I just had to go to house on the rock after reading the description in American Gods. Everything described is as is, and it is amazing. If you get the chance go see it, everything is there down to the eagle/tiger that Shadow rode. No questions here, just saying go go go, it's worth the 19.50 to get in!

And for those of us (like me) who donÂ’t living within easy driving distance, hereÂ’s the web site:

http://www.thehouseontherock.com

I live only about an hour and a half from the House, but admit I've never been there. But, there are signs for it everywhere on the freeway near where I live--as well as the Wis. Dells, another strange, disturbing, and ultimately cool and freaky place--reminds me of the part in the book where they talk about how tourist attraction signs begin at least 100 miles away so that you feel like you're about to reach somewhere truly amazing.

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Originally posted by Anathema Device:
And for those of us (like me) who donÂ’t living within easy driving distance, hereÂ’s the web site:

http://www.thehouseontherock.com

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Good idea. You can also order stuff from the website.. and I would recommend ordering the Mikado cd just as Neil says at the end. If you play that and read the description of the house on the rock over again it will feel as if the gods are around you. It's really creepy.

There is honestly no place I love more than the house on the rock. For those of you not in easy driving distance... find a way to make a trip. Some band filmed a video there, it Might have been 10,000 maniacs, but I never did See that video and I have only heard rumors. Don't lump The House On The Rock in with the rest of the Dells, either, because it's something so ridiculously delicious that it's really nothing like anything else in Wisconsin or maybe in the world.

Wasn't lumping it in with the Dells, (which, by the way, I love for their weirdness) just pointing out that signs for both exist in multitudes as far down as Ixonia (about 86 miles)--you would think that it was about 15 minutes away from where I live the way it's advertised. And no, I've never been to the House (I hate tours, and have been told that's what you have to do). I'm sure it's a great place to visit--maybe I'm just ambivalent because I feel like that is what people in other states think of (as well as serial killers and cows) when they think of Wisconsin culture BTW, I know there was a video shot at Circus World Museom in Baraboo (another weird nearby attraction)--Soul Asylum I think--but didn't know about House on the Rock.

it's self guided, so it works out nicely. And from what I can tell it doesn't get too busy, so it's just you wandering around by yourself for hours, which is quite the experience.
one thing- I believe eveyone that there are signs all over for it, but as far as I-90w goes I only saw one, and was very surprised by that

Yes, i wouldn't take a tour of house on the rock either, but you don't have to, so that is good. go there Right Now as soon as you wake up.

my favorite favorite thing about the circus world museum is the library where you can look through scrapbooks of the original pictures of chang and eng and jojo the dog faced boy. when i was there, there was a sweet spanish-speaking family trying to find mention of the old circus-members of their family. if i would ever be a librarian forever, it would be there.

but right now i am fine with being a venezuelan-beauty-pageant expert. at least for a few more days.

PS, I swear to you, ersatz, that is perfectly fine with me if that is what people think of wisconsin culture (though really, i'm from kentucky, so what can i say.) well that, and that UW Madison is i think one of the only universities in the country where one can learn tagalog.

Hi Miss Sunshine,
Ok, my favorite thing about the Circus Museum is the flea circus! It's hilarious. But also there is something fascinating about "freaks", too--I worked with someone who's best friend was a direct descendant of Chang or Eng--I don't remember which one anymore.
Well, if I don't have to take a tour...I may have to check the House out!
I'm probably just a little sensitive cuz I'm the only one in my family from Wisconsin and cuz...well...when I think of Wisconsin culture, I think of all the weird things I mentioned!
ersatz

Has anyone been round the House on the Rock with a copy of American Gods? I want to know how much of it is real and how much Gaiman had to invent. (eg obviously the "drunkards dream' box was invented.)

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Originally posted by boi4pele:
Has anyone been round the House on the Rock with a copy of American Gods? I want to know how much of it is real and how much Gaiman had to invent. (eg obviously the "drunkards dream' box was invented.)

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For some reason I'm under the impression that that's actually there. I don't know if it's because of a journal entry or what.

=Brian

....my thoughts are...how much more business has this place gotten since the book?

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Originally posted by Ntolnry:

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Originally posted by boi4pele:
Has anyone been round the House on the Rock with a copy of American Gods? I want to know how much of it is real and how much Gaiman had to invent. (eg obviously the "drunkards dream' box was invented.)

For some reason I'm under the impression that that's actually there. I don't know if it's because of a journal entry or what.

=Brian

Drunkards Dream is indeed there, and on my last "pilgrimmage" I actually put a token into it and watched the scene progress. Although I don't recall it being quite as narrative as Neil describes it. However, the tipping of the bottle, drunkard falling down, macabre change of the room and the dispelling of the evils by the Pastor are indeed part of the simple animatronics.

The description of House on the Rock in American Gods is nearly exact in detail to my recollection, right down to the fortune teller that gives fortunes that read like an otherworldy hybrid of a horoscope and a fortune cookie.

I just looked at the House on the Rock's website, and I so want to do the nerd thing and walk around with a copy of American Gods, comparing details with the book to my experience there. Of course, when you read American Gods, you see House on the Rock through Neil's eyes, so it might be different for each person.