One of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's most well-known buildings, Fallingwater was built in the 1930s as the vacation home of department store magnate Edgar J. Kaufmann. The house is cantilevered over a waterfall in a beautiful woodland setting, and showcases Wright's unique architectural style. The home is now operated as a public museum, featuring a visitor center, café and gift shop.
Parking and public transportation at Fallingwater
Fallingwater has plenty of free public parking, with a short walk between the parking area and visitor center. There is no public transport, but some tour operators run bus tours.
Best and worst time to go
Tours run daily from April to November, and demand is highest in summer. The grounds are particularly lovely in fall and spring, and the crowds are generally thinner. Fallingwater closes in January and February and operates for limited hours in March and December.
Admission to Fallingwater
Guided tours must be booked in advance. Prices range from $25 for a basic guided tour to $122 for the brunch tour, which includes eating on the Fallingwater terrace. A grounds pass, which allows you to walk through the woods and view the house from outside, is $8. Children under six are not permitted on tours.
Must do at Fallingwater
After the Fallingwater guided tour, take a detour on the walk back to the Visitor Center to view the house from across the stream. It's the best spot for photographs, showcasing the cantilevered structure and cascading waterfall.
Other places to visit near Fallingwater
Just seven miles away from Fallingwater is Kentuck Knob, another Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house built to a unique hexagonal plan, and featuring an extensive sculpture garden. Tour tickets can be purchased through Fallingwater.
Insider tip for visitors to Fallingwater
Wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress for the outdoors — touring the house requires walking about a quarter mile through the woods and along Fallingwater's original driveway, and temperatures are often about 10 degrees cooler than Pittsburgh.
Author's bio: Heather McCracken is a freelance journalist based in Pittsburgh who loves traveling, biking and ice cream sandwiches.