If you’re planning a family trip to Wisconsin Dells, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is a great place to fit your whole vacation in one spot.
The resort is famous for its huge indoor waterpark, but there’s also plenty more to do. You’ll find exciting rides, arcade games, bowling, mini-golf, go-karts, a relaxing spa, and lots of activities for both kids and adults.
Spend Time at the Indoor Waterpark
The main draw at Kalahari is its huge 100,000-square-foot space; it gives families plenty of ways to stay entertained regardless of Wisconsin weather. The water park includes waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river, interactive play areas, and hot tubs.
If you love excitement, try the bigger slides.
Younger kids can stick to the special play areas and milder attractions.
A great thing about the indoor waterpark is you never have to worry about the weather. It’s always kept at a comfortable temperature, no matter the season.
Tip: If you’re staying overnight, you can use the waterpark on both your check-in and check-out days. Kalahari lets overnight guests enjoy the waterparks from opening on check-in day until closing on check-out day. Also, the cost of the waterpark is included with your stay.
Do the FlowRider
It makes a steady wave, so you can try bodyboarding or stand-up surfing. There are height and participation rules, and if you want to stand-up surf, you’ll need to do a quick orientation first.
I was not so good at it, but my son was a natural at bodyboarding.
Take A Break on the Lazy River
The indoor lazy river is perfect for taking it easy between waterslides. Just grab a tube, relax, and float around the waterpark. It’s especially nice if your family wants to balance exciting rides with some downtime.
My son and I enjoyed taking a break from the slides.
Ride the Waves in the Wave Pool
This is a must-try and always full of splashy fun. Swimming while the waves crest is my favorite part here. My son enjoys bopping around on them.
NOTE: If you have young kids, it’s best to avoid the bigger waves. I once had to help a friend’s child back to shore when the waves got too strong.
TOM FOOLERY’S ADVENTURE PARK
The massive indoor adventure park has tons of activities, like go-karts, climbing walls, laser tag, a ropes course, zip lines, mini golf, a Ferris wheel, and more. According to Kalahari’s 2026 fact sheet, the park is about 110,000 square feet.
Best places at the resort for families with kids of different ages, with so many activities to choose from.
NOTE: If you’re staying overnight, get the Tom Foolery’s Pass so you can use it for all the attractions except the arcade during your stay. My son tried everything and didn’t even miss the arcade. It’s totally worth it.
My son and I enjoyed racing against each other on the track.
Black Light Mini Golf
The black light mini golf course is a fun twist compared to the usual outdoor courses in Wisconsin Dells. My son beat me here.
Ropes Course Challenge
Here, above Adventure Above Adventure Park, you can climb, balance, and make your way through different obstacles. We watched my son from below as he crossed the course. He’s done this before on our cruises.
Blast Each Other in Laser Tag
Grab your laser blaster and see who can rack up the most points. My son bested me by a lot here.
Play the Arcade Games
The arcade features hundreds of games, simulators, and prize games to try.
You Can Bowl at Volcano Lounge & Lanes
It has 24 bowling lanes to choose from.
Enjoy the Outdoor Water Park in Summer
The outdoor waterpark offers even more options, with additional slides, pools, and water attractions. It’s open seasonally, usually from Memorial Day to Labor Day, depending on the weather.
Summer is a great time to combine indoor and outdoor water parks for a full day of water-filled fun.
Younger Kids Have Areas of Their Own
If you’re traveling with younger kids, there are lots of attractions made just for them, including children’s water areas and interactive attractions, giving younger guests places to splash and play without needing to tackle the resort’s biggest slides.
Keep in mind that Kalahari requires children under 48 inches to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in the waterparks.
Relax at Spa Kalahari
Parents and adults can relax at Spa Kalahari & Salon, which offers massages, body treatments, skincare, nail care, and hair services. There are also a sauna and a Himalayan salt therapy room. We didn’t have time to try it ourselves.
Take a Break from the Action
One of the best parts about staying at Kalahari is that you don’t have to leave the resort whenever you want something different to do.
With dining options, shopping, entertainment, waterparks, and indoor attractions all on-site, you can build your day around your family’s energy level.
Spend the morning riding waterslides, take a break for lunch, play at Tom Foolerys in the afternoon, and finish the evening with bowling or arcade games.
Best Kalahari Activities for Different Ages
Not sure which attractions to prioritize? Here’s a quick guide:
Toddlers and younger children:
- Children’s water attractions
- Interactive water play areas
- Lazy river
- Arcade games
- Family-friendly rides
Elementary-age kids:
- Waterslides
- Wave pool
- Lazy river
- Tom Foolerys Adventure Park
- Mini golf
- Arcade
- Go-karts
Tweens and teenagers:
- FlowRider
- Bigger waterslides
- Go-karts
- Laser tag
- Ropes course
- Zip line
- Arcade
- Bowling
For adults:
- FlowRider
- Bowling
- Adventure Park attractions
- Spa Kalahari
- Lazy river
- Indoor and outdoor waterpark
- Resort dining
OUR STAY: Kalahari Resort
We stayed at the Hillside at Kalahari. It was a bit of a way from the main part of the resort, but it was a decent-sized room and well-furnished for the price.
The accommodations seemed modern and well done. I probably wouldn’t stay in the main area since it’s busy, but maybe next time we’ll try the closer Kalahari Sands Building.
Other than the walk, the accommodations included a good-sized room with queen-sized beds for us, along with a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker.
NOTE: I would check in at the main desk in the main building. With an agent, we were able to buy the $10 plastic wristband, which is more durable than the free one, and with a kid, that is a better idea. Also, we were able to get a pass for me to ride with my son. You can also check in at the Kiosk, but I don’t think you can get a plastic wristband there.
Final Thoughts: Is Kalahari Resort Worth Visiting?
For families visiting Wisconsin Dells, Kalahari Resort offers enough activities that you could easily spend an entire weekend without leaving the property.
The indoor waterpark is the main attraction, but Tom Foolerys Adventure Park, the arcade, bowling, outdoor waterpark, spa, and other resort amenities give you plenty of alternatives when you’re ready for a break from the water.
Whether you’re planning a summer family vacation or a winter Wisconsin Dells getaway, Kalahari makes it easy to keep everyone entertained under one roof.
Address: 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913
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