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THE 10 BEST United States Architectural Buildings

Architectural buildings in united states.

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1. Empire State Building

2. Grand Central Terminal

3. One World Observatory

4. Rockefeller Center

5. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

6. Chapel of the Holy Cross

7. Stetson Mansion

8. 360 Chicago Observation Deck

9. Taliesin Preservation, Inc.

10. Texas State Capitol

11. St. Louis Cathedral

12. George Washington's Mount Vernon

13. Taliesin West

14. Fox Theatre

15. Art Deco Historic District

16. The Oculus

17. Mission San Xavier del Bac

18. Nashville Parthenon

19. Washington National Cathedral

20. Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

21. Sky View Observatory

22. Santa Barbara County Courthouse

23. Walt Disney Concert Hall

24. Chicago Cultural Center

25. Oak Alley Plantation

26. Flatiron Building

27. The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours

28. Coit Tower

29. Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center

30. Chrysler Building

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Architectural Tours

American Architecture Tours, US Building Guides

American Walking Tours, US Building Guides, Architectural Walks USA, Architects travel

American Architecture Tours

America Architecture Guides – City Walks in the United States of America

post updated March 22, 2024

Contact Isabelle Lomholt: isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Buildings in United States of America – Introduction

Our American Architectural tours operate in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Alaska. We aim to add more US cities soon.

Miami Architecture Tours

Washington, D.C. Architecture Walking Tours

American Walking Tours

Famous architects with buildings in the city include Steven Holl Architects, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Fumihiko Maki and associates, Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Foster + Partners. Famous 20th Century architects to build in Boston include Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto.

The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center and ConocoPhillips Gallery – the final public spaces in David Chipperfield Architects’ project for the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center – opened back in 2010. The Common, a new public space for downtown Anchorage, designed by Charles Anderson Landscape Architects in collaboration with David Chipperfield Architects, includes a 24 ft tall sculpture by Antony Gormley and completes the new arrival to the museum.

e-architect : Architecture Walking Tours since 2001

American Architectural Tours can focus on contemporary or traditional buildings in the United States or both.

We can provide information on geographical areas and building types ahead of your US walking tour, for example a group of architects interested in innovative American office buildings could be provided with specific information allowing a tailored tour programme to be agreed prior to their visit to the United States of America.

Contact Isabelle Lomholt to arrange your architectural tour to America on mob. +44 (0)7952 149814 or isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Payments must be made in full prior to the US architectural tour.

Architecture Tours

Other than the United States of America, e-architect organise architecture walking tours in other countries such as USA, Mexico, France and the UK.

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USA Architecture Walking Tours: City Walks

USA Architecture Walking Tours, American Building Guides, United States Architectural Walks, Architects Visits

USA Architecture Walking Tours

US Architectural Guides – Exclusive Building Walks tailor made for Groups by e-architect

post updated April 7, 2023

Book your US city guide with e-architect at +44 7952 149814/ isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Architecture Tours America

American Architecture Tour: Exclusive Guided Walks

Our US guided tours are all tailored to suit each booking, we do not allow for bookings to be joined. Our guided tours in the United States of America are all exclusive to each client.

Architecture Walking Tours USA

Should you be planning an office trip, conference, or university trip in the USA please contact us and we would be happy to take your booking.

USA Architecture Tour – Introduction

e-architect have been running guided architectural city walking tours since 2001.

We’ve architectural tour guides in most major US cities. Walking tours can sometimes combine different cities in North America.

American Architecture Links : links

US Architectural City Tours – News

Our architecture tour guides in North America are offered in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Las Vegas and Alaska. We also offer architectural guides in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Mexico City. We have a global network of architect guides available in major cities.

USA Architecture Walking Tours – Introduction

e-architect’s architecture walking tours tend to focus on key contemporary North American buildings within the historic context. However our guides can usually incorporate specific architectural interests such as the major office buildings in New York City or the most significant skyscrapers in Chicago.

e-architect typically offer architecture walking tours but requests for visits using bicycles or a bus can normally be accommodated. Our US tour guides have an architectural background and quite a few of them are also architects. Each city offered in North America has a standard tour framework but please contact us if you have specific interests.

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Walking Tours USA

American Architectural Tours can be an introduction to the city’s main buildings or can be tailored to your group’s architectural interests. The USA walking tour can be tailored to the needs of your group.

American Architectural Tours

Contact our office to arrange your US architectural tour: mob. +44 (0)7952 149814 / isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Building Tours in further cities will be added shortly.

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Tour the 10 Homes That Changed America

By Dave Banks

In its 10 Homes That Changed America , the first in a three-part series, PBS discusses the many ways in which America has been shaped by its iconic and important residential architecture. According to series host Geoffrey Baer, narrowing the millions of examples across America down to ten was a challenge. Other episodes explore ten towns and parks that have impacted the way Americans live and enjoy the great outdoors. The series is available on iTunes and shoppbs.org . Here, AD tours the ten homes that have not only passed the test of time but also paved the way for those that followed.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico (circa 15th century)

The pueblos of New Mexico’s Taos Indians are more than a thousand years old. Although no one lives in them anymore, they are considered by many to have been America's first eco-friendly homes. These mud-brick structures stayed cool during the heat of the day and radiated warmth during the cool nights.

Monticello, Virginia (1772)

Thomas Jefferson called his home an “essay in architecture.” And with good reason: From its perfect proportions to its unique design, the Charlottesville, Virginia, home helped to popularize Palladian style in America. Jefferson had similar buildings constructed decades later at the nearby University of Virginia, which he founded.

Lyndhurst, New York (1842)

This Gothic Revival castle, nestled in a parklike setting above the Hudson River, was home to former Gotham mayor William Paulding (1770-1854). It was designed by A.J. Davis, a popular architect of the day, and became the standard that post-industrial America’s grand estates were judged against.

Mid-19th Century Tenement, New York City

As immigration to the United States exploded during the mid-19th century and the Lower East Side of Manhattan overflowed with residents, many newcomers found a place to begin their American Dream in notorious tenements. The cramped and horrid living conditions eventually gave birth to housing regulations that, to this day, continue to guarantee basic necessities in American housing such as plumbing and lighting.

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By Sarah Archer

By Jessica Ritz

The Gamble House, Pasadena, California (1908)

Built in 1908 by brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, the Gamble House has been labeled the quintessential American Craftsman home. This bungalow, designed for David and Mary Gamble, of multinational company Procter & Gamble fame, is a masterpiece of Arts and Crafts, a movement popular from 1880 to 1910. The Gamble House’s style hints at traditional Japanese aesthetics and exudes a spaciousness made possible by the abundance of land and a hospitable climate.

Langston Terrace Dwellings, Washington D.C. (1938)

Langston Terrace, the nation’s second federally funded public housing project, was completed in 1938. The dwellings were designed by African-American architect Hilyard Robinson, who believed architecture could transform lives. By integrating courtyards, green spaces, and playgrounds into his design, Robinson mimicked the European model of urban planning, encouraging a sense of community.

Fallingwater, Mill Run, Pennsylvania (1937)

Fallingwater is among the most revered buildings in the world. The masterwork of architect Frank Lloyd Wright , the structure is cantilevered, in part, over a waterfall. Constructed with stone walls in the woods of Mill Run, the house is low to the ground, appearing almost organic as it blends with its surroundings.

Eames House, Pacific Palisades, California (1949)

As part of a challenge to come up with an affordable home that could be easily replicated, husband-and-wife furniture designers Charles and Ray Eames created this residence in the Westside of Los Angeles. The house—which used prefabricated materials ordered from catalogues—has become an icon of modern architecture.

Marina City, Chicago, Illinois (1962)

In the 1960s, during a time when people were fleeing the city for open suburban landscapes, architect Bertrand Goldberg’s Marina City was calling them back. Built as mixed-use structures, the skyscrapers take up an entire block in downtown Chicago. In describing the remarkable design of the buildings, show host Geoffrey Baer says Marina City “had everything—parking, restaurants, offices, a movie theater, and more.” The two mixed-use towers were instrumental in the revitalization of our nation’s urban architecture.

Glidehouse, Novato, California (2004)

At the turn of 21st century, energy-efficient and sustainable prefab homes came in to high demand. As a spark to the movement, Glidehouse, a 2004 design by architect Michelle Kaufmann, gave rise to factory-produced, modern, elegant, and eco-friendly houses that can now be seen across America.

By Stefanie Waldek

By Perri Ormont Blumberg

By Chelsea Hodson

By Alia Akkam

America’s 10 most breathtaking buildings

Oct 1, 2019 • 5 min read

The Washington National Cathedral is a stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture and, according to the American Institute of Architects, one of the most beautiful buildings in the nation © amedved / Getty Images

Compared to the rest of the world, American architecture is noticeably younger. In fact, its modern residents have only been designing and constructing large buildings for a couple of hundred years – as opposed to several hundred or even thousands of years in Europe, Africa and Asia.

But older isn’t always better. What’s more, the USA ’s penchant for doing things in its own, often regionally distinctive and stubborn way has resulted in hundreds of innovative and eclectic US buildings. When it comes to sightseeing, then, where’s the best place to start? Here are the top 10 most celebrated buildings in the country’s relatively young but impressive history, as voted by the American Institute of Architects .

1. Empire State Building, New York City

An enduring symbol of both Americana and New York City since its completion in 1931, this Art Deco masterpiece in Midtown Manhattan stands 104 stories tall and reaches more than 1,450 feet in the sky. Tickets to either the open-air deck on the 86th floor or the windowed lookout from the 102nd floor range from $31-57 , depending on age and location. Fun fact: the building is safely struck by lightning more than 20 times each year.

2. The White House, Washington, DC

As the official residence and workplace of the United States President, this neoclassical mansion designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban sprawls a modest 55,000 square feet. Self-guided tours are free , but they must be requested through one’s Member of Congress or the appropriate embassy in Washington, DC (for foreigners). Like the country it represents, the relatively young house has survived all-consuming fire, multiple renovations, and 43 peaceful transfers of power for more than 200 years.

3. Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC

This Neo-Gothic Episcopal cathedral is the second largest church-building in the United States and fourth-tallest structure in Washington, DC. About a 20-minute drive northwest of the National Mall, construction began in 1907 but wasn’t completed until 1990. Although admission is free on Sunday, tours on other days cost $8-12 dollars per person.

Related content:  HERstory – celebrating women in Washington, DC

4. Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC

Situated on the water-filled west end of the National Mall, this serene and open-air pantheon commemorates the nation’s third president and arguably its most important founding father. Overlooking the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River, the neoclassical memorial was completed in 1947 and is an ideal place to escape the more crowded areas of the Mall or take in Cherry Blossoms at their peak in spring. Admission is free and the memorial is open 24 hours.

5. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Like a Statue of Liberty of the west coast, this iconic suspension bridge has been welcoming immigrants and visitors alike since it was completed in 1937. For postcard views and photo opps of the red-orange bridge and famous bay, visit Baker Beach on the southwest side or Crissy Field on the southeast side. If you wish, you can drive the bridge northbound for no charge but will need to pay an   $8 one-way toll while driving southbound into San Francisco.

6. United States Capitol, Washington, DC

Like the White House, the Capitol Building was completed in 1800 in the neoclassical style and is one of the most recognizable symbols of democracy in the world. Located on Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall, the four-acre office building is home to the legislative and judicial branches of the federal government. Admission is free but passes are required in advance for guided tours . In addition to visiting the building itself, the Supreme Court Steps, and Library of Congress , head further east to take in the beautiful surroundings.

7. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

Dedicated in 1922, this Greed Doric temple contains a large seated sculpture of a reverent and assured-looking Abraham Lincoln, who is widely regarded as America’s most beloved president. Above his statue, the following words are found: ‘In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.’ Like the Jefferson Memorial, admission is free and the memorial is open 24 hours.

8. Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N.C.

As the former residence of the Vanderbilts (once the wealthiest family in America), this massive and perfectly-landscaped Château-style mansion is the nation’s largest private home — even larger than the US Capitol Building. Situated two hours west while driving from the nearest major airport of Charlotte and completed in 1895, tickets cost $60-85 per adult, depending on the time of year. Kids, however, are often free with a paying adult.

9. Chrysler Building, New York City

When it was completed in 1930, this Art Deco skyscraper on the East Side of Midtown Manhattan was the tallest in the world. It was also the first man-made structure to exceed 1000 feet in height and remains the tallest brick building in the world. While the Empire State Building surpassed its ‘world’s tallest’ status just 11 months after it was completed, some say the Chrysler Building is even more interesting to behold. Since no official tours are offered, however, you’ll have to view it from afar or the public lobby.

10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC

Since its completion in 1982, this solemn, black marble memorial has been widely revered and visited by war veterans, their families, and others who benefited from their collective sacrifice. Spanning two acres on a grassy field, the moving memorial stands just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial and is open to the public 24 hours a day. Remarkably, it was designed by a 21-year old Yale student named Maya Lin.

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Architecture tourism: The best U.S. buildings, parks, and museums to visit this summer

Tours, parks, and buildings for architecturally-minded travelers to add to their itinerary

You can scan social media and admire great architecture and design from afar, but there's something to be said about seeing a great work in its natural environment. With summer travel season at its apex, there's plenty of time to get site-specific with pilgrimages to architectural masterpieces or make time for urban innovations during your next long weekend out of town. We've assembled a list of some of our favorite tours, sites, and buildings for architecturally minded travelers to add to their itinerary, organized west to east and including new openings of note. We can’t cover it all, but this should be a good start.

A pioneering residential development along the northern coast of California, the Sea Ranch , which features the landscape designer Lawrence Halprin, architect Charles Moore, and graphic artist Barbara Stauffacher Solomon , among many others, was an attempt at a pastoral utopia for the middle-class Bay Area intellectual. The development of the original site—and the timber-clad, shed-roofed buildings nestled within it—have deeply influenced modernist design. Key trends, such as vernacular modernism that incorporates local materials and graphic interiors, can all be traced back to this singular project. Note that the development is still a private community; those wanting to visit can access public beaches and trails or rent a house there to take advantage (the Lodge at The Sea Ranch is also due to reopen in late 2019), but visiting renters should take care to respect the rights and privacy of current homeowners.

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Portland Building

Considered the first major work of postmodernism when it was completed in 1982 (not to be confused with earlier, example-setting buildings like the Vanna Venturi house ), the Portland Municipal Services Building exemplified the style’s playful re-interpretations of classical design elements. Architect Michael Graves saw the project as a ”symbolic gesture” to reclaim design from Modernism’s staid, boxy, glass-and-steel grip. Wrapped in several colors and featuring bold design flourishes—including keystones, pilasters and belvederes—the 15-story building made a case for creativity in architecture. The debate still rages on: Is such a design choice engaging recontextualization, or whimsy light on symbolism?   Currently, the building is in the process of a contentious $195 million “reskinning,” which city officials say will remove, strengthen, and replace the facade;  preservationists feel  many of the materials used in the replacement will compromise the form and facade of the building.

Golden Gate Bridge

Even when it’s shrouded in the Bay Area fog, this 1.7-mile suspension bridge, arguably the most famous in the country, still attracts cyclists, crowds, and onlookers marveling at one of San Francisco’s most recognizable symbols. Learn more about this infrastructure marvel at Curbed San Francisco , then plan a visit.

Hallidie Building

It may seem a little short to be the forerunner of today's skyscrapers, but when it was built in 1918, the Hallidie Building was the first of its kind with a glass facade. A recent multi-year restoration project restored a bit of the nearly century-old structure's shine.

According to Curbed San Francisco editor Brock Keeling , the long-anticipated expansion of one of the city’s signature cultural institutions has been both an “unabashed success” and “standout in the neighborhood.” Snøhetta’s 10-story contoured facade, an update on the classic Mario Botta building , was inspired by San Francisco's characteristic fog and choppy Bay waters.

Space Needle

One of the symbols of Seattle, this space-age observation tower , built for the 1962 World’s Fair, just completed a $100 million renovation last fall. Visitors to the local icon, whose designers left a large footprint on Seattle architecture , will be able to check out a new 360-degree observation deck, complete with a glass floor and excellent views of Mt. Rainier.

Gas Works Park

A revolutionary creative reuse project, and a “ beautiful way to remember a toxic past ,” this Seattle park, designed by architect Richard Haag, reimagined a coal gasification plant on the city’s waterfront as an active park and children’s play place. Landscaping and repurposing of different sections of the abandoned industrial facility have made this one of the more unique parts of the city’s landscape.

Hearst Castle

The inspiration for Xanadu in Orson Welles’s classic film Citizen Kane , William Randolph Hearst’s castle in San Simeon was built on family land where he would take camping trips as a child. Architect Julia Morgan designed the ranch and hilltop estate based on the newspaper tycoon’s eclectic tastes, including Spanish themes. "La Cuesta Encantada" ("The Enchanted Hill") became a sprawling enterprise, complete with the nation's largest private zoo, a movie theater, the Neptune Pool (which contained the façade of a Roman temple Hearst imported from Europe) and a private power plant. A perfectionist, Hearst often ordered different sections to be redesigned and rebuilt; Morgan started pitching ideas in 1915, but the project still was incomplete by the time Hearst died in 1951.

The Majestic Yosemite Hotel

One of the defining examples of “ parkitecture ,” the rustic style of design found throughout the National Park System, the Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel) has hosted generations of tourists. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in 1927, the building was made to match its surroundings, and reflects the natural splendor that makes Yosemite so compelling.

Eames House

Anybody convinced that modern design means cold edges and a stark palette need only peek inside the exuberant home Ray and Charles Eames designed for themselves in 1949. Commissioned as part of Art & Architecture magazine’s Case Study program and placed amid a eucalyptus grove in the Pacific Palisades, the prefab exterior, a Mondrian-like assembly of off-the-shelf parts—colorful panels, glass, and steel—conceals a playful and living room. The inspiring, oft-photographed space, an artful array of toys , tchotchkes, and furniture, embodies the couple’s imaginative and all-encompassing design philosophy.

Sheats-Goldstein House

The LA County Museum of Art's first-ever architecture acquisition , the Sheats-Goldstein House high in the hills of Beverly Crest, designed by John Lautner and owned and loved for decades James Goldstein, is one of the most spectacular houses in Los Angeles: triangular concrete jaws held open by walls of glass, and filled with transparent sinks, built-in leather furniture (including a bed), outdoor corridors with no rails, and windows that look into the pool.

Schindler House

A radical departure from architectural convention at the time it was built in 1922, R.M. Schindler’s experiment in shared space, separated by sliding glass panels, came from an unlikely inspiration: a vacation village at Yosemite National Park. The layout of those shared campsites gave Schindler the idea of creating a live-work space appropriate for two families, a pair of L-shaped apartments with two studios and a utility room apiece. While it may not look it from the road, the home’s then-unique blurring of interior and exterior created a precedent, Also known as the Schindler Chace House, since his friend Clyde Chace and his wife were the first family to share the home with Schindler (Richard Neutra was next), this unique building was a early Modernist classic.

Stahl House

Pierre Konig’s classic midcentury modern design for the Stahl family has become an icon of California cool, perhaps the most instantly recognizable of the Case Study homes that helped defined this era of modernist architecture. Tour spots for this hillside home are hard to come by, so make sure to reserve well ahead of time.

Griffith Observatory

One of LA’s true gems, the Griffith Observatory boasts some of the best views in the city, from sunset panoramas and the excellent framing of the nearby Hollywood Sign to the celestial wonders found inside this astronomy center. The best part is, it’s still free.

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Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House

A '20s masterpiece that may have set the tone for California modernism, Wright's most famous California project was reopened to the public in 2015 year after a painstaking restoration; an entire year was spent just studying and mapping out the updates that needed to be made to the former home of an oil heiress.

