From Wikitravel

Spring Green [1] is a city in southern Wisconsin. It is the home of two unique architectural wonders: Frank Lloyd Wright's magnificent Taliesin, and Alex Jordan's mysterious House on the Rock.

[edit] Get in

From Madison, take US-12/14 to exit 251A/B and continue on US-14 West for 35-40 minutes.

[edit] Get around

Visitors will need a car to get around Spring Green. The intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 23 is near the center of town. Most lodgings are off Highway 14, while the small downtown is signposted from Highway 23.

[edit][add listing] See

• The House on the Rock, 5754 Hwy 23, Spring Green, WI, [2]. July - Aug. 20, 9am-7pm; off-season 9am-5pm, some areas closed Jan-March. One of the weirdest museums you'll ever see. The house itself is an interesting architectural jumble, particularly the Infinity Room, which is suspended a long way over the forest canopy below. But jaws really start dropping in the second and third areas, which include "The Streets of Yesterday", the world's largest carousel, and more self-playing musical instruments than you ever thought existed. It's a staggering collection of toys, marvels, ephemera and oddities, brought together with an air of mystery and glee. It'd be nice if there were more labels to explain where these things came from, but then it'd take eight hours to see it all instead of four (and that's if you move at a brisk pace). Special exhibitions on for the Christmas season. Tickets for each of the 'tours' are $11.50, or $26.50 for all three.  edit

• Taliesin, 5607 Cty. Rd. C, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Entrances from both Highway 14 and Highway 23), ☎ Toll-free 877-588-7900 (tours@taliesinpreservation.org), [3]. May through October, 9:00am-4:30pm. Once the family home of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright — and then an architectural commune / school under his direction — "Taliesin" refers both to the iconic house he designed there, and also to the sprawling complex of buildings on the site. Regular performances and receptions are held here, and it's still a working school. There's an inexpenseive tour ($16), where you'll see exteriors and interiors of the Hillside School. The longer tours, which take you to the interior and gardens of the home, Taliesin, are highly recommended for Wright enthusiasts but pricey ($47-$80). The gift shop has books, gifts, home accessories, and some gorgeous Wright furnishings.

[edit][add listing] Do

• American Playhouse Theater, 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green, WI, ☎ 608-588-2361 (boxoffice@americanplayers.org), [4]. Renowned theater company, with a repertoire of Shakespeare, Shaw, and a few other classics. Stages an outdoor Shakespeare festival each summer. Tickets $35-48.  edit

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• Canoe trips on the Wisconsin River are easily arranged. Inquire at hotels, at Trader's Bar & Grill (see Drink) or at Bob's Riverside Resort (see Sleep).
• Tower Hill State Park, Located off Highway 14, Highway 23 and County Road C, on the banks of the Wisconsin River., ☎ 608-588-2116 (wschutte@dnr.state.wi.us, fax: 608-588-3476). Several hiking trails. edit

• Village of Spring Green Municipal Golf Course (Highway 23; tel. 608-546-4001). Offers a 9-hole course.

[edit] Events

• Spring Green Art Fair, Held in downtown Spring Green, on Jefferson Street, [5]. Arts and crafts on sale the last full weekend of June. edit

• Spring Green Country Christmas, Held in downtown Spring Green, [6]. Old-timey Christmas charm, one weekend every December. edit

• Spring Green Literary Festival, Held in Spring Green, see link for location, [7]. 8:30-5. Takes place the second Saturday in September with 3 authors and a catered lunch; writers workshop available for an additional price. $50-$75.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Woody's (Highway 14, Spring Green; tel. 608-588-2717). Sells hunting & fishing supplies and licenses.
• There is an antique store on Lexington Street in downtown Spring Green, but it is closed on Sundays.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Visitors should plan to eat at their hotels, as the Spring Green area has little to offer other than chain restaurants such as Culver's, Subway, and Pizza Hut (hopefully subtitled "An Italian Bistro", in nearby Dodgeville).

