Experience fun things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults in winter.
Wisconsin Dells may be known as one of the best summer getaways in the Midwest.
But if you know, the Dells is also a magical sight to behold in winter! Hence, whenever I travel Wisconsin during the coldest season, I stop by the Dells.
In winter, the city is transformed into a wonderland of snowy landscapes and winter adventures.
Plus, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to book cozy spa sessions and splash in warm, indoor water parks! The city transforms into the perfect getaway from stress.
In this post, I’ve listed the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults in winter. Try out the activities on this list, and you’ll enjoy an unforgettable, cozy winter escapade in the city!
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Table of Contents
Overview: Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells for Adults in Winter
- Wine Tasting at Local Wineries
- Book a Winter Cabin for a Cozy Retreat
- Enjoy Indoor Water Parks for a Warm Escape
1. Relax at a Spa
Winter always makes me crave relaxation and rejuvenation.
There’s no better way to enjoy both than to relax at a spa, right?
Well, good news: Wisconsin Dells is home to some of the best spas I’ve ever visited!
The Sundara Inn & Spa, for example, is an oasis-like retreat that features heated outdoor pools, couples’ spa services, superb dining options, and luxurious rooms with modern amenities.
To put it out there—a forest-like snow-covered landscape surrounds the outdoor pool.
I never knew lounging at a heated pool could make me feel luxurious and relaxed.
Prefer lakefront views instead of forests?
You can also book a room at Delton Grand Resort and enjoy its spa services. While staying here, we took in majestic views of the sparkling lake the moment we stepped outside!
Spa escapades are truly some of the best winter getaways in Wisconsin.
2. Wine Tasting at Local Wineries
One of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults in winter is to go wine tasting at local wineries.
I love driving from one winery to another, enjoying the view of freshly fallen snow beautifully decorating the city.
After a short drive, stepping in from the cold outdoors into the warm and inviting wine-tasting room always feels so cozy.
But, of course, the main highlight of this winter getaway is always the chance to enjoy a variety of local wines!
Most wineries in the Dells focus on fruity-flavored wines.
The Narrows Creek Winery remains to be my go-to for uniquely flavored fruit wines. It’s about half an hour away from Downtown Dells.
To enjoy dry wines, I usually visit the Prairie Hawk Winery.
Then, if you want a mix of winery and distillery to enjoy both worlds of wine and spirits, the Wollersheim Winery & Distillery is gonna be your best friend!
Hunting down local wineries is one of the most fun things to do in Wisconsin Dells in the winter.
3. Explore Winter Hiking Trails
For outdoor enthusiasts, one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults is to explore winter hiking trails.
After all, some of the best places to visit in Wisconsin in winter lie in the depths of the wilderness. The only way to reach them is through hiking or a similar approach!
My favorite winter hiking spot in Wisconsin Dells is the trails at Mirror Lake State Park, which are one of the free things to do in Wisconsin Dells in winter.
On trails that are groomed for cross-country skiing, hikers aren’t allowed.
But the Turtleville Trail, Hastings Trail, and Fren Dell Trail are almost always open for winter hikers. They’re well-maintained and perfect for beginners!
If you want more of a challenge, just hit Devil’s Lake State Park’s trails.
Although this park doesn’t maintain the trails during winter, they’re open for almost every type of non-motorized winter activity!
Heads up— this means the conditions can be so much more challenging. But it also means more fun with the possibility of encountering skiers, snowshoers, and hikers on the same trail!
In both of the state parks mentioned, you can also try winter camping in Wisconsin.
Going out and playing in the snow is not just for kids. It’s also one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults.
4. Stay Warm with a Brewery Tour
A good winter getaway is always a perfect balance between cold outdoor adventures and warm indoor comfort.
Anytime we want to take a break from the cold and intensity of winter sports, we allocate a day for a local brewery tour.
This isn’t too different from doing a winery tour. You just hop from one brewery to another and enjoy the food, drinks, and ambiance.
We stayed at about five breweries when we visited Wisconsin Dells in November.
My top choice was the Bevy Brewery & Winery, a pour-your-own bar that charges by the ounce. However, it was only open on Fridays and Saturdays.
If you want to enjoy food and beer alike, check out the 70-year-old Monk’s Bar & Grill.
For live music enthusiasts, the Showboat Saloon & Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co. is the best spot for local party-like concerts!
Going on a brewery tour is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells during winter.
5. Indulge in Fine Dining Experiences
I love indulging in fine dining at least once when I go on a vacation.
Luckily, my experience in Wisconsin Dells didn’t disappoint.
I was so satisfied with the first fining restaurant I tried that I ended up dining in about 5 fine dining establishments in the city during my stay.
My first stop was the iconic Kaminski’s Chop House, which has been voted the #1 steakhouse in Wisconsin.
Try the loaded mashed potatoes and your steak for the complete dinner experience.
My next stop was the Double Cut Steak House. I ordered the oysters Rockefeller, which totally took the spotlight away from my partner’s steak!
This doesn’t classify as a fine dining restaurant, but Ishnala’s Supper Club in the middle of the Mirror Lake State Park also had remarkable food and, of course, lake views!
Dressing up nice and eating good food is really one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults in winter.
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6. Try Your Luck at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells
Whenever we take an all-adults trip, there’s always one type of place we never fail to visit—casinos!
For my friends and me, one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults at night is to bet against each other over cards and other tabletop games.