The Broad Museum

Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s design for this Los Angeles museum, a serrated, 120,000-square-foot home for contemporary art, adds to the collection of cultural institutions on Grand Avenue. Inside, the curvaceous interiors and broad galleries make for a “fascinating museum experience,” according to Curbed critic Alexandra Lange.

The Gamble House

A lot of weighty associations are attached to this airy Pasadena home and its gabled roofs: it’s the finest surviving example of architectural duo Greene and Greene’s work, an exemplary California bungalow, and a high point of the Arts and Crafts movement. But its romantic silhouettes, Japanese influences, and exemplary woodwork also point to an early example of Southern California cool, a thoroughly modern attempt to create a building wedded to the climate (note the numerous sleeping porches). Commissioned by David Gamble, an heir to the Procter & Gamble fortune, and designed in 1908, the summer home has become one of L.A.’s most-loved residences.

Chicano Park

On April 20, 1970, this recreation space became the site of a successful protest against a city plan to build a California Highway Patrol substation on land where the government promised to build a community park. It’s since become an important historic site for the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, a National Historic Landmark, and contains the Chicano Park Monumental Murals, a massive and multicolored collection of street art.

Spiral Jetty

Built in 1970, Robert Smithson’s 1500-foot long curlicue of mud, salt crystals and rocks is considered an icon of land art and statement on the nature of entropy. The sculptor, who declared that museums were simply "mausoleums for art,” scouted out locations in Utah for this work, and settled on Rozel Point, in part due to its red hue and nearby industrial remnants. To construct the huge outcropping into the lake, he hired a local construction company to push 6,650 tons of material into the water. "That was the only thing I ever built that was to look at and had no purpose,” said the contractor in an interview. "It was made just to look nice.” Despite the size, it's part of the small minority of projects in our Land Art map that's actually finished.

Summer is all about finding your own utopia, right? If you're headed through Arizona, make a detour to this utopian eco-city started in the '70s, a prototype-in-the-making for a more sustainable way of life.

David & Gladys Wright House

Designed for Frank Lloyd Wright's son, this spiraling home in Phoenix has been called a precursor to his Guggenheim design, and an epitome of site-specific architecture in the desert. A non-profit foundation is set on preserving the home.

Taliesin West

Originally designed and built in 1937 as a reflection of the desert landscape (petroglyphs discovered onsite formed a basis for a motif found throughout), Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter camp for the Taliesin Fellowship offers a striking model of his philosophy, and functions as the home of the foundation that protects his legacy. This was a workshop for Wright, both a center for instruction and a constantly evolving creation (after returning each summer, he would quickly circle the site, hammer in hand). In the midst of a large-scale restoration effort, this is one of the 10 Wright projects nominated for UNESCO World Heritage recognition, along with the original Taliesin in Spring Green, WIsconsin.

Aspen Art Museum

Shigeru Ban's elegant, lattice-like structure became one of the country's most talked about cultural institutions upon opening, though local reactions were mixed .

Denver Art Museum

A mysterious, Late Modernist   fortress, this seven-story addition to the Denver Art Museum is the only building in the United States designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti. Castle-like and clad in glass tiles, the 24-sided slate gray structure is enigmatic, befitting a space of creative expression and contemplation. The architect said of his design, “Art is a treasure, and these thin but jealous walls defend it.” Last January, the museum broke ground on a  $150 million renovation  of the campus, timed to finish in 2021, the 50th anniversary of Ponti’s design.

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United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

Master planned in the ‘50s by a Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) team led by the then 34-year-old Walter Netsch, the legendary Air Force Academy outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado, has become a National Landmark, due to its sharp layout and striking Cadet Chapel, a transcendent religious building that looks like a fleet of jet straining towards the heavens. It’s a picture of streamlined steel, strength, and fearlessness, all set against the backdrop of the Rockies and an azure mountain sky. Be sure to visit before September 1, when planned repairs on the roof are set to begin.

Judd Foundation

The Judd Foundation spaces in Marfa, Texas, may appear more museum than home, especially considering the numerous studios and architecture offices spread among the sprawling town centered on a former Army base turned art mecca (don’t forget the famous middle-of-nowhere Prada store courtesy Ballroom Marfa). But the private residence of Donald Judd, set inside La Mansana de Chinati, or The Block, a former Quartermaster Corps office turned city block-sized development, is an adobe walled-home complete with a garden and Judd-designed furniture. Set within the larger complex, which provides unheard-of space to artists, the home suggests not merely a sense of freedom and Southwestern flourishes. Taken as part of a larger vision, Judd’s home and studios represents a different model of art, creative practice, and large-scale installations.

Klyde Warren Park

This award-winning parkland bridges different neighborhoods of downtown Dallas by virtue of a deck design set above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Dallas Pritzker District

It's not an official landmark, but as this article pointed out, Dallas has the most acclaimed architecture per square mile of any major American city, if judged solely by Pritzker Medals: I.M. Pei (Meyerson Symphony Center), Rem Koolhaas (Wyly Theatre), Renzo Piano (Nasher Sculpture Center), Norman Foster (Winspear Opera House), Philip Johnson (Thanks-Giving Square) and Thom Mayne (Perot Museum of Nature and Science) are all represented. If you're time-starved and looking to check a few names off the list, the Dallas arts district gives you bragging rights in just a few blocks.

Fair Park Dallas

The rides within Dallas’s Fair Park have earned legendary status over the years. But perhaps the most striking creations within this famous fairground, outside of the increasingly elaborate deep fried treats, are the buildings themselves, Art Deco masterpieces first unveiled during the Texas Centennial Celebration of 1936. The park played host to the state’s massive centennial birthday party, then the biggest party in Texas history. Twenty-six of the original buildings built for that headline-generating celebration remain, making the Dallas landmark one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the country.

Price Tower

Frank Lloyd Wright described his lone high-rise as “the tree that escaped the crowded forest,” an apt way to paint a picture of this asymmetrical beauty, comprising 19 stories of angular walls that look different from every angle. Based on a design for apartments in Manhattan the architect created in the ’20s, the basic idea was transplanted to Oklahoma when Harold Price, owner of a local oil and chemical concern, hired Wright to create his first skyscraper. Opened in 1956, the copper-clad tower dominates the skyline. Visitors can now stay in a hotel in the top half of the building. 

Menil Drawing Institute

The latest addition to the Menil Campus, an exceptional collection of art housed in a series of superb buildings, this new design by Johnston Marklee is worthy of the already high bar set by the work of other architects such as Philip Jhnson and Renzo Piano. The husband-wife team “have succeeded brilliantly,” argues Curbed critic Alexandra Lange , “taking Piano’s long lines, the bungalows’ peaked roofs, Johnson’s palm court, and creating a building that is simultaneously secretive and spectacular.”

Saint John's Abbey and University Church

This modernist church is rightfully praised for its bell tower, a raised plane of concrete and crucifix that looks like a stone sail. But architect Marcel Breuer made the interior of the building, illuminated in part by a honeycomb of hexagonal stained glass, just as noteworthy.

Whitney Plantation

While there certainly are grander, more opulent plantation homes across the South, it’s hard to imagine one that offers both architectural history and a true reckoning of what these buildings represented to those who toiled in the nearby fields. The centerpiece of the first museum in the United States dedicated to telling the story of slavery, the architecturally significant grand French Creole mansion on the grounds, seems meant to be glimpsed at from inside the recreated slave jail. The home sits amid a collection of slave cabins, artwork, and a granite memorial etched with the names of 107,000 slaves who were forcibly brought to the state before 1820. Since re-opening in 2014, this plantation has stood apart from other such buildings on River Road.

Gateway Arch

Eero Saarinen’s simple yet profound design for this stunning monument still inspires after decades, a stainless steel symbol of St. Louis and the American West that welcomes countless tourists and roadtrippers every summer. The 630-foot-tall catenary arch is still the world’s tallest. The recently-opened, 91-acre Gateway Arch National Park , featuring a renovated landscape, park, and museum, attempts to add more angles to the Arch experience.

Piazza d'Italia

Considered a seminal example of postmodern landscape design, this joyful, earnest celebration of Italian design was conceived of as a tribute that rises far above Disney-style kitsch. Architect Charles Moore was tasked with creating public space that touted the achievements of the large Italian-American community in New Orleans. The resulting set piece is filled with colonnades, a clock tower, a minimalist Roman temple, and a public fountain in the shape of the Italian peninsula. Conceived of as a redevelopment project for the city’s Warehouse district, the space initially fell into disrepair after it opened to the public in 1978, but has since been preserved, in a recent series of renovations that wrapped last year.

Jazz Houses: Where They Lived

The artistry of Big Easy jazz pioneers lives in smokey clubs and second lines across the city. But to see the building where they actually called home, a recently updated app from the Preservation Resource Center can help guide you to hundreds of locations, including the residences of Jelly Roll Morton and Buddy Bolden.

Farnsworth House

Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House was designed, in the words of the famous Modernist, to "bring nature, houses, and human beings together into a higher unity.” Sadly, nature has been getting a little too close to this landmark lately, as flooding of the Plano River has recently threatened the home, and preservationists have begun debating potential ways to relocate or preserve the structure . While nothing is happening immediately, it still may be a good idea to visit while its still in its original state.

Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory

These glass-covered conoidal domes have served as Milwaukee’s own set of retro-futuristic greenhouses for decades, recreating both arid and tropical climes year-round for residents of the lakefront Midwestern city. While these giant bubbles, created by hometown architect Donald Grieb, may seem like they owe a great deal to Buckminster Fuller, they have a number of unique structural characteristics, including a cast-in-place concrete undercarriage. Gelb’s striking concept has become a massive maintenance headache, and was closed in 2016 for repairs. In 2018, it was named a  National Treasure  by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which should hopefully help secure more resources for repair.

Milwaukee Art Museum

One of the largest museums in the country, Milwaukee's lakefront art museum is also a work of art in itself, thanks to the beautiful brise soleil of Santiago Calatrava's design. The Spanish architect has riffed on these forms, shapes, and colors before, but he's rarely achieved this kind of grace. Perfectly positioned on the Lake Michigan shore, it looks like a massive bird perched on the waterfront.

