Which place is cheaper, Colorado Springs or Wisconsin Dells?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Colorado Springs? 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 is a fun-filled, lighthearted, and high energy city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.
Colorado Springs is a outdoorsy, healthy, and welcoming mountain town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Wisconsin Dells. Although Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs are popular destinations, Wisconsin Dells has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wisconsin Dells is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Colorado Springs attracts visitors for its skiing, museums, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. It is also well known for Noah's Ark Water Park. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Wisconsin Dells. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Colorado Springs is a mountain town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a skiing destination.
Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.
Wisconsin Dells is not a skiing destination.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.
Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.
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.
Foodies will find both Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs both to be nice destinations.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wisconsin Dells. 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.
Colorado Springs is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.
Wisconsin Dells is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.
If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.
Wisconsin Dells is very good for its resorts. However, Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.
Wisconsin Dells has a handful of resorts to choose from. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Colorado Springs is not a resort destination.
Colorado Springs is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.
People visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.
Many people include a hike when visiting 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.
Wisconsin Dells is a city with a few options for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Wisconsin Dells is a good destination for shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.
Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Wisconsin Dells is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
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.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Colorado Springs is very family-friendly. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.
With fun activities for couples, both Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs make for a nice place to visit.
Wisconsin Dells makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.
Colorado Springs is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for backpackers. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.
Wisconsin Dells is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find campgrounds in the area, but most places are very built up and don't have the natural setting that backpackers appreciate.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Colorado Springs is popular with students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.
Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Neither Wisconsin Dells or Colorado Springs offer decent public transit.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.
Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs both are reasonable when exploring on foot.
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.
Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than in Colorado Springs. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wisconsin Dells, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.
Families should spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than Colorado Springs. 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.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.
You'll find food and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Wisconsin Dells. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
The welcoming destination of Colorado Springs offers food and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 fun-filled city of Wisconsin Dells. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
The mountain town of Colorado Springs offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This mountain 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Many people enjoy the food and museums when visiting Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wisconsin Dells is $142, while the average daily cost in Colorado Springs is $155. 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 Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells or Colorado Springs? 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 Colorado Springs:
Prices for flights to both Colorado Springs and Wisconsin Dells 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 Colorado Springs:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Colorado Springs.
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colorado Springs:
When comparing the travel costs between Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs, we can see that Colorado Springs is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Colorado Springs Expensive?.
Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Wisconsin Dells is generally around the same temperature as Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 74°F (24°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In July, Wisconsin Dells usually receives around the same amount of rain as Colorado Springs. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Colorado Springs and Wisconsin Dells during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Wisconsin Dells is a little warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Colorado Springs. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine during these months.
Colorado Springs can be very cold during winter. Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in January average around 19°F (-7°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).
In January, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Colorado Springs. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Wisconsin Dells is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 49°F (10°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Wisconsin Dells | Colorado Springs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Mar | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
Apr | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
May | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jul | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Oct | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
Dec | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |