Planning to travel Wisconsin Dells in September?
Then you’re in luck, as the city is known for having some of the best post-summer activities and is also incredibly scenic during the fall!
Whether you want to try outdoor adventures or have laid-back relaxation sessions indoors, the Dells has plenty of surprises waiting.
Trust me– you’ll have a blast exploring water and land activities surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage.
I could spend all day talking about all the fun things to do in Wisconsin Dells I had the last time I visited in the fall.
But, for now, let me share with you the most fun things you can try in Wisconsin Dells in September!
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Table of Contents
Overview: My favorite Things to do in Wisconsin Dells in September
- Explore Downtown Wisconsin Dells via Trolley Tour
- Adventure at Wisconsin Dells Water Parks
- Relax in a Cozy Cabin or Resort
1. Experience the Fall Foliage
Let’s start this list with one of my favorite free things to do in Wisconsin Dells in fall: enjoying the fall foliage of the city.
Nothing is quite as fun as witnessing leaves transform from green hues to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges as the month progresses, right?
Now, of course, you can pretty much enjoy fall foliage anywhere you may be in the Dells.
But, for the most scenic surroundings and picture-perfect nature backgrounds, I recommend visiting State Parks, horse riding in ranches, walking along the river, and zip-lining.
Or, just follow the rest of the activities on this list.
Because as a bonus, most of them are accompanied by panoramic views of the fall colors in Wisconsin Dells!
2. Take a Scenic Boat Tour
If there’s one activity you shouldn’t miss out on when you’re in Wisconsin Dells in fall, that’s none other than taking a scenic boat tour on the river.
I love this activity all year long (except winter), but it’s even more enjoyable in September when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold to spend hours exploring the beauty of land and water.
You have several options for boating adventures in the Dells.
My favorite is the 2-hour Upper Dells tour, which lets you land on 2 different shores (Stand Rock and Witches Gulch), iconic places with the best fall foliage.
But I also enjoyed the hour-long Lower Dells tour, which features some of the most famous landmarks near the river!
If you’re lucky, you may still have time to take the last trips of the sunset cruises, which only last until Labor Day.
Make sure to get your cameras ready, as you’ll find unlimited scenic shots during these boat tours!
3. Visit Devil’s Lake State Park
You’ll never see me not mention the Devil’s Lake State Park when I talk about Wisconsin Dells.
Yup– this park, which draws about 3 million annual visitors, is iconic!
In fact, it’s crowned as the state’s most popular State park.
During the fall, the“plain” summer drive along the park’s north shore entrance road becomes a magical, golden-colored adventure around mid to late September!
Plus, when you’re inside the park, you’ll also be welcomed by impressive rock formations!
Apart from the views, this park also packs some of the best fall activities for you.
With over 29 miles of hiking trails, it’s one of the best places to enjoy hiking in Wisconsin Dells.
Moreover, you can easily rent kayaks and canoes near the park to enjoy the lake!
Classic picnics, relaxing birdwatching, and adrenaline-pumping rock climbing– the Devil’s Lake State Park pretty much has an activity perfect for every visitor!
4. Enjoy Local Festivals and Events
If you find yourself wondering what to do in Wisconsin Dells in September, attend one of the local festivals and events!
There are always several Wisconsin Dells events in September every week.
At the top of my head, I remember an open-air farmers’ market in Downtown every Sunday.
Free performances and exhibitions throughout the week.
And regular performances at the Crystal Grand Theatre!
But if there’s one event you should not miss in the Dells during the fall, that’s the biggest celebration in autumn: the Wo-Zha-Wa Fall Festival.
This annual 3-day event lasts all day and features carnival rides, countless concession stands, flea markets, crafts fairs, races, and other mini-events.
It’s perfect for every tourist, but even more so for families with little kids!
5. Explore Downtown Wisconsin Dells
You can’t visit bustling cities like Wisconsin Dells without dropping by the Downtown area.
It’s the heart and soul of the city. The home for the best restaurants, shops, and free entertainment!
It’s pretty much impossible to get bored in Downtown Wisconsin Dells.
During daylight, you can dine at endless restaurants, watch free concerts, and even go to open-air markets. Join a trolley tour to make your sightseeing more fun!
And at night, you’ll likely be surprised by how bright Downtown stays until dusk!
Neon lights all around, breweries everywhere, and lots of arcades and bars in sight.
I’ve never returned to my accommodation before midnight when I hang out in Downtown Dells. It’s that fun, amazing, and entertaining!
6. Go Wine Tasting at Local Vineyards
Wisconsin isn’t known as a wine state. It’s more of a beer haven, isn’t it?