Unity Temple

A radical church done in reinforced concrete, considered by many to be one of the first modern buildings in the world, the Unity Temple boldly challenged and redefined ideas about religious architecture, and a recent renovation showcases the full beauty of Wright's creation. Part of Wright’s bold approach was informed by the relatively small budget, which pushed him toward to more cost-effective choice of concrete, and a tight lot, which resulted in the cubic shape. But his artful use of space within the main sanctuary—arrayed with mathematical precision around rich wood, stained glass, and furniture of Wright’s own design—offers a perfectly proportioned place of repose and tranquility. A recently completed restoration only underscores this building’s incredible design.

Those comparing Chicago's 606 park to New York's Highline perhaps have it half right; an abandoned elevated rail track turned showcase park, it does offer a new view of the city . But by adding cycling access and threading together a string of vibrant neighborhoods on the city's new northwest side, the 606 does an even better of altering the way residents get around.

James R. Thompson Center

If you’re taking in Chicago and its wealth of magnificent architecture this summer, don’t overlook this postmodern gem, which may not be around next time you visit. A towering pedestal of multicolored steel and tapered glass, the James R. Thompson Center takes up an entire downtown block, and could easily be mistaken for a retro-futuristic stadium from the 22nd century. The structure’s colossal atrium certainly doesn’t dispel that notion. Designed by Helmut Jahn, the ambitious structure, nicknamed “Starship Chicago,” was meant to embody a new vision for government offices and agencies when it opened in 1985. And while the building has its share of detractors—the former governor and namesake of the building called it “a scrap heap,” and  current governor J.B. Pritzker’s  plans to sell it are currently moving forward—it’s become a rallying cry for preservationists (one of the National Trust’s most endangered buildings ), and a symbol of the fragility of Chicago’s rich postmodern architectural heritage.

360Chicago John Hancock Observatory

A signature part of Chicago's skyline, the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed John Hancock Center provides some of the best views of the city. While it officially changed its name to 875 North Michigan Avenue while owners await a new deal for naming rights, it’s doubtful Chicagoans will give up the original title anytime soon. Perpetually locked in a panoramic arms race with the Willis Tower, the city's tallest structure, the Hancock upgraded its 94th-floor observatory, now called 360 Chicago, with stadium benches, and previously added TILT , a movable glass box that leans visitors over the city streets 1,000 feet below.

Chicago Riverwalk and Architectural Boat Tours

Visitors to Chicago often flock to the Lake, and for good reason; it’s one of the city’s greatest natural resources. But increasingly, the Chicago River is becoming a public space worth adding to your itinerary. A series of parks, concessions, and performance spaces installed along the river over the last few years has made it an engaging and enjoyable addition to downtown, a new waterfront gem that shows how urban public spaces are evolving. And, while Chicago Architecture River Cruise is a cliche, it’s a cliche for a reason; the entertaining and engaging tour, the ideal way to scope out the city’s incredible buildings, was named the country’s top tour by TripAdvisor .

John J. Glessner House

Sullivan, van der Rohe, Wright: All iconic designers who made Chicago an international center for architecture, and all admirers of this historic landmark in the city’s elite Prairie Avenue District. Architect Henry Hobson Richardson’s most notable creation and final work, a severe looking, castle-like structure finished in 1887, conceals a revolutionary layout. Recognizing that construction advances meant thinner, stronger walls and a new relationship between form and function, Richardson pushed exterior walls to the edge of the property and planted a vast private courtyard in the center of the lot, allowing for a private, light-filled urban residence. The home became a prototype of urban design, signifying a decidedly modern shift in building layouts, and conceals a magnificently appointed interior.

Pullman National Monument

A former factory town on the city's far South Side, and an example of utopian thinking, corporate paternalism and central planning gone wrong, Pullman was designated a National Monument by President Obama. The late 19th century factory town , built by the owner of a luxury train car company on a 4,000 acre site, is an architectural oddity that played a pivotal role on labor and African-American history.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

From the A.G. Gaston Motel, a symbol of African-American entrepreneurship and a center of movement activity as well as the 16th Street Baptist Church, the tragic site of a KKK bombing in 1963 that outraged the nation, this collection of sites showcases Birmingham’s important place in history and pivotal role in the Civil Rights struggle, and grew out of the city’s own efforts to recognize its past and focus on preservation.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice

Located midway between the site of a historic slave market, and the river dock and train station where slaves arrived in Montgomery, Alabama, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and its sibling institution, the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, present new memorials to African Americans’ experiences, as well as a powerful examination of America’s prolonged history of racial injustice. MASS Design Group , a Boston-based practice with a focus on social impact, designed the memorial, the first in the country dedicated to victims of lynching. Set within a Miesian box on a hillside, the somber building features 805 six-foot-tall monuments to lynching, each a piece of weathered steel representing one of the counties where a lynching took place. Hanging from the ceiling of the memorial, the markers offer cold, calculated reminders of the victims.

Miller House

The work of many of the leading lights of Modernism come together at this glass-walled Midwestern home: architect Eero Saarinen , interior designer Alexander Gerard , landscape architect Dan Kiley, and owner, industrialist and philanthropist J. Irwin Miller, whose vision turned Columbus, Indiana , into an architectural “Athens of the Prairie.” The streamlined exterior and 10-acre lawn, featuring two rows of honey locust tree, just hints at the colorful, open interior, accents with Gerard’s playful patterns and an iconic sunken conversation pit.

Columbus, Indiana

One of America's unlikely centers of midcentury design is located far from the coasts, miles from any big city and squarely in the center of the Midwest. Columbus, Indiana, the beneficiary of the largesse and foresight of industrialist Irwin Miller and the Cummins Engine Company, now contains one of the most celebrated collections of modernist architecture in the world, featuring work by I. M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, Robert Venturi, Richard Meier, John Carl Warnecke, Harry Weese, and Eero Saarinen (whose North Christian Church is pictured below). In late August, Exhibit Columbus , a new citywide architecture showcase featuring new installations, returns for its second iteration.

Alden B. Dow Home and Studio

The son of the founder of Dow Chemical and briefly, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin, Alden B. Dow had the means and skills to create something unique. His home and studio, built in the late '30s utilizing Unit Block construction, is a masterpiece of organic construction and syncs with the surrounding pond, garden and plum grove.

Cranbrook Academy of Art

This bucolic campus outside Detroit not only boasts an impressive list of alumni who basically wrote the rules on midcentury American design (Saarinen, Eames, Knoll, and Bertoia all taught and/or attended), but a gorgeous campus designed by Elliel Saarinen that stands as a masterpiece of planning and integrating with the landscape.

Fisher Building

“They don’t make them like they used to” can seem trite, but in the case of this stunning Art Deco skyscraper, barely begins to describe the magnificent craftsmanship and design on display. This 30-story art object conceived by architect Albert Kahn and built in 1928 is still the world’s largest marble-clad structure. There’s a lot of exciting new things happening in Detroit, but this is a classic you can’t pass up.

The Guardian Building

Known as the Cathedral of Finance, this 1929 tower could also be called the Mountain of Masonry. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland for the Union Trust Company, the 40-story work of art features incredible interiors of carved pink granite, Mankato stone, Italian Travertine, and Numidian marble, as well as colorful pottery tiles featuring Aztec and Native American designs. The facade alone contains 1.8 million orange bricks, nicknamed “Guardian Bricks,” made exclusively for the Guardian.

Packard Automotive Plant

One of the largest redevelopment projects in the world started earlier this year in Detroit, and a new tour will be offered so visitors can learn more about the history and the future of the iconic site, as Curbed Detroit reports . The colossal Packard Plant—at one a symbol of the city’s automotive heritage, decades of disinvestment, and current wave of redevelopment—is undergoing Phase One of a  long-term redevelopment  of the massive site, bringing office space, food options, and gallery space to the eastside. Pure Detroit, who leads popular tours of the Guardian and Fisher Buildings, will partner with Arte Express on these new Saturday tours. While many have wandered the massive site on their own in the past, these tours will be more legit.

Biltmore Estate

At the largest private residence ever built in the United States, superlatives abound. George Washington Vanderbilt II spared no expense at his 125,000-acre estate in Asheville, North Carolina, which features the work of celebrated architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Said to be modeled after three historic French chateaus in the Loire Valley, the sprawling estate may appear to be modeled after all of them, since the combined living space inside the numerous buildings totals 178,926 square feet (roughly four acres). To construct the home, a project which lasted from 1889 to 1896, a brick kiln and woodworking factory were built on site. The four-story home, divided into two wings, offers commanding views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as a vast collection of incredible statues, artwork and architectural eye candy, including a 70,000-gallon indoor pool, bowling alley, winter garden, 1,700-pound chandelier and a magnificent limestone staircase. Designated a national historic landmark in 1964, it’s currently a major tourist attraction and draws nearly a million visitors annually.

Placed amid 180 acres of mangrove swamp and tropical forest, the “Hearst Castle of the East” is noteworthy for adapting Mediterranean and European architectural styles to the balmy Florida coast (the name references a northern Spanish province). French and Italian styles are reflected in the garden and façade, designed by Colombian Diego Suarez and F. Burrall Hoffman, respectively. Owner James Deering, who derived his fortune from being an executive at the family business, Deering McCormick-International Harvester, even created his own crest of sorts for the estate, a caravel, a type of Spanish ship. The home reportedly cost $26 million to build in 1916 and employed 1,000 workers.

Faena District

The brainchild of a prominent Argentine developer, this $1 billion, six-block addition to the Miami cityscape offers a series of crisp, white structures imagined by some of the top names in architecture and design, including Foster + Partners and Rem Koolhaas. This new development adds another draw to a rapidly growing cultural and design capital, which also features a Buckminster Fuller dome in the middle of a new shopping center, a new Zaha Hadid tower, and a legacy of Art Deco greatness.

