When the kids are off school, we love to sneak in a little bit of travel. Wisconsin Dells is a short drive from Lake Country, but feels like an oasis when you’re in the Kalahari Resort water park or ziplining at Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park. And we did both and then some!
Our family was last at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in 2015, so we were due for a trip! We love experiencing our favorites and checking out new attractions. Our experience was top notch. I would recommend this clean resort to any family with little ones, elementary and middle school aged kiddos like mine, or even high schoolers. There truly is something for everyone here.
*Lake Country Family Fun was offered a media package for staying at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells in exchange for an honest review in February 2023. We’ve since been invited back in April 2023 and January 2024 to see their updated spa and dining experiences. All opinions are our own.*
6 Best Things to Do at Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells
1. Splash
Included with a night stay is access to the massive indoor water park from 10am on the day of your arrival, until the close of the Waterpark on the day of your departure.
The waterslides were a hit! We had tons of fun on all of the waterslides, but we especially loved the Master Blaster. The Master blaster is half roller coaster half waterslide ride. And yes, when I say “we”, I mean my kiddos and I. While I didn’t go on all the waterslides, like they did, I went on over half. #FunMom
If you are looking for thrill, try the Sahara Sidewinders and the Screaming Hyena – the bottom literally drops out! If you are looking for a gentler ride try out Victoria Falls or Rippling Rhino, which all 3 of us could ride together on a tube. If you are not a waterslide person, find multiple hot tubs, the lazy river, and a wave pool. If you are looking to be kid-free for a bit, there is a 21 and older adult area, complete with a swim up bar and indoor/outdoor hot tub. Lastly, if you are traveling with little ones about 5 and under, be sure to try Tiko’s watering hole, which has a mini lazy river, swings, and mini slides.
*The Zambezi Outdoor Waterpark is open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
2. Eat
Kalarhi Resort has 2 {now 3 – Cinco Ninos as of January 2024} signature restaurants, The Double Cut and Wisconsin Brew Pub. We started out with dinner our first night at the Wisconsin Brew Pub. A variety of burgers and yummy Cali Pop: crispy fried cauliflower with Harissa aioli filled our bellies. The kids meals are really reasonable at $9 each, including a drink and a side.
We brought and ate breakfast in our room to ease into our day, but the Kalahari has Java Manjaro, a Starbucks coffee shop, the Ivory Coast restaurant, and the option for room service.
For lunch, we ate at the Ivory Coast restaurant, located right near the main lobby. We munched on more delicious cheeseburgers and some yummy haddock tacos.
Since we were in Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park when dinner came around, we took the escalator upstairs to the Volcano Lounge and Lanes and ate delicious sliders, chicken tenders, and wraps. We enjoyed all the places we ate, but the Wisconsin Brew Pub was our favorite!
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See our dining experience from Taste of Kalahari in January 2024 HERE.
Learn more about all the dining options at the Kalahari HERE.
3. Adventure
If you are wondering whether or not to add Tom Foolery’s adventure passes to your overnight stay, do it! We spent HOURS in there! Our favorite rides and attractions were Maximum Foolocity, the Ferris Wheel, go-karting, laser tagging, and rock wall climbing. Plus, we mini golfed. There was just so much to do!
4. Bowl
Head up the escalator (or stairs) to Volcano Lounge and Lanes. Although we ran out of time to actually bowl, it looked so fun! The bowling has 24 lanes with a mesmerizing lava artistic design. There’s also mini bowling, axe throwing, and more, and the lounge overlooks Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park. It was a great laid back atmosphere for our dinner the second night.
5. Relax
While we love that the Kalahari has so much action and adventure to offer with the water park, adventure park, and bowling alley, sometimes moms and dads and even kids, just need to relax. My kiddos and I love relaxing in our local salt rooms, and the Kalahari Halotherapy was just what we needed! I even drifted off to sleep for a portion of our 45-minute halotherapy session. The staff was so welcoming as we waited in the relaxation area before and afterwards. Next time, I’m definitely booking a massage in addition to the salt room!
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See the new sauna + 4 treatments we recommend from our Kalahari visit in January 2024 HERE.
Book your spa treatment HERE.
6. Sleep
The rooms. It’s a hotel and resort, right? After all that action-packed fun, everyone needs a comfy, calm place to crash for a solid night’s sleep. We stayed in a standard two queen sofa room. Our room was very clean and tidy, and we had a great time relaxing after our day at the water park. Elephants are my favorite animal, so my kiddos enjoyed pointing out the fun towel art throughout the room.
In addition to standard rooms, the Kalahari offers:
- Living Room Kitchen Suites
- Waterfront Villas
- 2 Bedroom Suites
- We stayed in this room 8 years ago, when our kiddos were 1 and 4. Highly recommend the additional bedroom for early bedtimes and naps.
- 5 Bedroom Homes
Also, things to know before you go – the Kalahari Resort will be 100% cashless as of February 22, 2023. They will accept credit and mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay) as well as room charges through the RFID wristband (which are SO handy!).
*Should you arrive on property with only cash, they do have kiosks to exchange your dollars onto a Mastercard.
Are you planning a trip to Wisconsin Dells and the Kalahari Resort? Which attraction and activity piqued your interest the most? Or was it the food? We need to go back and try the Double Cut Steak House – the sushi looked amazing! Tell us all about your questions and comments below or through our social media channels. See more of our stay on our Instagram via this REEL and the ADVENTURES highlight.
Are you looking to get out of town, because we highly suggest making the Kalahari Resort your destination for family fun, all year round!
PS. Traveling? Read this Insiders Guide to the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas.
