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There’s an incredible spot in Spring Green Wisconsin called The House on the Rock. Like stepping into a dream, this video, pictures or words cannot do the House on the Rock justice. This place is an extremely unique, awe-inspiring attraction and museum. Truly a place you must see to believe. ___________________________________________________
The House on the Rock – A Roadside Attraction and Museum
5754 State Road 23
Spring Green, WI 53588
Phone: 608-935-3639
Open 9-5 March through December
Tickets up to $32.95 at the time this was written
A few things you will see:
- Huge indoor carousel
- Automated Orchestras and music machines
- Larger than life sea creatures
- One of the largest doll house collections
- A huge unique gun collection
- A 19th century street indoors with storefronts
A Dream Turned Into An Ever Evolving Reality
The dream began with Alex Jordan in 1945. His dream was to build a man-made retreat high upon a rock with an amazing view. This dream came true and in 1960 Jordan opened his dream to the public.
His dream and house have grown to a massive scale. The House on the Rock now includes 3 different sections and 20 different experience categories. Your self-guided tour will take you through gardens, the original house, an organ room, see a 200-foot whale and so much more. Including the Famous Infinity Room and the Carousel.
House on the Rock is now well known from Neil Gaiman’s book American Gods. The now Television show has even filmed here!
Useful Information
Here are a few things you will want to know before heading to House on the Rock:
- Bring cash for tokens
- Tickets can be purchased online and in person
- The house is NOT open year round
- Tour takes about 3 hours
- Sections start closing at 3:00 pm
- There is a restaurant/food court
- Water fountains available
- Restrooms throughout
- Wear walking shoes
- Not all areas are wheelchair accessible
Visiting House on the Rock
Location
Alex Jordan’s dream attraction is located in Spring Green Wisconsin. Just a 2-hour drive west of Milwaukee, an hour southwest of Wisconsin Dells and 4 hours northwest of Chicago.
What to wear
There are times when you will be outside, therefore you need to dress according to the weather. Comfortable shoes, this is a walking tour so you will be on your feet for a few hours. There are a lot of uneven terrains to be mindful of.
Tokens
Make sure to bring cash for tokens. You will need these tokens to operate the automated music machines.
Brings singles, the token machines tend not to take larger bills. The music machines are located throughout the entire house. Some machines are old and may not be operational but the ones that are make up for the ones that aren’t.
Do not worry about getting too many tokens. You can exchange them back for cash at the gift shop at the end of the tour.
The House on the Rock Hours
Regular: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Open days vary.
Dark Side Halloween: 6:30-9:00 pm in October. This is in addition to regular house hours.
Christmas: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
The average time needed to see all sections is about 3 hours. Some areas start closing at 2:00 pm.
The restaurant/food court – closes at 3:00.
Doors – close promptly at 5:00 pm
The House on the Rock Parking
Down the long driveway, keep to the left and you will end up in the large parking lot above the House on the Rock Welcome Center. If you are in a larger vehicle/RV you will stay to the right.
Where to eat
About halfway through the house there is a restaurant that serves snacks, food and drinks. The concessions are open 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Near the oversized parking lot there are picnic tables if you brought your own lunch.
The House on the Rock Tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person or online. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. Checks and travelers’ checks are not accepted. Discounted Ultimate Experience tickets can be purchased online. Online tickets are good for any time during the regular season and will get you into all 3 sections.
Online tickets can be redeemed at the will call station in the welcome center. This is also where you can get small bills to use in the token machines. The cell signal there is not great and there is no Wi-Fi, therefore you will want to have your ticket confirmation number ready.
Group rates for 20 or more are available.
Regular Season
Regular season Spring – March through mid-May, Thursday through Monday.
Regular season Summer – mid-May through September, Daily
Regular season Fall – late September through mid-November, Thursday through Monday
Ticket option 1
Online Regular Season Ultimate Experience: Self-guided tour of all three sections.
Adults (age 18 and up) $32.95
Junior (age 7-17) $17.95
Children (6 and under) $4.95
Ticket option 2
On-site Regular Season Ultimate Experience: Self-guided tour of all three sections.
Senior and Military (age 62 and over) $32.95
Adults (age 18-61) $35.95
Junior (age 7-17) $19.95
Children (6 and under) $5.95
Ticket option 3
On-site Regular Season Highlight Experience: Self-guided tour of sections 1 and 2.
