Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Hershey?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Hershey or Wisconsin Dells? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Hershey is a fun-filled, playful, and lighthearted town. And you can't forget about the shopping and museums.
Wisconsin Dells is a fun-filled, lighthearted, and high energy city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Wisconsin Dells. Although Hershey and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations, Wisconsin Dells has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wisconsin Dells is very popular for its food, nightlife, and hiking, while Hershey attracts visitors for its museums, resorts, and shopping. Hershey is famous for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Wisconsin Dells is famous for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. It is also well known for Noah's Ark Water Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wisconsin Dells and Hershey. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Hershey is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.
Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).
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.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.
Wisconsin Dells offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.
Wisconsin Dells is a great destination for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.
The people in Wisconsin Dells know how to have a good time. 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.
Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.
Hershey is a great destination for its resorts. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.
Hershey is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.
Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Hershey is not a hiking destination.
Wisconsin Dells is a good destination for hiking. 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.
Hershey is not a hiking destination.
Hershey is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.
Hershey offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.
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.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Hershey or Wisconsin Dells.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.
Wisconsin Dells is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.
Hershey is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Couples visit Hershey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.
Wisconsin Dells is a good 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.
Hershey is a 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.
Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
Hershey and Wisconsin Dells both are reasonable when exploring on foot.
Hershey is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.
Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable 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 Hershey Worth Visiting? and Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Hershey or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hershey, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.
Families should spend more time in Hershey than Wisconsin Dells. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hershey, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Hershey than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hershey that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
The playful destination of Hershey offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.
In Wisconsin Dells, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
The town of Hershey offers museums and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.
In Wisconsin Dells, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wisconsin Dells has to offer.
Hershey is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Wisconsin Dells is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Many people enjoy the museums and shopping when visiting Hershey. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wisconsin Dells. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Wisconsin Dells. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hershey is $212, 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 Hershey and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hershey 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 Hershey:
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells and Hershey 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:
Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hershey and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive? and Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.
Hershey has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Hershey 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.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Hershey because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.
In the summer, Hershey is around the same temperature as Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hershey in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. Hershey usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells during summer. Hershey gets 310 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hershey usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Wisconsin Dells and Hershey during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Hershey this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Hershey is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 56°F (13°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In the autumn, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.
Hershey usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Wisconsin Dells. Many travelers come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hershey. Hershey is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).
Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Hershey gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hershey usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Wisconsin Dells.
In the spring, Hershey is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hershey in April average around 53°F (12°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In the spring, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.
Hershey usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Hershey | Wisconsin Dells | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
Apr | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |