Spring Green is a small town, about 18 miles north of Dodgeville, that is known for its theater, food and Taliesin, famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio not far from his birthplace.
When in town make sure to see:
American Players Theatre: For 35 years, this is a highly regarded regional theater at 5950 Golf Course Rd, not far from the Taliesin Visitors Center. They have a large outdoor venue for summer performances seating around 1,100 as well as a smaller indoor venue for 200. They also have several picnic areas and recommend the experience. Picnic dinners are available for purchase in advance. They feature a diverse schedule of plays. A recent season included those by Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Shaw, Chekhov, David Mamet and Tom Stoppard. Many of the ensemble have been in multiple productions over many seasons, and are mainly from Spring Green, Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago.
On Albany Street there is the Spring Green General Store, known for its long blue porch, which carries grocery items, gifts and clothing and has a fun cafe that is attached to the store. Across the street at 120 S. Albany, and next to the No Rules Gallery for local and regional art and crafts, is the Bird of Paradise Tea which has a large selection of teas plus homemade cookies and pies. I enjoyed a well-needed tea break while exploring downtown.
Arcadia Books: This is a local, independent bookstore at 102 E. Jefferson. The Kitchen at Arcadia Books offers tea, coffee, wines by the glass, bottled beers, baked good, sandwiches and soups, salads plus picnic items and items to go.
Nearby is Convivio, at 122 N. Lexington St., which is a very attractive store featuring paper products, gifts, tabletop items, jewelry, gourmet food items and wines.