Table Of Content
- How long does it take to walk through House on the Rock?
- Everything You Need to Know About Visiting The Bizarre House On The Rock In Wisconsin!
- House on the Rock tickets and hours
- Our Favorite Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells with Kids
- By Traveler Type
- Join the Lonely Planet community of travelers
- Upcoming Quirky Travel Guy Trips

There are 27 holes of championship golf created by some of the game’s legendary course designers. The cuisine ranges from Contemporary American dining to pub and grill fare. And the suites come with plenty of amenities – both in terms of creature comforts as well as scenic vistas. According to a likely apocryphal story, the building actually began partly to spite the master architect, who ran his Taliesin communal school near Spring Green.
How long does it take to walk through House on the Rock?

As one of the country’s most popular outdoor classical theaters, this Shakespearean troupe offers five rotating plays during the summer months. Arrive early and grill on-site at the theater’s picnic area before you head up the hill for a top-notch production under the stars. Tackle the challenging bluff trails or stroll the easier routes to visit the park’s restored shot tower and melting house that from 1832 to 1860 were used to manufacture lead shot.
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting The Bizarre House On The Rock In Wisconsin!
The house is broken into three parts, each with its own tour. Those with stamina (and about four hours to kill) can experience the whole shebang for adult/child $30/16. It can take many hours to walk through the House on the Rock, and it’s nearly impossible to see it all in one day. Among the collections of collections within is the world’s largest carousel, boasting 269 carousel animals, 182 lanterns, more than 20,000 lights, and hundreds of mannequin angels hanging from the ceiling all around it. The third and final section of the attraction contains more of Jordan’s collections and oddities, including theater organs, carousels made especially for dolls, and spiral staircases.
House on the Rock tickets and hours
Alex Jordan first saw Deer Shelter Rock—a large column of rock surrounded by a forest—on a family outing when he was just a child and dreamed of building a house on the overlook. Visitors should prepare for a lot of walking and stair-climbing and choose shoes accordingly. One of the highlights is the 'Infinity Room,' which extends for 218ft out into the valley, with correspondingly amazing views.
This is one of the most popular sections of the House, called the Infinity Room. But you may feel differently, so take a look at our collection of photos from the House and decide whether you may be interested in visiting. There’s such a wide variety of rooms at House on the Rock, focusing on everything from music to animals to technology to dolls. You’ll experience sensory overload as the music and sights of each room overwhelm you. It took me a long time to figure out exactly what the House on the Rock attraction was.
House on the Rock in Wisconsin is a very strange collection of collections - Slate
House on the Rock in Wisconsin is a very strange collection of collections.
Posted: Fri, 16 May 2014 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Jordan was a collector all his life and enjoyed visiting museums; however, he did not want The House on the Rock to be a museum. Though parts of the collections could have easily found their way into museums, The House on the Rock is more of a trip through the wild and fantastic imagination of Alex Jordan than a visit to a dusty museum. He started by renting the land around the rock, eventually buying the 240-acre property with help from his parents. Alex Jordan Jr. built most of the original house himself, using materials he personally carried up the 60-foot rock hill.

They range from ivories to armories and feature unusual firearms, an armor collection and lavish crown jewels. Featuring three of the greatest theatre organ consoles ever built, surrounded by walkways, bridges and spiral staircases. Includes a sky filled with model airplanes and a display which highlights key moments in aviation history. Here’s a hotel that’s almost as quirky as House on the Rock! Located in Dodgeville, the Don Q Inn is a 2-star facility that offers a continental breakfast, fitness center, and free wifi. This is one of the nicer hotels in the immediate Spring Green area.
“Like the hundred-person artificial orchestra and the giant carousel that’s 50-foot-high on which ancient Victorian dolls just go round and round staring balefully. I think I did mention the four horsemen of the apocalypse hanging from the ceiling in that room. The House notes that many of the regular exhibits are not visible during this program, which accounts for the reduced cost. Those who are interested in the man should spend extra time in the Alex Jordan Jr. Center, one of the section 1 rooms that all visitors to the site can access. The reason Wright has a Visitor Center in Wisconsin is because he had an estate there known as Taliesin.
See Jack White explore Wisconsin's bizarre House on the Rock in the Raconteurs' new music video - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
See Jack White explore Wisconsin's bizarre House on the Rock in the Raconteurs' new music video.
Posted: Mon, 04 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Upcoming Quirky Travel Guy Trips
Meanwhile, at Christmas, sections 1 & 2 are decked out in holiday decorations. The special Christmas program runs from November 19 through January 1. During that time, the House is still closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and all holidays. If you’re in Madison (40 miles away), the Wisconsin Dells (60 miles away), Milwaukee (125 miles away), or Kenosha (160 miles away), it might be worth taking a half-day jaunt over to check it out.
Artist Tom Every, better known as Dr. Evermore, creator of the Forevertron, was employed by Jordan for some time. Before his falling out with Jordan, Every created many of the displays, including the carousel. Our 27 holes of golf are gorgeous and challengingand on some of the most beautiful land you will ever play. The Resort offers spacious two room suites with splendid views of the surrounding countryside. If you’re looking for recreation beyond the links, try our two indoor pools, outdoor pool, whirlpools, lighted tennis courts and hiking trails. Slip away from the stresses of daily life to renew and rejuvenate your mind and body at our spa.
He loved the reactions — all of them — from sheer, childlike joy to heebie-jeebies to terror. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Two carousels are filled with handcrafted dolls in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each is imaginatively costumed and accessorized to create a mesmerizing parade of detail and delight. The collections are exotic and gathered from all regions of the globe.
The House on the Rock presents “The Dark Side,” a decidedly different experience at The House on the Rock. The Dark Side Halloween event runs Friday and Saturday nights in October. A room which extends 218 feet out over the scenic valley with over 3,000 pieces of glass. Showcases a dazzling one-of-a-kind carousel with 269 animals, 20,000 lights and 182 chandeliers.
Unlike a museum, there aren't clearly marked ways to visit the sections you have interests in—you are on a set path through the entire collection of collections. Many collections have no labeling because they were previously labeled originals when in fact they are reproductions. If you are sensitive to dust and/or musty conditions, a visit here will set your senses on edge. The entire complex of collections, gardens and buildings can take half a day to tour, so we recommend making a weekend of it! Check out our recommendations for lodging, dining and things to do nearby.