Adults, Senior and Military (age 18 and over) $29.95
Junior (age 7-17) $16.95
Children (6 and under) $3.95
Ticket option 4
On-site Regular Season Original House Experience: Self-guided tour of section 1 only.
Adults, Senior and Military (age 18 and over) $19.95
Junior (age 7-17) $11.95
Children (6 and under) $1.95
Dark Side
Dark Side is a special Halloween themed walk through at the House on the Rock. This Dark Side Halloween even runs Friday and Saturday 6:30-9:00 pm in October.
Not all areas are available during the Dark Side tour. This tour may not be suitable for everyone. There may be strobe lights, fog, dim lighting, performers, etc.
Tickets are not available for purchase online. More information and to confirm dates and times visit The House on the Rock’s website.
Ticket option 1
Darkside Experience only: Self-guided through limited areas
Adults (age 18 and up) $19.95
Junior and Children (age 17 and under) $11.95
Ticket option 2
Darkside Experience and Ultimate Experience (regular house hours for the Ultimate Experience then there will be a break until the Darkside Experience begins):
Adults (age 18 and up) $45.95
Junior and Children (age 17 and under) $25.95
Christmas Season
The Christmas season at The House on the Rock runs from mid-November through the end of December. During this season the house is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The decorations, music and even smells change to fit the season.
Section 3 is closed during this time. Dress for the weather since you will be traveling outside.
If you want to read more about the Christmas Experience and see more pictures, read about it here: House on the Rock Christmas Experience
Ticket option 1
Christmas Season Experience: Self-guided tour of sections 1 and 2.
Senior and Military (age 62 and over) $27.95
Adults (age 18-61) $29.95
Junior (age 7-17) $16.95
Children (6 and under) $5.95
The House on the Rock Sections
The house is divided into 3 different sections. Below are what rooms are in each.
Section 1
The Alex Jordan Center: Dedicated to Alex Jordan and his story
Gate House: Here you will find a magnificent fireplace surrounded by stone walls and a large music machine that replicates a complete chamber orchestra.
The Original House: Contains 13 rooms and is where it all started
Infinity Room: A glass room that extends 218 feet out over the scenic valley.
Section 2
Mill House: Contains one of the world’s largest fireplaces, a doll collection, suits of armor, antique guns and mechanical banks.
Streets of Yesterday: Like walking down a 19th century brick street, lined with shop displays and a fortune teller.
Heritage of the Sea: Here is where you will find a 200-foot tall sea creature, over 200 model ship displays, and a sea creature band: Octopus’s Garden.
Tribute to Nostalgia: Vintage automobiles, signs and shops are in this area as well as the restaurant.
Music of Yesterday: An amazing display of music machines including a mechanically operated orchestra and more.
Spirit of Aviation: A sky full of model planes.
The Carousel: An incredible indoor carousel with 269 animals, 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers.
Section 3
Organ Room: Filled with bridges, walkways, staircases that lead to nowhere. And three great theatre organ consoles.
Inspiration Point: An outdoor area that provides a view of the House on the Rock and its Infinity Room from below.
Doll House Room: One of the world’s largest collections of miniature doll houses.
Circus Room: There is nothing small about this miniature circus display.
Galleries: The collections are exotic and from all over the globe. Featuring unusual firearms, an armor collection and lavish crown jewels.
Doll Carousel: Two carousels filled with handcrafted dolls.
The House on the Rock rules
Below are a few rules to go by:
- Outside food and alcohol are not allowed. Non-sealable, non-bottled beverages are not allowed past the admission areas.
- This is a non-smoking facility. Smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke is only allowed in marked designated outside smoking areas.
- Only service animals working and performing tasks for an individual with a disability as defined by ADA are allowed.
- Pets are NOT allowed.
Other rules and up to date information can be found at: www.thehouseontherock.com
The information is courtesy of The House on the Rocks website and personal experience.
Thanks for reading!
Where to Stay
The House on the Rock Resort – Resort, Spa and Golf course
400 Springs Drive
Spring Green, WI 53588
There are many other places in Spring Green to stay, hotels, bed and breakfast and campgrounds.
Near by Attractions
There are quite a few other things to do in the area such as:
Mount Horeb – Go for a Troll hunt
Cave of the Mounds – Explore caves
Follow this link for a walkthrough video and more information:
Wisconsin Dells – Waterpark and entertainment center
One thought on “The House on the Rock Spring Green, Wisconsin”
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