Spring Green, Wisconsin

**Syn D** · 01-06-2012, 02:29 AM

Does anyone know anything about this area? We are taking a trip there in April and want some more ideas of close cheap things to do. We're going to The House on the Rock, but not sure of what else is in the area.

Thank you!!

**Spirit Deer** · 01-06-2012, 02:41 AM

Have you priced the tickets for House on the Rock? If not, get ready for massive sticker shock. And one ticket will not get you into all the exhibits. Pretty outrageous. It does look interesting though.

There's a lot to see in Wisconsin but my geographic knowledge of that area isn't the greatest and I'm too tired to look stuff up. I'd suggest checking out their tourism website and ordering free info.

**Syn D** · 01-06-2012, 04:09 AM

Our daughter and I have one major trip a year, and seeings this is driving distance (approx 4hrs. 30 min) we can pay extra for the tickets.

I tried the net, but wasn't helpful on things people that have been there might know.

**Spirit Deer** · 01-06-2012, 08:52 AM

Yeah, it's often helpful to get input from the locals. Sorry I can't be more help. We love to camp in Wisconsin but it's usually around Chippewa Falls.

It's odd the Wisconsin peeps haven't weighed in.

**Booklover** · 01-06-2012, 10:04 PM

Sounds fun! I haven't been to House on the Rock for about 20 years, and it was just incredible then. I'm sure they've added even more.

I know there is a huge Renassiance Fair in Spring Green in the spring, but don't know enough about it. I do believe people come from all over the country for it, though.

If you are as far as the House on the Rock, then you will be very close to the Cave of the Mounds. I haven't been there since a kid, but still remember how cool it was.

Years ago we did the Stonefield Village in Cassville, and Villa Louis right in Prarie du Chien. It's right on the Mississippi, and was a lovely period piece, complete with tour guides.

If memory serves, there is something with Frank Lloyd Wright there, too, since he lived there for awhile.

Sorry to be so vague, but at least you could Google the names and see what you come up with.

**Syn D** · 01-06-2012, 10:50 PM

Thank you Booklover! I will check in to those.

**Booklover** · 01-06-2012, 11:01 PM

That should be Prairie du Chien. My fingers are tired, I guess.

**Pianolady** · 01-07-2012, 07:57 AM

We spent a few days in Spring Green last summer. We stayed in a motel we really liked, as the House on the Rock resort was just too expensive. We stayed at the Spring Valley Inn. It's nothing too fancy, but it was so QUIET! We really enjoyed that. It's "Frank Lloyd Wright" inspired. If you see an ad for the Usonian Inn....don't go there. We drove by it and were so happy we didn't sign up for that motel, it's pretty old and run-down.

Spring Valley Inn, Spring Green, WI

We did the entire tour of House on the Rock, and it took 7 hours! Really, for a full day's entertainment, I think it was worth the money. We were also interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, so we toured Taliesin East. I don't think young children would like this at all though, and it's very expensive. A drive-by is still interesting...and free.

We walked through downtown Dodgeville, that was actually surprisingly fun. There's an excellent Danish bakery downtown.

There's an overlook on Highway 23 that is supposed to offer you a great view of the House on the Rock....don't waste your time! You'll walk all the way to the end of the path then the tree overgrowth will block your view. lol....not fun at all.

We also toured a cheese factory, I think it was in Plain, WI, but not sure.

I found the bakery in Dodgeville...
Quality Bakery with Map
Quality Bakery

And I found the cheese factory...
Cedar Grove Cheese

**Syn D** · 01-08-2012, 10:53 PM

Thank you very much Pianolady!!! I will check in to those, well the worth it cheap ones

Your post was very informational, thank you again!

**mommy2krj** · 01-18-2012, 01:39 PM

I'm in WI....though I'm probably about 3 hours away from there. I've never been to The House on the Rock...though I want to take the kids there! Every time we go to The Dells...we talk about making the little side trip down there and well...we just haven't yet.

So, that said....Wisconsin Dells is just a hop away from there. I think it's a 30 minute drive (I could be off a bit though) and there are all sorts of things you could find to do in the Dells if you wanted to travel a little further. From the looks of it Spring Green is probably about the same distance from Madison as well and I know there are tons of things to do there as well.

Wish I could help more. We don't tend to travel too far and usually if we're going south we're either going to Milwaukee or Chicago. I would definitely hit up the websites for Madison and the Dells as I know there is info (at least on the Dells websites) for House on the Rock so maybe they would be a bit more forthcoming with information.

Hope this helped a little bit. Have fun on your vacation with your daughter! With the way this winter is going there may be good skiing available then as well.

**Pianolady** · 01-18-2012, 02:12 PM

If you do choose to see House on the Rock and don't want to do all three tours, make sure you pick one that has the carousel! It's definitely the highlight of the tour.

**Spikey1341** · 01-18-2012, 02:13 PM

You didn't say how old your daughter is. If she is an adult I would skip House on the Rock. Or as I call it Crap on the Rock. There is so much junk in there and well the angels on the ceiling in the carrousel room freaked me out. I haven't been there in about 10 years but when I was there, everything was covered in dust and grime. I guess it is hard to keep that much junk clean.

Talliesin was expensive too, my husband and ended up walking around the gift shop and then left.

I have also been to the Dells and recommend it whole heartedly. There are tons of things to do there and if you go you have to go on the ducks. It was great fun.

I hope I haven't offended the House on the Rock lovers, but to me it just wasn't worth it. The most interesting to me was the house actually carved in the Rock. The rest was just over the top, made me want to go home and start purging and flinging! And be prepared to do alot of walking, and I mean alot!

**JuanaW** · 01-19-2012, 09:33 AM

I live outside of Chicago and my sister lives outside of La Crosse Wi. Therefore, I have take RT 14 through Spring Green many times. It's a very cute town. But here is my favorite part of Spring Green! There is a chain of non-profit resale shops in So. West Wisconsin called the Bargain Nook. There is one in Spring Green, Platville, Mineral Point and two more that are not coming to my brain. The great part is that they have Land's End overstocks,seconds and catalog returns! I have half my wardrobe from there for a 1/4 of the price. The towns are fairly close and we usually do a "Bargain Nook Tour" and hit a few of them in a day. Sometimes it's hit or miss what you find but my best find ever was for my mom who does water aerobics everyday. I bought her brand new 20 bathing suits (all the same) for 50 cents each!!! Worth checking out! I know exactly how to get to them but don't know addresses but I'm sure if you search, you will find them!