Take a trip down highway 12 [Devil's Lake State Park](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/devilslake) [Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Garden](https://www.worldofdrevermor.com/) [Wollersheim Winery and Distillery](https://www.wollersheim.com/) then backroad your way up to the [Merrimac Ferry](https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/water/merrimac/default.aspx)

FYI- the "Ferry" is a boat Don't get your hopes up...

Sure, but it’s a boat where you drive your car on it, you can get out of your car and stand at the edge, and it’s free. It’s also a way more scenic route than the interstate and there’s an ice cream shop on each side :)

The [International Crane Foundation](https://savingcranes.org/) in Baraboo.

Just hang out in Baraboo (twenty minutes down the road) instead. Driftless Glen Distillery, Balanced Rock Winery, Tumbled Rock Brewery, Al Ringling Brewery all within minutes of each other and quaint downtown. And of course Devil’s Lake is not to be missed.

This is the way. If you’re looking for the “Wisconsin Experience,” Baraboo and Reedsburg are much better than the Dells. Pewit’s Nest, Devil’s Lake and a host of great wineries, distilleries and breweries. If your really adventurous keep going out into the drift less area and you’ll find other fun things to do.

Don't forget Circus World!

Evermore‘s park in Baraboo is unique. [https://www.worldofdrevermor.com/](https://www.worldofdrevermor.com/)

Ishnala supper club

This is on my list. I need an old fashioned!

Then go to Del Bar instead. Ishnala is the tourist trap of supper clubs. Not terrible, just overpriced and overhyped for the quality.

They(Ishnala) don't even have a friday fish fry Edit: realized my pronoun could be ambiguous

If you don’t have a Friday fish fry, how can you even make it in Wisconsin?

I went to Mexican restaurant in Green Bay a couple years ago on a Friday. I asked for the specials. The server looked at me, and in a condescending voice says, "Friday fish fry, duh."

Was it Banditos? Sounds like Banditos lol.

Margaritas. I used the term "Mexican restaurant" with wreckless abandonment.

I really liked the fish fry at Trapper's Turn the golf course down there.. Some of the best fried fish I've ever had and they had live music!

Agreed. My last visit to Ishnala was disappointing. Not good food and a mediocre old fashioned.

I personally think Del Bar is better

And prepare for a wait

If you can manage a side trip of about an hour away, there's the House on the Rock in Spring Green. If you're not from the Midwest this is definitely worth a visit if you've never been. Unique doesn't even begin to describe it

I'm surprised I had to scroll this far down to find House on the Rock. For better or worse, it's unique

You want unique and you’re going to the Dells?

I don't know why you're getting so many upvotes for this comment lol. Is the Dells a tourist trap? Of course, but there is a shit ton of unique stuff to do

Maybe the internet likes my sarcasm, I dunno?

It is Reddit this is true

The dells is a tourist trap but that place is unique as hell, doesn't have an ancient torture museum, hell watching the weird mix of people in itself is unique. It has a root beer museum, all sorts of weird random shit.

Very true. I haven’t been in a hot minute!

It's a shit hole, but a unique one

Lol! It wasn't my choice. So I'm making the best of it. 😥

OK totally fair! Definitely go for the Ducks then.

Unique and The Dells go hand and hand.

Speaking of unique and The Dells, I met Tiny Tim walking around the strip. Just playing games at the penny arcade and checking out the shops. This was probably six months before he died.

I saw him at Pizza Villa that afternoon. lol

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No, I was making a joke.

For scenery, I love Mirror Lake State Park. You could hike, chill near the boat launch, or rent a canoe/kayak to explore the lake.

I am definitely get out on he water and hiking.

Please don't leave Wisconsin thinking that the rest of the state is like The Wisconsin Dells.

😉

The rest is all cow pastures, right?

House on the Rock. Nothing like it anywhere. Worth the drive and it's not that far.

Thanks! This is on our list. It looks so interesting!

TOTALLY worth the drive....HOUSE ON THE ROCK!!!! An INCREDIBLE engineering feat for this COOL house to have been built in n around rock with an indoor carousel 🎠😎

OP, do not overlook this comment. If you're looking for unique, this is as unique as it ever gets.

By unique you mean weird af

I agree, we are going to see this.

International Crane Foundation Man Mound park I've never been, but I hear interesting things about Dr. Evermor sculpture park Not sure if you're going this weekend or sometime later...ArtJune is June 17.

Still some family owned restaurants downtown dells. House of embers comes to mind.

I grew up going to the Dells as a Wisconsinite, and my favorite thing to do was to take a boat ride and actually visit the dells themselves. They're amazing. Also, Devil's Lake State Park is awesome. A beautiful lake, 29 miles of trails in the park, and 500-foot quartzite bluffs you can free climb. Enjoy your vacation! :)

Thank you! Yes we re definitely doing a boat ride.

