The House on the Rock

Day tripping to Spring Green, Wisconsin

The House on the Rock is a trip. Not just a day trip, but also a trippy trip. It's a sprawling "house" brimming with the bizarre: royal crowns behind glass, wacky antique firearms, ceilings strung with Tiffany lamps, elaborate room-sized calliopes, a recreation of a 1900s street, a model giant squid, an Infinity Room, halls of intricate dollhouses, Japanese gardens, stairs that lead nowhere, mechanical toys, and the "World's Largest Carousel."

A glimpse of the "World's Largest Carousel."

An apothecary's display in the Streets of Yesterday.

The House is not for the claustrophobic. It's not for those with a crippling fear of dolls. It's not for those who say things like "I don't get it." The only thing to "get" at the House on the Rock is that it's a trip — a crazy ride through the mind and madness of Alex Jordan. It's also totally dreamy. 

Tiffany lamps & an indoor forest.

Stained glass galore.

Some words of wisdom from a three-time House tourist: Yes it's worth the $30 cost of admission. Yes some spots in the house are dark and dingy, but the low light adds to the mystery of the place. There is food at the House: We lunched on greasy, probably frozen pizza that totally hit the spot — but there are other options like brats, hot dogs, and sandwiches too. Make sure to get there early — the House on the Rock closes at 5:00 and it's easy to spend five solid hours there, lost in its many wonders.

Enter the hall of calliopes.

Cue "The Blue Danube."