Tours
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Gardens of Kohler
We invite you to experience a true garden community, from the lush gardens of The American Club® to The Shops at Woodlake and the championship golf courses of Blackwolf Run® and Whistling Straits®. Enjoy all the natural areas that weave throughout quaint neighborhoods by taking a guided or self-guided tour.
The seeds for the gardens of Kohler were planted in 1913 when Walter J. Kohler, Sr., traveled to Europe to study garden cities. He then worked with the Olmsted Brothers, whose landscape firm designed Central Park in New York City, to plan the green spaces that beautify the Village of Kohler and Kohler Co. campus – a 50-year master plan.
The idea blossomed for decades, and a second 50-year plan of growth, under guidelines established by The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, was completed in 1977. This plan actively called for continued community development in the Village of Kohler with a focus on environmental sensitivity, tree plantings and woodland and wetland preservation, making the village an ideal community for Kohler Co. associates, residents and visitors alike.
For information on garden tours, contact us at 920-457-8000.
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Kohler Factory
Take a tour through the vast expanse of the Kohler factory. From the heat of the cast iron to the sights of the enameling, you will experience the rich history of the products and workers that have made Kohler a giant in the plumbing industry. Register for an enriching three-mile tour through the facility that is guided and narrated by our knowledgeable retired employees.
We are offering tours on a limited basis. Please call the Design Center at 920-457-3699 and ask for the Tour Coordinator to see if a tour is available. Tours start at the Kohler Design Center at 8:15 am only and registration is required. The tour then returns to the Kohler Design Center at 11:30 am. Guidelines for attending the tour are as follows:
- Must be 14 years old or older to attend the tour
- Fully enclosed, comfortable shoes must be worn (no sandals or clogs)
- No photos allowed and phones need to be silenced
You can register by calling the Kohler Design Center at 920-457-3699 or by sending your request to kdctours@kohler.com
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The American Club
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America, The American Club invites you to learn about the spirit of the original building and its renovation and rebirth as a resort hotel.
What began as a new home for the immigrant workers who came to work for the Kohler Co. in the early 1900s was transformed into the deluxe hotel you see today as The American Club. Renovations began in 1978 and took three years to complete.
- Tours for hotel guests are offered seven days a week, subject to availability.
- 2pm at The American Club
- Advance reservations requested
- Tours are not available on holidays or during special events
Contact the concierge at 920-457-8000, ext. 55180
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Kohler Design Center
The Kohler Design Center is a three-level showcase of innovative product design and technology, creative achievement, and American history. A fusion of old and new, the space offers a comprehensive representation of Kohler Co.'s state-of-the-art products and stunning examples of the company's contributions to gracious living and interior design.
The building was originally used as a recreation hall for residents of the Village of Kohler. In 1985 it was transformed into a 36,000-square-foot showcase for the Kohler family of businesses. Every detail is presented with energy and innovation to reinforce the company's image as a leader in technology, color, and style.
Open to the public.
Admission is free.
The main floor of the Kohler Design Center will be open and available to guests, however, the mezzanine and lower level will be closed while the space is undergoing construction. Thank you for understanding.
Hours
Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am–4pm
Holiday Closures
Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Hours are reduced on all other holidays and vary in times. Please contact the Kohler Design Center at 920-457-3699 for specific hours of operation.
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The Arts/Industry Walking Tour
The American Club, Inn on Woodlake, and the entire Village of Kohler is offering a newly curated Art Walk consisting of more than 50 pieces of sculptural art. The unique artwork was created in the Kohler Co. factories through the company’s partnership with the John Michael Kohler Art Center and their 47-year-old artist-in-residency program named Arts/Industry.
Renowned curator, former Arts/Industry resident and 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, Michelle Grabner, provided curatorial oversight for the Art Walk.
During meeting breakouts, lunchtime breaks or sunset walks, the self-guided tour allows guests of the hotels and visitors of the Village to take in the beauty of the art and cultural relevance of the area. For instance, The Immigrant, a sculpture placed outside The American Club, was inspired by the 1850s immigration story of Kohler Co. founder John Michael Kohler and by the origins of the hotel, originally opening in 1918 as a dormitory and cultural hub for Kohler Co.’s immigrant workforce.