sunset over the lake.

If you’re planning your first visit to Ishnala, my biggest advice is simple: give it the evening.

Arrive early, put your name in, grab a cocktail, and don’t make plans that require you to be somewhere else at a certain time.

Ishnala was more than dinner.

It was an over-the-top dining experience, and we loved all of it.

The One Mistake We Made at Ishnala

As much as we loved Ishnala, we made one mistake.

We skipped dessert.

There was one more thing we wanted to do before leaving Wisconsin Dells the next morning: a visit to the speakeasy at Dawn Manor.

Exploring speakeasies is kind of our jam when we travel, so after dinner we left Ishnala and headed over, thinking we’d finish the night with an after-dinner cocktail or dessert.

It seemed like a good plan.

The speakeasy was cool to see, and I’m glad we checked it out, but it wasn’t really set up for the after-dinner drinks we had in mind.

That’s when we realized our mistake wasn’t when we arrived at Ishnala. It was trying to fit something else into the same evening.

How We’d Do It Next Time

If we were planning our two nights again, we’d visit the Dawn Manor speakeasy on our first night in Wisconsin Dells.

Then we’d give our second evening completely to Ishnala.

Ishnala’s bar opens about 30 minutes before dinner service starts, though hours shift a bit depending on the day of the week, so it’s worth checking current hours before you go. We arrived around 5:00, were quoted a two-and-a-half-hour wait, and that timing worked out beautifully for us.

We had plenty of time for cocktails, conversation, and exploring the property before being seated around sunset.

The only thing we’d change?

We wouldn’t leave after dinner.

We’d order dessert, have an after-dinner drink, and stay a little longer.

If you’re going to experience a Wisconsin supper club, you might as well do it right.

Let Ishnala be the evening.

How Many Days Do Adults Need in Wisconsin Dells?

We spent two nights in Wisconsin Dells, which gave us one full day to explore. For a quick stop on a longer road trip, that was enough time to get a good taste of the area.

But if we were planning a Wisconsin Dells getaway specifically for adults, I’d probably give it three nights.

That extra day would have allowed us to get outside the main tourist area and explore a little more of Wisconsin.

We would have headed to Devil’s Lake State Park for a short hike and some of the interesting rock formations we’d seen in photos. Afterward, a stop at a local winery sounds like a pretty good way to spend the afternoon.

And since we’d finally figured out this whole Wisconsin supper club thing, we’d probably finish the trip by trying another one.

For adults who aren’t interested in spending their days at the waterparks, I think that’s where Wisconsin Dells becomes more interesting. Use the Dells as your home base, but don’t feel like you have to spend every minute surrounded by waterslides and tourist attractions.

Two nights worked for us. Three nights would have been even better.

A Few Things We’d Want to Know Before Going

After spending a couple of days exploring Wisconsin Dells, there are a few things we know now that would have been helpful before our trip.

You’ll Probably Want a Car

Wisconsin Dells is more spread out than we expected.

Downtown itself is very walkable, and once we parked, we were able to explore the shops, restaurants, and Riverwalk on foot. But downtown isn’t within walking distance of many of the big waterparks, resort-style hotels, and other attractions around the Dells.

Unless you’re planning to spend most of your trip at one resort, I’d want a car.

Where We Stayed

For an adults trip, we liked staying outside the busy waterpark resort areas.

We tend to stay at IHG hotels when we can because of our status and points, and Staybridge is one of their suite-style hotels. Having a little extra room is always nice, and complimentary breakfast makes mornings easy when we’re ready to get out and explore.

For this trip, though, we especially liked being outside the busier resort areas.

There were families, kids’ sports teams, and plenty of other travelers staying there, but it didn’t have the same busy atmosphere you can get at one of the large Wisconsin Dells resorts with waterparks, conventions, and everything happening under one roof.

It worked well as a comfortable home base. We could head out to explore during the day and come back to somewhere a little quieter at night.

If we were visiting Wisconsin Dells specifically for a waterpark vacation with the grandkids, we’d probably make a different choice and stay at one of the big resorts.

But for the kind of adults’ trip we were taking, we’d stay at the Staybridge Suites again.

Check current rates and availability for Staybridge Suites Wisconsin Dells on Booking.com.
Or, if you’d rather stay closer to the action, compare hotels and resorts in Wisconsin Dells on Booking.com.

Prices Weren’t as Bad as We Expected

For a tourist town, we expected prices to be higher across the board. They weren’t. Our dinner at Ishnala would have easily run $200 back home in Delaware or Philadelphia;  here, it felt like real value.

Downtown, it was the same story. Robb was genuinely surprised that a Wisconsin Old Fashioned ran about $8 almost everywhere we went, which is a bargain compared to what we’re used to paying for a cocktail in most tourist destinations

Reserve the Upper Dells Boat Tour Ahead of Time

We reserved our Upper Dells Boat Tour the day before, and our boat ended up being full. Based on our experience, I wouldn’t wait until the last minute if this is something you really want to do.

The boat has two levels: the open-air upper deck, which has rows of chairs, and a lower level that’s more enclosed with windows you can open. We were fortunate enough to snag two seats on the stern, which only has a single row of five seats, and it kept us away from the crowd on the rest of the upper deck. If you have a particular spot in mind, I’d get there early to have the best shot at it.

One little thing I really appreciated was that our captain asked everyone to return to the same seats after the shore stops. There was no scrambling to get back onboard and find another good seat

Be Prepared for the Steps at the Boat Dock

There is parking near the boat dock as well as street parking downtown.

One thing to know before you head down to the dock: there is a huge flight of steps between street level and the river.

There’s also an elevator; you’ll find the entrance right near Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in downtown Wisconsin Dells — so don’t let the stairs discourage you. But it’s definitely something I’d want to know ahead of time, especially if stairs are difficult for you.

Restrooms on the Boat Tour

Most standard Upper Dells tour boats don’t have restrooms on board, though the larger double-decker event and dinner boats do. If that matters to you, it’s worth checking with staff at the ticket booth before you board to confirm your specific vessel.

Both shore stops, Witches Gulch and Stand Rock, have accessible restrooms, along with paved or wooden pathways and concession stands, so you won’t be without options for long.

When to Visit Wisconsin Dells

We visited the weekend after Memorial Day, and for an adults’ trip, the timing worked really well for us.

Temperatures were in the upper 70s, downtown was surprisingly quiet for a weekend, and we never felt overwhelmed by crowds. The waterparks seemed much livelier on Saturday, but the town itself was pleasant to explore.

Of course, that’s only our experience during one late-May weekend, and I would expect things to get much busier once the summer vacation season is in full swing.

If we were returning for another adults’ trip, we’d be perfectly happy visiting around the same time again.

If we were bringing the grandkids, though, I’d definitely choose summer. That’s when we’d want the full Wisconsin Dells experience with the outdoor waterparks, boat rides, and everything else going on.

Wisconsin Dells doesn’t have to be a summer-only destination. Several of the big resorts, including Kalahari and Chula Vista, have indoor waterparks, which could make the Dells a fun winter getaway too.

Considering our first visit was at -19 degrees, though, I think we’ve already experienced enough Wisconsin Dells winter to last us a while.

If We Were Planning a 3-Night Adults Trip to Wisconsin Dells

We only had two nights in Wisconsin Dells, but knowing what we know now, we’d give ourselves three nights. Here’s how we’d plan it.

Night 1: Get a Feel for the Dells
Check in, have rooftop cocktails at Silo, explore downtown, grab dinner, and finish the evening at the Dawn Manor speakeasy.

Day 2: See the Dells We Didn’t Expect
Take the Upper Dells Boat Tour and walk through Witches Gulch and Stand Rock. Spend some time downtown and along the Riverwalk, then head to Ishnala early and give the entire evening to the supper club experience.

Day 3:What We’d Add
Head to Devil’s Lake State Park for a short hike and some of the rock formations we’d seen in photos. From there, we’d visit a local winery or the alpaca farm we found while planning our trip, then finish the evening at another Wisconsin supper club.

That’s enough structure to make sure we don’t miss the things we really want to do, with plenty of room to stop when something interesting catches our attention.

And that’s pretty much how we like to road trip.

Is Wisconsin Dells Good for Couples?

Wisconsin Dells works well for couples who don’t need a trip to feel romantic or luxurious to feel worth it — it’s better suited to couples who like mixing nature, food, and a little kitschy fun than to a spa-and-fine-dining getaway.

This is still very much a family vacation destination, and the waterparks aren’t going anywhere. But we didn’t need any of that to have a good couples trip.

Our best moments were things like watching the sun go down over Mirror Lake during a two-and-a-half-hour wait at Ishnala, sharing a rooftop cocktail at Silo after a long day of driving, and drifting through Witches Gulch on a boat with nowhere else to be.

That’s what makes Wisconsin Dells work for couples: it rewards you for not needing every part of the trip to feel curated. You don’t have to avoid the family side of the Dells to enjoy it as adults. You just have to know where to look.

Would We Go Back to Wisconsin Dells?

Ten years ago, if you had asked whether we’d ever return to Wisconsin Dells, the answer probably would have been no.

After this trip?

Yes, we’d go back.

Would we drive across the country specifically for an adults-only trip to Wisconsin Dells? Probably not.

But if you’re within a reasonable drive, you’re already traveling through Wisconsin, or the Dells fits naturally into a longer road trip, I think it’s worth giving it two or three nights.

There’s enough here for adults to make Wisconsin Dells more than a waterpark destination, especially if you enjoy a mix of scenery, good food and drinks, and don’t mind a little over-the-top tourist-town fun along the way.

Somewhere between Witches Gulch, sunset at Ishnala, and driving past one ridiculous waterpark after another, something else happened.

We started talking about bringing the grandkids.

Maybe we’d fly them in and spend three days doing nothing but waterparks and waterslides. And here’s the funny part: after spending this entire trip discovering how much there was for us to enjoy without kids, we left thinking about how much fun it might be to come back with them.

Considering our first trip ended with absolutely no intention of ever returning, I’d say Wisconsin Dells did a pretty good job of changing our minds.

Plan Your Next Road Trip in Less Than an Hour

We travel this way all the time.

Sometimes we love a place. Sometimes we leave wondering what all the fuss was about. But part of the fun of a road trip is giving yourself enough time to find out.

If you’re planning your own road trip, our free Road Trip Ready download  can help you map it out in less than an hour. It includes the planning forms we use to organize our trips without spending hours trying to figure out every stop before we leave.

Because the goal isn’t to see everything.

It’s figuring out what’s actually worth your time.

Travel safe and adventure often.