Is House on the Rock Worth Visiting? 2024

Have you wondered if visiting House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin, is worth the trip? Or even wondered what is House on the Rock? Having lived in Wisconsin, these are questions that we have heard many times.

I have been to House on the Rock several times over the years, but Gary had never been there, so on one of our Wisconsin road trip adventures, we decided to check out this quirky tourist attraction so I could get his first-hand impression. After all, House on the Rock is considered one of Wisconsin’s most unbelievable hidden gems.

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Is House On The Rock Worth Visiting?

What is it about House on the Rock that draws people to it? House on the Rock brochure says it is an “experience that will entertain, astound and amaze you with displays of whimsical, eclectic and exotic exhibits.”

If you are intrigued, curious and are considering a getaway, we would like to give you a sneak peek at some of what we discovered at House on the Rock, Spring Green, Wisconsin, the cost, and answer some of the frequently asked questions, particularly what Frank Lloyd Wright had to do with House on the Rock and finally, we will share with you our thoughts on if we think House on the Rock is worth the visit.

House on the Rock Location – Tours – Hours – Prices

Getting There: Google Maps to House on the Rock

The drive to House on the Rock is beautiful and scenic, with rolling hills and beautiful countryside. If you’re not the one driving, sit back and soak it all in. It is easy to see why Alex Jordan fell in love with the area. Yet, it raises the question of how he found this particular spot.

*We caution you to be prepared; House on the Rock is located in a rural area, and cell signal may be spotty. Download your directions completely before you set out.

Unlike what was described, House on the Rock entrance is not over the top. Don’t let it fool you. The Lobby is warm and welcoming, yet once you open the door to the actual house, you realize Alex had an incredible imagination. What you find behind the doors will fascinate you.

Dates and Hours 2024

2024 Hours: Opens at 9 A.M. Last group allowed in at 3 P.M. Closed at 5 P.M.

Winter Dates – January 1 – March 14, 2024 – CLOSED
Spring Dates – March 14 – May 12, 2024 – Open Thursday – Monday
Summer Dates – May 13 – September 22, 2024 – Open Daily
Fall Dates – September 25 – November 12, 2024 – Open Thursday through Monday
Winter Dates (Christmas Displays) – November 14 through December 29, 2024 – Open Thursday through Monday – Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

House on the Rock Admission Price and Available Tours

There are three different self-guided tours of House on the Rock. You can choose how much you want to visit depending on your time.

Section 1 – Price Adults $20 – The Orginal House Experience Includes: The Alex Jordan Center highlights the history of Jordan’s dream, the Asian Garden, the Original House, the Gate House, the Infinity Room, and the Japanese Garden.

The Highlight Experience includes section one and section two
Tickets for the Highlight Experience are only sold online – Adult tickets $30
Section 2 Includes:
The Spirit of Aviation, Music of Yesterday, Streets of Yesterday, The Mill House, The Heritage of the Sea, and the World’s Largest Carousel – Check out this list of The World’s Most Famous Carousels. A Concession Area is located toward the end of this area.

The Ultimate Experience – Included sections 1, 2, and section 3 ~ Adult tickets $33
Section 3 includes: The Organ Room, The Doll Room, The Circus Room, The Galleries, and the Doll Carousel Room.

Start at the Alex Jordan Canter

By starting your tour at the Alex Joran Center, you will get a look at who Alex Jordan was and some of the why behind House on the Rock, or you will be left with more questions.

You will get a slight glimpse of a man who saved everything. Jordan was a collector all his life, he himself enjoyed visiting museums. He did not want House on the Rock to be a museum. It was built to be his vacation home.

You will see an extensive exhibit of sketches, blueprints, old photos, and a really interesting look at Alex’s personal life.

Alex Jordan’s Original House at House on the Rock

The Original House has thirteen rooms, each more unusual than the last. The rooms were very large, filled with massive fireplaces, stone seating, and unique chandeliers, giving a comfortable feel to them. Yet all of the stone, dark woodwork, color choices, and lack of any real windows made the area feel dark and gloomy.

