Area Attractions
Combine your visit to Cave of the Mounds with a visit to one of the many Wisconsin attractions in the beautiful Southwest region of the state – Where History and Nature Meet! For more complete information we recommend you visit the Southwest Wisconsin Visitor’s Bureau at www.southwestwi.com.
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)
Havens Petting Farm
Havens Petting Farm This local petting farm has a variety of animals for you to enjoy including calves, sheep/lambs, alpaca, pygmy goats, fainting goats, rabbits/bunnies, kittens, ducks/chicks, ponies, miniature donkeys, mini pot-belly pigs, and turkeys. Located about a mile from Cave of the Mounds, hands-on fun for the whole family! Only open every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday in April & May from 11:00am to 5:00pm (Open Easter Sunday)
(4 minutes / 2.1 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Mount Horeb)
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)
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)
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)
American Players Theatre
American Players Theatre (APT) is a professional outdoor repertory theater devoted to the great and future classics. It was founded in 1979 and continues to be one of the most popular outdoor classical theaters in the nation. APT is located in Spring Green on 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows above the Wisconsin River. The 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre opened in 2009.
(37 minutes / 24 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Spring Green)
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 capitol of Wisconsin. It has many museums on their downtown square and the only capitol 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 capitol 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)
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)
Wollersheim Winery
Wollersheim Winery, Distillery, and Bistro is located on a beautiful hillside. Winery Tours & Tastings, cocktails at the Distillery, shopping,and more!
(36 minutes / 27 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)
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)
International Crane Foundation
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.
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)
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)
UW-Madison Arboretum
The 1,200-acre Arboretum is an outdoor research center of the UW-Madison and a place to hike through woodlands, savannas, wetlands, and prairies.
(25 minutes / 23.7 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)
UW Geology Museum
Learn about Wisconsin’s geologic history with displays of rocks, minerals, and a 6-foot globe.
(32 minutes / 26.3 miles from Cave of the Mounds in Madison)