Rainy Day Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells
Rain doesn't have to sink a Dells day. Some of the best things to do here are indoors, and a lot of them are open all year. These are our go-tos when the forecast turns, starting with the ones we've done ourselves.
Rainy days are also when everyone else heads indoors, so book ahead where you can.
Indoor waterparks
The obvious answer, and a good one. Kalahari, Wilderness, Great Wolf Lodge and Mt. Olympus all have indoor waterparks open year-round. Kalahari and Great Wolf sell a limited number of day passes to non-guests, and on rainy summer days they sell out, so buy online early.
See our waterparks guide for how they compare.
Tom Foolery's Adventure Park
Right next to Kalahari's waterpark, with 100,000 square feet of indoor fun: go-karts, laser tag, a ropes course and zipline, black-light mini golf, a big arcade and a 24-lane bowling alley. It sells its own day passes, and you can easily spend half a day here. Read our Tom Foolery's guide.
Axe throwing at Asgard
Asgard Axe & Tap on Oak Street downtown has axe throwing for ages 10 and up, a taproom with pizza and craft beer, and a retro arcade bar downstairs. A great pick for families with older kids.
Wizard Quest
A three-floor fantasy labyrinth at 400 Broadway, played with a tablet as you move through four realms. Plan on about two hours. It's open daily.
Arcades and fun centers on Broadway
Downtown is packed with arcades and indoor fun centers. Wild Fun Zone at 310 Broadway has indoor 3D mini golf, an arcade and laser tag, and Ripley's Believe It or Not at 105 Broadway is open year-round. Pair them with lunch on Broadway. See where to eat in Wisconsin Dells.
Bowling
Bowling is an easy rainy-day win. Chalet Lanes is downtown at 740 Elm St, Knuckleheads on Gasser Road has bowling plus a trampoline park and rides, and Volcano Lanes is inside Tom Foolery's.
Aquavia Lumina
A one-mile night walk through a canyon at Wilderness Resort, lit with projections, lights and music. We loved it. It's outdoors, so it isn't for a downpour, but it runs every night of the year and works on a damp evening with a rain jacket. Read our Aquavia Lumina review.
Or stay in
Sometimes the best rainy day is a lazy one. Both of my homes have arcade game rooms, and the larger home has a covered hot tub and a sauna, so a rainy afternoon can turn into arcade high scores and a soak.
FAQ
What is there to do in Wisconsin Dells when it rains?
Indoor waterparks, Tom Foolery's at Kalahari, Wizard Quest, axe throwing at Asgard, bowling, Ripley's, and the arcades and fun centers on Broadway.
Are the indoor waterparks open to non-guests?
Kalahari and Great Wolf sell limited day passes. Buy them online ahead of time, especially on rainy summer days.
Do boat tours run in the rain?
The boat tours generally run in light rain, but storms can cause delays or cancellations. Check with the tour company the morning of your trip.
