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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Beaver Dam
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Beaver Dam: see the historic society, walk Waterworks Park, and grab ice‑cream downtown.
Beaver Dam is a small Wisconsin city (≈16 k pop) with a compact downtown, several parks and a historic society. All main sights are within a 10‑minute walk, so one day is enough unless you add a day‑trip to Horicon Marsh.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cold, limited outdoor activities)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–$80 excl. bed · Mid $80–$130 excl. bed · High $130+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ice cream (single scoop) | $3–$5 |
| Coffee (café) | $2–$4 |
| Beer (draft, bar) | $4–$6 |
| Parking (city lot, 2 h) | $5 |
| Golf green fee (18‑hole) | $30–$45 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MSN · Madison (Dane County Regional) Airport
- ≈30 km (19 mi) north, car or shuttle 35 min≈19 mi (30 km) north, car or shuttle 35 min
Typical fares
- Madison Airport → Beaver Dam (car rental)
- ≈ $40–$55 per day (check)
- Parking at Waterworks Park
- $5 per 2 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Most attractions are walkable; a car is useful for Horicon Marsh (≈15 km (9.3 mi) west). Parking is free in city parks.Most attractions are walkable; a car is useful for Horicon Marsh (≈9.3 mi (15 km) west). Parking is free in city parks.
See and do
Known for
- Dodge County Historical Society
- Waterworks Park on Beaver Dam Lake
- Ice arena and family centre
- Old Hickory Golf Club
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Horicon Marsh | Drive west on WI‑33, about 15 km (9.3 mi); 20‑min driveDrive west on WI‑33, about 9.3 mi (15 km); 20‑min drive | ≈45 min round‑trip |
Sleep
- Downtown hotels
- Within walking distance of main attractions; options range from budget motels to mid‑range inns (check availability).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter weather can close park trails; check local forecasts.
- Ice arena hours vary seasonally; verify before visiting.
Beaver Dam is a typical small Midwestern town with low crime; stay in well‑lit areas at night and lock car doors.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Beaver Dam yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Dodge County Historical Society
- Waterworks Park on Beaver Dam Lake
- Ice arena and family centre
- Old Hickory Golf Club
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Beaver Dam city page: www.cityofbeaverdam.com
- Dodge County Historical Society: dodgecountyhistory.com/
- Waterworks Park official page: www.ci.beaverdam.wi.gov/facilities/facility/details/waterworkspark-35
- Horicon Marsh – Wisconsin DNR: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/WildlifeAreas/horicon/education.html
- Wikivoyage: Beaver Dam, revision 5236439 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5236439
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Beaver Dam
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US citizens need no visa for short visits; consult the US State Department for other nationalities.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/beaver-dam). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.