Overview
Spring Green is a village of 1,600 people (2019) in Southwest Wisconsin and is the home of two unique architectural wonders: Frank Lloyd Wright's magnificent Taliesin, and Alex Jordan's mysterious House on the Rock. The area is also popular with visitors because of a local Shakespearean theatre, the nearby Wisconsin River with its many recreational opportunities, and a 27-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 5 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Spring Green
The House on the Rock
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 drop…
Taliesin
Once the family home of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright — and then an architectural commune and school under his direction — "Taliesin" refers both to the iconic house he designed there, and also to the sprawling com…
American Players Theater
Renowned theater company, with a repertoire of Shakespeare, Shaw, and a few other classics. Stages an outdoor Shakespeare festival each summer.
Canoeing
Canoe trips on the Wisconsin River are easily arranged. Inquire at hotels, at Trader's Bar & Grill (see Drink), Wisconsin Canoe Company, or at Bob's Riverside Resort (see Sleep).
Tower Hill State Park
Several hiking trails.
Village of Spring Green Municipal Golf Course
Offers a 9-hole course.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Madison)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSN Dane County Regional Truax Field, Madison — 37 mi away. Directions
- DBQ Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque — 63 mi away. Directions
- MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 111 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $24–$110 a night (typical $70), from 10 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$280.
Options are grouped as Camping, Hotels in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The House on the Rock, American Players Theater
- Lunch Reflections Jewelry
- Afternoon Tower Hill State Park, The House on the Rock Golf Course
- Dinner Arthur's Supper Club
- Evening Trader's Bar & Grill
Day 2
- Morning Taliesin, Canoeing
- Lunch Reunion Restaurant
- Afternoon Village of Spring Green Municipal Golf Course
- Dinner Riverview Terrace Cafe
- Evening Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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.
Affluent visitors can choose to fly into the small airport located just north of Lone Rock and enjoy breakfast at the Piccadilly Lilly, a restaurant associated with the airport.
See
See The House on the Rock
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. Not recommended for people affected by claustrophobia or anxiety.
See Taliesin
Once the family home of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright — and then an architectural commune and 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. It's one of eight buildings by Wright to be listed as a world heritage 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
Do Canoeing
Canoe trips on the Wisconsin River are easily arranged. Inquire at hotels, at Trader's Bar & Grill (see Drink), Wisconsin Canoe Company, or at Bob's Riverside Resort (see Sleep).
Events
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.
Shop Country Sampler
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.
Shop Panacea
Features herbal remedies, home decor, body care, and jewelry. Upstairs is The Closet, which carries lightly used, high-quality, brand-name clothing.
Eat Reflections Jewelry
Visit a working jewelry artist's studio all year round. Located in an Amish log cabin in the country, featuring silver and gold jewelry and pewter boxes. Call for hours or shop online @ reflectionsjewelryonline.com.
Eat
Eat Arthur's Supper Club
A nice little steak house and supper club.
Eat Reunion Restaurant
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 building which is reaching 90 years of age.
Eat Riverview Terrace Cafe
Guides say it's the only standalone restaurant Wright designed.
Eat Spring Green General Store and Cafe
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".
Drink Trader's Bar & Grill
Can also arrange canoe rentals.
Drink Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret
Offers a full calendar of concerts and events, craft cocktails and mocktails, a beer garden, and a huge record collection.
Sleep
Camping
Hotels
Stay House on the Rock Inn & Resort
Has none of the fascinating charm of its namesake and more than a little pricey, but it does have a golf course and a swimming pool.
Stay Spring Green Motel
Offers plenty of outdoor facilities: grills, picnic tables, barbecue pits, and even a basketball hoop.
Go next
- 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.
Nearby
Dodgeville
City / town · 8 listings · 15 mi away
Prairie du Sac
City / town · 3 listings · 19 mi away
Richland Center
City / town · 7 listings · 20 mi away
Baraboo
City / town · 16 listings · 26 mi away
Verona
City / town · 30 mi away
New Glarus
City / town · 6 listings · 33 mi away
Madison
City / town · 101 listings · 35 mi away
Wisconsin Dells
City / town · 46 listings · 35 mi away
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