When looking for the best destination for a family friendly adventure, you cannot get any better than Wisconsin Dells. Our Midwest home is primarily known for our plentiful water parks, but we are on the Wisconsin River and offer plenty of other outdoor activities. During your stay, you may wish to check out the local communities to further expand your options for fun. Here are the top ideas for a day trip to Wisconsin Dells:
Baraboo
The surrounding area of Wisconsin Dells is full of outdoor attractions that will lead to a full day of fun and excitement for the family. One of our neighboring communities that is quick and easy to get to is Baraboo. This local town is only a 20-minute drive away and is best known for being the home of Devil’s Lake State Park. This local lake is the most visited park in the entire state of Wisconsin. You will find the lake waters to be crystal clear and perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. Swimming is typically not allowed at Devil’s Lake State Park but there is plenty of beach space to relax on. Over 29 miles of hiking trails surround the lake leading to scenic viewpoints of the 500 foot quartzite bluffs. This is a nature lover’s outdoor paradise. Baraboo is also home to the Circus World Museum that features artifacts and exhibits of the Ringling Brothers. You can even catch performances too. Getting to and from Baraboo is almost too easy to do!
Madison
If you wish to see the Wisconsin capital, you will just need to take a short one-hour drive southwest to Madison. The capital city offers a wide selection of recreational and cultural experiences for a day trip. Madison may be best known as being the home of the University of Wisconsin. You have probably seen their sports teams play in tournaments such as March Madness, but here in person, you can see the campus up close. The Wisconsin State Capitol is open for guided tours and will take you behind the scenes of Wisconsin’s politics. State Street offers all kinds of boutiques and restaurants that are a must visit. Kids in the family will love a visit to Henry Vilas Zoo that is always free to visit. You will find all kinds of animals to see in person and learn all about them. For the history buffs in the family, take them to Chazen Museum of Art or the Wisconsin Historical Museum. Wisconsin is a beer lover’s state, and the city of Madison can be considered the epicenter of that community. You will find New Glarus Brewing to be just outside of the city limits, making it easy to get a hold of their beer that is only sold in the state of Wisconsin.
Spring Green
When you the opposite direction of Madison to the southwest you will find Spring Green waiting for you. This small town is approximately 45 minutes away from Wisconsin Dells and is primarily known as being the home to Taliesin. This is the former estate of architect legend Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors are able to enjoy a tour of the grounds and learn more about Wright’s legacy and work that continues to inspire American architecture. Another incredible attraction found in Spring Green is The House on the Rock. This unusual attraction features massive themed rooms along with bizarre collections and mechanical music machines. It is the combination of museum, fantasy world, and will never be forgotten once you see it.
Portage
Another great small town that is steeped rich in history is Portage. This charming town is found approximately 30 minutes outside of Wisconsin Dells, making it one of the easier day trips to take. Portage played an important part in history as being a vital spot for early trade between Native Americans and early settlers. A popular attraction in Portage is the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters that is one of the oldest buildings in the state of Wisconsin. The Portage Canal is always popular to explore by kayak or paddleboard. You will find plenty of local restaurants and antique shops to enjoy along with walking trails that will take you past sightseeing areas. Small towns such as Portage keep their historic importance alive to this day.
Wisconsin Dells Is Waiting for You
Enjoying the local water parks is not the only fun you will have here in Wisconsin Dells. Our vacation rentals have luxury features and amenities to make sure remain comfortable all trip long. The properties are easy to depart from for a quick day trip to these neighboring communities in our area. All that is left for you to do is pick out your favorite vacation rental with us and prepare for your Wisconsin Dells journey!
