Jay and I were due for a getaway so we decided to do a Halloween getaway at one of the most haunted locations in Wisconsin - the Wisconsin Dells - to see what it had to offer on the Halloween front. It had been a few years since either of us had been there so we were eager to see what had changed and been updated, what was new, etc.
The hauntings in Wisconsin Dells are very real. Thousands of people have reported their paranormal encounters there but I'd be lying if I didn't state that the Dells isn't in large part a kitschy tourist trap designed to play off of and play up it's very real haunted history.
The so-called “Waterpark Capital of the World” has enough weird attractions and kitsch goodness that you and your family are sure to be thoroughly entertained and/or creeped out. We’re talking water slides, wave pools, go-karts, roller coasters, zip lines, boat tours, arcades, laser tag, the Haunted Mansion, ghost tours, a real serial killer’s severed head, the torture museum…you know, wholesome family activities.
Wisconsin Dells offers a mix of scary and family-friendly spots and that's what I hope to bring you in this article so you can design your own Wisconsin Dells itinerary.
In my personal opinion, Fall is the best time to visit the Dells. The area is moving away from peak season and into its shoulder season so deals and discounts are prevalent and you don't have to contend with the summer tourist crowds that flock to the Dells during peak season. And then there's the Fall colors if you time your trip right.
We made our getaway a 4 night/5 day stay, Monday through Thursday nights, departing on Friday night in order to take advantage of all of the accommodations (and other) deals and discounts available in shoulder season. Come weekends those costs all rise even in the shoulder season.
Before we left on our getaway, we purchased a Splash Pass. $10
It contains BOGO's (Buy 1, Get 1 free) for attractions, dining, drinks, services. It saved us a bunch of money as it contains over $1800 in savings.
Check into the Passport to Savings by calling the WI Dells Chamber of Commerce. 608-254-2525
A Passport to Savings is FREE and it bundles attractions but you have to decide what you want to do before you buy it, because you are actually buying your tickets. The number of attractions you include determines your discount. We chose five attractions, adding up to a 35% discount.
For you senior citizens: Even with this discount book, be sure to tell them at each attraction that you're a senior citizen! One waterpark offer was for one adult admission ($39.00 which would have been $19.50 BOGO) but when we told them we were seniors we got the senior admission price of $24.99. They gave us the BOGO deal on that, which meant we only paid $12.50 each for a full day at the waterpark!
Follow social media
Most businesses in the Dells promote exclusive deals and discounts through their social media channels. Follow your favorite attractions, restaurants, and shops on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest offers.
Sign up for newsletters
Another way to stay informed about discounts and deals is to sign up for newsletters from Wisconsin Dells businesses. Many offer exclusive deals to subscribers, especially during the off season, so make sure to check your inbox for the latest offers. Great Wolf Lodge, for example, frequently sends out emails with some pretty good deals if you’re looking for a stay there. Go to their websites, sign up for the emails, and start watching the deals roll in.
Go during the Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival
Wo-Zha-Wa Days marks the last weekend of the season for many attractions in the Dells, and it’s a lot of fun. Bowman Park and the downtown area come alive with an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, street carnival, Maxwell Street Days, live entertainment and so much more. This is hands down the best (and possibly cheapest) time to visit.
In Wisconsin Dells, Halloween is a season all unto itself. The Dells celebrates Halloween all month long, not just on October 31st. The only thing scarier than a bunch of goblins and ghosts would be missing Halloween in Wisconsin Dells!
Jay and I were overdue for a trip and it had been years since either one of us had been in the Dells so we decided to scope out what was new, what was no more and just how spooky the Dells could be on Halloween.
We were joined by Ashley and her parents, Jay's brother and sister-in-law.
Wisconsin Dells has just about any type of accommodation you can imagine: motel, hotel, cabin, B&B, condo, resorts, camping, glamping, vacation homes for rent and in the fall shoulder season many of them offer discounted deals and packages.
