Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Wisconsin Dells, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Charleston is a classic, picturesque, and charming coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Wisconsin Dells is a high energy, fun-filled, and lighthearted city. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Wisconsin Dells are both popular with visitors, Charleston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Charleston is more popular for its museums, food, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wisconsin Dells is known for its nightlife and hiking. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Charleston and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. Charleston is popular for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also home to The Waterfront Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wisconsin Dells and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Charleston is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.
Charleston offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.
While most people don't head to Wisconsin Dells specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.
Charleston is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.
Wisconsin Dells is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.
Wisconsin Dells is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.
Wisconsin Dells has plenty to do after the sun goes down. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.
Charleston is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.
Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
With a similar set of options, good resorts can be found in both Charleston and Wisconsin Dells.
Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.
Wisconsin Dells has a handful of resorts to choose from. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Charleston is a great destination for the beache. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.
Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.
Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.
Charleston is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Wisconsin Dells does not have a historic old town.
The historic old town of Charleston is revered around the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.
Wisconsin Dells does not have a historic old town.
Wisconsin Dells is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Charleston is not a hiking destination.
Wisconsin Dells has hiking trails worth exploring. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.
Charleston is not a hiking destination.
Charleston is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Charleston make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.
Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.
Charleston is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas activities.
Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charleston. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.
Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas activities.
Charleston is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas markets.
Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.
Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas markets.
Wisconsin Dells is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Wisconsin Dells is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
Charleston is a family-friendly coastal town. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.
Charleston is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.
Wisconsin Dells is a good coastal town for couples to visit. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.
Charleston is a popular place for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Charleston is popular with students. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.
Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Charleston is a coastal town with a few options for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.
Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
Charleston is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its ease of walking around.
Charleston is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.
Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable coastal town. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.
For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Charleston or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Charleston due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.
Families should spend more time in Charleston than Wisconsin Dells. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Wisconsin Dells if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charleston.
The southern destination of Charleston offers live music and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
With food and nightlife around the lighthearted city of Wisconsin Dells, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
The quaint coastal town of Charleston offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Wisconsin Dells, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Charleston is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Wisconsin Dells, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
The charming coastal town of Charleston offers museums and nightlife. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $142. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Charleston and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Wisconsin Dells? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells and Charleston change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Wisconsin Dells.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Wisconsin Dells, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Wisconsin Dells. Many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 82°F (28°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells during summer. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.
Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Wisconsin Dells. Most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Charleston is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 67°F (19°C) in October, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In the autumn, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.
It's quite cold in Wisconsin Dells in the winter. In the winter, Charleston is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charleston in January average around 47°F (9°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 19°F (-7°C).
Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Charleston usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Charleston during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In April, Charleston is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 64°F (18°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).
In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the spring, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wisconsin Dells. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Charleston | Wisconsin Dells | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |