Illinois/Wisconsin
Architectural Masterworks of Frank Lloyd Wright
Program No. 22976RJ
Celebrate legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright as you visit his greatest works in Wisconsin and Illinois, from his home and studio to the S.C. Johnson building.
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7 days
6 nights
15 meals
6B 4L 5D
2
Architecture Study Cruise, Robie House
Chicago, IL
3
Home & Studio Oak Park, Unity Temple
Chicago, IL
4
SC Johnson, Racine
Racine, WI
5
Frank Lloyd Wright in Milwaukee & Madison
Middleton, WI
6
Frank Lloyd Wright in Madison, Taliesin Estate
Middleton, WI
7
Program Concludes
Middleton, WI
At a Glance
Frank Lloyd Wright revolutionized architecture, opening up new realms for designers and creating new challenges for builders and engineers. Of the 532 Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the U.S., over 150 of them were built in Illinois and Wisconsin. Celebrate the work of this legendary architect as you visit some of his greatest works in the Midwest. Through discussions and field trips with Wright experts, learn how his work continues to impact modern architecture, and discover some of that modern architecture on city explorations of Madison, Racine, Milwaukee, Oak Park and Chicago with local experts.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles and standing for up to three hours.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- In historic Oak Park, Illinois, discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio, designed by Wright and considered by many scholars to be the world’s first example of true modern architecture.
- Experience the work of Frank Lloyd Wright in Racine through an exploration of the S.C. Johnson Wax Administration Building and Research Tower, considered one of the 25 most important buildings of the 20th century.
- Learn about the rich history and culture of architecture in Chicago on an architectural study of the city from the Chicago River.
General Notes
For the convenience of participants who wish to fly in and out of Chicago, or drive and park their cars for the entirety of the program, the motor coach will depart the hotel in Wisconsin at 9:00 am and return to the Club Quarters in Chicago in the early afternoon.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Mark Hertzberg
Mark Hertzberg is the author and photographer of four books about Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in southeastern Wisconsin: “Wright in Racine” (2004), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hardy House” (2006), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC Johnson Research Tower” (2010), and “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Penwern: A Summer Estate” (2019). A native of New York City, Mark received a B.A. in international relations from Lake Forest College in 1972. Mark has been inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Mark Hertzberg
View biography
Mark Hertzberg is the author and photographer of four books about Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in southeastern Wisconsin: “Wright in Racine” (2004), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hardy House” (2006), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC Johnson Research Tower” (2010), and “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Penwern: A Summer Estate” (2019). A native of New York City, Mark received a B.A. in international relations from Lake Forest College in 1972. Mark has been inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Adam Selzer
View biography
Adam Selzer, an author and historian, has spent over a decade running hundreds of travel programs in Chicago, often showcasing the humor that he used in his acclaimed novels including 'Just Kill Me,' 'Play Me Backwards,' and the cult favorite 'I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It.' His nonfiction titles include as 'Ghosts of Chicago,' 'Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the US Film Industry,' 'The Smart Aleck’s Guide to American History,' 'Mysterious Chicago,' and 'H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil.'
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Architectural Masterworks of Frank Lloyd Wright
Program Number: 22976
Years with Frank Lloyd Wright: Apprentice to Genius
Tafel was one of the original Taliesin Fellowship apprentices (1932-1941) and supervised construction of the SC Johnson Administration Building and of Wingspread, both in Racine, while in his mid-twenties. The book is filled with Tafel’s delightful anecdotes about Wright and Taliesin.
Hometown Architect: The Complete Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park And River Forest, Illinois
The book is a complete guide to the many homes Wright designed in his hometown of Oak Park and in the adjoining suburb of River Forest.
Frank Lloyd Wright and Madison: Eight Decades of Artistic and Social Interaction
We will be spending two nights in Madison. This book, which was the companion to a museum exhibition, is a scholarly look at his work in Madison.
Building Taliesin: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home of Love and Loss
Much has been written about, and made of, Wright’s love for Mamah Borthwick (Cheney) and their work in Europe in 1909-1910. This meticulously-researched book is the best read about their life together and of the building of Taliesin. It supersedes other accounts, including one popular non-fiction account of the fire at Taliesin which has notable errors.
Frank Lloyd Wright: An Autobiography
Wright’s own story, albeit with some embellishment. An important book to gain an understanding of the architect and the context for his work.
Wright in Racine
This book covers Wright’s built and unbuilt work in Racine. The dozen commissions represent almost every aspect of his work after 1900.
