Top Places to Visit Near Cave of the Mounds

Written by Stalac-Tate

Cave of the Mounds is located in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. We are 20 minutes away from Madison and about an hour from Wisconsin Dells. This makes us a great getaway during weekend trips, day trips, or cross-country trips. There is a lot to do in Southwest Wisconsin within the Driftless Area.

Here are a few places to visit while here in the area of Cave of the Mounds.

Check out each of their websites for more information!

House on the Rock

The House on the Rock There’s no place quite like the fabulous House on the Rock. Be ready to fire up your imagination. It is a mesmerizing introduction to one person’s imagination and dreams that have become reality. Located in the heart of Southwest Wisconsin, this premier attraction plays host to a half million guests a year.

(30 minutes / 27 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Spring Green)

Mount Horeb

Mount Horeb – Mount Horeb Trollway is known for the many life-size trolls carved into tree trunks along its main street, now dubbed “The Trollway”. There are so many local shops to explore! Discover the region’s rich and diverse history with a visit to the Driftless Historium.

(8 minutes / 4 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Tyrol Basin

Tyrol Basin A skier and snowboarder’s paradise just 4 miles north of Mt. Horeb, Tyrol Basin is situated in a scenic valley. All ages can enjoy the 16 tree-lined trails that extend over 40 acres on the 300-foot vertical hill. Of special interest to snowboarders is Tyrol’s half-pipe, considered the best in the Midwest. Now with tubing, disc golf, haunted house, fall chair lift rides, and more to explore as this place gets better each year!

(10 minutes / 3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Mount Horeb)

American Players Theatre

American Players Theatre (APT) is a professional theater located just outside Spring Green, Wisconsin. Situated on 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows, APT has two theaters, the newly renovated 1075-seat outdoor amphitheater and the 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. From June through November, APT produces nine plays in a rotating repertory.

(37 minutes / 24 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Spring Green)

Taliesin

Taliesin has been described as Frank Lloyd Wright’s autobiography in wood and stone. In a rural Wisconsin landscape stands the place where America’s premier architect lived and worked for the majority of his illustrious career Frank Lloyd Wright built Taliesin as a home for himself, his family, his architectural practice, and later the Taliesin Fellowship.

(36 minutes / 33 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Spring Green)

Mineral Point

Mineral Point is a historic town with architecture similar to a Cornish Village. In this town, they have galleries, art studios, unique food, antique stores, and more! Spend the day looking at vintage items, original art, and eat a pasty at the Red Rooster Cafe. There are places to explore like the Wisconsin Historic site of Pendarvis.

(28 minutes / 25.5 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Spring Green

Spring Green is a unique small town. Located in the Wisconsin River Valley, this town is filled with creative energy. It is also the village that was home to Frank Lloyd Wright, father of modern architecture. His house, Taliesin, is a place that can be visited. If you have a dog, visit Spring Green Dog Park.

(31 minutes / 24.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

More places to visit less than an hour away.

Dodgeville

Dodgeville is the largest community in Iowa County. The city has great local shops and restaurants. Located off of Highway US-151/US-18 towards Southwest Wisconsin, it makes a great pit stop before Dubuque. Iowa.

(22 minutes / 18.8 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Bethel Horizons

Bethel Horizons is located in the truly unique “driftless area”, full of superb cliffs and valleys. This nature center is located on a 548-acre facility that allows guests to explore winding trails, waterways, and ropes courses. There are ponds, wooded hillsides, and an interpretive center full of Wisconsin creatures.

(26 minutes / 19.4 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Dodgeville)

Cedar Grove Cheese

Cedar Grove Cheese is a place to see where cheese is made the old-fashioned way. Watch the production of cheese unfold before your eyes. Tours are available at the factory – please call ahead for days and times. All the cheese they make is available for purchase in the store! Including some fresh cheese curds.

(41 minutes / 32.4 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Madison

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. It has many museums in its downtown square and is the only capital that is open to the public every day of the year. The city is walkable, bikeable, and stay up all night-able. Ebenezer Brigham, a man who once owned the property where Cave of the Mounds resides, helped make sure Madison became the capital of Wisconsin.

(35 minutes / 26.6 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Aldo Leopold Nature Center is located on a 100-acre green corridor between Madison and Monona. It has year-round hiking trails and a replica of Leopold’s famous “Shack”. This nature center is great for exploring prairies, woodlands, and wetlands.

(32 minutes / 30.3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Monona)

Aldo Leopold Foundation

Aldo Leopold Foundation is off the beaten path and offers a chance to learn about conversationalist Aldo Leopold and his family where he was inspired to write his famous book “A Sand County Almanac”. Tours are offered of the historic Leopold Shack and Farm, go birding, or hike the trails through the prairie.

(65 minutes / 52.2 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Baraboo)

Henry Vilas Zoo

Henry Vilas Zoo is open year-round. Admission is always free and includes a Tropical Aviary and award-winning Arctic Passage. Enjoy spending the day exploring nature and connecting with animals.

