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Brisbane House: Restored Historic Stone House in the Country

Photo gallery for Brisbane House: Restored Historic Stone House in the Country

Exterior
Dining
Smart TV, fireplace, books, stereo
3 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel cot
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Arena, WI
  • Place, Wisconsin River
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Tower Hill State Park
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, American Players Theatre
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Airport, Madison, WI (MSN-Dane County Regional)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Arena

Located in Arena, this vacation home is on a river, within a 15-minute drive of Wisconsin River and American Players Theatre. .This vacation home is 26.8 mi (43.1 km) from University of Wisconsin-Madison and 15.1 mi (24.3 km) from The House on the Rock.
View more Holiday homes in ArenaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Wisconsin River - 9 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Tower Hill State Park - 10 min drive - 15.6 km
  • Buckeridge's Home and Gallery - 11 min drive - 17.5 km
  • Spring Green General Store - 12 min drive - 18.9 km
  • American Players Theatre - 13 min drive - 17.8 km

Getting around

  • Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Iron Hop Taphouse - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪1855 Coffee House - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Heck's Market - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Old Feed Mill - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Brisbane House: Restored Historic Stone House in the Country

Built in 1868, the Brisbane House won the Wisconsin State Historical Society's 2023 Board of Curators Restoration Award. This is such a special place and we wish to share it with you! It's listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. You will stay in comfort and extraordinary style surrounded by historic appointments.

The main house (this listing) sleeps up to six. This does not include the summer kitchen bedroom on the first floor (it can be added for an additional $300, read the "fine print" below). This listing includes a a queen bedroom on the second floor and a queen bedroom and two XL twins on the third floor. A new full bathroom and den with guest closet are also on the second floor. A new full bathroom is also on the first floor.

The galley kitchen has beautiful cabinetry and is well-equipped (vacation bakers will enjoy the rolling pin, pie plate, jelly roll pans, and more). The locally harvested cherry table with benches seats six to eight.

The living room has seating for six+ and you can put your feet up in front of the fire, play a game, or watch a movie. It’s fun to hang out with the glittery portrait of Abraham Lincoln. If you must, we’ve got work-worthy wifi, a place to sit at a desk, and a small library in the upstairs den.

In the warmer months, hang out on the screen porch with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, or kick around in the yard, play croquet, build an outdoor fire in the fire pit. Since we’re on 18 wooded acres, you can also hike the surrounding area on trails, managed by the Prairie Enthusiasts, up to Rattlesnake Ridge to the river valley overlook. In the winter, use the snowshoes to tromp around or drag the saucer sleds to our neighbors’ for an exhilarating run!

The Brisbane House is a place of inclusivity. It was built in 1868 by an abolitionist from South Carolina. We are honoring his legacy by showcasing museum-quality art by nationally-known Black artists. Yes, you can sleep in the same room as a Mickalene Thomas or Sam Gilliam, or hang out with a Kara Walker!

We’re right off of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, so hop on and take the short drive into the neighboring town of Spring Green (10 miles) to check out their charming downtown with a bookstore, shops, and restaurants. Of course, you’ll want to take a tour of Taliesin and go to see a world-class play at American Players Theater.

So come to absorb the peace in the woods, to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, hold a family reunion, gab with your book club, or celebrate a holiday!

A note on our eco-friendly practices: Soaps and cleaning products are either unscented or contain organic essential oils. No synthetic fragrances or fabric softeners here. Environmentally friendlier bath towels are "quick dry." Most of the sheets are organic cotton.

Some fine print: Most stays in high season have a three-night minimum. Please inquire if this really will not work for you. Also, if you are interested in a ground floor level rental for two only, let's discuss. The summer kitchen bedroom (add on for $300, which sleeps an additional four can be found on our listing #2620893). Please disclose if you're bringing a dog/s. They must stay on OUR PROPERTY ONLY. We're members of the Midwest Inns Association and we invite you to follow us on IG: Restore.Brisbane.House.