I found the most difficult part of securing accommodations was choosing between all of the different options available to get the best deal and accommodations best suited to us. We finally settled on a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo at Spring Brook Resort, a 4 night stay only costing us $550, taxes and fees included. $137.50 per night. We were right on the edge of a golf course only a little over 2 miles from downtown Wisconsin Dells, which suited us just fine as we didn't want to be right on the Wisconsin Dells strip.
From luxury spa resorts to budget-friendly motels, you can surely find a hotel that fits your preferences and budget. Start by looking at ratings and reviews from past guests, then narrow down your top choices based on amenities, location, cost, and more.
Here are my picks for some of the top WI Dells accommodations:
Best inexpensive accommodations:
Best accommodations with water parks:
Best hotels with waterpark passes:
Best Air B&B's:
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Cottage at Christmas Mountain Village (families)
Romantic Getaways:
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Rent an RV
Top 15 Best Hotels
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Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort
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Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells
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Chula Vista Resort
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Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
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Hilton Garden Inn Wisconsin Dells
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Atlantis Waterpark Hotel & Suites
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The Delton Grand Resort and Spa
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Wilderness on the Lake
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Bluegreen Vacations Odyssey Dells Resort
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Glacier Canyon Lodge
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Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort
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Polynesian Water Park Resort
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Ho-Chunk Casino Hotel and Convention Center
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SpringHill Suites Wisconsin Dells
But if you're a brave soul who REALLY wants to get their spook on, rent a room at the Baraboo Inn, about a 20 minute drive from downtown Wisconsin Dells.
The Old Baraboo Inn, with its storied past and mysterious ambiance, has captivated the imaginations of locals and travelers alike.
Stepping through the entrance of the Old Baraboo Inn feels like entering a different era - creaking floors, vintage decor and all.
The inn’s storied past is steeped in tales of mystery and the supernatural, a place where history and the eerie collide. Visitors have reported everything from flickering lights to unexpected cold drafts that make you question your sanity. Some brave souls even claim to have seen apparitions of former patrons.
Guests have also seen the apparition of a woman dressed like a saloon dancer. The history behind this place is fascinating.
Do you have what it takes to stay there?
Ready for a ghoulishly good Wisconsin Dells Halloween? Let's go!
Hop the Ghost Trolley Tour
Photo credit: Dells Trolley Tours
The haunted trolley experience will take you to the darker side of the Dells and will explore BarbaBOO.
There are stops where you get off of the trolley, if you dare, not required of course. You can do a bit of ghost hunting yourself using a paranormal EMF reader at an additional $8 charge. Your tour guide will give you all of the true spooky stories about each location you visit:
Stops:
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Brat House Bar & Grille ( an old church, turned restaurant) where we will hear the story of the little girl that haunts the restroom and the old Union soldier that has been seen many times inside.
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Outside of Ghost Molly’s showboat saloon. She passed away mysteriously in the apartment above the bar! Come find out all of the details and why!
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Spring Grove cemetery where we will get out and visit the grave site of the confederate spy, Belle Boyd.
[Belle Boyd, who was known as the "Cleopatra of Secession," was a prominent 16 year old Confederate spy during the American Civil War, and was renowned for her daring espionage activities and charm. She has a very interesting story if you'd like to read it here,]
The trolly tour usually lasts about 90 minutes but can go longer with strong activity. Book early because there are a limited number of tickets available.
Money $aving Tip: Do check Groupon as we got a 50% off coupon using the code HALLOWEEN. (That coupon now expired but you can still get a discount off a regular trolley tour here that will save you between 38% and 40%.
PRICES
Adult 13+ Starting At $ 29.99
Buy 1 Get 100% off - Children
Free child - 12 and under per paying adult
Children 12 & under Starting At $ 16.99
Lap Child Free
Unless you have an extremely sensitive child who scares easily, there was nothing on this tour that scared the children present in our tour.
Investigate Ripley's Believe It Or Not
105 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells
Featuring 13,000 square feet with amazing galleries, puzzling illusions and the strangest stories you'll ever hear. The large eclectic collection of art and odd items is something you will never see anywhere else.
