Gluten-Free in Wisconsin Dells

My family just returned from a trip to Wisconsin Dells — the self-proclaimed “Waterpark Capitol of World!” We had a fabulous time. Our resort — Wilderness Territory — was a kid paradise, with three water parks, a mini golf course, a couple of indoor arcades, a large indoor play area and more. But the food? The food wasn’t great. So I thought I’d share some tips on how I ate gluten-free in Wisconsin Dells.

First, the truth is that we should have stayed at a different resort if I wanted gluten-free options on-site. Although some Wisconsin Dells resorts offer gluten-free fare (I’ve heard good things about Great Wolf Lodge), Wilderness Territory has a long way to go in terms of special diets. Even the corn chips at the snack bar contained ingredients (oat flour) that might cause concern for those maintaining a strict gluten-free diet. Because I don’t have diagnosed celiac disease, I felt comfortable ordering a burger without a bun at one of the restaurants. I doubt, however, that someone with celiac disease or a wheat allergy would have risked it.

On the plus side, our room contained a relatively large mini fridge, which I stocked with our usual healthy-on-the-go foods:

• A dozen hardboiled eggs
• Unsweetened nut butter
• Natural, gluten-free deli meats
• Green apples
• Clementines
• Kombucha
• Salsa
• Milk for the kiddos
• Juice for the kiddos
• Plain yogurt and maple syrup for the kiddos
• Cheese for the kiddos

We also brought along several pantry staples for easy breakfasts and snacks, including:

• Corn chips
• Olives
• Natural fruit snacks
• Granola bars
• Gluten-free cereal
• Fruit pouches

The food we brought along allowed us to avoid eating out for breakfast and lunch, which meant that we could spend more time having fun!

For dinner, our resort proved a fairly poor option for gluten-free fare. But a nearby restaurant, Uno Chicago Grill, offered a large gluten-free menu and free delivery. Among the items I enjoyed…

Veggie pizza on gluten-free crust.

Steak and shrimp with roasted vegetables and smashed red potatoes.

Everything we ordered was delicious, and the delivery was fast. We could have ventured out to the restaurant, but toting two tired kiddos into the world after a day of water-soaked fun seemed too daunting.

Overall, it was a great experience. But my body will thank me for getting back to my usual healthy eating routine, which includes far less sugar, alcohol and starchy snacks. And the next time we visit Wisconsin Dells, I think we’ll try Great Wolf Lodge.

PLEASE NOTE: I’m not affiliated with or compensated by any of the resorts or restaurants discussed in this post. Please see my disclosure page for more information about reviews on Angie Anew.

Tagged as: Food, Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free Restaurants, Restaurants, Uno Chicago Grill, Wilderness Territory, Wisconsin Dells