Recreation and tourism shape life in Lake Delton
The recreational mecca of Lake Delton in south-central Wisconsin – along with its twin city, Wisconsin Dells – attracts about 4 million visitors annually for its wealth of recreational activities and entertainment. But according to Jim Anacker, broker and co-owner of Cold Water Realty, this region’s bounty is not lost on those seeking permanent residence. "We get a lot of people from the Chicago area who retire up this way," says Anacker, a 30-year-resident. He says that despite the crowds, this community is home to tight-knit group of locals. "We have so many recreational choices, and yet when I go to church, I know who the visitors are because I know all the members," he says. "When I go into the local hardware store, everyone there greets me. It's a small-town feel."
Lakefront condos, golf course communities and rural subdivisions
Lakefront homes and condos are common here, as are subdivisions with elbow room. The median single-family home price is about $480,000, slightly higher than the national median. Often offering lake views and community boat slips, condos range from around $140,000 to $400,000. The area has many cabin-style homes built from the early 2000s onward, and private roads that allow locals to drive golf carts.
Anacker lives on 5 acres in a subdivision a few miles from town. The sought-after Spring Brook area features four single-family subdivisions, a public nine-hole golf course and indoor and outdoor pools. "It's not like condominiums, where you have big fees,” Anacker says. “If you want to join a membership, join a membership — they're very reasonable.”
Year-round recreation in the Waterpark Capital of the World
Towering cliffs form the Upper Wisconsin River Dells, creating a scenic backdrop for paddling, boats and duck boat tours. "It's where the tourists go, but it's also where the locals go," Anacker says. Lake Delton, created as a tourist attraction in 1927, has a public beach and nearly 250 acres for fishing and water sports.
Indoor water parks are popular in the winter months. The Dells area brands itself as the Waterpark Capital of the World, with more than 20 indoor and outdoor options, most of which are concentrated in Lake Delton. The largest is Noah's Ark, with a 335-foot king cobra water slide. Locals can also hike and camp in the three surrounding state parks.
Vibrant shopping and dining scene includes chains and local spots
"Because of the tourism, we have a lot of shopping for a little town," Anacker says. The options range from Walmart Supercenter and Home Depot to mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. Lake House Grill & Bar encourages a come-as-you-are vibe on the water and menu items such as peel-and-eat shrimp and Friday night fish fry. "You get beautiful views of the lake," Anacker says. Field's at the Wilderness is a traditional steakhouse with surf and turf options and polished white tablecloth dining. Wisconsin Dells has a bustling downtown district on Broadway, with some storefronts mimicking Swiss alpine architecture. While many businesses cater to the tourist crowd, locals may also partake in the gift shops, museums, escape rooms, candy and fudge shops, bars, breweries and restaurants.
Public and private schools in the Dells
The School District of Wisconsin Dells serves the 186-square-mile area. Lake Delton Elementary School earns a B-plus from Niche and feeds into Wisconsin Dells Middle and High Schools, both earning a B. High schoolers can participate in Advanced Placement classes, dual credit classes and paid-youth apprenticeships. The school provides a career pathway in agriculture, food and natural resources and plans to introduce three others. Trinity Lutheran School is a private school option serving 4- and 5-year-old kindergarteners through fifth graders.
Wo-Zha-Wa and Dells on Tap draw big fall crowds
Wo-Zha-Wa is a signature event in the Dells and one of Wisconsin's largest gatherings, with a full calendar of events the weekend after Labor Day. It celebrates the changing seasons with a 100-unit parade, arts and crafts fairs, carnival rides and a Saturday morning Wo-Zha-Wa Run, one of the state's oldest long-distance races. The Dells on Tap festival includes a weekend of food trucks, music and craft beer sampling in October. Attendees can compete for the title of best mustache or beard. Conferences, sporting events, beauty pageants and trade shows also help to drive area tourism.
Interstate access to major Midwestern cities
The Wisconsin Dells area offers interstate access to major metros such as Madison, about 50 miles away, Milwaukee, about 120 miles away, and Chicago, about 190 miles away. "We have four exits on I-90, so it's really easy access to go to a city if you need a city," Anacker says. Public bus routes aren't available, but Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains serve out-of-town travelers. University Hospital in Madison earns a No. 1 ranking in the state from U.S. News & World Report. Within closer reach are the Delton Family Medical Center, offering primary care services in Lake Delton, and Reedsburg Area Medical Center, a full-service hospital about 15 miles away. Dane County Regional Airport offers domestic flights out of Madison.
