11 Frank Lloyd Wright Homes You Can Explore Across the U.S.

If you ask anyone to name a renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright is likely to be among the first mentioned, and for good reason. Prior to Wright’s influence in the 1890s, American architecture lacked a distinctive identity—luxury was often defined by European-inspired designs such as French Empire, Italianate, and Gothic Revival. For Wright, who had a deep appreciation for the American landscape, people, and democratic principles, this was a missed opportunity. Over his remarkable seven-decade career, Wright designed more than 1,000 buildings, forever changing the landscape of American architecture with his groundbreaking concepts and enduring style. Today, he is celebrated as one of the most influential architects in history. Although he created notable public structures like New York City’s Guggenheim Museum, much of his work focused on crafting dream homes for private clients, reflecting both their desires and his own.

Wright is most renowned for his pioneering prairie-style homes, featuring strikingly flat cantilevered roofs, earthy color palettes, minimalist designs, and bold yet simple shapes. Drawing inspiration from the vast, open American prairie, his creations made waves in both the interior and architectural design arenas. Yet, Wright’s talent was not limited to one style. In his later years, he drew inspiration from Japanese and pre-Columbian architecture, which became prominent in his later works.

Of the 400 homes still attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright, two-thirds remain privately owned; unfortunately, some have been lost to modern developments. Nevertheless, several of his masterpieces are now accessible to the public. Alternatively, you could embark on a four-day road trip to visit nine of his iconic creations. Here are 11 remarkable Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes across the United States that you can tour:

1. Taliesin West

• When: Daily from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Visit: Tickets begin at $49, franklloydwright.org

In 1935, while residing in Wisconsin, Wright began visiting the Southwest to escape the brutal winters of the Midwest. He acquired several hundred acres of desert land approximately 26 miles from Scottsdale and created Taliesin West, which became both his winter retreat and an educational center where he taught students until his passing in 1959. Drawing inspiration from the desert surroundings, Wright constructed Taliesin West using local rock, cement mixed with regional materials, and Arizona sand. Designed with a low profile and framed by redwood beams, the structure harmonizes with the landscape. Although Taliesin has since been reinforced with more durable materials like steel and fiberglass, it remains a captivating destination on any FLW tour and serves as the headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

2. Rosenbaum House

• When: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Florence, Alabama
• Visit: Tickets start at $10, wrightinalabama.com

The Rosenbaum House, Alabama's only home designed by Wright, exemplifies his Usonian style in its purest form. Constructed in a distinctive L-shape, it reflects Wright’s minimalist philosophy, lacking an attic or basement, incorporating built-in furniture, and featuring radiant floor heating. Newlyweds Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum moved in during 1940, but soon encountered structural issues, including a leaky roof and malfunctioning heating system. Despite these challenges, they lived in the home until 1999, when Mildred passed away. Shortly after, the city of Florence acquired the house and transformed it into a museum. Nestled near the Tennessee River, the building's floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral materials blur the line between its interior and the surrounding landscape.

3. Hollyhock House

• Where: East Hollywood, Los Angeles
• When: Thursday–Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Visit: Tickets start at $7, hollyhockhouse.org

Commissioned by oil heiress, philanthropist, and socialite Aline Barnsdall, Hollyhock House was constructed over two years—from 1919 to 1921—in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. This project emerged during a tumultuous period in Wright’s life, as he had recently relocated from Illinois while grappling with the tragic murder of his mistress, Mamah Borthwick, whom he considered his true love.

Following Borthwick’s death, Wright’s architectural style shifted significantly towards pre-Columbian influences, characterized by designs reminiscent of imposing Mayan temples and obscure Aztec symbolism, with a heavy use of concrete blocks. Featuring “inverted” windows (which are hidden from outside view), Mayan revival roof details, a large, cryptic bas-relief mantel, and even a moat, Hollyhock House stands as a striking example of the mysterious style Wright embraced during his time in Los Angeles.

Originally designed as a private home for Barnsdall, she found it challenging to live there and only held ownership for a few years before transferring it to the city in 1927. In 2019, Hollyhock House was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the “The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright” collection. After a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollyhock House officially reopened to the public on August 18, 2022.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, take some time to visit Palos Verdes and see Lloyd Wright’s (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son) Wayfarers Chapel. Perched on a bluff with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, this Swedenborgian church is regarded as one of the finest examples of organic architecture. With its captivating glass walls surrounded by towering redwoods, it feels like a scene from a California fairy tale.

4. Hanna-Honeycomb House

• When: Open twice annually
• Where: Stanford, California
• Visit: Free admission, hannahousetours.stanford.edu

The Hanna-Honeycomb House, named for its unique hexagonal shape, was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first project in the San Francisco area and marks his first venture into non-rectangular architecture. Construction started in 1937, and it serves as a prime example of Wright’s Usonian style—a straightforward, functional design intended to be affordable for middle-class Americans, despite its additional features (such as a garden house, double garage, and hobby shop) that may exceed the typical home budget. Initially built for Paul and Jean Hanna, the family lived there for 38 years before donating it to Stanford University in 1975.
However, accessing tours of this Wright masterpiece can be somewhat challenging. The Hanna-Honeycomb House is available for public tours only twice a year, depending on Stanford’s Heritage Services. You can email them to inquire about the next tour dates.

