Avoid tourist traps & explore Wisconsin Dells like a local

Wisconsin Dells is a popular tourist destination, but if you want to do this city right, you need to check out its best local restaurants, businesses, and wilderness spots.

Wisconsin Dells is called “The Waterpark Capital of the World,” and it certainly lives up to its name, drawing countless tourists to attractions like Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort and Kalahari Resorts every year without fail. Still, for all intents and purposes, Wisconsin Dells is quite small, with less than 7,000 people calling this riverside town home, according to the city’s official website. With a relatively small town comes a more laid-back way of life that gets overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of the myriad attractions that enrapture folks from around the world. 

That’s where we come in. If you want to visit Wisconsin Dells like a local, look no further than our guide, which has compiled everything you need to do during your stay if you want to see the real magic inside this city, from a sunset stroll along the Wisconsin River to the finest fare that only locals know about. As a bonus, touring the city like a local is a lot cheaper than staying at one of Wisconsin Dells’ resorts.

When is the best time to visit Wisconsin Dells?

As one of Wisconsin’s most popular tourist destinations—if not the state’s most popular—Wisconsin Dells sees people flowing in and out of town all year long. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t downtimes when you can float on down and have fewer people fighting for restaurant reservations or access to the Wisconsin River.

According to the city’s website, summer is, hands down, the busiest time of year for tourism in Wisconsin Dells. On the flip side, if you want to visit at a quieter time, fall is the sweet spot. Students are back in school, and parents are busy juggling a million things, leaving guests like you with a more peaceful trip. The website also notes that winter and spring are iffy, striking a middle ground between summer’s busyness and fall’s quaintness. 

The sidewalk in downtown Wisconsin Dells sits beautifully sandwiched between a happenin’ street and myriad shops and restaurants. (Pete Prodoehl/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Take a stroll along the Wisconsin River

The whole point of a trip is to forget about anything that’s plaguing your mind and simply unwind and explore. Thankfully, Wisconsin Dells is split in half by the Wisconsin River, and walking alongside the gently flowing water is soothing.

This activity is exquisite at any time of day, but we particularly recommend it in the morning or at sunset. A morning walk is always a perfect way to start the day, especially if you have a coffee in hand and have a good chat with whomever you’re adventuring (talk about a breath of fresh air!), while a riverside walk at sunset can be extra beautiful when the sun hits the water just so. This isn’t even to mention that sunset walks allow you time to reflect on the fun day you’ve just had. 

Naturally, you can walk any stretch of the river, but if you want a contained and less muddy route, check out the Dells Scenic River Walk. This path is a ¼-mile long and paved, so you shouldn’t have any problems staying clean while admiring the beauty of both the river and the city. The River Walk is also home to air installations, benches, and gaming tables, allowing you to really take your time and soap up the serenity in the area.

A portion of the Dells Scenic River Walk is seen with well-kept benches, trash cans, and railing to prevent falling in the river. (Kim Briggs/CC BY 2.0)

Explore Mirror Lake State Park to enjoy Wisconsin Dells to the fullest

Walking alongside the Wisconsin River is one thing, but if you’re a truly adventurous spirit, you need to explore Mirror Lake State Park, which happens to be one of the best Wisconsin state parks to enjoy in the winter. That said, this park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the year, so you’re bound to encounter some fun no matter when you come. In fact, Mirror Lake State Park is full of lively activities that many tourists miss out on because they stay shackled up in Wisconsin Dells’ hotels and resorts.

First and foremost, Mirror Lake State Park is ripe with opportunities for walking and hiking. From the lake to the cliffs and the forest, there is plenty to see. This also makes it a great place to whip out your camera and take some stunning nature shots. The lake itself photographs beautifully, but you may want to keep your eyes out for animals, as the park is full of wildlife that could make poignant pictures—and memories. For instance, deer are incredibly common in this state park, as are muskrats, chipmunks, and squirrels. At night, bats commonly dot the sky, too. Meanwhile, animals like beavers, red foxes, and cottontail rabbits are seen less frequently but do call the forest home, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

In addition to hiking and photography, you can openly swim in Mirror Lake, which is 137 acres in size, and hunting and fishing are permissible, too. Just keep in mind that you need to purchase a fishing license before getting to the park if you’re planning on angling for walleye or bass. On the same page, you need to keep an eye on the hunting schedule to make sure your weapons of choice and dates of interest are in compliance with the park’s rules.

