Should you visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells?
Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Cincinnati
Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.
Wisconsin Dells
Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.
Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.
Which city is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Cincinnati?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $114. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $82. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Cincinnati the cost is $164 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $56. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Wisconsin Dells the cost is $112 on average.
Food
The average traveler spends about $44 per day in Cincinnati for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about $34 per day in Wisconsin Dells for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cincinnati $44
Wisconsin Dells $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.
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Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati:
$69
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Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market:
$69
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Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream:
$180
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cincinnati is $20 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Wisconsin Dells is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
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Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer:
$122
Entertainment
Cincinnati's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Wisconsin Dells's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $37 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Cincinnati
Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery:
$20
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Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone:
$24
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Cellarman's Tour:
$26
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1919: The year that changed baseball tour:
$30
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The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$36
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The Original Findlay Market Tour:
$39
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Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati:
$59
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Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour:
$65
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Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour:
$69
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Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour:
$74
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Explore Over-the-Rhine Cruise:
$358
Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$24
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Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$25
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Wisconsin Dells 1 Hour Land & Water Duck Tour:
$31
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1-Hour Guided WildThing Jet Boat Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$31
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cincinnati may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Wisconsin Dells may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.31 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati
Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl:
$12
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Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop:
$64
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Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Tour:
$65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati than you might in Wisconsin Dells.
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