Here's what our guests say:

The Brisbane House was the perfect spot for our family gathering. Samantha and Bruce thought of every detail in renovating this unique historic house—the architecture, furnishings, light, and color create a wonderful environment for connecting with loved ones. There is a lot to enjoy in the area from charming books stores, delicious restaurants, and beautiful rolling hills. Communication with our hosts was flawless from pointing us to nearby trails to sharing the history and information on the art on the walls. We will be back soon!

Thanks again for a fantastic experience in Arena. Staying at the Brisbane made it truly special and the house is just gorgeous. We will be back!

I don’t even know where to start. We stayed at Brisbane house over our wedding weekend and it just perfect.

This place is incredible, as are Sam and Bruce. This is our third stay with them and every time has been magical. Could not ask for better.

Such a beautiful stay! The wow factor when you pull up is just the start!

From seeing fireflies in the evening to morning coffee on the beautiful screen porch, we had the most wonderful family adventure.

So glad this was part of our Wisconsin summer adventure.

We loved our stay. We did not want to leave.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
A complimentary breakfast is included.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.
A complimentary breakfast is offered.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Free breakfast available
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Office
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Snow sports gear
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Garden
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,400 square feet
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:

Strip any used beds and gather used towels

Take out the trash

Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys

Turn off mini-splits on the third floor. Make sure windows are closed and locked.

If you've moved any furniture around, please replace it. Thank you!

Please give us a text to let us know you've left: 608-576-6696. Make plans to come again :)

Pets

Pets allowed

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Welcoming dogs only

2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

Restored Historic Stone House in the Country Arena

Brisbane House: Restored Historic Stone House in the Country Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joel G., Indianapolis, Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
Staying at Brisbane House is a rare experience—the house itself is both historically significant and extremely well appointed and comfortable, but the art inside, all by artists of color, is extraordinary. We were completely wowed while also finding everything we needed for a high-end weekend experience—very comfortable beds, well stocked kitchen, amazing grounds and a dreamy screened in porch. Can’t wait to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jess R.

Liked: Cleanliness
What an absolute GEM! There was so much to love about this amazing restored home, from the architecture & careful restoration work to its history & thoughtfully curated art collection. The hosts were so kind and responsive. We loved that we were able to bring our two small pups, and they appreciated the large water bowl & treats. Everyone in our group commented on how comfortable they found the beds. I bring a pillow every time I stay somewhere, and I didn't even need to use it because the pillows were also perfect! The grounds are private and lovely; I enjoyed my morning coffee watching a family of 11 turkeys investigate the yard behind the screened-in porch. We spotted a hummingbird feeding at the phlox, and I noted a nice variety of birds via my Merlin app. :) The location is convenient to both Spring Green and Mazomanie, and there are lots of places to eat / things to see and do in the area. If you have a larger group, I highly recommend booking the whole house (including the summer kitchen room). Such a memorable stay!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

It’s a magical place that
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kate H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great getaway place. Amazing home with a fun and historical story. Great space for a group of friends and close to unique attractions and small town charm.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane T., Davenport, IA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay - host was accommodating, property clean, nicely decorated and historically significant, beautiful grounds.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adrianne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
As avid travelers, we constantly seek that extraordinary destination we eagerly want to share with our family and friends. The Brisbane House truly surpassed our expectations. This hidden gem, nestled in the woods, offered a fairytale experience. Beyond its remarkable history, the home is a dream for architects. My husband, who specializes in historic preservation, was particularly impressed by the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the property.The house itself is a masterpiece, with each design element thoughtfully considered and impeccably executed. It was evident that the owners dedicated significant care to enhancing the guest experience.The delightful extras—ranging from the exquisite coffee and porch speaker to the carefully curated selection of books—added a charming touch. The stunning flowers throughout the grounds, and the owners even invite their guests to garden and cut their bouquets. I especially enjoyed foraging for blackcap-berries ( a new culinary treat for me), which I incorporated into our meal, enriching the overall experience. It was an easy drive to Spring Green and Taliessen with delightful cheese and produce stands on the way. I am happy to recommend this place to anyone traveling through the region.
Our golden enjoying the grounds.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Graham J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely unique house

This house was a treat. From the unique decorative touches and art in every room to the cozy handmade quilts on the beds, this property was a lovely place to get away for the weekend. We especially enjoyed the interesting history of the Brisbanes in the living room! Thank you for sharing this marvel with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Great restored historical property built in 1868

Great setting in the country, fantastic brick home, well equipped, a labor of love restoration, most congenial host.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melinda Q., USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely place to be

We spent 3 nights while attending 6 plays at American Players Theater. The Stone House is perfect for such an outing. Samantha is very responsive and welcoming. We hope to be back in 2024.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tanya M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Second Stay!

Our family loved this house last summer so we returned for another vacation. Sam is a great host, everything was immaculate, with plenty of supplies and everything we might need. This year we enjoyed Cave on the Mounds, Taliesin, and American Players Theatre. We can’t wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Escape from Fireworks

Brisbane House is a gem! Sam and Bruce did an amazing job restoring this beautiful home. Plus communication with Sam is top notch, always working to improve the vacation. Our goal was get away from the city fireworks (for the dogs) over the holiday. We got just take at Brisbane plus the country living. Hope to be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hayne D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family stay!

House was incredible. Host was super helpful and overall stay was great. Hope to come back soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew W., Deerfield, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas 2022

Our family of 5 adults had a great Christmas at Brisbane House. The owners have done an amazing job thoughtfully restoring this historic home. Despite a cold snap, we were cozy and comfortable with all the modern conveniences you would need. The owners surprised us by providing a live Christmas tree and pine trimmings sourced on the property. The property itself is lovely and isolated with snowshoe trails extending back into the woods. We regretted that it was too cold to do more exploring on the trails. Also, the artwork throughout the home was beautiful. We look forward to trying Brisbane House in other seasons.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Liz and Mark P., Minneapolis

Liked: Cleanliness

Quaint, Cozy Perfection

Our family of four (parents and 2 grown kids), along with our two dogs spent the Long Thanksgiving weekend at The Brisbane House. Communication with the owners was great - they answered all of our questions and the photos on the website are 100% correct and helped us greatly in planning. The charm of this home is only outdone by the functionality of its cozy rooms. We easily made our Thanksgiving meal and had plenty of room to eat. The summer kitchen addition (which is a large windowed bedroom w a loft) is stunning. If you have elderly guests, I’d for sure rent this additional room, as the steps are quite steep to the main house bedrooms. It is also functions as a good escape if you need to take a nap from too much Turkey !! Some of our favorite features: fan on timer in bathrooms, very private lot, pet friendly yard, fun beautiful rooms with unique wallpaper and paint colors, very clean, great window covers, books and articles about the house’s history, easy to use TV, and of course the little touches - slippers provided, quality bedding and towels, captivating artwork, glass doorknobs. Honestly, just a one-of-a-kind home that would charm anyone. Highly recommend 10/10.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful, enjoyed our stay. Very accommodating.

This property was beautiful. It was perfect for our family and pets.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

LARS K., Stow, MA

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful historic renovation

Such a unique and beautiful house, with every room redone with care and imagination. I would love to live there.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherry L.

Liked: Cleanliness

APT weekend

I rented this property for an annual couples weekend that includes a couple of performances at nearby American Players Theatre. We have stayed in many properties over the years and absolutely loved this one. We enjoyed the beautiful renovation and stylish decor, and we appreciated that the home had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We love to cook and have fancy meals, and the kitchen was well equipped for our culinary adventures. We also appreciated that dogs could join us. The beds were also very comfortable. Overall a delightful stay, and we plan to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Darsi K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Covid Postponed Christmas Gift

