5 Fun Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells in Winter

When most families think of Wisconsin Dells, they picture a summer vacation filled with water parks, boat rides, and other warm-weather attractions. But the colder months bring just as many opportunities for family fun, both indoors and out. Below, we present five things to do in Wisconsin Dells in Winter that just might make you want to swap your summer trip for a mid-winter getaway.

Zip down indoor waterslides at Great Wolf Lodge

Wisconsin Dells often boasts of its status as the "Waterpark Capital of the World", but it doesn't hang up its crown once the leaves start to fall. Big name resorts like Great Wolf Lodge feature some of the best indoor water parks in town—and they stay open all year. And since you'll be visiting Wisconsin Dells in the winter, chances are the lines for the slides will be a lot shorter. Added bonus: no need to slather on sunscreen.

Besides its signature indoor water park, Great Wolf Lodge also boasts an arcade, a full spa, shops, shows, daily appearances by costumed characters, pajama parties for kids, and tons of other family-friendly activities that you can enjoy without ever putting on a coat.

Kids will love: MagiQuest, a live-action adventure game, which allows kids to explore the lodge as an enchanted kingdom with pixies, dragons, hidden treasures, and more.

Grownups will love: A romantic dinner of wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill, followed by a refreshing massage at the Elements Spa Salon.

Click here to find great deals at Great Wolf Lodge

Ski and tube at Cascade Mountain

Believe it or not, skiing in Wisconsin is… well, a thing! In fact, the state has the third-most skiing and snowboard resorts in the country. When it comes to Wisconsin Dells winter activities, it doesn't get much better than a trip to nearby Cascade Mountain, which offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing opportunities for the whole family. Just don't forget your snow shoes.

Kids will love: Riding the lift up to the top of the tubing hill, then whizzing back down the 900-foot incline.

Grownups will love: Saving money. Kids 12 and under can ski for free while accompanied by a paying adult at Cascade Mountain.

Click here for great deals at Cascade Mountain

Fly above the winter wonderland at BigFoot Zipline Tours

Summertime tours of Wisconsin Dells focus mainly on water travel and include Dells Army Duck Tours, Dells Boat Tours, and Jet Boat Adventures. But once the snow hits the ground, the area turns into a woodsy winter wonderland that's best viewed by land (or air!). Book an adrenaline-fueled ride with the famous BigFoot Zipline Tours, and you'll get to soar above the snow-dusted treetops, getting a perspective normally reserved for Santa and his reindeer. It's definitely one of the more unique (and heart-pounding) things to do in Wisconsin Dells in Winter!

Kids will love: We're pretty sure the chance to fly through the air is enough of a draw for any kid (or kid at heart).

Grownups will love: This deal, which snags them a discount on a zipline tour at BigFoot Zipline.

Before you zip, read our ziplining tips for beginners

Explore holiday activities at Chula Vista Resort

Chula Vista is already a popular year-round spot for families thanks to its 80,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, its award-winning on-site spa, and its historic 18-hole golf course, but during the holidays there's even more to love. The kid-friendly Camp Chula transforms itself into Santa's workshop, complete with on-site activities like ornament making and gingerbread house decorating, festive scavenger hunts, and visits from the big man himself. The resort also hosts a wide variety of other holiday activities, including wagon rides across its snowy grounds and holiday movie screenings.

Kids will love: Decorating cookies and making homemade gifts for Mom and Dad at Camp Chula's Winter Wonderland.

Grownups will love: Fireside cocktails and dips in the outdoor hot springs.

Click here for a great deal at Chula Vista Resort

Hit the arcade (and laser tag arena!) at Wild Fun Zone

Downtown Dells packs plenty of indoor attractions to keep kids and adults entertained on cold, blustery days, and Wild Fun Zone is no exception. The 17,000-square-foot game floor boasts classic arcade games like skee ball and Space Invaders, as well as an old-fashioned shooting gallery, and parents can load value onto game cards instead of bothering with cumbersome tokens.

Kids will love: The 3D blacklight mini golf course, where they can practice their putts in a glowing jungle filled with gorillas and other incandescent creatures.

Grownups will love: The Alien laser tag arena, which can bring out the kid in any space invader.

Click here for a great deal at Wild Fun Zone