Learn the fascinating facts behind over 200 bizarre and ghoulish artifacts, from two-headed calves and cannibal skulls to vampires, the Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory, and the bisected and mummified head of German serial killer Peter Kurten, who some employees say haunts the building.
Become an explorer and discover the peculiar animals as you embark on the Bizarre Safari. Continue your exploration and unveil objects and rooms hidden throughout the museum and decide for yourself if you Believe it or Not!
Money $aving Tip:
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Best value combo. Passes to Wizard Quest and Ripley's Believe it or Not
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Don't Miss Out! 20% Discount Available At Ripleys.com
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25% Off Believe It Or Not! Odditorium
There was nothing scary about Ripley's at all - just weirdness.
Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
General: Ages 10+: $29.11
Child: Ages 3-9: $21.83
Group discounts: Receive a 10% discount off tickets for a group of 12 or more.
See the new show at Legacy Dinner Theater
Monster Mash Spooktacular, is a family-friendly Halloween extravaganza filled with high-energy dancing, jaw-dropping magic, spectacular special effects, and many more surprises. Your ticket also includes a three-course feast featuring Rotisserie “Raven Roast” (Oven-Roasted Chicken), Witch’s Brew Creamy Vegetable Soup, Goblin-Toasted Graveyard Bread, and much more. Kids meals are also available upon request.
The dinner and show is held at the Legacy Theater. 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Suite 13, Wisconsin Dells,
(Across from the Wilderness Resort)
Parents please note: *Due to the lighting and special effects, this show is not recommended for very small children. However, children that aren't infants and/or toddlers thoroughly enjoyed the show and it is family oriented.
Ticket price was $89.95 per person and you can buy tickets online here.
Tour the Haunted Mansion
This classic haunted house-style attraction is located in downtown Wisconsin Dells.
112 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells.
The Haunted Mansion in Wisconsin Dells thinks of families first. It has spooky fun for kids and grown-ups. You won’t find it too scary for the little ones. It’s kitschy, not scary at all. Loud but not scary.
It was more or less your typical haunted house toned down to make it kid friendly.
PRICING
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5 yrs. & Under: Free
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General Admission: $7.45 each
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Groups of 11+: $6.35 each
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Military: $6.35 each
HOURS
Sun: 11am – 5pm
M: 11am – 5pm
T,W,Th: Closed
F: 11am – 6pm
Sat: 11am – 6pm
Take the Upper Dells Boat Tour to Witches Gulch.
Wittch's Gulch
We took a walk through the narrow gulch. It has a walkway elevated above a small stream that has small waterfalls and swirling pools. The walls almost touch each other along the path. It's an interesting stopover to visit. The walk is on a boardwalk and at the end are a concession stand and restrooms. There is a $5 fee to walk Witches Gulch and it is a short walk just so you're aware of that.
You'll also make a stop at Stand Rock. The boat tour is 2 hours long.
The only way you can access Witches Gulch is via the Upper Dells Boat Tour but we'd included this in our Passports so got 35% off our boat tour.
Money $aving Tip: On the Boat Tours website they're offering 50% off adult fares on Original Ducks and Jet Boat Adventures tours if you buy your tickets online.
Ride the Ghost Boat
This haunted nighttime boat ride is part ghost tour, part nature cruise, part theatrical horror show.
On Ghost Boat you’ll cruise through dark canyons, disembark into torch-lit caves, and encounter the legends of the Wisconsin River. It’s an eerie, atmospheric adventure you won’t find anywhere else besides the Dells.
This 1.5-hour tour begins with a boat ride along the shadowy Wisconsin River at dusk, where tales of lost spirits set the stage for the night’s thrills. The journey culminates in an on-foot exploration of the secluded Cold Water Canyon, a place steeped in legends and enveloped in darkness.
Ghost Boat offers a unique blend of natural beauty and supernatural intrigue.
OPEN Thurs, Fri and Sat nights thru Halloween WEATHER PERMITTING –
CLICK HERE to Buy Tickets for trips and departure times.
I wouldn't say this boat ride is scary at all...but I would say it's too INTENSE for any child younger than the 10 years suggested age due to the technological affects, live actors meant to scare you, gore, loud noises etc.
