Location: Dodgeville
Top Things to do in Dodgeville
Top 10 Things to do in Dodgeville, United States
Dodgeville is a city in and the county seat of Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,693 at the 2010 census, making it the county's most populous city. Dodgeville is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its sister city is Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom.
Restaurants in Dodgeville
1. Pendarvis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Tucked away in historic Mineral Point, Pendarvis celebrates the restoration and preservation efforts of Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, who saved a significant part of Wisconsin’s past.
Reviewed By jessica1017 - Madison, Wisconsin
Located in Mineral Point, Wisconsin Pendarvis provided a great tour and explanation of the settling of SW Wisconsin in the early 1800s. Our tour guide Kathy was knowledgeable and friendly and the one hour tour gave us a sense of the building construction, mining trade and development of what was at one time the capital of the Wisconsin territory. We were surprised that the town of Mineral Point's main street was all but closed down on a Saturday. There appeared to be many shops that we would have browsed and purchased products in if open. Great day trip from the Madison, WI area.
2. Governor Dodge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By Steve H - Madison, Wisconsin
We visited Governor Dodge yesterday to go hiking. The park had a pretty good trail system and we thought it would provide us with some longer hiking options by connecting some of the trails. We are avid hikers, so we enjoy length and elevation changes. We were disappointed. The length is there (we probably went almost 9 miles), and there is some elevation gain/loss (for Wisconsin), but most of the trails were cut through the woods, so there are very few, if any, vistas. I guess we expected to be hiking on some ridge lines with a view of the rolling hills. Those views are not there. Probably the most scenic trail that we found was the Lost Canyon Trail. Again, no vistas, but there was less ground clutter so you could easily see into the woods. The trail also leads you by a small stream with several large rock formations.
3. Folklore Village
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By BertieTravels - Chicago, Illinois
Our daughter had her summer wedding reception at Folklore Village, a beautiful setting overlooking farmland valleys. After looking at many venues, this was by far the best option for her reception. For anyone thinking of using this lovely facility, I have listed the pros and cons we encountered.
Pros:
- large flat area of land on the property for setting up a big tent (approx. 120 guests max are allowed)
- charming building with maple floors, lots of windows, porch and A/C; can be used as the "appetizer area" (or if it rains, for the entire reception)
- rental cost for building and grounds is very reasonable and includes tables, chairs, plates, utensils, etc. (approx. $1000)
- gorgeous sunsets for an evening wedding
- full commercial kitchen available for use all day
- can provide your own alcohol (big savings over having the reception in a restaurant)
- small historical chapel can be rented
- separate buildings for sleeping (think scout camp) can be rented
- wedding coordinator provides recommendations for excellent help. go with her suggestions. she organized a serving/clean-up crew for us the entire night, and they were fantastic! (tip them well!)
Cons:
- cannot have use of the grounds to set up prior to 8AM the day of your reception (altho the tent can be set up the day before). if you want to decorate the afternoon before, you must pay for 1/2 day's rent, and can only do so if no one else has rented the facilities for that day
- the grounds and building must be empty and completely cleared of tables, chairs, litter, etc by midnight, or there is an expensive overtime fee, charged every 15 minutes past midnight
- in the drought, the gardens and lawn were rather unkempt. I was concerned about the length of the grass being hazardous for elderly people walking down the hill from the building to the tent. when I suggested that the lawn be mowed the day before the reception, the wedding coordinator said it would not be done, because it would bring grass clippings into the building. I was not happy about this. at least they weeded the gardens the morning of the reception
- FLIES. lots of flies. when the food came out, so did the flies. I guess that happens when you're in the middle of farmland.
- the wedding coordinator was very strict, curtly reminding me of the rules (and I had no intention of breaking any!)