Fallingwater

As Donald Hoffman notes in his book about this iconic home’s history, numerous streams run down the Appalachians throughout Western Pennsylvania, but Bear Run, the one ingeniously channeled through Frank Lloyd Wright’s magnificent Fallingwater, probably has the real claim to fame. The waterway’s steep drop on an elevated piece of woodland property owned by Edgar and Liliane Kaufmann, forms the dramatic nexus of Wright’s most famous example of organic architecture, a home of interlocking, cantilevered concrete terraces designed in 1935 and arranged so that a waterfall runs through it. This might be the most famous home on the list, but despite all the accolades, photos, and features, there’s still something remarkable about hearing rushing water in the middle of a living room.

Polymath Park

A Frank Lloyd Wright theme park in western Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, near the architect’s famous  Fallingwater , Polymath Park offers a more all-encompassing architectural experience. Visitors can not only see and tour the architect’s work, but spend a night in one of four homes either designed by the him or influenced by his work, including one house which recently opened after being transported from Minnesota and rebuilt on site.

Buffalo, New York

It may seem unfair to single out an entire city, but as a feature by Alexandra Lange demonstrates, Buffalo is truly in a league of its own concerning late 19th and early 20th century architecture (including Kleinhans Music Hall, above). "Architecture serves as both a safety net and growth engine in Buffalo, which, thanks to a booming turn-of-the-last-century economy has one of the best collections of late-19th and 20th century architecture and urban fabric in the country. Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright, H.H. Richardson, and the Saarinens (both father and son) all did superlative work here before the second World War, as did native son Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the midcentury." A recent restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House just opened its doors.

No disrespect to the White House, but Thomas Jefferson’s “Little Mountain” offers a pinnacle of presidential architecture. The Piedmont villa, designed with Palladian principles in mind, was the statesman’s own creation, a fusion of classical elements, European style, and his own design solutions that served as the centerpiece of his large plantation. A restless thinker, Jefferson constantly tinkered with and redesigned his final home, adding personal touches such as an octagonal dome and vast library.

Mount Vernon

While it was actually named after an English military figure, Vice Admiral Edward Vernon, this eccentric example of period architecture is quintessentially American. Located less than 15 miles from the nation’s capital on a stretch of Fairfax County near the Potomac River, the plantation home of George Washington is a symbol of the gentleman planter, founding father, and slave owner, as well as his own lifelong interest in architecture. Washington oversaw numerous renovations of his home throughout his life—his idea for a two-story piazza was widely copied—and the resulting historic attraction is a grab bag of Palladian, Classical, and Colonial influences.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The nation’s capital overflows with striking statues and photo-worthy memorials . But few offer as powerfully poetic a statement as Maya Lin’s famously minimalist masterpiece, a poignant list of names etched in black marble that near witness to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of Americans. Considered one of the country’s most famous works of architecture, the Memorial recieves more than 3 million visitors a year.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

A new superstar attraction on the National Mall, this collaborative effort by Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroupJJR boasts and incredible collection and amazing design, highlighted by the exterior corona made from 3,600 bronze-colored cast aluminum panels. Curbed architecture critic Alexandra Lange wrote that the view is stunning, "gold in the morning and glowing at night. The NMAAHC works like a power player who only speaks in a whisper."

National Gallery of Art East Building

One of the many masterpieces of the late modernist icon I.M Pei , the East Building, linked to the original National Gallery of Art building by an underground passageway, combines intimate gallery spaces with a soaring central atrium that’s home to a giant Alexander Calder sculpture. Finished in 1978, the building recently  reopened  after a $69 million renovation.

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While it was funded by the fortunes of a chemical company, Winterthur stands as a paean to handcrafts and horticulture. Originally a modest 12-room Greek revival manor in the Brandywine Valley, Winterthur became the homestead of the Du Pont family, expanded over the decades as the family’s business and fortunes multiplied. Its most notable resident and renovator was Henry Francis du Pont, who took responsibility for the estate in 1914 and transformed it into a sprawling, 175-room center for his passions: art, agriculture, and American furniture and decorative arts. He collected so much, in fact, that he eventually turned Winterthur into a museum that opened to the public in 1951.

Vanna Venturi House

The Vanna Venturi House in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, designed by Robert Venturi and partner Denist Scott Brown, was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places last fall, providing the 54-year-old house—which has been called “The First Postmodern Anything”—with its first preservation protection.

George Nakashima House and Studio

Famed woodworker George Nakishima was declared a "national treasure" by the Japanese Emperor in 1983. His home and studio recently received a preservation grant from the Getty Foundation, underlining the importance of his legacy to American craft and design.

Skyscraper Museum

Chicago may be the birthplace of the skyscraper, but its New York City where the building's shape has been perfected. At the Skyscraper Museum's SOM-designed home in Battery Park City, the skyscraper's form and the forces that literally and metaphorically shaped it are explored. Admission runs just $5 for adults and $2.50 for students, a welcome break from the $20-plus admission charged at some of the city's other fine institutions.

Governors Island

Governors Island isn’t the easiest place to get to—ferries depart from Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge Park selectively—but it’s worth the extra effort. The former military base has been transformed into a 172-acre green oasis that hosts a myriad of events, artworks, and attractions that are often free. The Hills, an engineered landscape, provides a new scenic outlook and slides for visitors of all ages. Curbed New York has all the details about new events and attractions debuting this year.

One World Trade Center

Set inside three floors near the apex of the tallest building in the country , this observatory offers sight lines stretching 50 miles, providing a singular viewpoint of the island of Manhattan. Architecture fans should also make it a point to explore the neighborhood at ground level, since Lower Manhattan has become a starchitect draw, with a Calatrava-designed transport hub and other high-profile skyscrapers nearby.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Renzo Piano's home for modern American art has been one of the most talked-about buildings in recent years since opening to the public in 2015. With four levels and 50,000 square feet of gallery space, the internal space suggests a unique kind of urban stroll, according to Curbed's architecture critic Alexandra Lange .

A spectacle made for social media, this focal point for Manhattan’s new Hudson Yards mega-development, is both photogenic and polarizing, and a semi-public space still fighting for must-see status among New York City’s great walkable meeting spots. Visitors planning to climb the Escher-esque stairways need to register for free tickets ahead of time ( check Curbed New York for all the details ).

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Empire State Building

New, taller buildings may add to the city’s skyline, but this 102-story Art Deco tower is still the first thing many think of when they picture a New York skyscraper. The views from the observation decks are stunning; Curbed New York has a guide to getting the most out of your visit.

Ford Foundation Building

This Late Modern landmark of Midtown Manhattan, designed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo Associates and landscaped by  Dan Kiley , created the gold standard for corporate architecture way back in 1967. The Ford Foundation’s home,  updated in 2018 , beckons visitors with its 160-foot-tall atrium, encased by walls of glass, granite, and Cor-Ten steel.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s home for contemporary art, the former space of the Whitney Museum, showcases a daring design by Marcel Breuer, restoring the Brutalist landmark, and the architect’s intended patinas, to pristine condition. It’s a great spot for falling in love with concrete architecture all over again.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Opened six months after Frank Lloyd Wright died in 1959, the Guggenheim met with the kind of criticisms that one might imagine the architect would delight in hearing: this incredible building was so striking, it would overshadow the art within. The apex of Wright’s cylindrical and circular style, this cultural center, a ribbon of concrete on the Upper East Side, descended from an earlier design for the Gordon Strong Automobile Objective and Planetarium. The open atrium and curved, spiraling floorplan created a unique viewing experience, with patrons slowly ascending towards the top of the architectural nautilus shell.

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

A team of 13 architectural firms collaborated on a massive, $91 million overhaul of the former Carnegie Mansion-turned-design mecca , and the effort shows. The Gilded Age beauty, updated for the digital age , hasn’t lost any of its charm, and features in-depth examinations of design across all mediums, including a new exhibit looking at the influence of nature and sustainable practices.

Prolific industrial designer Russel Wright lived and worked at this stylish home in the Hudson Valley , a Japanese-inspired structure set amid the grounds of a former granite quarry, for decades. The manicured grounds and prolific material experiments inside the home, which, with its horizontal profile and green roof, seem to rise out of the ground, contains endless discoveries and an anthology of Wright's concepts and ideas.

Courtyard at MoMA PS1

The annual build-out in MoMA PS1's courtyard, part of the acclaimed Young Architects Program, provides a playground for daring leaps in architectural theory and practice. This year's edition, an immersive junglescape by Pedro & Juana set within a large-scale cyclorama, goes up at the end of June.

Weeksville Heritage Center

Built on the site of one of the first free black settlements in the country, this relatively new complex by Caples Jefferson Architects balances history and contemporary vision, a low-slung, streamlined structure in constant dialogue with cultural references. A recent and successful crowdfunding campaign helped ensure the institution’s future.

Villa Lewaro

The grand Villa Lewaro , a 34-room, Neo-Palladian mansion in Irvington, stands near show houses inscribed with names such as Rockefeller and Gould, and has all the trappings of success, including a Louis XVI chamber suite, an Estey organ, and Rodin sculpture. But this home, and its first owner, represent something much more than mere wealth and privilege. Villa Lewaro was once home to Madam C.J. Walker, the country’s first African-American female millionaire, a renowned businesswoman and philanthropist who built an empire and became a key benefactor to the African-American community in both New York and across the country. After decades of restoration work, the 28,000-square-foot property now better tells the story of this pioneering entrepreneur, and the work of architect Vertner Tandy.

A towering stone castle built along the Hudson River, this limestone manse and country house once owned by robber baron Jay Gould exudes a romantic character, owing in part to its asymmetrical design and steep, Medieval roof, ornamented with rows of crenellations and turrets. Originally designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1838, the home was expanded over the decades, eventually given a striking garden with rolling hills and a steel-framed conservatory. Filled with English accents and Tiffany windows, it’s one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival in the country.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

A refuge for the popular leader that helped him reconnect with his childhood and when needed, avoid the glare of the media, Theodore Roosevelt’s Long Island home reopened its doors to the public after undergoing an extensive restoration project overseen by the National Park Service. While it's impossible to appreciate the man's love for the only place he ever owned, the detailed renovation has given the public an opportunity to see the sprawling family home in pristine condition, one that reflects the gregarious leader and his eclectic life.

