The House On The Rock was not in our game plan when we headed to Wisconsin to watch a weekend filled with baseball games, but when we realized our drive would take us right past the entrance we simply had to make time to make a brief, but memorable detour.
The back roads of Wisconsin are absolutely stunning. It was a gorgeous Spring day, and there were sights to see around every bend on the nearly deserted road.
I hadn’t even looked at our itinerary for the weekend, other than spending precious family time together and watching baseball games galore. Itineraries and routes are now Peepaw’s department since I spent years making travel arrangements for a living as the owner of a cruise travel agency.
So now I’m happy to just sit back and let someone else (aka Peepaw) make our hotel reservations and nail down our travel routes. But shortly after we began cruising those back roads in Wisconsin I realized the highway we were on would pass right by The House On The Rock…so stopping became a must for me…sort of an instant Bucket List addition and check mark…all in the same afternoon. (Let’s call it instant gratification!)
We both agreed we wouldn’t have enough time (or daylight) to tour the actual house and grounds (I’m told people spend entire days there and STILL don’t see it all.) But I knew I wanted to see whatever I could see in a very short time.
And before we could say Cheese Heads…there it was. The sign on the side of the highway..
I must say…it’s a grand entrance.
The winding, scenic driveway is lined with all kinds of whimsical, bronze art pieces. That quirky art sets the tone for the rather bizarre collection said to be on display in The House On The Rock. (I’m told the collection is even considered “creepy” by many visitors!)
The large, stone Welcome Center is filled with information about the house itself, as well as the inn, and the 27 hole golf course also located nearby.
The woman behind the information desk was quite friendly, and she was happy to answer all of my questions. I only wish we’d had more time to explore it all, but I did notice this poster showing the actual house, and I was surprised to learn The House On The Rock celebrated it’s 50th anniversary in 2010.
We did take time to walk out onto the deck in the rear of the Welcome Center…and the view from that deck made our detour worth it, for sure.
The grounds are absolutely spectacular! And the peace and quiet were almost palpable. The only sound was the tinkle of the waterfall and the gurgling stream down below.
After standing in silence and absorbing the breathtaking view for several minutes, it was time to tear ourselves away and head back to the highway. I only wish we’d had more time to explore…especially down this delightful path.
I’m always a sucker for a road less traveled.
Thanks for the “House” photos etc. never been there!
Thanks Linda. It was a whirlwind stop…but a beautiful one, nonetheless!
I have been there and it is very fascinating. The indoor carousel is not to be missed. So many spectacular collections to see. The antique hearse carriage collection is a little creepy, but worth seeing. If you do get a chance to go back and go inside, it is well worth the time spent and you will never forget it.
Thanks for your first-hand information Patricia! It was hard to leave after “just a taste”…and if our road trips take us back to “that neck of the woods” as Dad used to say…We’ll be sure to see it all! Thanks again…
I’ve never heard of this but will definitely research it right after I finish going through my emails. I love learning new things. I have lists of more than I will ever get through, but I keep trying. Thanks Patty.