Richland Center-born Frank Lloyd Wright has been called one of the greatest architects of all time, and for good reason. Eight of his structures — including the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Taliesin in Spring Green — are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and more than 40 are scattered throughout Wisconsin. These eight examples of his work make for perfect day trips from Madison.
A.D. German Warehouse
Richland Center (about 1.5-hour drive)
It’s only fitting that the first entry on this list should be located in the town where Frank Lloyd Wright was born. The four-story A.D. German Warehouse was constructed from 1917 to 1921, and it’s the only Wright-designed commercial building that remains from that time period. Tours offered every Sunday from May 4 to October 5. 300 S. Church St., Richland Center
Wyoming Valley School
Spring Green (1-hour drive)
Frank Lloyd Wright donated the Wyoming Valley School to the Wyoming School District in honor of his mother, who was a kindergarten teacher, in 1957. The one-story building, now a nonprofit cultural center, is characterized by its elongated hexagonal shape and soaring ceilings criss-crossed by wooden beams. Private and group tours available any time of day or year with advanced notice. 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green
Taliesin
Spring Green (1-hour drive)
Frank Lloyd Wright built Taliesin, which means “shining brow” in Welsh, into the brow — or the top crest — of a hill. Here, in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless region, was where Wright spent nearly 50 years of his life. The 37,000-square-foot structure is a model of Wright’s organic architecture style, seamlessly integrated into its surrounding natural environment. Explore Taliesin’s 800-acre property and find buildings that span Wright’s entire career, from the octagonal Romeo and Juliet Windmill to the asymmetrical Midway Barn. Tours offered daily from May 1 to Oct. 31 and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November and April. 5481 County Rd. C, Spring Green
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Wauwatosa (1.5-hour drive)
Milwaukee County is home to Wisconsin’s largest Greek community, and this blue-domed church looks straight out of Santorini. Designed 1956 and completed in 1961, after Wright’s death, the church is still in use. Tours available upon prior request; 9400 W. Congress St., Wauwatosa
Still Bend
Two Rivers (about 2.5-hour drive)
Wright drew up the plans for Still Bend when LIFE Magazine commissioned him to design a “Dream House” for a typical American family. The residence, completed in 1940, embodies principles of what Wright called Usonian architecture: efficiency, harmony with nature and affordability. It is one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residences that’s available to rent for overnight stays. One-hour tours available for reservation; 3425 Adams St., Two Rivers
Seth Peterson Cottage
Reedsburg (1-hour drive)
This 880-square-foot 1958 cottage is small, compared to sprawling estates like Taliesin and Still Bend. Still, it’s no less beautiful. Its floor-to-ceiling windows soak the cottage’s interior in natural light and grant visitors incredible views of the wooded shoreline of Mirror Lake. If touring the charming one-bedroom chalet isn’t enough, the cottage is available to rent overnight. Open for tours the second Sunday of each month from 1-4 p.m., no reservations required. E9982 Fern Dell Road, Reedsburg
SC Johnson Administration Building
Racine (about 2-hour drive)
Hailed as futuristic upon its 1939 completion, the SC Johnson Administration Building stands out for its one-half acre Great Workroom. It is now the only Wright-designed corporate headquarters still in use. Free tours available for reservation. 1525 Howe St., Racine
Wingspread
Wind Point (1.75-hour drive)
This Prairie-style residence, built in 1938 and 1939 for the president of SC Johnson, is defined by its four massive wings that protrude out from the structure’s central living space. Today, Wingspread is a retreat and executive conference center operated by The Johnson Foundation.Tours available by reservation only; 33 E. 4 Mile Rd., Wind Point
Staying in town? Madison, where the architect attended college, has some Wright-designed buildings within city limits, too.
Wright drew up the original plans for the exterior of Monona Terrace in 1938, but construction didn’t begin until 1995, nearly 30 years after his death. Note Wright’s implementation of curved and rounded design elements, reminiscent of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and the Guggenheim Museum. 1 John Nolen Drive
The First Unitarian Society Meeting House, built in 1951, is still a functioning church where Wright himself was once a member. It’s unique for its triangular shape and towering wall of glass windows. 900 University Bay Drive…