Frank Lloyd Wright on Architecture, Nature, and the Human Spirit, - A collection of quotations
A slim volume of Wright quotations.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace: The Enduring Power of a Civic Vision
The struggle to realize Wright’s Monona Terrace is the story of artistic vision being stymied by local civic and political opposition. Wright’s concept was finally recast as a convention and meeting center 60 years later.
Masterpieces of Chicago Architecture
"Chicago is universally recognized as the cradle of modern architecture. It is known worldwide for the development, beginning in the late 1800s, of the renowned ""Chicago School"" of commercial building. In the early 1900s, Chicago saw the birth of Wright's ""Prairie School"" of residential design, which gave rise to the modern, open-plan house we know today. Other world-renowned architects were also based in Chicago, such as Louis Sullivan, who designed the Chicago Stock Exchange, and Daniel Burnham, architect of the famous Rookery Building of the 1890s.
The 1940s were to see the completion of Mies van der Rohe's revolutionary Illinois Institute of Technology and his astonishing Lake Shore Drive apartment buildings. Skidmore Owings & Merrill's landmark Inland Steel Building was finished in 1954, their John Hancock Center in 1970, and their Sears Tower in 1974. Philip Johnson and John Burgee's 190 South LaSalle Street office tower went up in 1987.
The 200 illustrations in this volume all come from The Art Institute of Chicago's repository of 150,000 architectural drawings, vintage photographs, models, and building fragments, which comprise one of the most important such archives. These illustrations reveal interiors and details that give us a greater appreciation of Chicago in particular and architecture in general. With its definitive text, the book is a striking record of Chicago's great buildings and will be an important reference on the subject for years to come."
Loving Frank
Fact and fiction blend in a historical novel that chronicles the relationship between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney, from their meeting in Oak Park, when they were each married to another, to the clandestine affair that shocked Chicago society.
Frank Lloyd Wright: An American Architecture
A collection of Wright’s writings about architecture.
Chicago Architecture: 1885 to Today
Universally recognized as an architectural center, Chicago contains some of the world’s finest buildings by the most renowned architects of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, and many more left their stamp on the city’s skyline and, as a result, influenced the practice of architecture across the globe. This book, published in association with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, features an in-depth analysis of forty-two seminal works of Chicago architecture. This accessible and engaging volume is the latest addition to the successful Universe Architecture Series. Both a guide for those visiting the city and a valuable reference for architecture enthusiasts, Chicago Architecture includes residential icons such as Mies van der Rohe’s 860–880 Lake Shore Drive, skyscraper prototypes such as Sullivan’s Schlesinger and Mayer Store (Carson Pirie Scott & Co.), and engineering masterpieces such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s Sears Tower.
Travel Guides: The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Frank Lloyd Wright Field Guide
There are two particularly popular books, The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright by William Allin Storrer and the Frank Lloyd Wright Field Guide by Tom Heinz. Storrer’s book has more complete information, albeit with some inaccuracies, but is hard to follow because he groups Wright’s work through his unique “S” numbering system (by types of buildings). Heinz’ book is very easy to use on a trip because he groups the buildings geographically. Participants on this trip can thus easily follow a thread from northern Illinois through southeastern Wisconsin, into Madison.
Frank Lloyd Wright - A Life
This is considered one of the best and most accurate of the many Wright biographies.
At Taliesin: Newspaper Columns by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Friendship, 1934 - 1937
Wright and his apprentices wrote weekly newspaper columns about life at Taliesin.
Chicago: A Brief History
"Chicago: A Brief History" presents a comprehensive look at the city’s transformation from a fur trade outpost to America’s Second City. This compact digital compendium helps you track the diverse forces that shaped the city as we know it. You’ll explore the exciting history behind the city’s cultural, economic, and architectural mainstays.
You’ll also gain valuable insight into groundbreaking Chicago events and major figures
down through history, including:
The Birth of a Major Trade City
The Great Fire of 1871
Construction of the Sears Tower
Chicago’s “Public Enemies”
The University of Chicago
...and more.
A View from the River: The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
"To see what's up in Chicago, come down to the river. Float along the Main Branch for views of Lake Point Tower and Marina City, up the North Branch to the condo-converted Montgomery Ward Catalog House, then down the South Branch to take in the soaring Sears Tower. This book, a companion to the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise, is your guide to the buildings that make downtown Chicago world famous for architecture and infrastructure.
During the past two hundred years, engineers and architects designed twin engineering marvels, the Chicago skyline and the Chicago River. Dredged, straightened, its direction reversed, the river flowed a varied course through the city's history, as Chicagoans built factories, civic structures, waterside homes and parks, and the world's tallest steel-and-glass monuments to big business.
