A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Lancaster vs. Wisconsin Dells for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lancaster 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.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a traditional, picturesque, and scenic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a high energy, fun-filled, and lighthearted city. It's also popular because of the hiking, nightlife, and food.

Lancaster and Wisconsin Dells: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wisconsin Dells. Although Lancaster and Wisconsin Dells are both popular with visitors, Wisconsin Dells has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wisconsin Dells is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Lancaster is known for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. It is also home to Noah's Ark Water Park. Lancaster is popular for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Lancaster different from Wisconsin Dells?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wisconsin Dells and Lancaster. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Lancaster is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

Lancaster offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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.

Is the Food Better in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lancaster and Wisconsin Dells can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Lancaster is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

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.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Nightlife?

Wisconsin Dells is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Wisconsin Dells has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Resorts?

Wisconsin Dells is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Lancaster is not a resort destination.

Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.

Lancaster is not a resort destination.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Hiking?

Wisconsin Dells is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Lancaster is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Lancaster is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

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.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Families?

Wisconsin Dells is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-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.

Lancaster is a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Couples?

Lancaster is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.

Is Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells a more walkable city?

Lancaster and Wisconsin Dells are decent when it comes to walkability.

Lancaster is generally not a very walkable town. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

Wisconsin Dells is generally not very walkable. 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 Lancaster Worth Visiting? and Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wisconsin Dells or Lancaster?

How long in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

It's fun to spend time in either Lancaster 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 Lancaster, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.

Families should spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than Lancaster. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Wisconsin Dells, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lancaster than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lancaster that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lancaster 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 Lancaster.

One day in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

The picturesque destination of Lancaster offers shopping and museums. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Wisconsin Dells. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

The town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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.

You'll find food and nightlife around the lighthearted destination of Wisconsin Dells. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Lancaster is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Wisconsin Dells. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Lancaster. 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.

Wisconsin Dells is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Lancaster 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 Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lancaster as well as Wisconsin Dells. Many visitors come to Lancaster in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Lancaster is generally around the same temperature as Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Lancaster average around 77°F (25°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In the summer, Lancaster often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 310 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun.

Lancaster usually gets more rain in July than Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Lancaster are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lancaster for the shopping 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.

Lancaster is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lancaster averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Lancaster usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during autumn. Lancaster gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lancaster usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Lancaster during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the museums, 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. The weather in Lancaster can be very cold. In the winter, Lancaster is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lancaster in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 19°F (-7°C).

In the winter, Lancaster often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun.

Lancaster usually gets more rain in January than Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lancaster and Wisconsin Dells. The natural beauty are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

In April, Lancaster is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Lancaster average around 53°F (12°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lancaster usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during spring. Lancaster gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lancaster usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Lancaster gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Lancaster