So, it’s no surprise that we had a weekly hangout at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells at least once a week when we stayed in Wisconsin Dells in December!
This casino is huge, has amazing food, and even hosts concerts!
Trust me, even if you don’t gamble, visiting Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells can still be one of the most fun things for your group to do in Wisconsin Dells during winter!
7. Go Snow Tubing at Cascade Mountain
I don’t know what others say— you’re never too old to enjoy snow tubing!
Even as adults, this low-effort yet exhilarating activity is still one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Dells in January when the snow is nice and powdery!
No experience is needed. Just plop down on the tube, wait for the big push, and slide down at breakneck speed with the wind rushing past!
Of course, after the thrilling ride, there’s always that satisfying warm cup of cocoa waiting at nearby lodges. Or maybe coffee, tea, or anything!
After snow tubing at Cascade Mountain, we actually decided to also explore skiing in Wisconsin Dells for about 3 hours, but you can just relax after this activity if you prefer to!
If you’re looking for things to do in Wisconsin for adults in winter, you won’t regret snow tubing!
8. Explore Christmas-related Events
It’s a bummer that the Dells’ iconic ice castles are no longer open.
However, the good news is that the city still hosts so many Wisconsin Dells attractions in winter that you’d still be able to enjoy the magical snowy season to its full extent!
Of course, the stars of the show are usually Christmas-related events!
There’s the Downtown Wisconsin Dells Tree of Light, a 55-foot silver maple tree that will be illuminated with thousands of lights!
It’s the only tree of its kind in the Midwest. You can also stroll through the River Walk and admire over 70 decorated trees, spreading holiday lights and spirits.
I also tried the Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, which is only possible thanks to local businesses participating. I only realized that scavenger hunts can still be fun as an adult!
Overall, there are lots of winter activities in Wisconsin Dells. Check the latest local events.
9. Book a Winter Cabin for a Cozy Retreat
When we decided to spend Christmas in Wisconsin, our winter cabin was one of the main highlights of our stay.
It wasn’t just the place we returned to after a long day.
Staying at the cabins hugely contributed to our relaxation and satisfaction.
Some days, we spent the whole day to night cozying up in our accommodation, enjoying fireplaces, relaxing in comfy blankets, and having quality time with my loved ones.
One of my favorite winter cabins in Wisconsin is the Adeline’s House of Cool Retreat.
It’s steps away from fishing. Plus, it hosts an iconic 20-foot-long, 6-foot-deep hot tub that they call the “Big Dipper!”
This cottage on the lake also offers a getaway-in-the-woods experience (but with WiFi!)
It’s minutes away from the earlier-mentioned Ho Chunk Casino. Plus, you’ll be steps away from enjoying winter activities like skiing!
I would return to both of these accommodations anytime next year!
10. Ride a Horse at Red Ridge Ranch Riding Stable
Imagine slowly trotting on a horse in the middle of a snow-covered, 250-acre scenic woods.
A surrounding that doesn’t look too different from scenes in a winter fairytale movie.
Sounds like a dream come true?
Then, don’t just imagine. Turn this vision into a reality by booking a ticket to ride a horse at the Red Ridge Ranch Riding Stable.
The horses are well-behaved and tranquil; snow-blanketed woods will surround you.
Trust me, this activity is a great way to take your mind off stress. We took lots of amazing photos with the horses, too!
11. Enjoy Indoor Water Parks for a Warm Escape
You’ll never not hear me mention water parks when talking about Wisconsin Dells.
The reason is simple: the city is crowned the Waterpark Capital of the World!
So, even during winter, when other cities close all water parks when the weather gets cold, the Dells continue to operate their indoor water parks instead!
Anything you can find in an outdoor water park, you can also find in the indoor version.
Slides, pools, surfing simulators, lazy rivers, and gaming arcades—you name it!
Therefore, they’re undoubtedly the best places to stay in Wisconsin Dells in winter.
The Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Chula Vista Resort, and the Great Wolf Lodge have always remained my top picks among many water parks in Wisconsin.
They make you feel like it’s summer all over again while helping you pamper yourself through quality spa services. Hands down, they’re the best winter resorts in Wisconsin.
12. Join a Wine & Paint Night
Even if you’re not an artist, a well-organized wine & paint night will make your day while staying in the Dells.
I joined one of these workshops while looking for random things to do in winter in Wisconsin.
The organizer was called Board and Brush, and we made custom door signs from scratch!
I had zero expectations at first.
But after I started painting and talking a lot as I turned strangers into friends, I immediately knew I should have tried these activities even earlier!
They’re some of the most healing things to do in Wisconsin Dells for adults in winter!
Oh, and of course, the glass of wine makes the entire night much better.
The best part about this activity is that you’ll have your own DIY project to take home.
So, you’ll have fun, meet new people, and even take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
A wine & paint night is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Wisconsin in winter indoors, especially if you want to relax and chill out.
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My final thoughts about Wisconsin Dells for Adults in Winter
Wisconsin Dells is a huge hit among kids as a summer destination.
However, as this post shows, it’s also an exciting winter getaway and offers plenty of activities for adults!
This list isn’t even everything I’ve enjoyed in the city yet. There are even free
things to do in Wisconsin Dells in winter indoors, such as checking out local museums.
I hope this list serves as your jumpstart to having a memorable time in the waterpark capital of the world!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
