Major city · United States
Spring Green
Give Spring Green 2 nights with a car: one full day for Taliesin and the House on the Rock, one for the river and American Players Theatre.
Spring Green is a village of about 1,600 people on the Wisconsin River, 45–50 minutes west of Madison by car. Two buildings pull people here: Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, a World Heritage site, and the House on the Rock, a vast private collection that takes three to four hours. Add the American Players Theatre in summer and canoeing on the river, and the village works as a two-night base rather than a drive-by. Without a car you cannot reach either headline sight.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct (Taliesin tours and the theatre run May–Oct)
- avoid Nov–Apr (Taliesin house tours stop; House on the Rock runs weekends only)
- Airports
- MSN · ORD
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Spring Green911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Spring Green, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a US small town: the real risks are deer on the roads at dusk, winter ice…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSN Dane County Regional, Madison (About 45–50 min by car via US-12/14 and US-14 West; the nearest commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or drip refill$2–5
- Sit-down mealSupper-club steak dinner$15–40
- Street or quick mealBreakfast sandwich or diner plate$8–16
- BeerDraught beer at a bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedCampsite (tent), a night, per roomUS$20
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSN Dane County Regional, Madison (About 45–50 min by car via US-12/14 and US-14 West; the nearest commercial airport.) · ORD Chicago O'Hare (About 3 h by car; use it only if the fare gap is large.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Spring Green: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
8 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is required. The village centre is the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 23; Taliesin, the House on the Rock, Tower Hill State Park and the theatre are each a 5–15 min drive out of town. There is no useful local bus. Fill up in Spring Green or Dodgeville before heading out on the back roads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dodgeville
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-23 north by car
Closest fuel, groceries and chain motels; pairs with the House on the Rock.
Richland Center
goDoor to door: About 35 min
US-14 west by car
Small downtown and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed A.D. German Warehouse.
Prairie du Chien
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-14 west along the Wisconsin River by car
Mississippi River town; too far for a comfortable return day.
Soldiers Grove
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-14 west and WI-131 north by car
Driftless-area village; worth it only if you are already heading west.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Spring Green (Jefferson St)
Walk to breakfast, the general store and the two or three bars; motels and B&Bs sit along the edges.
Highway 14 strip
Most lodgings are here, 2–5 min by car from downtown; you need a car for everything.
Highway 23 toward Dodgeville
Closest to the House on the Rock and the golf courses; 10–15 min drive from the village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $140–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$140 | US$280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| Taliesin Hillside tour, one person2 × US$16 · check | US$32 |
| Taliesin house tour, one person2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| House on the Rock, all three sections, one person2 × US$29 · check | US$57 |
| American Players Theatre ticket, one person2 × US$42 · check | US$84 |
| Fuel, 2 days of local driving1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$120 |
| Trip total≈ US$331 per person per day, bed included | US$1,323 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or drip refill | $2–5 |
| Breakfast sandwich or diner plate | $8–16 |
| Supper-club steak dinner | $15–40 |
| Three-course dinner for twocheck | about $100 |
| Draught beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| Canoe or kayak rental, half daycheck | $35–60 |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No car, no trip: the two headline sights are outside the village and have no transit service.
- Taliesin house tours run May–Oct only; the cheap Hillside tour is not the Wright house.
- The House on the Rock is not recommended if claustrophobia or anxiety affects you; parts are dark, tight and loud.
- Cell signal is patchy on the river and county roads; download offline maps.
- Summer weekends sell out at the theatre and the inns: book both ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Spring GreenSpring Green
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates sit in Chicago. US visitors: 911 and the county sheriff cover everything.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Madison airport (MSN) → Spring Green, car: about 45–50 min via US-12/14 and US-14 West
- Spring Green → House on the Rock, car: about 10–15 min on WI-23 south
- Spring Green → Taliesin visitor centre, car: about 5–10 min on County Road C
Say or show
- Where does the trail start? — Where is the trailhead?
- Table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
- Are there tours today? — Is there a tour today?
- Where's the closest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Spring Green. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (Taliesin tours and the theatre run May–Oct) · avoid Nov–Apr (Taliesin house tours stop; House on the Rock runs weekends only) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MSN: last-drive times, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Jefferson St, the Highway 14 lodging strip, the Highway 23 sights corridor.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Taliesin, House on the Rock, American Players Theatre, Tower Hill State Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures so gates A–D can go green: Taliesin May–Oct, theatre summer season, House on the Rock off-season weekends.