A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wisconsin Dells vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Halifax? 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: Wisconsin Dells or Halifax?

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.

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Wisconsin Dells?

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 Halifax is $114. 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 Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wisconsin Dells $70
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wisconsin Dells $140
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Wisconsin Dells and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells or Halifax? 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.

Hotels in Wisconsin Dells


Hotels in Halifax


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $35
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Wisconsin Dells or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Wisconsin Dells $43
    Halifax $31

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $46
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
  • Haunted Downtown Tour of Baraboo: $16
  • Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
  • City Segway Tour: $67
  • Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wisconsin Dells $9.14
    Halifax $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wisconsin Dells and Halifax, we can see that Wisconsin Dells is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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 Halifax Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Wisconsin Dells or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Wisconsin Dells is generally a little warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 74°F (24°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Wisconsin Dells is a little warmer than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Wisconsin Dells during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Wisconsin Dells can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in January average around 19°F (-7°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Halifax.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In April, Wisconsin Dells is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 49°F (10°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Halifax. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)