• Pat's Place, 6279 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Just off Highway 14), ☎ 608-588-7828 (fax: 608-588-2821), [8]. In the Spring Valley Inn. Perhaps a little pricey, given that the front desk clerk of the hotel may be the one who's cooking your dinner, but the resulting food is well above diner class, and the desserts are excellent. There's a bar and a fireplace as well. edit

• Riverview Terrace Cafe, Highway C and 23, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Inside the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center), ☎ 608-588-7937, [9]. Open May-Oct for lunch 9am-3pm, for dinner Tu-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm, Sun 5-8pm. Guides say it's the only standalone restaurant Wright designed. edit

• Round Barn Lodge & Restaurant, E4830 Hwy 14 & 60, Spring Green, WI 53588, ☎ 608-588-2568, [10]. Also offers lodging (see below). edit

• Spring Green General Store and Cafe, 137 S. Albany Street, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Albany street is located between Jefferson and Madison streets in downtown Spring Green), ☎ 608-588-7070, [11]. Open 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday; Saturday 8am-6pm; Sunday 8am-4pm. Weekend breakfast menu served 8am-noon. Serves breakfast and lunch. Changing menu for lunch, although the cafe also has an unchanging menu. Vegetarian entrees served every day, full breakfast served only on Saturdays and Sundays, with continental breakfast through the rest of the week. Sandwiches and drinks available for takeout. edit

• The Bank Restaurant and Wine Bar, 134 W. Jefferson Street, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Located on Jefferson Street in downtown Spring Green), ☎ 608-588-7600, [12]. Serving Tuesday - Sunday, Dinner 4am-10 pm, Lunch 11am-2 pm, Weekend Brunch 11am-2pm. A higher priced venue (you might pay $100 for a three-course meal for 2 people) with a menu that changes each Thursday. Excellent food with a great atmosphere in an actual old bank. Also features a large wine selection. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Downtown Spring Green has more bars than restaurants, which is to say "two or three".

• The Shed (123 N. Lexington, Spring Green, WI 53588; tel. 608-588-9049). Has decent food and occasional country music events.
• Trader's Bar & Grill (Highway 14; tel. 608-588-7282). Can also arrange canoe rentals.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Camping

• Bob's Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green, WI 53588, ☎ 608-588-2826 (bobs@mhtc.net), [13]. Wi-fi available. Also rents canoes and kayaks. RV hook-ups for $24 per night, tent sites for $19 per night..  edit

• Tower Hill State Park, Located off Highway 14, Highway 23 and County Road C, on the banks of the Wisconsin River., ☎ 608-588-2116 (wschutte@dnr.state.wi.us, fax: 608-588-3476). Campsites and picnic areas. edit

[edit] Hotels

• The Hill Street B&B, 353 W. Hill Street, Spring Green, WI 53588, ☎ 608-588-7751 (hillstbb@verizon.net), [14]. Check in: 4pm; Check out: 11am. Located in a Queen Anne Victorian home, in a residential area of Spring Green. Rooms $80-100.  edit

• House on the Rock Inn & Resort, 3591 Hwy 23 Dodgeville, WI 53533, ☎ Inn 608-935-3711, Resort 608-588-7000 (information@thehouseontherock.com), [15]. Has none of the fascinating charm of its namesake and more than a little pricey, but it does feature a golf course, swimming pool and other amenities. Packages with admission to the House itself start at $115/night.  edit

• Round Barn Lodge & Restaurant, E4830 Hwy 14 & 60, Spring Green, WI 53588, ☎ 608-588-2568, [16]. Indoor pool, sauna, wi-fi and other amenities. Rooms $45-80 off-season, $80-120 otherwise.  edit

• Spring Green Motel, E5296B Hwy 14, Spring Green, WI 53588, ☎ 888-647-4410 (sgmotel@charter.net). Offers plenty of outdoor facilities: grills, picnic tables, barbecue pits, and even a basketball hoop. edit

• Spring Valley Inn, 6279 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588 (Just off Highway 14), ☎ 608-588-7828 (fax: 608-588-2821), [17]. Designed by Taliesin architects, this pleasant inn has a relaxed Wright influence without being overbearing about it. There's a pool, fitness center, convenience store, bar & restaurant on-site. It's nice and quiet at night, with leafy surroundings. Double rooms $105-110.  edit

• The Usonian Inn, E 5116 Highway 14, Spring Green, WI 53588 (At the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 23), ☎ 608-588-2323, toll-free 877-876-6426, [18]. Eleven rooms with A/C and DirecTV. The faux-Usonian design may annoy Wright purists, but the location is perfect for visiting Taliesin, House on the Rock and APT participants. Double rooms $49-95.  edit

[edit] Get out

• Southern Wisconsin produces a lot of wine, and many vineyards are open to the public. See Prairie Du Sac, or inquire at any hotel in the area.

• Consider visiting Mineral Point or Baraboo. Both of these small towns have considerable historic value and surrounding natural beauty.

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