Recommendations:
Catering - Mazo Deli & Catering (Mazomanie, Wisconsin) -- large variety of delicious food to chose from; very accomodating owner (Chris); reasonably priced; can provide waitresses and bartender; specializes in pig-roasts on site
Tent - Bel-Aire Tent (Dubuque, Iowa) -- they filled in at the last minute (a week before the reception!) when our original tent company discovered they double-booked our tent! Frank at Bel-Aire was wonderful, providing everything we needed for a perfect reception (tent, dancefloor, extra tables and chairs, lights, head table skirts, band riser, you name it). he was very helpful and patient with me, a frantic mother-of-the-bride, and it all came together beautifully.
Cake - Amazing Cakes by Arni (Boscobel, Wisconsin) -- it's true, Arni makes amazing cakes, and will cheerfully do whatever you want. she'll even make you a mini-cake in advance so you can see how it will taste (amazingly delicious!). check her out on facebook.
4. Shake Rag Alley School of Arts & Crafts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 30 reviews
Shake Rag Alley is a lively arts education center set in a historic picturesque valley that was the heart of Mineral Point's early days. Students come from all over the country to join in the creative fun that takes place here. Several buildings are used as classrooms, and in the summer, you may find classes taking place under the trees or inside tents set up on the 2.5 acre oasis of gardens and tree lined paths. Additional classroom space is available in studios nearby in the artist community.Workshops at Shake Rag Alley are lively, and hard to find anywhere else. We enjoy offering workshops in just about every art and craft media you can imagine. Experimental concrete and mosaic sculpture. Traditional and offbeat bent willow and twig furniture. Jewelry making and beading. Blacksmithing. Vibrant and nonacademic classes in writing - fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting. Fiber arts. Book and paper arts. Plus a variety of fine arts. We're a bunch of arts enthusiasts who love to share what we know how to do with anyone who wants to learn. Our motto is "Inspire Creativity". And we do that well. Our creative faculty is drawn from a wealth of talented teachers, including nationally known artists from across the country and across the street.Kids love Shake Rag too. We offer a wide variety of youth programs taught by talented and creative instructors who bring out the amazing talents of kids.Alley Stage, an outdoor summer theater is tucked into the hillside at the end of a winding path. We invite you to enjoy a delightful evening as our company of actors performs original plays written by playwrights from near and far.The valley is always open for strolling the pathways, viewing the lush gardens and rustic buildings and savoring the peaceful ambiance. Shake Rag also offers on site lodging, so when the day is done, you can stay in one of several guest rooms.
Reviewed By 819marya - Wisconsin Rapids
Interesting collection of old buildings and grounds around the 1800's mining community. Free to just wander around. Office staff full of information and interesting tidbits. Offerings of many different art and crafting classes at various times on the grounds.
5. Duke's Brew Pub & Ale House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By TravelersAH - Merrimac, Wisconsin
Cute place, interesting location, drinks and beer selection is good. All that is killed by the service. Two bartenders behind the bar and eight to ten tables on the floor and no one to take orders. Their business could be increased with an additional server and the clients wouldn't be grouchy. There is a wine bar next door that was more client oriented.
6. Brewery Pottery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By mhesterton - Chicago
This pottery studio/ workshop is in a beautiful old stone building about a mile from the town center Our group of six ladies enjoyed browsing through the lovely shop, visiting with the welcoming artist/owners and purchasing some beautiful handmade pieces. If you are in Mineral Point don't miss Brewery Pottery!
7. Mineral Point Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
The Mineral Point Railroad Museum is open to the public Thursday through Saturday 10am-4pm and Sundays noon-4pm from May through early October. The museum is housed in a two-story stone depot that is the oldest standing RR depot in Wisconsin. Our depot was built in 1856 for the Mineral Point Railroad, which was acquired by the Milwaukee Road RR in 1880. The depot was in use until approximately 1969, and the last train left Mineral Point in 1984. The depot was meticulously renovated and restored from 2000 to 2004 and reopened as a museum on September 2, 2004.The contents of the museum cover a wide range of aspects of the railroad's significance to Mineral Point and Southwestern Wisconsin, but our artifacts should appeal to adults and children of any age. We also have a 5'x11' model railroad that was professionally developed for us that reflects a scale replica of the area around the Mineral Point depot during its heyday - 1900 to 1920 - including an operating steam locomotive, water tank, lumber yard, turntable, and two engine houses. Pushing a button will cause a steam locomotive to move around the RR yard while related sounds play through a speaker. Our museum is conveniently located near other points of historical interest in Mineral Point, including other Commerce Street attractions, Shake Rag street, and Pendarvis. A comfortable tour of the museum might last 45 minutes and a visit to the museum and nearby shops (open seasonally) within walking distance would make a wonderful day trip. Mineral Point is located about 45 minutes from Madison or Dubuque. We welcome group visit inquiries - please leave us a message and we will respond. We may be able to offer your group a guided tour with adequate notice.Let us know if we can answer any questions and we hope that you visit us soon!
