Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells for Adults and Couples
The Dells has a reputation as a kids' town, and with all the waterparks, that's fair. But there's plenty here for adults, whether it's a couples weekend, a friends' trip or a night out while the grandparents take the kids. Most of what we've done in the Dells as adults has been eating our way around town, but a lot of our family favorites make great date nights too.
Here's what I'd put on the list, starting with the things we've done ourselves.
Date nights we'd recommend
Aquavia Lumina
Our top pick for a date night. Aquavia Lumina is a one-mile night walk through a canyon and forest at Wilderness Resort, lit with projections, lasers and music. It takes 45 to 60 minutes, runs every night of the year starting at dusk, and tickets start at $24.99. It's beautiful, it's quiet, and it's nothing like anything else in the Dells. Read our Aquavia Lumina review.
A sunset boat ride
We took the Upper Dells boat tour in the evening and caught the sunset over the river on the way back. It's a different trip from the midday tour, with the light on the sandstone. Dells Boat Tours run from April through October, and they also offer sunset dinner cruises on select summer evenings (reservations required) and the Ghost Boat tours after dark in the fall. See our boat tours guide.
Axe throwing and a retro arcade bar
Asgard Axe & Tap on Oak Street downtown has axe throwing, a taproom with pizza and craft beer, and the Underworld Arcade Bar downstairs, full of classic arcade cabinets and pinball machines. It's a fun, low-key night out. Read our Asgard review.
Wineries, distilleries and breweries
Fawn Creek Winery
We're not big wine people, but Fawn Creek Winery is worth knowing about because it's close to both of our homes, about eight miles north of downtown at 3619 13th Ave. It's a family-owned vineyard founded in 2011, with about 40 acres, a deck with a view, a gift shop and even a disc golf course. There's live music on summer weekends, and it's also set up as a wedding venue. Fawn Creek has a downtown tasting room too, just off Broadway. Call ahead for current hours: (608) 253-4400.
More wineries nearby
- Wollersheim Winery & Distillery in Prairie du Sac, about 40 minutes south, is one of Wisconsin's oldest wineries, with tours, tastings, a bistro and a distillery. It's also the home of the Wollersheim Old Fashioned.
- Baraboo Bluff Winery near Baraboo, a small family-owned winery in the bluffs, and its sister winery Broken Bottle Winery near the Dells.
- Prairie Hawk Winery near the Dells, for a glass on the patio.
- Balanced Rock Winery in Baraboo, a boutique winery with live music.
Distilleries and breweries
- Driftless Glen Distillery in Baraboo makes bourbon and rye, and its restaurant has views of the Baraboo River.
- Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. on the Parkway is a giant lodge-style brewpub. We've had dinner there, and it's easy for groups.
- Dells Distillery on Broadway, a restaurant with fire-braised meats.
In the fall, look for the Fall Wine Walk and Dells on Tap craft beer weekend downtown.
Dinner out
We've eaten at a lot of places in the Dells. For a nice dinner, these are a few we'd go back to:
- Swagat on Broadway for Indian food. We loved the biryani and goat curry.
- MarAzul on Broadway for Mexican seafood.
- Edge-O-Dells for a casual night with live music and a big covered deck.
For a classic Wisconsin night, go to a supper club: old-fashioneds, relish trays and steaks. Del-Bar on the Parkway is open nightly, House of Embers is a longtime Dells supper club, and Ishnala sits in the pines above Mirror Lake (it's seasonal, closes for the winter in late October and doesn't take reservations). For a steakhouse, look at Field's at the Wilderness, Kaminski's Chop House at Chula Vista or Double Cut Steakhouse.
See our full list of the best restaurants in Wisconsin Dells.
Grown-up time at the waterparks
Yes, adults can enjoy the waterparks too, especially the 21+ spots:
- The Grotto at Kalahari's new Aquadome is a 21+ swim-up bar.
- Margarita's in Wilderness Resort's Wild WaterDome is a 21+ swim-up bar.
- Great Wolf Lodge has an adults-only hot tub.
Spas
- Sundara Inn & Spa at 920 Canyon Rd is an adults-only spa resort on 26 acres of pine forest, with pools, a hot tub, massages and facials.
- Spa Kalahari at Kalahari Resort, for a treatment after a waterpark day.
Ho-Chunk Gaming
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells (S3214 County Road BD, Baraboo) has slots, blackjack, craps, roulette and high-stakes bingo, plus restaurants, a bar and live entertainment. You must be 21 or older for casino gaming (18 for bingo).
Outdoors
- Hike Devil's Lake. The East Bluff trail to Devil's Doorway has some of the best views in Wisconsin. We did it with our dog. See our hiking guide.
- Lost Canyon. A horse-drawn wagon ride through a narrow sandstone canyon, running March through November. We loved it.
- Golf. Wild Rock Golf Club at Wilderness is a standout. See our golf guide.
Where to stay
For a couples trip with friends, our Hot Tub + Sauna + Game Room home has a covered hot tub, an infrared sauna and a fire pit on a private wooded acre, with room for several couples. For one or two couples, the Private Arcade Room home has a covered deck over a creek and a fire pit. Both are close to Fawn Creek and a short drive from downtown. See our homes.
FAQ
Is Wisconsin Dells good for adults?
Yes. Beyond the waterparks, there are wineries and distilleries, supper clubs, axe throwing, a casino, spas, sunset boat rides and Aquavia Lumina, plus hiking at Devil's Lake.
What is there to do in Wisconsin Dells at night for adults?
Aquavia Lumina, a sunset or Ghost Boat tour on the river, axe throwing and the arcade bar at Asgard, dinner at a supper club, Ho-Chunk Gaming, or the 21+ swim-up bars at Kalahari and Wilderness.
Are there wineries near Wisconsin Dells?
Yes. Fawn Creek Winery is just north of town, and there are several more around Baraboo and the Dells, plus Wollersheim Winery & Distillery in Prairie du Sac.
Is there an adults-only resort in Wisconsin Dells?
Sundara Inn & Spa is an adults-only spa resort just outside the Dells.
