5 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with Mount Horeb
Wisconsin is full of small towns, but there isn’t one quite like Mount Horeb. For those of you who aren’t aware, Mount Horeb is the Troll Capital of the World®. With 30 plus trolls in town, we don’t take that title lightly. (Read more about the trolls here and the troll story here). From our unique attractions to our charming downtown, Mount Horeb has something for everyone. Keep reading to find out 5 reasons you’ll fall in love with Mount Horeb.
1. It’s beautiful.
Mount Horeb is nestled in the Driftless Area in South-West Wisconsin. There are picturesque rolling wooded hills and valleys that turn any drive into a scenic drive, plus Mount Horeb is surrounded by state, county, and town parks that will delight any outdoors lovers.
2. Historic downtown district.
Mount Horeb’s Main Street, or as we like to call it The Trollway, is filled with gems. From art galleries to unique shops, to delicious eateries, you will be pleasantly surprised every which way you turn. Plus, you may encounter a few troll friends along your way. 😉
Mount Horeb’s downtown also is full of historic buildings that are sure to delight. Hoffs Department Store and Mount Horeb Opera House Block are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. Unique attractions.
The list of attractions in the Mount Horeb area is almost endless, it would be impossible to highlight them all, so here are just a few of our visitors’ favorites. For those history buffs out there, The Driftless Historium Museum is an award-winning Interpretive Center telling the story of Southwestern Dane County from pre-history to modern-day. Over 3,000 square feet of space is dedicated to sharing the lives of our rich cultural heritage. The story is told through carefully chosen artifacts, documents, and photographs from the Society’s extensive collection. Come and share the fun and learn about the unique Driftless Area of Wisconsin (Hours daily 10 am – 4:00 pm).
Campo di Bella is a small family-run winery and diversified organic farm located in south-central Wisconsin dedicated to providing local naturally produced food and Italian, seasonally inspired meals from our own heritage pork, lamb and certified organic vegetables. Sit down with your family for a wonderful locally grown meal and reawaken a more traditional and simple way of life. Their wine bar is open on Friday evenings year-round and Saturday afternoons throughout the Summer and Fall seasons. For dinner, they are open every weekend throughout the year with the exception of holidays and vacation. Farm-to-table dinners are posted 2-3 months in advance. Cenetta dinners occur on most Friday evenings and are posted 2-3 weeks in advance. Walk-in customers are always welcome on Friday evenings and do not need to participate in cenetta dinners. Reservations must be made in advance for all dinners. You can make reservations and learn more here.
Botham Vineyards was established in 1989 by Peter Botham. This family-owned vineyard grows and produces regionally distinctive wines of international acclaim–Vine-to-bottle. Visit their tasting room, sample wines and learn more about their uncommon approach to winemaking in Wisconsin. Schedule a tour or a tour and private tasting and get an up-close-and-personal, insiders view into the vineyard and winemaking processes. Your tour will be led by the guy who founded the business and is the winegrower and winemaker; no memorized scripts or video recordings–authentic through and through. Cost to sample: 3 wines for free, 6 wines for $5 or $10 for the entire portfolio. Or, sign up for a private tasting experience. Tasting room hours are as follows: In March–Sat & Sun only; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Apr 1 – Dec 24 Wed through Sun; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Dec 25 – Feb 28: CLOSED. Learn more here.
Just a few minutes down the road from Mount Horeb is Cave of the Mounds. Tours pass a stunning array of colorful crystal formations on paved lighted walkways. Cave of the Mounds is the premier cave in the upper Midwest and the jewel box of America’s major show caves. To dig into the history of the cave (pun intended), click here. One-hour guided tours of this geologic wonder depart every day of the year (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve and Day). Visitors enjoy the Cave’s constant 50-degree temperature that makes the cave feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Walking tours follow paved and lighted walkways on a stroll that’s easy for all ages. Spectacular crystallized rock formations and shimmering pools provide an awe-inspiring, entertaining and educational experience for the whole family. A guided tour of the Cave takes you past a varied collection of colorful stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other formations. Whether you’re a curious tourist or a budding cave enthusiast, Cave of the Mounds has something for everyone to discover.
4. TROLLS.
Scattered throughout Mount Horeb are unique trolls, each with their own story. We have a troll map available to help guide you on a troll hunt, or Troll Stroll. You can find trolls striking up a tune, watering flowers, brushing teeth, or enjoying a cone of custard. Most trolls have a name and a story. We are working on compiling all their stories, but some trolls just don’t like to talk about themselves.
One thing is agreed upon across our business owners, residents, and visitors-they all love Mount Horeb, and we know you will too.
5. Small Town Feel
Being born and raised in Mount Horeb, this was something I didn’t notice until I lived elsewhere. The small-town feel that is present in Mount Horeb makes any trip that much better. We often hear from visitors (especially those from Illinois), that they were surprised a driver stopped their vehicle so they could cross the street. Usually, the driver’s stop is accompanied by a wave as well. Little things like this seemingly insignificant moment are what really make you fall in love with Mount Horeb. The person ahead of you holds the door for you, and when people ask how you are, they listen. One thing is agreed upon across our business owners, residents, and visitors–they all love Mount Horeb, and we know you will too.
Why do you love Mount Horeb? Let us know in the comments below.
For more information about Mount Horeb including itineraries, lodging, eateries, and more, visit trollway.com.
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