Reviewed By 14clubs - Chicago Burbs
While our visit was specifically to see Mineral Point and the area, this museum would be worth a side trip. Very informative display cases professionally organized. Many old pictures and artifacts with descriptions and explanations. Recreated in the museum are a dispatcher's office and a station masters office. Vintage maps provide insights to how the area used to look. A working model railroad layout and static diorama bring it all to life. The layout isn't just a collection of trains on some tracks, but an actual scale depiction of the town as per original maps, photographs, and books. This museum will appeal to people who like history or trains.
8. Museum of Minerals & Crystals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By D J - RatherNotSay
My husband and I stopped in here years ago while driving around and seeing what the area had to offer. We both enjoy rocks, minerals, crystals, etc, so we were intrigued when we saw this place, but the outside is very modest except for the large letters "The Museum of Minerals and Crystals" on the side of the building. A gravel lot, a small door. It's a little confusing at first, maybe even a little hokey looking, but you soon learn that the museum portion was born out of Dave Johnson's passion for unique minerals, rocks, fossils, and crystals from around the world. Once you pay the $5 admission and step through the darkened doorway of the museum, every single bit of "hokey" goes away entirely and your jaw may even fall open! Dave has amassed a collection that is simply awe-inspiring from around the world, formations and colors that I didn't even know existed in nature. He has built a true museum of stunning beauty produced naturally by the earth. He also has a small gift shop and every year we stop in and buy something - from pyrite gold disks formed like sunbursts in between layers of slate, to chunks of mica so delicate that it looks like gold paper, to azurite and malachite and fossils and jewelry. Even kids will love this, and Dave kicks off each guest's experience with a little tour. Thank you Dave for sharing your collection with us, you are one of our favorite places to visit each time we come to Spring Green!
9. House on the Rock
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
You have to walk on a ramp through the treetops to reach the entrance of this remarkable house, built in the 1940s.
Reviewed By MD1217 - Naperville, Illinois, United States
...And that makes it worth visiting. All those collections of dolls, dollhouses, circus stuff, musical machines, chandeliers, guns, sea/nautical things and sculpture, the largest carousel in history and the house itself with that infinity room are all very entertaining and interesting to see in one place. We went for a weekend, stayed at the House on the Rock inn (separate review on that one) and spent about 4 or 5 hours inside the museum the next day. There’s just sooo much to see! I’ve been to many museums in other parts of the world and I enjoyed this one the most! Very unique and I thought the layout to see section 1 to 3 was well planned. The Infinity room is one section of the house that we all liked. It’s scary to go to the tip of that overhang, but it’s a must I would say :) The house, with all the nooks and small lounge areas, we wonder how Alex Jordan made use of all those spaces, very interesting. I particularly enjoyed looking at the enormous amount of his doll and dollhouse collection and the musical machines! The carousel is pretty awesome too. I just loved the place, I think they are doing a great job maintaining it and I’m glad that we can enjoy this man’s life’s work and eccentricity up to this day.
10. Doby Stables
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By ourroaminghearts - Wisconsin
I was surprised by a 1 hour trail ride on a very special day. Several people were on the trail ride. The guides were great, very friendly and interacted with everyone. The horses were very well trained. Very satisfied. Would recommend to anyone!
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