5. Frederick C. Robie House

• When: Open Thursday–Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Hyde Park, Chicago
• Visit: Tickets begin at $20, flwright.org

Nestled in the upscale Hyde Park area of Chicago, the Robie House is hailed as the quintessential prairie-style home and is undoubtedly one of the most iconic. Featuring a cantilevered roof and prominent overhanging eaves, the structure is a brick and concrete tribute to the flat, expansive beauty of the plains. Inside, the Robie House showcases an airy open floor plan—a groundbreaking choice at a time when homes were typically designed with numerous enclosed rooms. Completed in 1910 for businessman Frederick C. Robie, he unfortunately only lived there for 14 months before financial issues forced him to sell. The building faced near demolition twice (in 1941 and 1957), but Wright intervened—marking the only times he ever stepped in to save one of his designs. Ultimately, the distinctive residence received the recognition it deserved and was acknowledged by the American Institute of Architects in 1991 as one of the most significant structures of the 20th century.

6. Fallingwater

• When: Open Thursday–Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Mill Run, Pennsylvania
• Visit: Tickets start at $32, fallingwater.org

Apart from the Guggenheim Museum, Fallingwater is arguably Wright's most renowned creation and epitomizes his vision of organic architecture. He believed in fostering a harmonious relationship among humanity, art, and nature. Nestled in the hilly Laurel Highlands of Mill Run, Pennsylvania, Fallingwater is dramatically situated above a serene waterfall and constructed from locally sourced sandstone. Finished in 1939, the Kaufmann family (owners of Kaufmann’s Department Store in Pittsburgh) utilized it as a vacation retreat until they donated the property and its surrounding 469 acres to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1963. Today, Fallingwater remains under the Conservancy’s stewardship and is accessible for public tours. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been lauded by the American Institute of Architecture as the “best all-time work of American architecture,” making it a must-visit destination.

7. Cedar Rock

• When: Wednesday–Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Independence, Iowa
• Visit: Free admission, iowadnr.gov

This enchanting residence spans 1,800 square feet of pure Frank Lloyd Wright design. Wright meticulously curated every aspect of Cedar Rock, even selecting the cups and plates for the dining table. According to legend, the only item on the property not designed by Wright was a Thompson TVT boat, a charming wooden runabout. Built for the Lowells, a wealthy family in Buchanan County, Iowa, who made their fortune asphalting rural roads, Cedar Rock exemplifies Usonian architecture: featuring a flat roof, brick walls, ample floor-to-ceiling windows, and concrete floors. Following Walter Lowell's passing in 1981, the home was gifted to the state of Iowa, which continues to care for the property.

8. Kentuck Knob

• When: Wednesday–Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Dunbar, Pennsylvania
• Visit: Tickets starting at $28, kentuckknob.com

Kentuck Knob was among the final residences that Wright designed—he was 86 when he undertook this project. While it follows Usonian principles, the home features a distinctive hexagonal shape. Constructed from local sandstone and North Carolinian red cypress, its low profile harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding landscape. As for the name “Kentuck Knob,” it stems from the property's history. An 18th-century settler, David Askins, contemplated relocating to Kentucky but instead chose to settle in southwestern Pennsylvania, naming his new home Little Kentuck. The area continues to be known as the Kentuck District, hence the name Kentuck Knob.

9. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

• When: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Oak Park, Chicago
• Visit: Tickets start at $20, flwright.org

What would a comprehensive list be without mentioning FLW’s early days? At the age of 22 and newly married, he borrowed $5,000 (approximately $153,000 today) to build his first home. This project marked the first time he had total creative freedom. Rather than mimic European styles, Wright opted for the shingle style, a popular East Coast design of the time, characterized by an asymmetrical facade, spacious veranda, and wooden shingles.
Despite its status as one of his earliest works, the home already exhibited signs of his innovative vision. It was one of the first designs to break away from the Victorian segmented layout, opting instead for an open-concept floor plan. Over the two decades he lived there, Wright expanded and renovated the property, further developing his iconic prairie-style design in his home studio.

10. Muirhead Farmhouse

• When: Open on select dates from February to October
• Where: Kane County, Illinois
• Visit: Standard tours are $35 per person, while private tours start at $100 per person, muirheadfarmhouse.com

Located about a 90-minute drive from Chicago, Muirhead Farmhouse can be found in Kane County. It is the only farmhouse Wright ever designed and likely unlike any farmhouse you've encountered. Spanning 3,200 square feet and surrounded by 800 acres of classic prairie grasslands, this almost-ranch-style home boasts a distinct boxy appearance.
Constructed from Chicago brick, locally sourced concrete, and tidewater red cypress, the Usonian-style residence was completed for Robert and Elizabeth Muirhead in 1953 and remains in the family today, having undergone a significant renovation in 2003. The Muirhead Farmhouse is open only during the warmer months, so be sure to check its website for visitor information.

11. The Louis Penfield House

• When: Available for guests
• Where: Willoughby Hills, Ohio
• Visit: Rates start at $375 from Monday to Thursday and $450 from Friday to Sunday, with a two-night minimum required | Book Here

Situated in Willoughby Hills, just 20 minutes east of downtown Cleveland, the Louis Penfield House is one of nine Usonian-style homes Wright built in Ohio. The original homeowner, Louis Penfield, was exceptionally tall at six feet eight inches. Upon their first meeting, Wright reportedly quipped, “Anyone that tall is a weed. We’ll need to build a machine to tip you sideways!” Completed in 1955 and set on 30 expansive acres, the home overlooks the Chagrin River and features a cream-colored exterior with red accents. Currently, it operates as a vacation rental, offering three bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms, comfortably accommodating up to five guests.

This article was first published online in 2022 and was last updated on August 18, 2023, to reflect the most current information.