'''Spring Green''' [http://www.springgreen.com/] 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'''.

Get in

The nearest airport is in Madison. From there, take '''US-12/14''' to '''exit 251A/B''' and continue on '''US-14 West''' for 35-40 minutes.

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.

See

  • The House on the Rock. 754 Hwy 23, Spring Green, WI. uly - Aug. 20, 9AM-7PM daily; off-season F-Su 9AM-5PM. ickets for each of the 'tours' are $11.50, or $26.50 for all three. ttp://www.houseontherock.com/HOTR_AttractionMain.htm. 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.

  • Taliesin. 607 Cty. Rd. C, Spring Green, WI 53588. ntrances from both Highway 14 and Highway 23. oll-free +1 877 588-7900. ours@taliesinpreservation.org. ay – October, 9AM-4:30PM. ttp://www.taliesinpreservation.org/. 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 inexpensive 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).

    Do

  • American Playhouse Theater. 950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green, WI. 08-588-2361. oxoffice@americanplayers.org. ickets $35-48. ttp://www.americanplayers.org. Renowned theater company, with a repertoire of Shakespeare, Shaw, and a few other classics. Stages an outdoor Shakespeare festival each summer.
  • '''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. ocated off Highway 14, Highway 23 and County Road C, on the banks of the Wisconsin River.. 08-588-2116. wschutte@dnr.state.wi.us. 08-588-3476. Several hiking trails.
  • '''Village of Spring Green Municipal Golf Course''' (Highway 23; tel. 608-546-4001). Offers a 9-hole course.
  • Events

  • <listing name="Spring Green Art Fair" alt="" directions="" address="Held in downtown Spring Green, on Jefferson Street" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.springgreenartfair.com/"> Arts and crafts on sale the last full weekend of June.</listing>
  • <listing name="Spring Green Country Christmas" alt="" directions="" address="Held in downtown Spring Green" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.springgreen.com/countrychristmas/index.html"> Old-timey Christmas charm, one weekend every December.</listing>
  • <listing name="Spring Green Literary Festival" alt="" directions="" address="Held in Spring Green, see link for location" phone="" email="" hours="8:30AM-5PM" price="$50-$75" url="http://www.springgreenlitfest.org">Takes place the second Saturday in September with 3 authors and a catered lunch; writers workshop available for an additional price. </listing>
  • Buy

    The '''Taliesin''' gift shop has books, gifts, home accessories, and some gorgeous Wright furnishings, but you'll need a similarly gorgeous amount of money to buy most of them.

  • Country Sampler. 33 East Jefferson Street. 08-588-2510. ttp://www.sgcountrysampler.com/. Acclaimed as a "Top 10 Quilt Shop" by magazines including Quilt Sampler and Better Homes and Gardens. They're known for reproduction quilt fabrics, their own "Worn & Loved" fabric line and patterns, custom quilt kits, cross stitch, folk art and home decor. The second floor features a retreat space.

  • Panacea. 48 E. Jefferson Street. 08-588-2280. anacea@mhtc.net. Features herbal remedies, home decor, body care, and jewelery. Upstairs is '''The Closet''', which carries lightly used high quality brand name clothing.

  • Woody's. 5016 Hwy 14 & 23. lwrar@charter.net. 08-588-2717. anacea@mhtc.net. Retail liquor and outdoor sporting goods; they also sell hunting & fishing supplies and licenses.

    Eat

  • Arthur's Supper Club. wy. 14 & 23. 08-588-2521. ttp://www.foodspot.com/arthurs/. 15-40. A nice little steak house and supper club.

  • The Bank Restaurant and Wine Bar. 34 W. Jefferson Street, Spring Green, WI 53588. ocated on Jefferson Street in downtown Spring Green. 08-588-7600. erving Tuesday - Sunday, Dinner 4AM-10PM, Lunch 11AM-2PM, Weekend Brunch 11AM-2PM. ttp://www.thebankrestaurantandwinebar.com/. A moderately priced venue (you might pay $100 for a three-course meal for 2 people) with a menu that changes every Thursday in order to comply with the availability of local and fresh ingredients. Excellent food with a great atmosphere in the renovated State Bank Of Spring Green which is reaching 90 years of age. The Bank also features a large wine selection with over 200 wines to choose from.

  • Pat's Place. 279 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588. ust off Highway 14. 08-588-7828. 08-588-2821. ttp://www.springvalleyinn.com/patplace.html. 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.

  • Riverview Terrace Cafe. ighway C and 23, Spring Green, WI 53588. nside the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center. 08-588-7937. pen May-Oct for lunch 9AM-3PM, for dinner Tu-Thu 5-9PM, Fri-Sat 5-10PM, Sun 5-8PM. ttp://www.taliesinpreservation.org/visitorsguide/dining.htm. Guides say it's the only standalone restaurant Wright designed.

  • Round Barn Lodge & Restaurant. 4830 Hwy 14 & 60, Spring Green, WI 53588. 08-588-2568. ttp://www.roundbarn.com/. Also offers lodging (see below).

  • Spring Green General Store and Cafe. 37 S. Albany Street, Spring Green, WI 53588. lbany street is located between Jefferson and Madison streets in downtown Spring Green. 08-588-7070. pen 9AM-6PM, Monday-Friday; Saturday 8AM-6PM; Sunday 8AM-4PM. Weekend breakfast menu served 8AM-noon. ttp://www.springgreengeneralstore.com/. 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.

    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.
  • Sleep

    Camping

  • Bob's Riverside Resort. 13220 Shifflet Road, Spring Green, WI 53588. 08-588-2826. obs@mhtc.net. V hook-ups for $24 per night, tent sites for $19 per night.. ttp://www.bobsriverside.com/. Wi-fi available. Also rents canoes and kayaks.
  • Tower Hill State Park. ocated off Highway 14, Highway 23 and County Road C, on the banks of the Wisconsin River. 08-588-2116. wschutte@dnr.state.wi.us. 08-588-3476. Campsites and picnic areas.

    Hotels

  • The Hill Street B&B. 53 W. Hill Street, Spring Green, WI 53588. 08-588-7751. illstbb@verizon.net. PM. 1AM. ooms $80-100. ttp://www.hillstreetbb.com. Located in a Queen Anne Victorian home, in a residential area of Spring Green.
  • House on the Rock Inn & Resort. 591 Hwy 23 Dodgeville, WI 53533. nn 608-935-3711, Resort 608-588-7000. nformation@thehouseontherock.com. ackages with admission to the House itself start at $115/night. ttp://www.houseontherockresort.com/. 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.
  • Round Barn Lodge & Restaurant. 4830 Hwy 14 & 60, Spring Green, WI 53588. 08-588-2568. ooms $45-80 off-season, $80-120 otherwise. ttp://www.roundbarn.com/. Indoor pool, sauna, wi-fi and other amenities.
  • Spring Green Motel. 5296B Hwy 14, Spring Green, WI 53588. 88-647-4410. gmotel@charter.net. Offers plenty of outdoor facilities: grills, picnic tables, barbecue pits, and even a basketball hoop.
  • Spring Valley Inn. 279 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588. ust off Highway 14. 08-588-7828. 08-588-2821. ouble rooms $105-110. ttp://www.springvalleyinn.com. 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.
  • The Usonian Inn. 5116 Highway 14, Spring Green, WI 53588. on Highway 14 and Highway 23 South. 08-588-2323, toll-free 877-876-6426. ttp://www.usonianinn.com/. ouble rooms $49-95. Ideally-located motel with eleven rooms, an array of amenities and faux-Wright design.

    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.