You will find that areas of the home have a quaint and vintage feel. The unusual gally kitchen felt like it was still back in the 70s. Compared to today’s kitchens, it is very small with a low ceiling, but it had a window for a little light. Only one person at a time could be in the kitchen or two people if you like it cozy.

The house itself feels like Jordan built the house around the trees. Every nook and cranny of the home is filled with something Jordan has collected over the years.

It is said that Alex Jordan only spent four nights at the house. During our tour, we do not remember ever seeing a bedroom. Although Alex did not live full-time at House on the Rock, he did host lavish parties there.

The Infinity Room

The Infinity Rooms seems to be an extension of the Original House, but you will be surprised to learn that it was one of Alex Jordan’s later additions. It was not constructed until 1985, more than 25 years after Jordan opened the home for tours.

The Infinity Room is one of the many highlights of the house tour. It is amazing to see this 218-foot-long room taper from the house without any support underneath. The room’s design creates an uncanny illusion that the room extends into infinity.

The view is breathtaking, with more than 3,000 individual window squares you can see in almost every direction. The ideal place to watch a storm roll in.

Walking out to the end is a little scary but something you don’t want to miss.

At the end of the room, there is a window on the floor for those who are brave enough to look down almost 156 feet into the forest below.

When the wind blows, you look out and see the tops of the trees swaying. Then you realize that the wind is also gentling, rocking the entire Infinity Room.

House on the Rock Streets of Yesterday

Streets of Yesterday is a stunning re-creation of a 19th-century town. The red brick building and cobblestone that line the Streets of Yesterday let you know that you have stepped back in time: a simpler time when life slowed down and kids played in the streets.

As you wander the House on the Rocks Streets of Yesterday, feel free to take some time and window shop the many storefronts.

Don’t forget to take a peak in the windows and see all of the antiques that make store front like the dentist’s office, sheriff’s office or carriage house come to life.

Heritage of the Sea

Heritage of the Sea is a display that when you walk into the area, your mind has to catch up with what you see.

You walk into a battle between two enormous, larger-than-life creatures. The detail is amazing! It’s three entire floors to see all of it. Taking a photo that will do it justice is not possible. This is one display you need to see.

Music of Yesterday

Music of Yesterday is an amazing display of automated music machines that come to life both in music and animation. The music and movement of the displays transport you to another time.

Tokens are required to play the music and animation machines throughout the complex. Tokens are available (4/dollar) throughout the tour. Token dispensing machines are located in the Mill House, Heritage of the Sea, Music of Yesterday, and the Blue Danube music machine.

Employees of the sales team also carry tokens to sell. We also found a fortune teller game. You will have to try your hand at several because it is hard to walk past them and not want to play. Every music machine is unique, both with the music and the animation, making it hard to walk past a music machine and not try them all.

World’s Largest Carousel

Among Jordan’s collections is the world’s largest carousel. Stepping into the carousel room, your senses are almost overloaded. The sights of the lights and all of the carousel animals, along with the constant carousel and other music from angels displayed on the ceiling in the carousel room, cause you to stop in your tracks and momentarily let yourself focus and take it all in before proceeding into the room.

The House on the Rock Carousel boasts 269 carousel animals, 182 chandeliers, over 20,000 lights, and hundreds of mannequin angels hanging from the ceiling all around it. This amazing display of lights, animals, and figurines takes up one entire building at House on the Rock.

The World’s Largest Carousel debuted in 1981. It measures 80 feet in diameter, is 35 feet high, and weighs 36 tons!

Amazingly, not one of the animals on the carousel is a horse. It is said that horses were part of the original crew of animals, but Jordan had them either replaced or reconstructed into another animal. Just another look at the fact Joran liked the unexpected and unusual.

To answer the question I know you want answered – No, you can not ride the carousel. I know, bummer, right?

The Unexpected

Expect the unexpected at House on the Rock, and you will not be disappointed.