The shore landing trail is a ONE-MILE WALK (BE READY AND ABLE TO KEEP UP) with NARROW, ROCKY PASSAGES, WINDING PATHS, SHARP TURNS and UNEVEN GROUND. Due to these substantial natural restrictions, WHEELCHAIRS, WALKERS, STROLLERS ETC. CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED.
PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERNS such as heart conditions, sensitivity to strobe effects, fog effects or loud sound effects, fear of enclosed spaces, pregnancy, recent surgery or physical limitations that restrict range and/or speed SHOULD NOT experience the Ghost Boat.
11 Broadway, Downtown Wisconsin Dells
Tickets:
Adult (12+ years old) $38.43
Child (4-11 years old) $25.62
Newly opened Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster transforms into the Ghoster Coaster Friday and Saturday nights in October. Ghouls, ghosts, and mysterious mountain spirits await you around every twist and turn. Ride if you dare!
111 County Rd A, Wisconsin Dells See pricing here
Sunday & Monday: 11am – 5pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11am – 5pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Haunted Hooks at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Mini-golf is becoming a whole lot scarier in October with Haunted Hooks at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. The waterfall runs a murky red, shadows are cast, and mini-golf is played against a haunted backdrop. This spooky attraction is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights October 3 – November 1 (weather permitting).
Ghost Outpost is an immersive haunted attraction located at 2233 Dells Parkway.
It includes state of the art animatronics filled rooms designed for fun and fright. Ghost Out-Post Haunted House is not for the timid or young children if they are afraid of the dark or loud noises, as there are dark hallways as well as startling movements. This walk-thru attraction is fully enclosed for rainy day activities. Open year-round, daily May 15 - October 30, then weekends only.
Adults – $8.95
Children under 12 – $7.95
Children 4 & under – FREE
This place is absolutely AWESOME! Wizard Quest is the leader in computer interactive games played in a live setting. The setting is a 30,000-square-foot fantasy-themed labyrinth. Choose from many different quests of varying difficulties and start exploring! Traverse through the quadrasphere, making your way around fire, water, earth and air realms. Fantastical creatures dwell here, overseen by many Wizards. As a quester you must use your powers of observation to answer questions, decipher riddles and investigate several hidden passages. You will work as a team to enter answers into a portable tablet that will help guide your quest.
You should read this information page before booking!
Because the Wizard Quest experience encompasses a variety of experiences and obstacles, it appeals to and is best won by teams with a wide range of ages, excluding very young children. Parents with mostly young children are encouraged to choose the easiest quest.
Parents, please note that strollers are not allowed in the realms. Also, kids under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
Do wear appropriate looser fitting clothing as you will be climbing and crawling around at times when investigating hidden passages. Also wear closed toe shoes.
The best time to visit Wizard Quest is during meal times when most people are eating lunch or dinner. This s what we did, having an early lunch and arriving at noon and we didn't have to wait in any lines to get in.
I have to say we did have the most fun at this attraction.
Photos credit: Wizard Quest
While we had a ball doing the quests, just the design of these realms is something to see! You do feel like you're inside a video game.
Wizard Quest does not take reservations.
PRICES:
General: Ages 10+: $31.19
Child: Ages 3-9: $23.91
Money $aving Tips:
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Wizard Quest is included in the Passport to Savings so we paid for an adult ticket at the discounted rate of $19.49 - a savings of $11.70 per ticket,
More discounts:
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Wizard Quest Discount Tickets Promo Code: Enter Your Email to Get 15% Off
Coupon code: PROMO15
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Grab 20% Off with Wizard Quest Discount Tickets Email Signup Coupon code: SUBSCRIBE20
Wizard Quest is located at 400 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells. Hours: Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
It’s just an illusion … or is it? The tricks staged at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater will have you thinking twice about raising your hand to volunteer to come on stage.
Rick and Suzan are masters at handling any audience and getting them fully involved in the show, where among other tricks, a Lamborghini and a helicopter magically appear on stage.
