Looking for beauty and unique history in Chicago? Feast your eyes on architectural greatness this summer with Frank Lloyd Wright Trust tours and programs that cater to the whole family.
A wide variety of tours and workshops are available that teach attendees about Frank Lloyd Wright’s storied history, such as free popup workshops with design activities that kids Pre-K to 5th grade will love, and “Pedal Oak Park”, a guided bicycle tour past 21 Wright-designed structures in the Oak Park area.
With several tour options to choose from, there is no shortage of amazing things to see in Frank Lloyd Wright’s historical past. Here are just a few exciting new tours that can help you make the, er…Wright choice when hopping on a summer tour:
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
See where Wright himself dwelled and designed some of his most famous buildings in the first 20 years of his career. A variety of Home and Studio tours are available like the Guided Interior Tour which gives you an inside view of his home and studio, and the Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour which explores the world’s largest collection of Wright-designed buildings.
Pedal Oak Park
There’s nothing quite like hopping on a bicycle and roaming the streets like you did as a kid; but when you’re seeing some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s picturesque buildings on a bike ride, you’re surely in for a treat. On the Pedal Oak Park tour, see Oak Park on a guided bicycle tour that takes you on an adventure past 21 Wright-designed structures including his home and studio, Frank Thomas House, Heurtley House, Cheney House, Furbeck House, and more.
The Rookery
Known for containing one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most dramatic interior compositions, The Rookery in Chicago’s financial district is a gorgeous, illuminated space. Wright was commissioned to remodel The Rookery light court and lobbies and designed the brilliant interior of this 1888 Chicago landmark. Take the guided tour of just The Rookery building, or combine it with the Burnham Library, where architects met to discuss the preliminary plans for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Wright Around Oak Park
One of the most all-encompassing tours of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park, the Wright Around Oak Park guided tour takes you through Wright’s early years, from his studio where the Prairie style was created to some of the most notable structures like Unity Temple. Experience an expanded tour of Wright’s Home and Studio with access to the studio balcony, and take an exterior tour of Unity Temple.
Unity Temple
One of Wright’s most noted creations, Unity Temple was a defining moment in Wright’s career. Designed for his own Unitarian congregation, Unity Temple is one of the first public buildings in America to feature exposed concrete. Named a National Historic Landmark in 1970, Unity Temple showcases Wright’s use of light, space, and unconventional materials, fully exemplifying Wright’s philosophy of organic design.
Frederick C. Robie House
Now magnificently restored to its original 1910 vision, the Robie House is
one of the great masterpieces of architecture and interior design. Visitors
have multiple tour options through which they can experience the home,
including an exterior self-guided walking audio tour and a guided interior
tour with expanded access to the house and detailed information about its
history and design. Named one of the most significant structures of the
20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the Robie House is the
definitive expression of Wright’s Prairie style of architecture.
Buy tickets and get more information online at flwright.org or by phone at
312.994.4000.