Many call House on the Rock unique, quirky, or peculiar, all of which are an understatement. When visiting, you will find it hard not to be overwhelmed by it all; just go along for the ride.

Pictures will not fully describe the feeling one gets walking through this almost eerie masterpiece at times.

While visiting House on the Rock, you’ll see so many collections: a 200-foot sea creature, maritime displays, Titanic memorabilia, a huge steam engine, and even a mechanical calliope. The list of Jordan’s collections is extensive. It is no wonder the House on the Rock project took on a life of its own and kept expanding all during Alex Jordan’s life.

To answer the question you are all wondering, Is House on the Rock worth visiting? We believe it was worth the visit. Even having been there before, I saw so many things I don’t remember. Each tour takes you on a different journey.

If you are in Wisconsin and looking for an adventure into the unexpected, yes, we recommend visiting House on the Rock.

Did Frank Lloyd Wright build House on the Rock?

House on the Rock is a Wisconsin gem that many people outside of the Midwest may not have heard of. Many people who have heard of House on the Rock assume it was built and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, but was it?

On the way to House on the Rock, we came across The Frank Lloyd Wright visitor center. We stopped in to continue doing our research. We had a very interesting conversation with the couple working at the Visitor Center. They shared with us a “story” of Alex Jordan building House on the Rock to spite Frank Lloyd Wright.

The “story” is that Alex Jordan admired Frank Lloyd Wright and his work so much that he drove to Taliesin to show Frank some designs. Frank looked at Jordan’s designs and told him he wouldn’t hire him to build a chicken coop.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center then shared how that timeline or “story” does not work. The main reason is that when the “story, event” was to have occurred, Jordan would have been nine years old.

Even if it wasn’t specifically built to spite Frank Lloyd Wright, Jordan almost certainly had him in mind. There are so many similarities between Wright’s and Jordan’s unusual designs. You’ll have to visit House on the Rock and then also one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes and decide what you believe to be the real story.

The History of House on the Rock, Wisconsin

It is unknown how Alex stumbled upon Deer Shelter Rock, but in the early 1940s, he fell in love with it. It later became his favorite picnic spot. He loved the spot so much that he sometimes pitched a tent and camped on the rocks.

Jordan dreamed of a Jananese-style house on top of the rock. In 1945, after Jordan’s tent blew away, he decided it was time to make his dream come true. He talked to the farmer who owned the rocks, but even before he secured the formal property rights to the land, he started construction.

Alex’s dream started with him renting the rock and a bit of the land that surrounded it. He started by first building a small studio with a fireplace.

After building his studio, he purchased the property and the surrounding 240 acres to continue building his dream.

While Alex was working on the construction of House on the Rock he had numerous onlookers curious about what he was building, Some of the onlookers started knocking on his door or yelling up to him interupting his work.

Irritated by the people who were intrigued and continually asking to see the inside. Alex decided that for the price of 50 cents, he would give them a tour of the structure while it was in its construction phase. These meager pennies helped with the cost of construction.

In 1960, after placing a stone marker alongside the highway, Jordan officially opened the house to paying visitors. The first day House on the Rock was open to visitors, they made $15. Over the years, as the attraction grew, so did its revenue. With the placing of that stone marker, Alex Jordon’s dream home just became a tourist attraction.

In the years that followed the construction of the original house, Alex continued to expand his vision. Additions were made to the original structure, and other buildings were added over the course of several decades.

Everything Jordan collected and built was on a massive scale. Creating an attraction with some of the world’s most unique and quirky collections.

Who was Alex Jordan – The man behind House on the Rock

Alex Jordan was a man of action, he had said that we all have visions and dreams but few act on them. Alex devoted his life to House on the Rock. It was his dream and his evolving vision.

There are three books written about Alex Jordan, and much of who he really was is still a mystery. He has been described as a recluse who did not like to be in the spotlight, a shadowy figure, and an architectural genius.