The story of Chicago is the story of its river. A View from the River spotlights over fifty buildings, recounting an urban tale that continues to unfold."
Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC Johnson Research Tower
The Research Tower fascinated visitors to the adjoining landmark SC Johnson Administration Building because the Tower was not open for tours until a couple of years ago. Hertzberg was given rare access to the company archives for this richly illustrated history of the tower, which includes recollections from chemists who worked in the building before it closed 35 years ago.
Frank Lloyd Wright and the Johnson Wax Buildings, by Jonathan Lipman
Lipman extensively researched company archives for the first in-depth history and
appraisal of the SC Johnson Administration Building, SC Johnson Research Tower, and Wingspread, concurrent with a national traveling museum exhibition.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Chicago, IL
Program Concludes
Middleton, WI
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
15
| 6B |
4L |
5D |
Activity Level
Frank Lloyd Wright revolutionized architecture, opening up new realms for designers and creating new challenges for builders and engineers. Of the 532 Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the U.S., over 150 of them were built in Illinois and Wisconsin. Celebrate the work of this legendary architect as you visit some of his greatest works in the Midwest. Through discussions and field trips with Wright experts, learn how his work continues to impact modern architecture, and discover some of that modern architecture on city explorations of Madison, Racine, Milwaukee, Oak Park and Chicago with local experts.)
Best of all, you'll...
- In historic Oak Park, Illinois, discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio, designed by Wright and considered by many scholars to be the world’s first example of true modern architecture.
- Experience the work of Frank Lloyd Wright in Racine through an exploration of the S.C. Johnson Wax Administration Building and Research Tower, considered one of the 25 most important buildings of the 20th century.
- Learn about the rich history and culture of architecture in Chicago on an architectural study of the city from the Chicago River.
General Notes
For the convenience of participants who wish to fly in and out of Chicago, or drive and park their cars for the entirety of the program, the motor coach will depart the hotel in Wisconsin at 9:00 am and return to the Club Quarters in Chicago in the early afternoon.
Featured Expert
Mark Hertzberg
Mark Hertzberg is the author and photographer of four books about Frank Lloyd Wright’s work in southeastern Wisconsin: “Wright in Racine” (2004), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hardy House” (2006), “Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC Johnson Research Tower” (2010), and “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Penwern: A Summer Estate” (2019). A native of New York City, Mark received a B.A. in international relations from Lake Forest College in 1972. Mark has been inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Adam Selzer
Adam Selzer, an author and historian, has spent over a decade running hundreds of travel programs in Chicago, often showcasing the humor that he used in his acclaimed novels including 'Just Kill Me,' 'Play Me Backwards,' and the cult favorite 'I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It.' His nonfiction titles include as 'Ghosts of Chicago,' 'Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the US Film Industry,' 'The Smart Aleck’s Guide to American History,' 'Mysterious Chicago,' and 'H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil.'
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles and standing for up to three hours.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(18 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals | 6B | 4L | 5D |
2 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Chicago, IL
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Chicago River North
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table on the first floor to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. We’ll then meet in the hotel lobby and walk together to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Architecture Study Cruise, Robie House
Location:
Chicago, IL
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hyatt Place Chicago River North
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; periods of standing up to 1/2 hour at a time. Getting on/off a boat; cruising approximately 90 minutes. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 8 miles one way, up to 1/2 hour riding time each way to/from Hyde Park.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a boat to experience the spectacular skyline architecture of Chicago from the perspective of the Chicago River. The Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed much of the city's commercial property, which provided an opportunity for those who had the vision to merge structural steel and plate glass into vertical architectural wonders, thereby giving birth to the first skyscrapers. Through commentary provided by our onboard expert, we will gain a deeper understanding of the works of famous 19th- and 20th-century architects including Burnham, Jenny, Root and Sullivan, Van der Rohe and Goldberg.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After boarding our motorcoach, we will transfer to spend the afternoon in Hyde Park, home of the University of Chicago and President Obama. Upon arrival, we will go on an expert-led exploration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House (1908-1910). Completed in 1910, this home is talked about as one of the most important buildings in American Architecture. Please note: The second floor of Robie House – which includes the living room, dining room, and kitchen – is not wheelchair accessible.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions
Evening:
We will return to the hotel and the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. You may choose to take in the view of the city from 360 Chicago in the John Hancock Building, see the color-light show at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, or take an evening stroll down the Magnificent Mile. The Group Leader will be happy to offer information and suggestions.
Day
3
Home & Studio Oak Park, Unity Temple
Location:
Chicago, IL
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Chicago River North
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; many stairs at FLW home and studio. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 11 miles one way, up to 1/2 hour riding time each way. Getting on/off a boat; cruising approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach bound for historic Oak Park where we will have an expert-led exploration of the first home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright. While here, we’ll gain a deeper insight into the work of Wright and have an opportunity to travel around this historic neighborhood with a subject expert. Oak Park is renowned for having the greatest number of Wright-designed buildings. Please note: The Frank Lloyd Wright Home is not accessible to wheelchairs of any size as all entries to the Home have stairs. The Studio balcony is not accessible to wheelchairs. It is only accessible by a steep, narrow stairway.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Oak Park.
Afternoon:
Afterwards, we’ll explore another important of Frank Lloyd Wright. We'll have an expert led exploration of the Unity Temple. The Unity Temple is essential example of Wright’s early Prairie School of design and one of eight designated UNESCO World Heritage sites of Wright's works.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to seek out some of the many choices for entertainment in the city or relax at the hotel. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
SC Johnson, Racine
Location:
Racine, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Double Tree by Hilton Racine Harbourwalk
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; many stairs. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles from Chicago to Racine, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Legal identification is required for a field trip to the SC Johnson headquarters.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for Racine, Wisconsin where we will meet our local expert.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Racine, Wisconsin.
Afternoon:
At the restaurant in Racine, we will be joined by a local Frank Lloyd Wright expert for our study of Wright in Wisconsin. Next, we’ll travel to the SC Johnson corporate headquarters in Racine for a visit. Both the Administration Building and Research Tower were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Administration Building is considered by many to be one of 25 most important buildings of the 20th Century. Known for its unique Great Workroom, the open work space features dendriform columns and circular “birdcage” elevators. Please note: at the SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater and Fortaleza Hall, stairs are required to reach the upper levels of the Administration Building. The Research Tower is accessible only via stairs. We’ll then transfer to the hotel and check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, our local expert will give a lecture on specific Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and architectural elements. Afterwards, prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Frank Lloyd Wright in Milwaukee & Madison
Location:
Middleton, WI
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Fairfield Inn and Suites Madison West/Middleton
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day, some steps. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 135 miles throughout the day, approximately 4.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach for a short journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where we will go on an expert-led exploration of the American System-Built Homes (1912-1916), designed by Wright for low- and moderate-income families. Please note: Frank Lloyd Wright’s American System-Built Homes are not handicapped accessible. Our next stop will be in Wauwatosa, where our own resident expert will lead us on an exploration of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Byzantine architectural forms are reinterpreted here to reflect a modern aesthetic in this design. Wright began to design the Church in 1956, but he died prior to the completion of its construction.
Lunch:
On your own at the Milwaukee Public Market.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we’ll transfer from Milwaukee to Madison where we’ll see more of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. On our way to the hotel for check-in, we will stop to look at Monona Terrace, located on the shore of Lake Monona. First proposed in 1938 as a convention center for the capital city, the project finally went forward in 1992 with the exterior designed by Wright and the interior based upon a design by Taliesin architect Tony Puttnam. Today, this beautiful space is home to conventions, private, and civic events, often thrilling people with its beauty and stunning views of the lake, skyline and the dome of the state capital.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Middleton near to the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Frank Lloyd Wright in Madison, Taliesin Estate
Location:
Middleton, WI
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Fairfield Inn and Suites Madison West/Middleton
Activity Note
Extensive walking with periods of standing at Taliesin Estate for up to 2 hours; uneven terrain. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles to Spring Green; under 1 hour riding time one-way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and head out for an expert-led exploration of the Unitarian Meeting House, considered to be one of the world's most important examples of Church Architecture. Our next stop will bring us to the Wyoming Valley School, the building (built in 1957) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who donated his design and two acres of land to the School District in honor of his mother, Anna Lloyd-Jones Wright.
Lunch:
At the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor's Center.
Afternoon:
With a local expert, we’ll explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor’s Center and the 800-acre Taliesin Estate, which was Wright’s home for 48 years from 1911 until 1959. The estate features buildings that represent his work across his career as it served as a laboratory for architectural design and innovation. We’ll then head back to our hotel for transfer to our farewell dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Middleton, WI
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. We will provide a motorcoach back to Chicago for drop off at the Hyatt Place River North; driving up to 142 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
For the convenience of participants who wish to fly in and out of Chicago, or drive and park their cars for the entirety of the program, the motorcoach will depart the hotel in Middleton at 9:00 am with a drop-off at the Chicago airports before returning to the Hyatt Place River North in Chicago in the early afternoon. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
15 Meals
6 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025
- May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025 (Chicago, IL to Middleton, WI)
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025 (Chicago, IL to Middleton, WI)
- Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025 (Chicago, IL to Middleton, WI)
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025 (Chicago, IL to Middleton, WI)
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025 (Chicago, IL to Middleton, WI)
Participant Reviews
Based on 24 Reviews
Sort By:
This was a well balanced and stimulating experience for me because I became acquainted with a great city and all its fabulous architecture, plus the theme of the program with FLW was everywhere. Very enjoyable!