Philip Johnson's Glass House

An iconic work by a modern master, this home became a model copied across the world. While it’s amazing in its own right, and the scene of tours and special performances all summer, don’t sleep on the other building on the property. The recently restored Sculpture Garden , the largest structure on the site, contains a tubular steel skeleton and roof, which creates a grid paper-pattern of shadows across the surface of the interior.

Oheka Castle

Considered an exemplar of Gilded Age excess—on pristine grounds designed by the Olmstead Brothers, owner Otto Kahn would hold annual Easter Egg hunts featuring gold eggs concealing thousand-dollar bills—this is a truly Gatsbyesque manse on Long Island’s Gold Coast, situated on the highest point overlooking Cold Spring Harbor. Kahn, a wealthy financier, commissioned the duo of Delano and Aldrich to build this steel-and-concrete estate after his previous home was ruined in a fire. They responded with a 137-room paean to European architecture, a summer home that would have cost roughly $110 million in today’s money. Falling into disrepair after Kahn’s death, Oheka has cycled through a number of owners and failed renovations, and now operates as an historic hotel.

Clark Art Institute

A sterling example of a subtle renovation and addition elevating an entire building, this multi-year project shows architect Tadao Ando demonstrating artful restraint. The 75,000-square-foot addition to the galleries, as well as thoughtful landscaping by Gary Hilderbrand, brought a new sense of serenity to this already bucolic site.

Located in North Adams, an old mill town in the Berkshires region of Western Massachusetts, MASS MoCA doubled its exhibition space with a long-awaited expansion that opened in 2017.

The now-complete Building 6 is a game-changer in terms of square footage alone: three floors, an acre each, roomy enough to hold multiple site-specific James Turrell installations, say, or a 15-ton marble carving by Louise Bourgeois. Jason Forney of  Bruner/Cott Associates , the renovation architect—who helped redesign the mammoth former factory space—described the finished product as more landscape than building. The addition gives the museum more exhibition space than any venue in the country.

Yale Center for British Art

After eight years of planning and a 16-month closure for renovations, the four-story museum masterpiece reopened to the public once again in 2016, giving patrons and visitors a new appreciation for a Louis Kahn classic regarded as one of his best works, and a model for museum architecture and design.

Gropius House

Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius put his principles to practice when designing this home for his family in 1938, after he was offered a teaching post at Harvard. The German architect simply considered it his take on regional design, complete with a brick and clapboad facade. But, of course, one of the first International Style homes in the United States was far from what you’d expect from a standard New England neighbor (one of whom referred to the influential design as a “chicken coop”). The home’s stark, white exterior and unique material composition, including glass block and chrome banisters, offered a radical blend of the old and new, turning a post and beam frame home into a modernist statement. Designed in concert with Marcel Breuer, it is, according to Gropius student I. M. Pei, his teacher’s “definitive statement of domestic architecture.” Now a National Landmark, the home contains one of the largest collection of Bauhaus furniture outside of Europe.

The Breakers

It’s revealing that when Cornelius Vanderbilt II set out to build a summer cottage in Rhode Island in 1885, he ended up commissioning a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo that stands as one of the grandest in a string of extravagant Newport Estates. The Vanderbilt summer home, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, stands as an exemplary Beaux Arts creation, featuring imported marble (including a blue marble fireplace), rare wood and a massive central hall. Hunt used the Renaissance palaces of Genoa as his model for the mansion, which contains a series of open-air terraces looking out at the ocean.

Harvard Art Museums

One of Renzo Piano's recent cultural projects concerned a selection of galleries and museums on the Harvard campus, a stylistic mashup that managed to restore the original '20s structures while creating a modern, unified whole.

Trinity Church

One of architect Henry Hobson Richardson’s masterpieces, this house of worship has become an iconic example of his sturdy, striking style. It portrays a sense of massiveness through sheer size (90 million pounds of stone were used during construction) and by design, with a series of towers and rough stone walls covered in balanced, bold, ornamentation, such as the checkerboard band circling the chapel. The open interior, with murals and stained glass windows, is also a showstopper.

Paul Weidlinger Home

Normally, a summertime tour of the modernist homes on Cape Cod doesn't need a new hook, but this year, the stunning 1953 cottage of this structural engineer adds a new reason to make the trip. Weidlinger was a contemporary and collaborator with Marcel Breuer, and this home, complete with steel bracing, showcase the skills and thought process of this pioneer , a Le Corbusier apprentice who was among the first to use computers in building design.

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Voted as one of the Top 10 Boat Tours in North America by USA Today readers for 3 years in a row and Chicago Reader's Best Tour for over 10 years ! Looking for the ultimate Chicago architecture experience? Buy a combo ticket for the river cruise AND visit the Chicago Architecture Center—you'll save $9!

For more than 25 years, the CAC's expertly trained docent volunteers have led the CAC River Cruise, sharing fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Hear how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities in less than 100 years. In just 90 minutes, you'll get the best overview of Chicago’s architecture and its history.

The CAC River Cruise is available in 4 languages: Continental French, Latin American Spanish, Japanese and Korean. To access these languages, please download the "Listen Everywhere" app in advance. Once you are on board the boat, the app will connect and allow you to listen in your selected language as the boat makes its way down the river.

*Continue your exploration with a visit to the CAC! Combo tickets include admission to the Center for just $5 (regular price $14). Admission is valid up to 7 days before or after your cruise.

*Please note that infant tickets must be purchased with a Priority or General Boarding Adult ticket. 

Evening River Cruise

The city's most popular tour is now offered in the evening. Serene and bathed in softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life in the setting sun. Wind-down from the work-week by enjoying a cocktail with friends and family and experience Chicago's skyline on our luxury boats.

All departures lATER THAN 5:00 PM

• CAC Members please call 312.922.8687 or come to the CAC Box Office at 111 E. Wacker Drive to redeem your BOGO benefit. 
• You can buy a CAC membership over the phone and redeem your BOGO annual benefit at the time of your membership purchase.
• Each person must have a ticket, including infants and children.
• All tours depart rain or shine.
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. Allow extra time for traffic and parking in summer.
• Cruise guests board 15 minutes before departure time.
• GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
• A full-service bar and snack bar are available onboard.
• Tickets start at $54.00 for daytime cruises, $59.00 for evening cruises. Upgrade your ticket for $5 to include Chicago Architecture Center admission. Your visit must occur within 7 days before or after your tour.  View the CAC's hours .
• Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat. Allow extra time.
• Find more information, including available parking, in our FAQs

Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more? Please contact our group sales team at [email protected] . Private rentals are available.

Directions to Chicago’s First Lady boat dock

See a map here  or enter 112 E. Wacker Drive into your GPS. Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions  for an alternative way to reach the dock.

About our Boat Partner

We’re proud to partner with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, operator of Chicago’s finest fleet of cruising vessels. Its boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms. Being onboard is sure to be an experience you'll never forget. 

Photos From This Tour

Upcoming Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Tours

Friday apr 26.

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Saturday Apr 27

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Sunday Apr 28

• 6:00pm Buy Tickets

Monday Apr 29

Tuesday apr 30, wednesday may 1, highlights of this tour.

Chicago Riverwalk

1 w. lower wacker drive.

Strolling along Chicago’s beautiful Riverwalk, it’s hard to imagine just how much things have changed…

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Architect/firm.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was founded in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings. Partner…

trunnion bascule bridge

trunnion is a French word for "stump" or pivot point; bascule is a French word for "see-saw"; a trunnion…

Tribune Tower

435 n. michigan ave..

In 1922, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the Chicago Tribune announced an international competition…

London Guarantee Building

360 n. michigan ave..

Located where Fort Dearborn once stood, the London Guarantee & Accident Building is one of four structures…

330 North Wabash / AMA Plaza (IBM Plaza)

330 n. wabash ave..

One of the last American projects designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this powerful Modernist structure…

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

It’s difficult to imagine what the skyline of Chicago might look like without architect Ludwig Mies van…

Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts movement originated in England in the mid-19th century as an antidote to the dehumanizing…

150 North Riverside

150 n. riverside.

Gravity-defying 150 North Riverside has already taken its rightful place among Chicago’s architectural…

a large vertical, concrete pier, cast in place and used in a foundation where the soil is unstable

333 West Wacker

333 w. wacker dr..

When you’ve got it, you’ve got it—and 333 West Wacker has it.

Apple Michigan Avenue

401 n. michigan ave..

Foster + Partners’ Apple Michigan Avenue store is an impressive, airy glass box with a curved-edge…

Merchandise Mart

222 w. merchandise mart plaza.

Size has always mattered in the Midwest.

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Home » Tours » The Americas » USA » Art and Architecture in the USA: Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and ‘Fallingwater’ 2024

Art and Architecture in the USA: Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and ‘Fallingwater’ 2024

Status: limited, 15 sep – 2 oct 2024, other departures.

• 15 SEP - 1 OCT 2025

Professor Chris McAuliffe

Professor in the School of Art and Design, ANU, Chris taught art history at Melbourne & Harvard. Former Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art (Uni. Melbourne), he is a freelance curator, critic and art consultant and has published widely on Australian & American art.

Stephanie Holt

A writer and editor who specialises in history, visual art, travel and American culture, Stephanie has lived in New York and Boston. She co-leads the art and architecture focused programs to the USA.

David Brand

An architect and heritage consultant, David has taught architecture and design at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University. He is passionate about the role architecture plays in the life of a city.

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Art and Architecture in the USA: Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and ‘Fallingwater’ 2024 Tour Highlights

Join Prof. Chris McAuliffe and Stephanie Holt as they explore the greatest art and architecture in six American cities. Chris taught art history at the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University and Harvard University, and was Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art. Stephanie is an editor and the Executive Officer of the History Council of Victoria. Architect David Brand joins the tour as a guest lecturer and will co-lead the Chicago portion of the program.