After the show, Rick and Suzan will happily pose for photos with you and meet you personally.
Ticket prices are $49 for regular seats and $65 for seats in rows 1 through 5 - except for large groups.
We really, really enjoyed this show!
Hillman Rd, Lake Delton, WI at the Wilderness Resort
Around Halloween in the Dells, most cool things happen at night. And Aquavia Lumina is definitely one of those cool things!
I kind of felt like I was in a whitetail deer version of Avatar! LOL
Aquavia Lumina is a brand new, year-round, nighttime experience for people of all ages. Located between Wilderness Resort's main Hotel and Glacier Canyon Lodge, this new attraction is a one-mile enchanted walk through the resort's wooded canyon.
Using lasers, lighting effects, projections, music, and set design, Aquavia Lumina will transport visitors into a captivating world through imaginative storytelling while highlighting the natural beauty of the resort’s canyon.
The walk takes about an hour as you go through 9 different zones following a mystical deer on a journey in search of The Source, a legendary spring said to transform nature with the magic of water.
The walk takes about 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
It's really kind of an enchanting experience. The one thing I would caution you about is that this trail is gravel and steep and uneven in places. Strollers, wheelchairs and wagons are not allowed on the trail for that reason. Only sport or all-terrain strollers or wagons will be allowed.
Check their website for hours of operation for October and November.
Pricing for anyone over 3 years old: $24.99
Money $aving Tip: Bundle deal of admittance to both Aquavia Lumina and The Flight Experience attraction here for $22 for both attractions.
This one's for the little tykes.
The R&GN is a 15-inch gauge railway and living museum. The steam trains travel along a 2-mile right of way through scenic canyons, woods, and rock cuts beside the Dells of the Wisconsin River. Watch the locomotive being turned on a hand-operated turntable at Western Springs, and turned again at the final stop at Hyde Park Station.
So what does this have to do with Halloween? you're wondering. Well, on Saturdays and Sundays in October, the train turns into the Pumpkin Express and the train stops so every kid under 12 years old can go pick out a free pumpkin to take home with them!
N115 County Road N, Wisconsin Dells. 2026 Pumpkin Express prices are not published yet.
This museum isn't scary, it's just plain creepy!
The museum is only 2 small rooms and many felt cheated by that, having to pay $25 to get in. (I agree on that point - way overpriced if they paid that much.) There's very detailed descriptions of everything. We read all of them and it took us about 45 minutes to get through the place. The special Gacy exhibit is included in your admission but really all it encompassed was copies of the crime scene photos I'd seen years before while studying criminal profiling and that are now all over the Internet. So the Gacy exhibit wasn't anything like it was hyped up to be. Nor was the Dahmer exhibit or the Ed Gein exhibit. This museum is a case of buyer beware.
For admission pricing and hours of operation call (630) 404-3456
Water Park Resorts Halloween Festivities
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Wilderness Resort goes all out for Halloween, with a trick-or-treat trail, Halloween cookie decorating, a mini-pumpkin patch by horse-drawn wagon ride, Halloween-themed activities, and a costume contest during October weekends.
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The Halloween Town at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, is frightfully perfect, with pumpkin painting (Saturday nights) and an Underworld Scare Zone haunted house.
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Feel free to howl at the moon when you spend an overnight at Great Wolf Lodge. Enjoy trick-or-treating in the lodge's immersive Howl-O-Ween Trick-Or-Treat Trail. Other kids activities include monster bash dance parties, crafts, bingo, and trivia.
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Look for ghoulish good times and pumpkin-packed fun at Chula Vista Resort. On Saturday afternoons in October, kids can collect treats at designated locations throughout the resort. End the spooky season properly at Chula Vista’s Halloween Spook-tacular Party.
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Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is inviting families to a one-of-a-kind Trick-or-Treat adventure. Dress up in your best costume and follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail through the resort to collect sweet treats, enjoy festive activities, and uncover spooky surprises around every corner. This event is open to the public and all ages.
No matter what age you are, Wisconsin Dells offers you a spooktastic Halloween!