8 Fun Things to do in Mount Horeb – The Secret Gem of Wisconsin

 Let me tell you about all the fun things to do in Mount Horeb, WI!

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin is a quaint and historic town in southern Wisconsin, just 20 miles west of Madison and 120 miles west of Milwaukee.

Mt. Horeb is mostly known for its quirky trolls that line the streets and have put Mt. Horeb on the map!

You drive into town and are immediately struck by these funny creatures that seem to appear on every front lawn and corner.

This is why Mount Horeb is called The Trollway – AKA – the troll capital of the world.

The Main Street of Mount Horeb is literally lined with art carved trolls of every size.

Over 20 Trolls stand and sit along the street greeting people and welcoming them into stores and to the town.

The Best Things to do in Mt. Horeb

Troll strolling is not the only thing to do in Mt. Horeb. There are plenty more activities, both fun and historic, to keep you busy.

#1 Go Troll Hunting!

You can’t avoid the Trolls, so make them your friends! Its really fun to get a Troll map from any of the local shops and see if you can locate all the trolls. The map willl take you up and down the main street and in and out of stores. Its a great way to see the town and enjoy their mascots. And obviously, take lots of pics!

#2 Search Inside a Cave

Cave of the Mounds 
2975 Cave of the Mounds Road

The Cave of the Mounds, a National Natural Landmark, is a natural limestone cave  with many gemstones and fossils. It is on land that was originally a dairy fram and later also a source for limestone. The Brigham family lived and worked on the farm for 112 years when, in 1939, a routine blast inthe quarry revealed the remarkable cave. Since that time, geologist and visitors flock to the cave to witness the millions of years old cave. They offer tours and are open daily rain or shine.

#3 See the House on the Rock

The House on the Rock
5754 State Road 23 Spring Green, WI

The House on the Rock, just 35 minutes from Mt. Horeb, was the vision of Alex Jordan and continues to be a work in progress for over 60 years. It’s a man-made house built on top of a rock. It displays tons of strange and exotic collections of unusual things, and has incredible views. Take a self-guided tour and explore the most unique things such as the world’s largest carousel, a giant doll house, and a 200′ sea creature.  At Christmas time, expect to see 6000 Santas on display! Take a nighttime tour in October and be prepared to be totally spooked by all the dolls.  The house is closed Jan – March but is open the rest of the year daily. 

#4 Visit Taliesin

Taliesin
5607 County Road C Spring Green, WI

Taliesin, just 35 minutes from Mt. Horeb, is the former home of America’s premier architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Taliesin is a National Historic Landmark and World Heritage Site. This house is referred to as Wright’s autobiography in wood and stone.  Here, Wright wworked and lived with his family for most of his career. Set in a beautiful Wisconsin landscape, Taliesin is also home of the Taliesin Fellowship. The home is 37,000 square feet on 800 acres. Enjoy tours, events, and workshops.

#5 Learn about the Pendarvis Site

Pendarvis
114 Shake Rag Street Minerall Point, WI.

Pendarvis , just 30 minutes from Mt. Horeb, was the home of Cornish immigrants who came to work the lead mines. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a group of several 19th century stone and timber cabins.  The open season runs from the end of May – October. Visit the Shake Rag houses built in the 1840’s, and explore the trails around the mine, known as Christmas Mine where zinc was discovered at Christmastime, The  beautifully preserved area originally saved by Edgar Hullum and Bob Neal in the 1930’s.

#6 Go for Tastings at the Wineries

Wineries – are plentiful in the Mt. Horab area with tastig rooms, and plenty of cheese, of course!

Botham Vineyards – 8180 Langberry Rd., Barneveld, WI – 11 mins from Mt. Horeb.

Spurgeon Winery – 16008 Pine Tree Rd., Highland, WI – 42 mins from Mt. Horeb.

Wollersheim Winery – 7876 State Rd. 188 Prairie du Sac, WI – 31 mins from Mt. Horeb.

#7 Visit Circus World

Circus World
550 Water St. Baraboo, WI

Circus World, just a 50 minute drive from Mt. Horeb, is the original home to the Ringling Bros Circus from 1884-1918. It has been a historic site and treasured museum since 1959. A self guided tour takes you through the seven buildings where all the magic happened!

#8 See the Classics

American Players Theater
5950 Golf Course Road Spring Green, WI

The American Players Theater (APT), just 35 minutes from Mt. Horeb, is a renowned seasonal theater tucked into 110 acres of woods and meadows. There is an outdoor amphitheater and an indoor theatre. Enjoy the classics from June – November.

The History of Mt. Horeb and its Trolls

Mount Horeb grew after the rail line was completed in 1881.

The town has always been centered around the dairy and livestock farming community settled by Norweigian and German immigrants.

The trolls originated in the 1970’s when the owners of the Open House Imports Scandanavian gift store placed trolls on their lawn to encourage visitors to shop.

When a new highway was built to bypass the main thoroughfare of the town, Mt. Horeb residents rallied to create more and more trolls to encourage traffic to keep coming through the town.

It has since become the one and only troll capital of the world!

Restaurants and shops have embraced the troll theme with a map of the trolls and a live video cam streaming the trolls.

There are troll footprints, happy trolls, lucky trolls, old trolls, and young trolls.

Some are carved from special trees and they each have a unique story.

Where to eat in  Mt. Horeb

Breakfast at Sunn Cafe – a sweet spot with lots of great veggie and gluten free options.

Lunch at The Grumpy Troll – a great brew pub with delicious food.

Dinner at Aztlan Mexican Grill –  surprisingly great Mexican fare. Have the guacamole!

Now you know about all the things to do in Mt. Horeb, WI!

In a nutshell…

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin is a truly charming and unique destination, rich in history and culture with more to do than meets the eye! Known as the “Troll Capital of the World,” its streets are adorned with whimsical troll statues – everywhere.  The trolls provide a quirky and delightful experience that everyone can enjoy.

Beyond troll hunting, you can explore natural wonders like the Cave of the Mounds, explore the highly unusual House on the Rock, and learn more about the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin.

Mt. Horeb has a variety of dining options and a super friendly atmosphere. It’s Wisconsin’s favorite hidden gem!

Send me your troll pics!

And if you enjoyed learning about Mount Horeb, check out more USA travel destinations for your next adventure.

xx,
Carrie