A portion of Mirror Lake sits still and shallow under the bright sun, surrounded by a short shore and vibrant trees. (Archbob/CC0 1.0 Universal)

Get a taste of Wisconsin Dells’ best local-loved restaurants

Yes, there are satisfying restaurants that cater specifically to tourists in Wisconsin Dells, but why maneuver long wait lists when you could scope out restaurants that are beloved by the city’s year-round residents? These local dives are going to show you much more camaraderie, and the food might be better, too.

BJ’s Restaurant

First, we have one of the most happenin’ breakfast spots for locals in Wisconsin Dells: BJ’s Restaurant. This eatery is open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. every day and flips, scrambles, and stirs up magic via breakfast staples made with the utmost attention and love. BJ’s is an unassuming spot that’s affordable yet never skimps on flavor or care, and with more than four decades of experience under its belt, BJ’s likely isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. What’s kept it going so long, you ask? Well, its homemade Biscuits and Gravy and French Toast seem to be to die for. 

And don’t worry about being the only tourist in the restaurant; while BJ’s is beloved by locals, some other tourists do visit, and they end up loving it. “When we go somewhere touristy like the Dells, we like to find a good local place to eat to get away from the crowds. … We had a great breakfast and our waitress was friendly and helpful about giving us some ideas for activities to do in the area,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer. Another said, “Good breakfast at a decent price. Friendly staff and plenty of locals. Something on the menu for everyone.” You can’t go wrong here!

Ravina Bar & Grill

Next up is Ravina Bay Bar & Grill, which is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. This restaurant is situated on Lake Delton, so it’s perfect for both date night and a casual dinner with drinks. With both indoor and outdoor seating, you’re sure to get a subtle briny breeze as you enjoy your food, adding to the restaurant’s overall ambiance.

As for the menu, Ravina Bay steadily serves up New-American fare in a casual setting, including plenty of seafood. Dishes here include Crab Cakes, Lobster Rolls, Walnut-Crusted Salmon, Chicken Schnitzel, Caprese Grilled Cheese, and more. Ravina Bay even offers breakfast on the weekends now, dishing up French Toast made with croissants and homemade Flapjacks, among other breakfast staples.

“Great prices, great food, friendly waitstaff. You can definitely tell these people are local … It has a great view of the lake and it’s pretty much hidden from main stream Dells, so it’s never that crowded whenever I’ve been there,” wrote one local in a Tripadvisor post. There you have it!

Where to do drinks & live entertainment like a real local in Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells’ resorts shake, stir, and serve drinks galore, but if you want to explore this city like a local, you need to check out a few key businesses.

The Brat House Grill

First, you need to know about The Brat House Grill, which is more bratwurst and less Charli XCX. This restaurant serves up German sausages to perfection, and you can also imbibe in a host of authentic German beers and other drinks as well.

What makes this restaurant even more fun to visit, though, is unequivocally the fact that it’s located in an old church that even has a bell tower. The Brat House Grill has been operating in the building since 2007, and you’ll notice it from a mile away thanks to its bright crimson exterior. Another excellent aspect here is that the restaurant is open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, so there’s never a bad time to grab a sausage and a beer.

Showboat Saloon

For top-tier drinks and entertainment, you also need to check out Showboat Saloon. This building was constructed in 1907 and became the Showboat Saloon in 1965, according to the bar’s website, and it’s been a social hub filled with live tunes and flowing bevvies for decades since.

Like The Brat House Grill, Showboat Saloon is open seven days a week. However, here, you can expect live DJs and rotating drink specials, and you can order food from Tug’s Kitchen on-site to go with your drinks. Like the drinks, the food menu has rotating specials, including half-priced pizzas on Saturdays and Sundays and steak night on Wednesdays. 

Monk’s Bar & Grill

Finally, we have Monk’s Bar & Grill. This is a pretty popular spot, so you might find yourself amid both tourists and locals, but it’s less touristy than bars at Wisconsin Dells’ resorts. This restaurant has been in business since 1947, dishing up burgers and other homemade fare for the community. Monk’s went on to expand to other cities throughout Wisconsin, but the Wisconsin Dells restaurant is the OG—and the locals love it just as much now as they did in the late ‘40s.

In addition to burgers, you’ll find Onion Petals, Monk’s Street Tacos, Wisconsin Philly Cheesesteaks, Monk’s Hot Chicken, and more on the menu. On the drinks side of the menu, you’ll find many local beers, with Monk’s always championing the Wisconsin community. “Honestly, I love this bar. The boneless wings were fantastic, the bartenders were awesome and it had a local hometown feel to it,” one Tripadvisor reviewer wrote about Monk’s.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.