But did you know that there are already over 100 wineries across Wisconsin?
Yup– the state has upped its wine game over the last decades.
So much so that I now always recommend wine tasting at local vineyards to friends who visit any part of Wisconsin, especially the Dells!
If you visit the city in September, you’re in absolute luck, as this month falls under the wine harvest season! This means you’ll enjoy only the best of Wisconsin wine!
My go-to winery to visit in Wisconsin Dells in September is Fawn Creek. It’s close, it offers good wine, and you can tour its vineyards independently.
But if you want fully facilitated tours (with a guide) of a local winery, I highly recommend visiting the Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, which offers various walking tours to really enjoy the wine experience.
7. Adventure at Wisconsin Dells Water Parks
Of course, you cannot avoid mentioning water parks when talking about Wisconsin Dells– the waterpark capital of the world.
Now, I know some of you are thinking like: “Isn’t September too cold for splashing and swimming in the water?”
Although outdoor waterparks don’t operate after Labor Day in the Dells…
Most indoor water parks in Wisconsin still open their doors to guests several times a week in September!
I highly recommend checking out the Kalahari Resort Waterparks, Wilderness Resort Waterpark, and Chula Vista Resort Waterparks, which are some of the best waterparks in Wisconsin Dells.
They’re some of the best places to stay in Wisconsin Dells.
Whether you want a relaxing, warm soak session or exciting adventures through several stories-tall waterslides, the Dells’ waterparks have you covered.
8. Take a Hike in Mirror Lake State Park
It’s no secret that hiking is one of my go-to cheap things to do in Wisconsin Dells in September.
I’ve already talked about hiking in Devil’s Lake State Park.
But if you’ve been to that park, you’ll know that its obvious downside is the usually large crowd—the price of popularity, I guess.
If you want a quieter alternative for your hikes, consider hiking in the Mirror Lake State Park!
Like Devil’s Lake State Park, it boasts amazing rock formations (made of sandstone) and over 20 miles of trail, offering plenty of options for both beginners and seasoned hikers.
It’s also near the lake, so you can still enjoy all kinds of water adventures, including kayaking, fishing, and boating.
The Mirror Lake State Park is also just a hike from the Fern Dell Gorge Waterfall, one of the best waterfalls near Wisconsin Dells. So, you’re sure to have a blast hiking all day long!
9. Attend The Warrens Cranberry Festival
If you love big, annual festivals like the Wo-Zha-Wa Fall Festival, you’re also sure to love the 3-day Warrens Cranberry Festival– the world’s largest cranberry festival!
Now, this event isn’t actually held in Wisconsin Dells. It’ll be in Warrens, an hour away from the Dells.
But I’ve been to this festival’s 50th annual celebration, and I must say, it’s more than worth the short drive!
This Cranberry festival typically has over 300 flea market booths and hundreds of farm market booths and food vendors combined!
Oh, and have I mentioned there are over 850 arts & crafts vendors as well?
You’ll explore miles and miles of food, cranberries, competitions, and costumes.
And the best part is that this festival is free for everyone!
10. Relax in a Cozy Cabin or Resort
There are dozens of romantic places to stay in Wisconsin Dells.
So, before you leave the city, relax at some of the best hotels in Wisconsin Dells or cabins in Wisconsin Dells.
My top-recommended place to spend your nights in the Dells in is none other then the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.
Its indoor water park is warm, at 84 degrees Fahrenheit, all year.
And after a full day of breezy outdoor adventures in September, there’s nothing more relaxing than swimming in a warm environment!
It’s one of the best Wisconsin Dells resorts for adults and kids alike!
The Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel, which is located Downtown, is also a great, more affordable, option.
It’s just walking distance from various city attractions like the Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, the Big Foot Zip Line, and even some of the best breweries in Wisconsin Dells.
If you really want to prioritize affordability, though, you can never go wrong with booking at Black Hawk Motel & Suites.
It doesn’t have many entertainment amenities, but it will certainly leave you with more budget for outdoor activities, which most tourists find more enjoyable anyway!
My final thoughts on Wisconsin Dells in September
If you’ve been to the city before, you’ll know that I’m not exaggerating when I say that there are countless Wisconsin Dells activities in September.
It’s the season of colors.
So, anywhere you go, you’ll enjoy the picturesque scenery of the nature-packed Dells.
Plus, summer just ended, so many of the “summer activities” we all love, like fishing, kayaking, and swimming, are still within reach in the city!
Best of luck with your Septemberventures. I’m sure you’ll have a blast kicking off the fall season 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! 🌍🚀