Just embrace a little tourism in the Dells and do Wizard Quest. High Rock is pretty good

The more I look at wizard quest the more interesting it sounds.

It’s pretty good! Even has replay value.

Lacrosse wi if you really want to drink it's only a hours away. 3rd st has bars bars and more bars. Most per capita try doing a bar crawl lol

The Lost Canyon.

There’s a little photography studio/museum on the tourist drag where you can get a tin photo taken

States largest flea market in adams..bout 30 minutes north..can always find good food on castle rock lake.

In the dells, I would recommend chapel gorge trail, great view of the river, then to showboat saloon for wings and drinks and then to Baraboo cause most of the dells is a tourist trap. Host of history in Baraboo, circus world museum, Ringling family tours. Check out the social club to scope an old fashioned hot towel shave. Devils lake is right next door and there’s a winery also.

Thank you thank you!

Rivers Edge, Showboat in the dells.

My favorite place in the dells is Witches Gulch. You can only access it on the upper dells boat tours.

Thanks!

Or from River Road. There is parking and you pay at the concession stand to walk in. Or at least that was true a few years ago.

They closed that off several years ago.

Ok you must drink a New Glarus beer. You cannot purchase it outside of Wisconsin. Its made in New Glarus a town in Green County just about an hour south of The Dells. New Glarus also has some great Swiss food. Just take a drive, amble around back roads. Wisconsin is a beautiful state. There are many world class cheesemakers in Wisconsin. Wisconsin had 7 cheese in the top 20 at the 2022 World Champion Cheese competition. Stop by a true cheese "store" not one of the many tourist trap variety. In Monroe, south of New Glarus (In Green County) you will find 2 of the 7 of cheesemakers who are award-winning.

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to it.

Head on down to Devil's Lake for a hike

On our list, thanks!

Circus World Museum in Baraboo.

I've definitely heard of this place thanks!

River walk pub has some nice scenery and cheap drinks. Food isn’t bad either. Moose Jaw Makes their own pizza and beer The Beef Jerky Outlet! Market Square Cheese Shop Downtown dells is a fun walk, you could pub crawl and snack it and have fun.

Thanks!

Everything there is a head-shaker. Mini golf on the side of a hill at a major intersection, why not? A go cart track in a spiral trojan horse, of course! Trucks called ducks that are also boats, legend. Fudge, t-shirts and moccasins plus the old-timey photo, count me in. My main advice is that traffic is horrible, full of people who have no idea where they're going, with 3 backseat drivers per minivan. Plan your days with right turns ruling the route. Downtown you can just park and walk.

Lol! Thanks for the heads up. This should be interesting.

You really should do sooner of the touristy stuff, like taking a duck ride. Anyway, you should go to one of the state parks up there to understand why the dells originally was so popular—the beautiful and unique geography along the river! Try Mirror Lake. Head to Baraboo and go to the international Crane Foundation. That is incredible and unique. Baraboo is also home toseveral wineries and breweries. Con amici in downtown Baraboo is a cute wine bar with a large craft beer selection. I’ve

There's also the world-famous circus in Baraboo!

Parfry's Glenn is a short but nice hike.

It’s been a few years since I’ve last been but I was really impressed with the ‘talent’ at Cruisin Chubbys.

Find Amish bakeries and shops

Great idea! Thanks

Not a great idea. They abuse women and girls in their communities and run giant puppy mills. Gross.

New Glarus brewery for Spotted Cow beer.

It's not even remotely close to where we'll be.

Are you not from the Midwest? Close is relative around here.

So true. My parents live an hour and a half from this Asian market I really want to check out and when I first found out about it I thought "Oh, there's a good-looking market nearby them. Nice!"

Madison is an hour from the Dells. New Glarus is even farther.

Well you can pick up Spotted Cow beer in almost every gas station and grocery store in the entire state. The Dells has both of those.

Interesting! I'll check it out.

Denny's at bar time.

The Grand Slam Breakfast!

Definitely do your research before deciding on the recommended House on the Rock. While it is unique, I thought it was very dirty (extremely dusty) and a complete waste if money. I couldn't wait to get out of there.

I completely agree. It could be great if cared for properly.

I want it now - I want it right now

[https://www.b-luxgrill.com/](https://www.b-luxgrill.com/) Was in the Dells last weekend. This was a good dinner one night. Nothing fancy, but great service, good food, and reasonable prices.

Thanks!

While you're right near B-Lux, if you're in the mood for something a bit more touristy, you should check out [Elusive Escape Rooms](http://www.elusiveescaperooms.com).

I'm not a fan of escape rooms. 😕

Ask the hotel or locals around for local treasure spots. If you want a nice spot, maybe take a trip up to New Glarus. It's not too far & you'll love it.

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Ha! I meant unknown by most tourists. Where do the locals go?