Mississippi River Country is home to an amazing variety of architectural styles, from mid-century creations by iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright to pre-Civil War homes in the South.
Explore the works of Frank Lloyd Wright
Where to go: Wisconsin & Illinois
Frank Lloyd Wright is widely regarded as America’s greatest architect, and visitors can find stellar examples of his influential work in Wisconsin and Illinois. In 2019, four Wright properties in Wisconsin and Illinois were named UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Wisconsin, and visitors will be able to explore nine sites throughout the southern part of the state that show off some of the famed architect’s finest work. One of the most notable sites is Taliesin, Wright’s 800-acre estate in Spring Green that overlooks the Wisconsin River. Other significant buildings can be found in Madison, Milwaukee and Racine.
Illinois is home to the greatest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world. Visitors will find 10 sites open to the public on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, including his home and studio in Oak Park (just outside of Chicago), the Dana-Thomas House in the capital city of Springfield and the Laurent House in Rockford.
Getting there: Chicago is served by O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Wisconsin’s main airports are Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport and Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport.
Historic homes
Where to go: Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi—situated on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River—has more than 1,000 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of these buildings are pre-Civil War homes open to public tours, including Stanton Hall, Melrose and the unfinished Longwood.
Getting there: Natchez is a 90-minute drive from the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in Louisiana.