• Visit Robie House and other homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park, Chicago, including his own house and studio. View his eloquent Kentuck Knob at Chalk Hill, the famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, and his masterpiece  Fallingwater .
• View Chicago’s finest architectural landmarks on a tour hosted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and enjoy an architectural cruise on Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
• Discover two famous examples of modernist domestic architecture: Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Plano, and Philip Johnson’s The Glass House in New Canaan Connecticut.
• Explore some of the world’s greatest art collections – the Chicago Art Institute, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and MoMA in New York; and the Phillips Collection and National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
• Take a private out-of-hours tour of MoMA in New York before the museum opens to the general public, when you’ll have a floor of the museum all to yourself!
• In Boston tour the historic Public Library, visit the Institute of Contemporary Art and the splendid collections of the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Visit the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia housing America’s finest collection of Impressionists and early Modernists including Cézanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Seurat, Matisse, and Picasso.
• Compare the innovative contemporary architecture at MIT (Boston) with the historic buildings of Harvard and Yale Universities; visit the Harvard Art Museums and the exquisite glass flower exhibition at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
• Visit Glenstone, a private gallery in Potomac Maryland, where pavilions and galleries are set within a landscape of meadows, forests and sculpture.

Overnight Chicago (4 nights) • Boston (3 nights) • New York (5 nights) • Washington DC (3 nights) • Pittsburgh (2 nights)

Testimonials This was the best tour I have ever taken. I have considered a Frank Lloyd Wright tour of the USA for some time, but this tour embraced other famous architects as well as the most significant art galleries. It provided the perfect balance.   Jane, NSW. I loved this trip because of the range of art we enjoyed and the exciting cityscapes we explored, all under the expert guidance of Chris McAuliffe. All together, it was another stand-out ASA tour.  Helen, VIC. Don’t miss this tour! Tour Leaders Chris and Stephanie enlightened us in a knowledgeable and gentle way. We came away knowing more about architecture and art, yet stimulated to know more. We had a great group of travelling companions who were eager to learn and participate in every aspect of the tour. Robert, NSW

The days on this tour have been carefully programmed, however there will be opportunities for tour participants to break from the group to explore their own interests if they so desire. Evenings have been deliberately left free to allow participants to avail themselves of endless dining opportunities and sample the many performing arts options found in each of the major cities to be visited. The daily activities described in this itinerary may be rotated and/or modified in order to accommodate changes in museum opening hours, flight schedules etc. The tour includes breakfast daily, and dinners indicated in the itinerary where: B =breakfast and  D =dinner. All entrance fees on the official program are included in the tour price.

Chicago - 4 nights

Day 1: sunday 15 september, arrive chicago.

• Tour commences at 6.00pm in the foyer of the Staypineapple The Loop Chicago Hotel
• Welcome Meeting and Dinner

Meeting Point: The tour commences at 6.00pm in the foyer of the Staypineapple The Loop Chicago Hotel with a welcome meeting followed by dinner. (Overnight Chicago) D

Day 2: Monday 16 September, Chicago

• Architecture Highlights Coach Tour
• Chicago Art Institute
• Millennium Park Walk & Chicago Cultural Center

This morning we embark on a Chicago Architecture Foundation ‘Highlights by Bus’ tour. On this two-and-a-half-hour private tour we shall visit Chicago’s finest landmarks, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s IIT Campus and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House.

This afternoon we visit one of the world’s great art museums, the Chicago Art Institute. The Art Institute collection is both enormous and of the highest quality, and presents major works by Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse and many more. Chagall’s impressive stained glass windows are truly stunning. Our visit includes an orientation tour of the collection and participants will have time to wander at their leisure.

In the late afternoon we take a walk through Millennium Park, home to an extensive collection of public art and architecture, including Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion, Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate and Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain . We will also make a brief visit to the Chicago Cultural Center to admire the glass dome ceiling by Louis Tiffany. (Overnight Chicago) B

Day 3: Tuesday 17 September, Chicago

• Oak Park, incl. Frank Lloyd Wright’s House & Studio
• Architecture River Cruise
• Downtown public art

This morning we drive to leafy Oak Park, where we see Frank Lloyd Wright’s house and studio, featuring furniture he designed. We also see many other examples of his work in the Oak Park neighbourhood. Our visit is hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

After lunch we will take one of the famous Architecture cruises on the Chicago River, after which we take a leisurely walk back to our hotel, enjoying the public art and architecture along our route by artist including Picasso, Chigall and Miro. (Overnight Chicago) B

Day 4: Wednesday 18 September, Chicago – Plano – Chicago

• Farnsworth House, Plano
• Museum of Contemporary Art

Ninety-four kilometres out of Chicago is one of North America’s architectural masterpieces – Mies van der Rohe’s 1951 Farnsworth House. This morning we drive to Plano to tour Farnsworth House and explore this fine example of Modernist domestic architecture.

On our return to Chicago there will be time at leisure for lunch before we visit the massive and modular home of the Museum of Contemporary Art, which offers an impressive array of exhibitions. (Overnight Chicago) B

Boston - 3 nights

Day 5: thursday 19 september, chicago – boston.

• Morning flight: Chicago – Boston
• Boston Public Library
• Trinity Church and Copley Square (time permitting)

This morning we transfer by coach to Chicago airport for our flight to Boston on the East Coast. Boston, one of the most important historical cities in the USA, has been described as ‘the cradle of American Independence’. Its most important buildings are more than just landmarks – they are icons of US history. Boston’s citizens have played a critical role in the development of the USA up to the present day. After settling into our hotel, we walk across the road to the marvellous Boston Public Library for a guided tour. Established in 1848, this was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The present building on Copley Square was completed in 1895, designed by architect Charles Follen McKim as a ‘palace of the people’. In addition to its superb collection of books, the library is renowned for the murals that adorn the walls of the main halls. Time permitting, we will also step inside the tranquil Trinity Church, with stained-glass windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and executed by the William Morris workshop. (Overnight Boston) B

Day 6: Friday 20 September, Boston

• Harvard Art Museums
• Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Institute of Contemporary Art

Our day starts with a walking tour of MIT, one of the most architecturally dynamic university campuses in the world. The site has undergone an extraordinary regeneration over the last few decades. Here we will tour the buildings of this complex to see the works of ‘Starchitects’ Frank Gehry, I.M. Pei and Alvar Aalto, who transformed this previously pedestrian campus into a showcase of contemporary architecture.

We then drive to Cambridge where we will visit the Harvard Art Museums, located alongside Harvard Yard. Established as an important learning tool for the university’s students in the disciplines of art history and conservation, the Harvard Art Museums are also dedicated to advancing learning in the wider community with public education programs. We also visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History to admire the fascinating and exquisite Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants.

Our day concludes in the revitalised South Boston Seaport District where we shall visit the Institute of Contemporary Art. Originally established as the Boston Museum of Modern Art in 1936 and located at Harvard, the current building was opened in 2006 and contains both galleries and performance space. (Overnight Boston) B

Day 7: Saturday 21 September, Boston

• Boston Museum of Fine Arts
• Afternoon at Leisure

Today we use the efficient Boston transport system to visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts which boasts one of the country’s finest collections of American art as well as extensive Asian and European art collections. Highlights of the collection include Rembrant’s  The Artist in his Studio , Goya’s  Seated Giant , Copley’s  Paul Revere , and a host of works by El Greco, Velázquez, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Singer Sargent and a superb collection of Egyptian antiquities.  (Overnight Boston) B

New York - 5 nights

Day 8: sunday 22 september, boston – new haven – new canaan – new york.

• Yale University Art Gallery
• The Glass House, New Canaan

Today we travel by coach from Boston to New York. En route we shall visit New Haven, the home of Yale University. Here we shall have lunch and make a brief visit to the remarkable university’s Art Gallery, home to Van Gogh’s The Night Cafe .

We then continue on to New Canaan where we visit one of the great architectural masterpieces of the USA – Philip Johnson’s Glass House. Designed in 1949 the house has exterior walls of glass and almost no interior structures; it is a transparent glass box that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding landscape. Its counterpart is The Brick House that faces it across a grass court. Here the brick walls are unbroken, except for small round windows at the rear, with skylights illuminating the interior. The Brick House is currently closed for restoration work. (Overnight New York) B

Day 9: Monday 23 September, New York

• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Central Park Walk

This morning we travel by public transport to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), one of the world’s largest art museums. The collections are extraordinary, featuring works from prehistoric times to the post-industrial age. The antiquities collection is spellbinding, as is the huge holding of tribal art. The Met also has one of the greatest displays of American art and presents a comprehensive collection of European art that is arguably the most outstanding outside Europe. The Egyptian collections, including the Temple of Dendur, are a sight to behold. After formal introductions to the collections you will be able to explore the Met at your leisure.

We then walk through Central Park, that wonderful green oasis so important to New Yorkers and visitors alike. Our walk passes waterways and reservoirs, green open area and intimate spaces like the John Lennon memorial Strawberry Fields with its view to the Dakota Apartment Building. We view notable sculptures and structures on our way to the Lincoln Center from where we take the subway back to our hotel. (Overnight New York) B

Day 10: Tuesday 24 September, New York

• Architecture walking tour
• Piermont Morgan Library
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This morning we make our way to Fifth Avenue, our starting point for a walking tour of New York’s Midtown that will finish at the Piermont Morgan Library (Morgan Library and Museum). A financier and investment banker, John Piermont Morgan was one of the giants of the city’s Gilded Age. The library was dedicated as a public institution by his son Jack, and is home to a brilliant collection of manuscripts, books, prints and drawings.

