Area 3 of the House on the Rock includes new views of the Carousel, Organ Room, Inspiration Point, Doll House Room, Circus Room, Galleries, Doll Carousel Building, and the Japanese Garden.
After touring Area 1 and Area 2, you have experienced a lot. Your mind cannot possibly process it all — and probably can’t store much more information. You’re likely exhausted and perhaps dehydrated like I was. But, like me, you bought the ticket for the Ultimate Experience, so you keep on moving…
The Doll Carousel is much like the main Carousel, but it features Dolls — just as magnificent, but in smaller, G-Rated ways:
A small cafeteria area with free water — needed after miles of walking — leads back outside to Inspiration Rock. A rock formation Alex Jordan would visit to contemplate his dreams.
Back inside there are more mind-numbingly immense and intricate robotic bands…
Massive and ornate sculptures made of red lanterns, trees, and copper drums…
And a giant electrical machine dedicated to Nikolai Tesla…
You also get a close-up, elevated view of the large Carousel at the end of Area 2, in all its incredible, anatomically correct, magnificence.
Exit the door near the naked woman wearing the goat mask (I’m not kidding), and Area 3 ends with the Japanese Garden and the Gift Shop. The House on the Rock tour begins with a garden and ends with a garden. A perfect circle of sorts…
What else can I say?
Go see it for yourself. I’ve heard it’s featured in the Neil Gaiman book American Gods. The fudge sold by the gift shop is delicious. The staff is kind and helpful.
Link: The House on the Rock website.
Location: 5754 Wisconsin 23, Spring Green, WI.
As a former resident of Madison, Wisconsin, I’m kinda surprised(?!) to learn about this place… Such an impressive exhibition in Spring Green! Isn’t that like in the middle of nowhere? We bought a horse farm three years ago and moved to Oklahama, but I’ll make sure to swing by this place next time I visit Madison!