jacquieandryan This post is sponsored by Wisconsin Dells but all opinions are our own.
Wisconsin Dells may be known as the Waterpark Capital of the World, but it’s actually SO much more than that! Ryan and I had a really fun weekend exploring a more grown-up side of the Dells. If you’d like to know some amazing date spots and couples activities in Wisconsin Dells, we’ve got you!
Wisconsin Dells is about a 3 hour drive from Chicago, and while it’s only 19 square miles and has less than 6,000 residents, they receive over 4 million visitors a year! Yes, there are more water parks here than any other place in the world, but there are also wineries, great restaurants, nature trails, amazing resorts, and lakefront activities! We stayed at The VUE, a boutique hotel and we highly recommend it!
Between axe-throwing and beer, wine tasting and characuterie boards, massages, easy hikes, and lots of good food, we left Wisconsin Dells feeling relaxed and rejunivated. Are you ready to plan your couple’s trip? Here’s our round-up of recommendations!
Things to do in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Enjoy some friendly competition at Asgard Axe & Tap
After checking in to The Vue on Friday, we took a very short drive to downtown Wisconsin Dells to try our hand at axe-throwing! We’ve been seeing so many people going to these types of venues and we finally got to experience it ourselves! Asgard Axe Throwing and Underworld Arcade serves up beer and pub food while experienced axe-throwing coaches give you tips. I was terrible at it and still had an incredible time. Ryan was actually REALLY good! The owner, Dennis, is extremely friendly and treats you like family! This was such a cool spot and they have lots of craft beer which is right up our alley!
Enjoy a wine tasting at Balanced Rock Winery
One of our favorite activities was visiting Balanced Rock Winery. We had a wine tasting on the beautiful patio, with huge warm pretzels, and a charcuterie board. They have great priced tastings and live music! We loved all the fruit wine options. Check their website for events and the concert schedule.
Relax and Rejuvenate at Spa Kalahari
After our wine tasting, we spent a few hours at Spa Kalahari getting couples massages. This was so relaxing and the entire experience was perfect. They also have a Halotherapy Salt Room, which we would love to try out next time! Halotherapy, or salt therapy, can improve breathing, fight infections, and boost your skins hydration, among other benefits. We suggest checking out their full salon menu before your trip and making a reservation online! There are also a number of other spas in the area!
After breakfast on Sunday morning, we got some fresh air and exercise by walking the Chapel Gorge Trail. It was an easy hike and took about an hour. We were able to connect and have some really good conversations. It’s a fairly flat 2 mile loop until the last stretch down to a secluded beach on the Wisconsin River! It was so peaceful and the scenery was beautiful.
Have a nightcap at Kilbourn Cork
After dinner on Saturday night, we stopped by Kilbourn Cork, a premium wine bar, for a nightcap. This bar played great music, has a cozy ambiance and amazing self serve wine options as well as whiskey and bourbon cocktails! They have small bites available or you can order meals from The Keg next door and have them delivered!
Where to eat in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Dinner at The Keg
Speaking of The Keg, we had dinner there on our first night in town and the burgers and cheese curds were A+. Plus, they have an an extensive craft beer list, which you know we were thrilled about! Ryan ordered the “Fork & Knife,” Texas toast topped with burger, onion straws, bacon, scallion, and a beer cheese sauce. I had the “Badger” with gouda, grilled onion, and spicy sauce. YUM!
Is there anything more luxurious than sleeping in, waking up next to your favorite person, and having breakfast delivered to you in bed? It’s the BEST feeling after having a super busy week with early mornings! We had a lazy morning and ordered room service for breakfast on Saturday morning from the hotel’s restaurant. I had French Toast and Ryan enjoyed the Sunrise Platter! The VUE Restaurant is inside the hotel and offers great views of the river! They’re open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
If you’re looking for an upscale, romantic evening, you have to make reservations at The Del-Bar Supper Club. It was definitely one of the highlights on our trip. Bought in 1943 by Jim and Alice Wimmer, this former roadside cabin is located between Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, hence the name. The owners expanded the building and turned it into one of the best Wisconsin supper clubs – and it’s still owned by the Wimmer family! The interior feels old-school and inviting. You’re encourged to take your time, savor the experience, and enjoy all the amazing food and drink. I was so entranced that I actually tried escargot for the first time!! It was delicious! Ryan loved his steak, too. If you visit Wisconsin Dells, we highly recommend it for a nice dinner!
Our last morning, we had coffee and breakfast at Bella Goose and it was just the cutest! I am now obsessed with Bella Goose Coffee. You have to taste their lattes! They are the best I’ve had in a very long time and their baked goods are baked fresh onsite, daily. Not to mention the breakfast – Ryan had the skillet and I can never say no to tacos so I had the huevos rancheros tacos. We split the Bella Goose Classic waffle for a breakfast dessert. So good!
We squeezed in a stop to Grateful Shed for an epic lunch experience among indoor food trucks, retro VW vans, and good vibes. Think 90s indoor food truck park, meets adult game room, music venue and bar! We 100% recommend for a unique experience! It was the perfect way to end our amazing trip.
Where to Stay in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
We loved our stay at the riverside boutique hotel, The Vue! We would definitely stay here again. Our room was huge and it had an amazing view of the water. When we come back next time, we are definitely having a glass of wine on the restaurant patio while watching the gorgeous sunset over the river.
We were sad to leave because we just enjoyed every minute of our trip to Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin! We hope we’ve convinced you that this midwestern town isn’t just for families and floaties! We were not only impressed with Wisconsin Dells, but also surprised at how many sweet date spots are here.
Happy Roadtripping!
Jacquie & Ryan