This trip was originally planned for 2020, but due to Covid had to be postponed. I'm glad it was or we would not have been able to stay at this amazing place. It was the ulitmate home away from home, and the added history and all we learned was a bonus. Hope to return soon. Thanks to the talented hosts for sharing this treasure. Darsi, Mark, Kay, Laura & Jay
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melinda Q., USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Terrific

It is a privilege to stay in this impeccable home with such a storied history and excellent preservation. We were 6 friends who had come to American Players Theater. Even though we got rained out of 2 of the 6 plays, we will exchange the tickets for next year and hope to stay again at Brisbane House. The hosts are incredibly welcoming and gracious. Thank you for a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

David L., Flossmoor

Liked: Cleanliness

Absolutely lovely

Where to begin? Pictures do not completely capture the Brisbane house and it's surrounding property's beauty. A member of our travel party could not help but mention every time we pulled up to the home, that it looked straight out of a fairy tale. The home is amazingly renovated and appointed, the job Sam and Bruce have done is simply remarkable. The home retains it's historic charm while offering all the modern amenities to make things comfortable and inviting. The five of us really enjoyed our stay and never felt uncomfortable or cramped. The property's natural beauty is top notch. Our hope for a private, peaceful, tranquil, and serene stay had all the boxes checked. We enjoyed going out and exploring all the little towns and parks in the surrounding area, and finishing our day at the fairy tale like house. Sam and Bruce were an absolute pleasure to work with and were very helpful with all our inquiries and questions that we had. The love that they have put into this home is second to none. We all hope to visit again.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rose C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Charming home

From the moment we drove down the country road and spotted the stone house, seeing the beautiful perennial gardens in bloom, we knew the Brisbane house was going to be a special place to stay. It was! This is where we recharged during our 10 day visit with family. Samantha has an eye for detail. The renovation kept the charm of this 1868 home but the modern updates made it comfortable and liveable. We enjoyed the collection of reading materials about Wm. Brisbane and the coffee table book on the renovation which helped us appreciate this unique property. Oh, the beautiful bouquet of wild flowers on the kitchen table was a welcoming touch when we arrived. Seems like our hostess thought of everything. We enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to another visit. Thanks for you gracious hospitality. Rose and John
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenny H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Historical, Whimsical Retreat

What a delightful home! A perfect mix of hospitality, history, relaxation, and restoration. The house was very clean and comfy, and surprisingly roomy for such an old house. Beautifully renovated property and the hosts were a delight to work with. Close proximity to so many fun attractions, and yet also very quiet and private. We hope to be back soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tanya M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Dream house!

This property is gorgeous, easily the most comfortable and cleanest stay we’ve ever had. The pictures do not do it justice. The owners thought of everything re: amenities, and the art and interior detail is inspiring. Congrats for preserving something so beautiful and thank you for sharing it with us!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lance T., Ada, MI USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Wisconsin Pastoral Paradise

Our recent stay at the Brisbane House was OUTSTANDING in every way! The description was accurate (if anything, it was understated) and the house/property EXCEEDED our expectations! Communication with Sam leading up to our arrival and during our stay was easy and reassuring in every way. The weather was unseasonably warm but the modern HVAC units kept us comfortable and cool, and the bedroom, bathing situation was fantastic! Meal preparation in the historic kitchen was simple and as modern as can be, and clean up was responsible and earth-friendly (as it should be). We also had our dogs along for the trip, and they were happy and constantly entertained by the bunnies, deer and horses in the area (they got to see Taliesin, too). We look forward to another stay @Brisbane House again next summer! Thanks again to our peerless host Samantha!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Zinnia S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Stunning Historic Property

We loved this historic property right outside of Madison in Arena, a charming area of the Wisconsin countryside. The house has been lovingly restored and our hosts were so thoughtful with beautiful touches throughout the home like fresh flowers in the rooms and lavender soaps in the bathroom. The kids absolutely loved the Kringle in the freezer and got to pick wild asparagus from yard. The house sits on an enchanting piece of property with beautiful trees and lots yard to enjoy. The next time we are on the area, we will be back again at the Brisbane House.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022