Springing up out of the rocks from the imagination of Architect Alex Jordan Jr. and situated in the rolling hills of the Wisconsin River Valley, the House on the Rock is an amazing destination, attraction, resort and is one of Wisconsin’s most recognized sites.
Built in the 1940’s, the attraction features amazing one of a kind exhibits. After entering the newly added welcome center, the incredible spectacle that is the house unfolds before you. Actually lived in for a short time by it’s creator, Jordan never intended for it to become an attraction. However, with hundreds of visitors flocking to the house built on a chimney rock, he decided to share his creation and his collections. With carpeted walls and ceilings, rooms of the house are filled with collections that are beautiful and rare. Every wall space is seemingly covered with some work of art or contraption.
One of the most awe inspiring sights is the Infinity Room. A windowed walk way that appears to go on forever actually travels straight out unsupported 300 hundred feet over the valley. You can walk out about 200 hundred feet where you can then peer through the windowed floor to the trees and rocks below.
Through the darkness, over 20,000 lights and over 180 hanging chandeliers of the World’s largest indoor carousel shine brightly. Showing off meticulously detailed creatures, not one of which has a horses head. Flying angels fill the ceiling. Fantastic groups of musical instruments lay in wait until a token brings them to life, all playing beautifully composed music out of thin air. A giant whale battling with an octopus presides over the hundreds of model ships in the Heritage of the Sea exhibit. On to the streets of yesterday where you can peer through shop windows and see what life was like in an American town from the early twentieth century. An aviation exhibit houses hundreds of model airplanes and the transportation exhibit shows off all types of vehicles.
You can go back to the House on the Rock over and over and see something new each time. A new collection may catch your eye or you go around a corner and find a new room that you don’t remember seeing before. Circus collections, Doll Rooms, Container Gardens with plants you cannot find anywhere else, an oriental room with carved ivories and porcelain items, the armor and weapons exhibit with its antique guns and protective wear. During Christmas the house takes on a new feel as it is filled with Poinsettias and a collection of Santa Clauses like nothing you have seen before. It is really impossible to see everything in just one day.
Fun gift shops with souvenirs and candy along with a restaurant are on site. Gardens and walkways are lined with unique shrubbery and gargoyles. Enjoy a picnic on the well landscaped grounds. The House on the Rock is an all-day experience.
The attraction has been worked on and added to over several decades and continues to grow each day. A resort and golf course were welcome additions in the early 1970’s. Designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright protege, Charles Montooth – a senior fellowship member of the Taliesin School, filled the 80 room resort with Wright influences. The resort features a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, meeting and wedding facilities and 27 holes of championship golf. The resort grounds feature over 18 miles of hiking trails and a lighted tennis court.
All together this is a destination trip like no other. The House on the Rock is located 60 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells in Spring Green Wisconsin. For more details on the attraction and resort visit their website.
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