A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Wisconsin Dells for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hot Springs 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.

Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells?

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells?

Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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.

When is the best time to visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells?

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.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Wisconsin Dells. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

In the summer, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Wisconsin Dells. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Hot Springs. Hot Springs is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Hot Springs is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).

In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Hot Springs