10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Wisconsin Dells

As the ‘Waterpark Capital of the World’, Wisconsin Dells is a great place to enjoy all forms of watery fun. Ride thrilling water slides, swim in wave pools, float down lazy rivers, or take a white water raft ride. Waterparks open late for a post-dinner swim or some indulgent lounging in the cabana.

Noah’s Ark is the biggest waterpark in America, with 25 thrilling rides including a slide with nearly vertical loops. Mt Olympus has a hair-raising rotating water slide, while Kalahari Resort boasts an uphill water rollercoaster. Visit Chula Vista for 200,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor slides, pools and play areas.

The Wisconsin River and its scenery is the pride of Wisconsin Dells, and there’s no better way to see it than a river cruise. Float under towering cliffs carved out by ancient glaciers and pass by vast stands of pine trees. You’ll spot remarkable sandstone formations like Chimney Rock and Blackhawk’s Profile.

Take the Dells Sunset Cruise for a relaxing cruise sipping cocktails and listening to live music, followed by a magical torchlit stroll. Alternatively, the Dells Ghost Boat is a spooky journey upriver that ends in a ghostly walk through a narrow canyon called Witches Gulch.

The Lost Temple is an adventure park of epic quests, spooky tunnels and perplexing mazes modelled after an ancient Mayan temple. Gruesome animatronic mummies jump out of their coffins while your guide walks you through crumbling ruins with mysterious ancient symbols. Keep an eye out for the skull that completes your quest.

Outside is a maze where you’re challenged to find all the hidden lab rats, and some enormous statues of robots and dinosaurs. There are lots of opportunities to take pictures with the various exhibits. It might seem cheesy to some but it’s also a whole lot of fun.

Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theater is an outdoor cinema first opened in the 1950s, that recreates all the retro glamour of old drive-in movies. Films are the latest releases, and there are 4 shown every night split across two different screens. Your ticket covers two films, but you can’t switch screens during the interval, so choose wisely!

Tune into the sound through your car radio, or ask for a portable radio. The snack bar sells burgers, buttered popcorn and candy floss, but is most famous for its homemade sloppy joes, a spicy ground beef sandwich. Big Sky only accepts cash, so make sure to bring enough for tickets, snacks and drinks. Screenings are typically held on weekends in May, June and September, and daily in July and August. Shows start at dusk.

Knuckleheads Trampoline Park is part indoor fun centre, part amusement park, and all complete fun. The trampoline area includes a vast open jump area, slam dunk basketball hoops, a dodgeball court, and an airbag trampoline. Go bowling in the bowling alley, or try to hit the high score on more than 100 arcade games.

In the virtual reality suite, you can dramatically fight off zombies or chuck snowballs at your friends. Other rides include go-karts, bumper cars, a ropes course, and a dizzying spin ride called the ‘Tornado’. A 4D cinema includes surround sound, win effects and full-motion seats.

Crystal Grand Music Theatre is a celebrated music venue that mixes national musicians with comedy acts, musicals and family shows. Genres are massively varied, from country music to hard rock and 90s electric. Among the famous names who have appeared at Crystal Grand are REO Speedwagon, Gary Puckett, Styx, Blake Shelton and Jay Leno.

The 2,000-seat auditorium is built on an incline, giving you a fabulous view no matter where you’re sitting. Sip a glass of wine in the bar before the show, or take a look at some of the music memorabilia decorating the lobby.

Rick Wilcox Magic Theater mixes illusion with comedy in their fast-paced, banter-filled magic shows. Watch Rick levitate someone several feet above the ground, produce a helicopter out of thin air, and perform astonishing card tricks. Stick your hand in the air during the call for volunteers and you might find yourself up on stage.

After the show, there’s a chance to grab some photos or autographs from stars Rick and Suzan Wilcox. The lobby shop has a good range of sweets, drinks, and popcorn, beginner’s magic kits and speciality playing cards for budding magicians.

Broadway Avenue is thick with classic American sports bars, swinging cocktail joints, indie breweries and kitsch entertainment venues. Take a stroll down the neon-lit street and join the residents looking for a drink and a good time. The bars and pubs stretch from the river at the western end and trail off around Church Street to the east.

Head to Showboat Saloon for live music and Wisconsin beers on tap, or Nig’s Bar for pool and darts. Dells Distillery and Latte Stone Brewing Company are the premier destinations for housemade spirits, small-batch beers and local wines. Challenge yourself to defuse a bomb, pull off a heist or expose a murderer at Dells Escape Rooms.

Riverwalk is a paved walkway that offers easy access to spectacular scenery over the Wisconsin River. The half-mile path is shaded by trees and dotted with benches and scenic viewpoints. Stop to read the boards explaining the history of Wisconsin Dells, or take a breather and challenge your friends to chess at one of the game tables.

Periodic open-air art exhibitions feature the work of various local artists and photographers, plus historic photographs. About halfway along you’ll find the River Walk Pub, a rustic inn with local beer, live music and a deck with river views. The path starts at the western end of Broadway and follows the river north to Illinois Avenue.

The Reef is an energetic club with an ocean theme where the young and hip of Wisconsin Dells gather. Choose from 3 downstairs bars, including one in the shape of a pirate ship and an outdoor tiki bar with a tropical theme. You’ll need VIP tickets for the upstairs Bubble Bar and private balcony areas.

House DJs and visiting artists spin records every weekend and there’s plenty of live music from local bands. Other events include drag revues, darts nights and a ‘bachelorette dance-off’. Come on Tuesdays or Saturdays for the latest Latin music and deals on tequila and corona beer.