(32 minutes / 26.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

Madison Children’s Museum

Madison Children’s Museum is filled with family activities and hands-on learning. Exhibits include Wildernest, a natural play environment for early learners; Possibleopolis, an inventive space for older children; a permanent Art Studio; an 1830s Log Cabin; AND MORE!

(35 minutes / 30.2 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museum

Tour an authentic 1845 mine. Ride a 1931 mine train. Learn about the history of the Upper Mississippi Valley Mining District at The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museum.

(43 minutes / 44.5 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

More places to visit about an hour away.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is the Waterpark Capital of the World! However, there is more than just the waterparks. Wisconsin Dells also has different types of scenic tours whether by boat or by horse. An absolute must is to take a Duck tour that has been Wisconsin Dells favorite ride since 1946. There are also breweries, wineries, spas, museums, laser tag, haunted houses, Circus Wold, International Crane Foundation, and more!

(64 minutes / 52.7 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Timbavati Wildlife Park

Timbavati Wildlife Park is located in the Wisconsin Dells. Timbavati showcases over 75 species and hundreds of exotic animals! With rare wildlife like tigers, giraffes, primates, and so much more! Take the Safari Train around the park to see multiple species in their pastures.

(62 minutes / 49.8 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Circus World

Circus World is a Wisconsin Historical Site in Baraboo, Wisconsin, home to the Ringling Brothers. This museum is a delight to families with live circus performances, magic shows, movies, and historical exhibits.

(56 minutes / 42 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Know Your Trails for Hiking or Biking

More places to visit if you are 21 or older.

Wollersheim Winery

Wollersheim Winery, Distillery, and Bistro are located on a beautiful hillside. Winery Tours & Tastings, cocktails at the Distillery, shopping, and more!

(36 minutes / 27 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Botham Vineyards

Botham Vineyards is located minutes away from Cave of the Mounds in a beautiful location. There are wine tastings, an expansive terrace for picnics, shopping, and more!

(9 minutes / 6.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Rock N Wool Winery

Rock N Wool Winery is a Wisconsin Winery located on 40 acres of vines and pines. They use only grapes that grow in Wisconsin for their wines and an excellent Wisconsin farm-to-table experience.

(65 minutes / 46 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

Spurgeon Winery

Spurgeon Winery and Vineyards is located in Driftless Wisconsin on the hillside. Enjoy some wine and cheese on their covered deck.

(49 minutes / 41 miles from Cave of the Mounds)

More places visit that are nature based.

International Crane Foundations

International Crane Foundation has been open since 1973 and worked worldwide to conserve the crane’s way of life. Here families can learn about the wonder of cranes. threats to their survival, and the efforts to protect them in a tour. Explore nature trails through prairie, wetland, and oak savanna ecosystems.

(56 minutes / 45.6 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Baraboo)

Cave of the Mounds is a proud member. Nature Net connects children, families, and educators to nature through hands-on, outdoor learning and exploration. Here are some places to visit!

Cherokee Marsh

A diverse nature study areas with 1,300 -acres of wetlands, woodlots, fields, prairie, and oak savanna. A popular highlight is a boardwalk leading through marshes, sedge meadows, and peat deposits

(49 minutes / 37.2 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

Lussier Family Heritage Center

Provides access to the Capital City State Trail, the Lower Yahara River Trail, the Nine Springs E-Way, and multiple hiking/ski trails.

(32 minutes / 29.4 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

MacKenzie Center

Self-guided interpretive hiking trails, restored prairies, and a pond ecosystem. There is also an observation to get a birds-eye view of the surrounding countryside. Museum exhibits the history of conservation and logging in Wisconsin

(57 minutes / 59.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Poynette)

MMSD Jackson School Forest

Includes Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area similar to pre-settlement days and Jerome Jones Pine Plantation, planted by Madison School District students and staff.

(20 minutes / 16.3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Verona)

Cherokee Marsh

A diverse nature study areas with 1,300 -acres of wetlands, woodlots, fields, prairie, and oak savanna. A popular highlight is a boardwalk leading through marshes, sedge meadows, and peat deposits

(49 minutes / 37.2 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

Lussier Family Heritage Center

Provides access to the Capital City State Trail, the Lower Yahara River Trail, the Nine Springs E-Way, and multiple hiking/ski trails.

(32 minutes / 29.4 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

MacKenzie Center

(57 minutes / 59.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Poynette)

MMSD Jackson School Forest

Includes Olson Oak Woods State Natural Area similar to pre-settlement days and Jerome Jones Pine Plantation, planted by Madison School District students and staff.

(20 minutes / 16.3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Verona)

MMSD Planetarium

The Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium is an immersive experience exploring the universe.

(29 minutes / 18.3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

The 16 acres of outdoor display gardens filled with Midwest-hardy flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials. The glass pyramid of the Bolz Conservatory is filled with exotic and endangered tropical plants, along with birds and colorful fish!

(38 minutes / 33.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)