A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wisconsin Dells vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a high energy, fun-filled, and lighthearted city. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque, quaint, and charming town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. 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 and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Wisconsin Dells and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both popular with visitors, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Wisconsin Dells is known for its nightlife, resorts, and hiking. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. Carmel-by-the-Sea is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also home to Pebble Beach Golf Course.

How is Wisconsin Dells different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

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 Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

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.

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Wisconsin Dells is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Wisconsin Dells offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Wisconsin Dells is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for the beache. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Wisconsin Dells is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wisconsin Dells. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

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 Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Wisconsin Dells is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Wisconsin Dells is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Carmel-by-the-Sea frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Wisconsin Dells is a good city 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 Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

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

Is Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable town. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Wisconsin Dells?

How long in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wisconsin Dells and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wisconsin Dells, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Families should spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Wisconsin Dells, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and nightlife around the high energy city of Wisconsin Dells, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

Five days in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Wisconsin Dells. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Wisconsin Dells is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wisconsin Dells and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Wisconsin Dells is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Wisconsin Dells would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wisconsin Dells than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Wisconsin Dells is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in July average around 74°F (24°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Wisconsin Dells is generally cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 52°F (11°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Wisconsin Dells can be very cold. Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 19°F (-7°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wisconsin Dells during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Wisconsin Dells is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in April average around 49°F (10°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Wisconsin Dells