One can’t help but wonder if House on the Rock gives us a true glimpse of Alex Jordan, the man that some thought built House on the Rock to spite Frank Lloyd Wright, who lived just 10 minutes away.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman | House on the Rock

House On the Rock played a significant role in Neil Gaiman’s novel, “American Gods,” In the book, The House on the Rock is referred to as being a portal into the mind of the Gods.

The book has long passages where House on the Rock attracts, and many exhibits are described down to the oddest details. Gaiman wrote the book in a lakeside cabin near Menomonie, Wisc.; he said he actually had to “un-weird” the popular tourist site to make it believable.

Although the book is very descriptive, what was written could not come close to describing the insane feeling one gets walking through the sights, each one more over the top than the next.

How To Get To House On The Rock:

The best way to get to House on the Rock is to drive. The drive to Spring Green, Wisconsin, from any direction is scenic, and you will find so many other things to stop at along the way.

If you are coming from a longer distance, consider flying into one of the two major airports near Spring Green, Wisconsin. The nearest airport is the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin. It is approximately 60 miles away from Spring Green.

Milwaukee International Airport (MKE) is Wisconsin’s largest airport and the second closest to Spring Green. Although a little further from Spring Green, you may find more flight options.

We use Expedia for booking most of our flights. You’ll have multiple travel options, depending on where you’re coming from and how much time and money you’re willing to spend.

We had spent many weekends in Milwaukee. The city offers so much and is worth checking out. Its German influence makes it a very interesting city to stop, have a beer, and explore. Milwaukee is also home to The Harley Davidson Museum, the birthplace of the Harley Davidson Motor Company.

You can rent a car from either airport to your destination.

Renting a car is the fastest and best option from either airport. The drive is approximately 60 miles from Dane County Airport and less than 120 miles from Milwaukee.

Central Wisconsin has so many interesting areas to explore, for more adventure visit Cave of the Mounds, The Wisconsin Dells, or the The Renaissance Fair in Bristol WI.

Things to know before you go

Be prepared to walk, wear comfortable shoes and we recommend you don’t carry a lot with you.

Plan to spend at least 1 – 1 1/2 hours for each section.

No outside food or beverages are allowed inside House on the Rock. Refreshments may only be consumed in the food areas which are located towards the end of section 2. Restaurants clost at 3:30 p.m.

Only service animals that are assisting individuals with a disability as defined by ADA are allowed.

A small portion of The House on the Rock is not accessible by wheelchairs or strollers. Other areas may have uneven surfaces or ramps that may be difficult to maneuver.

Hotels near House on the Rock

After your visit to House on the Rock, you may want to stay in the area. There are several hotels in the area to kick back and relax until you head out to your next stop. Our first choice would be to go toward the Wisconsin Dells and stay at one of the indoor water park hotels.

of possibility the Wisconsin Dells or Cave of the Mounds. It’s just a short distance from Spring Green, Wisconsin. We had such a great time in the Wisconsin Dells and put together a list of activities you must do in the Wisconsin Dells that are not water parks.

Best Western Dodgeville Inn & Suites

The Best Western Inn & Suites in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, offers a family-friendly atmosphere with an array of amenities designed for travelers.

Room at Best Western Dodgeville offers a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi.

GrandStay Hotel & Suites Mount Horeb – Madison

The GrandStay Hotel and Suites, Mount Horeb, is conveniently located on US-151. The GrandStay offers a variety of meticulously clean and beautifully appointed rooms. Their sparkling indoor pool and spa will help you unwind after a long day of work or play.

Mount Horeb is self proclaimed Troll Town USA, a charming little town 21 miles from House on the Rock. We stopped in Mount Horeb on our trip to Cave of the Mounds.

The Wrap-up ~ Is House on the Rock Worth Visiting?

If you are looking for that insane, over-the-top adventure of your imagination! Look no further than House on the Rock! We visited House on the Rock during the holidays, and even though portions were closed, we really think this is one place that needs to be on your Wisconsin Bucket List.

Visiting House on the Rock as a couple is a fun way to spend the day doing something unusual. New discoveries are around every corner; enjoying that discovery with your partner is half the fun.