Dodgeville Travel Guide

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OK, I thought we were going to see a house on a rock, and I was about 10% correct, but it is so much more. The house and collections were built conceived by Alex Jordan. And when I say collections, it's just about anything you can think of. We were there for over 5 hours and still didn't see everything/

Bad service.....bad meals...overpriced. The Courthouse Inn was a good place too eat until new management took over about 4-5 years ago. I was once a regular their...now I would not go their for a free meal even.

Edit: The Courthouse Inn has gone out of business.....thank goodness!

Favorite Dish: Favorite? The buffet was excellent a few years back. Now you can expect too order the buffet and walk out hungry an hour later.

If you do decide too make your rounds of the local drinking establishments...my advice is you have had too much too drink..is too call the "Road Crew". This non profit group will pick you up and transport you too your destination (within the local area) by way of limo. Cost too pick you up (and drop you off before you start your night out) is very very reasonable. I believe it is like $10 TOTAL.

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SpringHouse Candles and Scents is a wonderful aromatic destination. The cozy atmosphere and wonderful fragrance makes this a very relaxing shopping experience. The selection of candle fragrances is the best in Southwest Wisconsin. The customer service is rated #1. They treat every customer as a special friend. If you are not happy, they are not happy. The women that work there are so down to earth and friendly, it truly makes the shopping experience fun.

What to buy: There are over 60 fragrances of hand-poured candles, votives, wax tarts, and tealights to choose from. The candles are all poured right in the area, near Mineral Point WI. You can feel the care and attention that each and every hand made item receives. The candles are richly scented and burn beautifully. The owner also makes lip balms and hand balms out of emu oil. They are very healing and wonderful. She also makes scented lotions, body sprays, and bath salts. The bath and body line is very high quality and smells luxurious. The shop also has a wonderful extensive line of candle accessories. They carry wax tart melters, candle warmers, a huge selection of candle, votive and tealight accessories. It is a wonderful store, and well worth the trip.

What to pay: SpringHouse Candles pride themselves in their large city quality with small town prices. They keep their prices low so inventory will move quickly, and they can add new lines frequently. Their candles are very competitively priced, because you are buying direct from the manufacturer. Very good deals on all lines of accessories.

No risks as far as crime at least. You may encounter "smugness" from some of the locals though. For some reason...alot of Dodgeville residents have an arrogance about them. I have lived here for many many years....and it has only gotten worse as time has passed. Why? I haven't the foggiest idea....but as you shop in some of the downtown stores...I am certain you will notice it.

Rest assured that most Dodgeville residents are down too earth people though.

I can't really say that their are any tourist traps in the immediate area. The biggest reason that we get alot of tourism is because of Governor Dodge State Park, Land's End, and of course the House on the Rock.

The closest thing to a tourist trap, I guess, would be the House on the Rock. I think it will cost you about $17 per adult for admission, but too be honest, it is worth it in my opinion.

Unique Suggestions: bring more money! LOL!

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Just a couple of miles north of Dodgeville on State Route # 23 is the Governor Dodge State Park. With 5,270 scenic acres it is one of the state's largest parks. The landscape consists of a small but pretty waterfall, wooded hills, bluffs, and deep valleys plus two lakes. I spent a very enjoyable morning exploring here and would not have been bored if I could have stayed a week. Recreational opportunities at the park include:

Bicycling
Boating
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Hunting
Ice skating and sledding
Naturalist program
Picnicking
Skiing
Snowmobiling
Swimming

I also enjoyed seeing wildlife, including deer and wild turkey, as well as an abundance of wildflowers in both the forests and the open fields.

Address:
4175 Highway 23 N.
Dodgeville, Wisconsin 53533

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The 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail connects Dodgeville with the Wisconsin State Capital of Madison, following an old railroad grade. The trail passes through several small communities, through agricultural lands, woods, prairies, and wetlands. It also borders two state Parks: Governor Dodge and Blue Mound.

There is no fee for use of the trail and it is always open. It is very popular with hikers, bikers, skaters, cross-country skiiers and nature lovers.

Address:
Friends of Military Ridge State Trail
P.O. Box 373
Mount Horeb, WI 53572