Spring Green – population right around 1,600 – is a small town in south west Wisconsin that sits along the Wisconsin River. It’s probably already on your radar as the home of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and the House on the Rock, but there’s actually a ton of cool stuff to do in and around Spring Green, making it the perfect place to spend a weekend discovering all this little town has to offer.
Taliesin was built on land originally owned by Frank Lloyd Wright's maternal family.
America's most famous architect was born in nearby Richland Center and created his home, studio and school in Spring Green. Taliesin is not only a step back in time, but it's a shining example of the architect's prairie style.
Now part of a bigger resort, the large house is home to a restored carousel, a window walk over the valley, and so much more. It is definitely one of Wisconsin's best and oddest attractions.
It's located at 5754 State Road 23, Spring Green, WI 53588
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American Players Theatre is a 1,148 seat outdoor theater.
With the second-largest audience for classical theater in the country, the APT produces 116 performances of five plays running in repertory from June to October. More than 100,000 people attend the performances every year.
Founded in 1980, they recently added a 200-seat theater for more intimate performances. The APT is located at 5950 Golf Course Rd, Spring Green, WI 53588.
Possibly because of Wright's influence, Spring Green has a thriving art community.
In every season, there's something extra fun to see and do at Peck's. From a summer petting zoo to a Halloween Haunted House and corn maze, there's always something to keep your entertained. They also offer grills and a picnic area. There's so much to keep you occupied at Pecks.
It's located at 6445 US Hwy 14, Arena, WI 53503.
The nearby Wisconsin River provides every type of outdoor activity imaginable.
Much of Wisconsin's landscape was formed by glaciers moving in and out. But Spring Green is located in an unglaciated region and it's a convergence of forests, bluffs and plains.
Some of Wisconsin's rarest plants and animals live here, including a type of prickly pear cactus, 10 of Wisconsin’s 16 species of tiger beetles, and 8 different types of wolf spiders.
It's located at Pearl Road, Spring Green, WI 53588.
Unity Chapel is on the grounds purchased by Wright near Taliesin.
A large number of Wright's relatives settled in this area after the Civil War. One of his uncles, Reverend Jenkin Lloyd Jones, was an important Unitarian minister of his time and he built Unity church.
Though now in disrepair, many Wright relatives are buried in the cemetary and it was the original resting place of Wright himself before he was moved to Taliesin West. Unity Church is located at 6596 County Hwy T, Spring Green, WI 53588.
Open year round, the park has a reconstructed shot tower - a tower used in the late 18th century to create shot - or bullets. They were tall structures that had molten lead poured through a strainer at the top. The droplets become spherical as they fall and cool in this shape during their descent. The pellets are caught in a water basin to break their fall and finish cooling.
The same minister relative of Frank Lloyd Wright mentioned above once owned the land. He created an educational and recreational retreat. Now the park It is located at 5808 County Rd C, Spring Green, WI 53588.
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Built in 1877, White School was used for education up until 1985.