About Wisconsin Dells

Nestled in south-central Wisconsin along the banks of the Wisconsin River, Wisconsin Dells is one of America’s most beloved family vacation destinations. Though its permanent population sits at just 2,942 residents (U.S. Census, 2020), the city draws visitors in numbers that dwarf its modest size, making it a true tourism powerhouse with a story that stretches back more than 500 million years.

A History Carved in Stone

The natural wonder at the heart of Wisconsin Dells was formed long before humans ever arrived. Roughly 19,000 years ago, glacial meltwater carved deep gorges and dramatic sandstone formations along a stretch of the Wisconsin River, creating cliffs that rise over 100 feet in some places (Britannica). The area has been home to Native peoples for at least 2,000 years, with the Ho-Chunk Nation holding a particularly significant presence. The Ho-Chunk name for Wisconsin Dells is Nįįš hakiisųc, meaning “rocks close together” (Wikipedia).

The city itself was formally founded in 1856 by the Wisconsin Hydraulic Company and originally named Kilbourn City in honor of Byron Kilbourn, president of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad. When the railroad arrived in 1857, it set the stage for the town’s transformation into a tourist destination. Entrepreneur Leroy Gates is often credited with sparking that transformation, launching rowboat tours of the Wisconsin River as early as 1856 and later commissioning two excursion steamers, the Modocawanda and the Dell Queen, in 1873 (Wisconsin Historical Society).

Perhaps the most pivotal figure in the city’s early promotional history was photographer H. H. Bennett, who took over Gates’ photography studio in 1865. Bennett’s stunning images of the sandstone formations were distributed across the United States, placed in passenger train cars, and sent to libraries, turning what locals called the “Dells” into a nationally recognized destination (Wisconsin Public Radio). In 1931, the city officially renamed itself Wisconsin Dells to match what everyone was already calling it.

The Waterpark Capital of the World

Today, Wisconsin Dells has earned the trademark title of “The Waterpark Capital of the World,” a distinction backed by more than 200 waterslides and 16 million gallons of water across its attractions (Wisconsin Public Radio). The shift toward waterpark tourism began in the 1970s with the area’s first major waterslide, and accelerated dramatically in 1989 when Polynesian Water Park Resort put a roof over its facility, creating the first indoor waterpark in the Dells and enabling year-round tourism.

The results speak for themselves. In 2024, over 5 million visitors to the Dells area generated a total economic impact of nearly $2.05 billion, with direct visitor spending accounting for $1.42 billion. Those visitors also contributed more than $150 million in state and local taxes (Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau, 2025). Tourism supports more than 12,600 jobs in the area (Wisconsin Public Radio).

Beyond water parks, Wisconsin Dells boasts more than 400 businesses and attractions (WisDells.com), from mini golf and go-karts to boat tours through the scenic Upper and Lower Dells, zip lines, escape rooms, arcades, and live entertainment.

Dells Dinner Adventures: A New Chapter in Entertainment

Among the exciting additions to Wisconsin Dells’ growing entertainment landscape is Dells Dinner Adventures, which opened its doors in June 2023 under the ownership of Legacy Entertainment Group (DellsChristmasDinnerShow.com). Housed in a 700-seat venue at 564 Wisconsin Dells Parkway South, the attraction quickly established itself as the largest and most popular family dining destination in the Wisconsin Dells (DellsDinnerAdventures.com). Each experience combines a full dinner with a live themed show, running roughly two and a half hours.

The lineup rotates seasonally and includes a Wild West adventure show, a circus extravaganza featuring the world-famous Bello Nock, a Halloween spooktacular, and a Christmas production billed as the largest Christmas show in the state of Wisconsin. The venue also hosts more than 40 live tribute concerts annually throughout the year.

Why Wisconsin Dells Endures

From its ancient sandstone gorges to its world-class waterparks and thrilling dinner shows, Wisconsin Dells has spent more than 160 years reinventing itself while staying true to what made it special in the first place: a spectacular natural setting and an unstoppable spirit of fun. Whether you are chasing waterslides in July or catching a holiday dinner show in December, Wisconsin Dells delivers an experience unlike anywhere else in the Midwest.