A One-Day Escape Into Hills, Art, and Small-Town Wisconsin
If you want to get out of Madison without committing to a full weekend, Spring Green is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips. In about an hour, the flat city grid turns into winding roads, river valleys, and one of the most interesting small towns in southwest Wisconsin.
This trip works year-round, but it’s especially good in fall and early summer.
Drive From Madison to Spring Green
Drive Time
About 60 minutes west of Madison
Simple Route
- Take US-14 West out of Madison.
- Continue toward Spring Green through Mount Horeb and the start of the Driftless hills.
As you get closer, the terrain shifts to:
- rolling ridges
- winding roads
- open valley views
You’ll feel the change pretty quickly.
First Stop: Spring Green Downtown
Website
https://springgreen.com
Spring Green’s main street is small but dense with interesting stops. Park once and walk.
What you’ll find:
- cafés
- local shops
- galleries
- historic buildings
This is the kind of downtown where you can cover everything in an hour without rushing.
Coffee, Food, and Slow Stops
Spring Green General Store & Café
Good place to start the day with:
- coffee
- breakfast
- simple lunch
- porch seating
Feels more like a community hub than a restaurant.
Vicki-Style Local Breakfast Energy
Even if you already ate, small-town cafés are part of the experience. Sit, drink coffee, and slow down for a minute.
Hedge Meadow Herbs (Clare Kritter)
Herbal tea shop and botanical café with:
- house-made teas
- plant-based products
- quiet tearoom atmosphere
Very Driftless, very unhurried.
Book, Browse, and Wander
Arcadia Books
Independent bookstore where you can actually browse without noise or crowds. A good reset stop between bigger attractions.
Bargain Nook (Nonprofit Thrift Shop)
Small resale shop that’s often not picked over. Quick stop that sometimes turns into a treasure hunt.
Major Landmark Stops
Taliesin
https://www.taliesinpreservation.org
Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio. Even if you don’t take a full tour, the surrounding countryside alone is worth the drive.
Best for:
- architecture
- landscape views
- slow walking
Spring Green Preserve (“Wisconsin Desert”)
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/spring-green-preserve
Rare sand prairie that looks completely different from the surrounding hills. Short walks, big sky, and unusual terrain.
Tower Hill State Park
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/towerhill
One of the best overlooks of the Wisconsin River valley with:
- hiking trails
- historic tower
- wide scenic views
Optional Add-On: Short Scenic Drive
From Spring Green you can:
- follow US-60 toward the Wisconsin River
- take County Road C for ridge views
- explore backroads toward Muscoda
This is where the Driftless landscape really shows off.
How to Structure the Day
Simple, No-Stress Version
- Leave Madison mid-morning
- Coffee or breakfast at Spring Green General Store
- Walk downtown shops
- Browse Arcadia Books or Hedge Meadow Herbs
- Visit Taliesin or Tower Hill
- Take a short scenic drive before heading home
You’re back in Madison by evening without feeling rushed.
When to Go
- Fall: Best color and scenic driving
- Spring: Wildflowers and fewer crowds
- Summer: River access and open shops
- Winter: Quiet but limited hours
Why Spring Green Works So Well as a Day Trip
It packs a lot into a small area:
- architecture
- art culture
- unusual landscapes
- independent shops
- river views
All close enough together that you spend more time exploring and less time driving.