— Review left October 30, 2024
Only my second trip; but definitely not my last!!
— Review left September 17, 2024
This is a well-led, well-curated tour. It's interesting, informative and well organized. I loved the variety of the architecture we experienced, the experts were very engaging and our tour leader Tony was outstanding! Lots of fun extras and surprises along the way!
— Review left September 8, 2024
A great experience for those who want to immerse themselves in Frank Lloyd Wright’s world of creations. And a good opportunity to learn more about the man himself.
Highly recommended!
— Review left September 8, 2024
This was a wonderful trip! Lots of standing but it was OK. Learned quite a bit from all the docents and guides. Thank you!
— Review left August 14, 2024
What a great opportunity to learn a whole lot about the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright and his influence on world architecture!
— Review left June 26, 2024
Activity level description was correct. The walking/standing involved was at times hard but the forewarning helped!
— Review left June 25, 2024
This trip was interesting for people with a variety of architectural knowledge and included a wide range of FLW buildings. Mark Hertzberg's local Wisconsin expertise was especially welcome. Our group leader's ability to adapt on the fly was impressive. I have already recommended this trip to others.
— Review left May 31, 2024
I have always been interested in Frank Lloyd Wright. After visiting his Falling Waters home I wanted to see more of his homes and buildings. I have gone on a number of Road Scholar adventures, and when I saw this opportunity I immediately wanted to include this tour. I am glad I did and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They covered so many of his buildings that on my own I would not have been able to do.
— Review left May 29, 2024
This trip met my expectations in every way. Particular kudos go to Gayle Felix. She was superb, even when the universe threw boulders in her path. Thank you, Gayle!
— Review left May 25, 2024
The program was wonderful and I learned a lot. The group leader was the best. The bus driver to Madison was very nice and helpful.
— Review left May 20, 2024
This is an outstanding, well-organized program that covers a breadth of Wright sites - different types of residential buildings, three houses of worship, an office space. It was the first of what I hope will be many RoadScholar trips.
— Review left October 25, 2023
This program is well worth taking because it covers information on Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings , life, and
Talent. The places this trip takes you to are well worth the time and money. This trip made it convenient to see all of the places listed. I give it an A plus.
— Review left October 24, 2023
This program is fantastic, with access to some Frank Lloyd Wright sites not available otherwise!
— Review left May 28, 2023
If you want to be fully immersed in Frank Lloyd Wright architectural design, signup for this program. We had a very active and thoroughly enjoyable schedule viewing a variety of Wright designed buildings including houses, churches, a research lab building, civic center, and school house. Days are very full with time spent seeing and learning. I've already recommended this program to friends since I returned home.
— Review left May 22, 2023
Excellent over-view of FLW's philosophy and buildings by well-informed docents.
— Review left July 3, 2022
Excellent program! Highly recommend!
— Review left June 19, 2022
A thorough and fascinating immersion in the world of Frank Lloyd Wright
— Review left May 24, 2022
I highly recommend this program which was chock full of interesting and educational activities. If you've never been to Chicago, I suggest adding an extra day or two to visit some of the museums, zoo, or just eat!!
— Review left May 24, 2022
This was my first experience with a Road Scholar program. I have many friends who have been on Road Scholar and even Elderhostel trips in the past a all unanimously praised these programs and I was not disappointed. Hear hear!!!!
— Review left July 14, 2019
Getting to know the person and genius of Frank Lloyd Wright is the goal of this program. I believe this objective was met. If you are a devotee of FLW or would just like to experience his work at a deeper level, then this program is for you.
— Review left July 2, 2019
This was a fine trip and a good value for the money with the following reservations:
1. The bus used in Chicago broke down twice.
2. The visit to Monona Terrace was too long by half.
3. The use of electronic whispers was useful outside in urban settings but was otherwise an irritant and a time-waster.
4. The hotel in Madison was of poor quality: noisy, with trash on the stairs. The last dinner in Madison was also of poor quality.
— Review left July 1, 2019
Everything you wanted to know and see about Frank Lloyd Wright. Excellent guides and field trips.
— Review left July 1, 2019
Do NOT take a program out of Chicago that is handled by the JCC!!!
Poor leaders and coordination
— Review left May 25, 2019