We then visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. World famous for its striking architecture, it is the work of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright – whom we have encountered in Chicago. Our visit will focus on the extraordinary architecture of this museum and also on the special exhibition that presents the story of the museum through a selection of highlights from the permanent collection. (Overnight New York) B

Day 11: Wednesday 25 September, New York

• Museum of Modern Art: Out-of-hours VIP tour
• Little Island
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• The High Line

Early this morning we take the subway to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), renowned throughout the world for the quality, scope and diversity of its collections. We take a very special tour of part of the collection before the museum opens to the general public, allowing us to have a whole floor of this usually bustling museum all to ourselves! MoMA provides an unparalleled overview of the development of modern art. The building has been refurbished in recent years which makes the visit even more pleasant. There is a courtyard featuring a magical array of sculptures by artists such as Picasso and Moore.

We then make our way to Little Island, a park located off Pier 54, creating a green space over the Hudson. From the Observation Deck we can see across to one of the world’s most famous examples of public art – the Statue of Liberty.

Nearby is the Whitney Museum of American Art, the country’s preeminent museum dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the contemporary art of the United States. After a guided tour and time to visit the collection at your leisure, we walk to the nearby Gansevoort Street entrance to the High Line, a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. We will walk a short section of The Highline before returning to our hotel. (Overnight New York) B

Day 12: Thursday 26 September, New York

• Full day at leisure in New York

Today is at leisure to pursue your own interests in this magnificent metropolis. You may wish to enjoy the city’s department stores or neighbourhood boutiques, or visit more of the city’s wonderful museums – the Frick Collection, the Neue Galarie, the Museum of the City of New York, or the moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum. There are also interesting house museums, libraries, parks and historic monuments. (Overnight New York) B

Washington - 3 nights

Day 13: friday 27 september, new york – philadelphia – washington dc.

• The Barnes Foundation, Parkway Museum District

Early this morning we depart New York for Philadelphia to visit the new Barnes Foundation located on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Located on 4.5 acres, the vast two-storey building houses the Foundation’s art collection in an exhibition space that replicates the scale, proportion, and configuration of the original galleries in Merion. Designed by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, it is described as a ‘gallery in a garden, a garden in a gallery.’ Boasting a textured grey-and-gold Ramon limestone exterior and a glass canopy that glows at night, the building is a breathtaking addition to the Parkway Museum District. It includes a number of sustainable features, including a green roof and a 40,000-gallon rainwater cistern to water the Olin-designed gardens. But the true draw is the Barnes Collection, arguably America’s finest collection of Impressionist and Modernist works, including 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses, along with works by Manet, Degas, Seurat and Picasso. A tour of this collection will deepen your understanding of the European landscape tradition that has enriched American landscape painting and gardening.

This afternoon we continue our journey south to Washington DC. Time permitting, there will be a short orientation drive past some of the city’s monuments on the way to our hotel. (Overnight Washington DC) B

Day 14: Saturday 28 September, Washington DC – Potomac – Washington DC

• Monuments of the National Mall
• The Phillips Collection

This morning we drive to Potomac, Maryland, to visit Glenstone, a private art museum significant for both its contemporary collection of art and its architecture. The collection is displayed within a series of galleries and pavilions set within an extensive landscaped park intended to integrate architecture and nature. Glenstone describes the focus of its collection as “We collect iconic examples of modern and contemporary art that represent pivotal shifts in the perception and understanding of the art of our time”.

This afternoon we return to Washington DC where we take a coach tour of the National Mall, making brief stops at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

In the late afternoon we visit the Phillips Collection, founded by Duncan Phillips in 1921. The museum is noted for its broad representation of both Impressionist and modern paintings, with works by European masters such as Courbet, Bonnard, Braque, Villon, Cézanne, Daumier, Degas, van Gogh, Klee, Matisse, Monet, and Picasso. In 1923, Phillips purchased Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s impressionist painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party (1880-81), the museum’s best-known work. (Overnight Washington DC) B

Day 15: Sunday 29 September, Washington DC

• National Gallery of Art
• Afternoon at leisure

The morning will be spent at the National Gallery of Art, one of the USA’s greatest art collections, with work by Da Vinci, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet and Renoir. After an introductory tour of the gallery highlights, participants will be free to explore the extensive museum at their own pace. You may even wish to try out the ice-skating rink in the Sculpture Garden!

This afternoon is at leisure. You may wish to visit one of the many wonderful museums to be found in the city – the National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum (formerly the National Museum of American Art) are all located in the Mall area and host marvellous collections. (Overnight Washington DC) B

Pittsburgh - 2 nights

Day 16: monday 30 september, washington dc – pittsburgh.

• Morning flight: Washington DC – Pittsburgh
• Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh
• Downtown Walk

Early this morning we depart Washington and take a flight to Pittsburgh. On arrival we visit the Andy Warhol Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Warhol’s work and archival materials. The collection of drawings, paintings, postcards, videos, sculptures and photographs covers the entire career of the artist, from his student days in his hometown of Pittsburgh through to his pop art paintings and films.

After time at leisure for lunch we take a gentle walk through city’s historic Downtown area to our hotel, and the afternoon is at leisure to explore this fascinating city. (Overnight Pittsburgh) B

Day 17: Tuesday 1 October, Pittsburgh – Mill Run – Chalk Hill – Pittsburgh

• Fallingwater, Mill Run
• Kentuck Knob, Chalk Hill
• Farewell Dinner

Today is dedicated to visiting two remarkable houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater was designed in 1936 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. The house’s setting is dominated by the waterfall over which the house is built. The Kaufmanns chose the waterfall location but were unprepared for Wright’s suggestion that the house rise over it rather than face it; yet they accepted the architect’s original scheme unchanged. Completed in 1939, Fallingwater was constructed of sandstone quarried on the property and was built by local craftsmen. The stone walls rise between reinforced concrete ‘trays’ carrying the living and bedroom levels, that are dramatically cantilevered over the stream. Fallingwater was the weekend home of the Kaufmann family from 1937 until 1963, when the house, its contents and grounds were presented to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. Fallingwater is the only remaining great Wright house with its setting, original furnishings, and artwork intact.

We then visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob, which bears eloquent testimony to his genius. Dramatic yet serene, the home blends into the mountain against which it stands. It looks out on a breathtaking panorama of the Youghiogheny River Gorge and surrounding mountains. Kentuck Knob is a refinement of Wright’s core principles of organic architecture. Designed in 1953 for the I.N. Hagan family, it was constructed by skilled local craftsmen. With an open plan based on a hexagonal grid it is constructed entirely of tidewater red cypress and native fieldstone. These stone walls not only visually anchor the house’s two wings but also rise to penetrate the horizontal line of its copper roof. Its open floor plan, cantilevered overhangs and great expanses of glass artfully integrate outdoor and indoor spaces. Its expansive yet intimate interior is furnished to the tastes of its current owners, Lord and Lady Palumbo, dedicated patrons of the arts. A sculpture park has been integrated into the woodlands and informal gardens surrounding the house. It features 35 sculptures by masters such as Andy Goldsworthy, Harry Bertoia, Claes Oldenburg, Ray Smith, Michael Warren and Sir Anthony Caro.

We return to Pittsburgh, and this evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Overnight Pittsburgh) BD

Day 18: Wednesday 2 October, Depart Pittsburgh

• Tour concludes in the morning
• At leisure/Check out

Our tour ends in Pittsburgh after breakfast. In the morning you will be required to check out of the hotel. Please contact ASA if you require assistance with a transfer to the Pittsburgh Airport. B

ASA has selected 3- to 5-star centrally located hotels. All hotels provide rooms with en suite bathroom. A hotel list will be given to all participants prior to departure, in the meantime a summary is given below:

• Chicago (4 nights): 4-star StayPineapple The Loop – a centrally located hotel showcasing bright and fresh contemporary interior design within a National Historic Landmark Building. www.staypineapple.com/the-loop-chicago
• Boston (3 nights): 4-star The Lenox  – established in 1900, is a landmark hotel in the Back Bay area, with classically decorated and freshly-renovated rooms.  www.lenoxhotel.com
• New York (5 nights): 3-star Hotel Beacon – a spacious hotel situated in New York’s Upper West Side, close to Central Park, the Theatre District and Manhattan’s many cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Each room includes a fully-equipped kitchenette with microwave, stove, refrigerator and coffee maker. www.beaconhotel.com
• Washington DC (3 nights): 4-star The Melrose Georgetown Hotel – a spacious hotel, conveniently located in Georgetown, just 1 km from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. www.melrosehoteldc.com
• Pittsburgh (2 nights): 4-star Omni William Penn Hotel Pittsburgh – an historic hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. www.omnihotels.com

Note:  Hotels are subject to change, in which case a hotel of similar standard will be provided.

Single Supplement

Payment of this supplement will ensure accommodation in a double (or twin) room for single occupancy throughout the tour. The number of rooms available for single occupancy is extremely limited.  People wishing to take this supplement are therefore advised to book well in advance.

How to Book

ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION FORM

Please complete the ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION and send it to Australians Studying Abroad together with your non-refundable deposit of  AUD $1000.00 per person  payable to Australians Studying Abroad.

Practical Information

The number of flags is a guide to the degree of difficulty of ASA tours relative to each other (not to those of other tour companies). It is neither absolute nor literal. One flag is given to the least taxing tours, seven to the most. Flags are allocated, above all, according to the amount of walking and standing each tour involves.  Nevertheless, all ASA tours require that participants have a good degree of fitness enabling 2-3 hours walking or 1-1.5 hours standing still on any given site visit or excursion.  Many sites are accessed by climbing slopes or steps and have uneven terrain.

This 18-day Art and Architecture in the USA tour involves:

• Exploring Chicago, Boston, New York and Washington DC on foot.
• Extensive walking daily (up to 5km per day), and standing during museum and other site visits.
• Use of the New York, Boston and Washington DC subway system where participants may need to negotiate many stairs.
• 3- & 4-star hotels with four hotel changes.
• You must be able to carry your own hand luggage. Hotel porterage includes 1 piece of luggage per person.

It is important to remember that ASA programs are group tours, and slow walkers affect everyone in the group. As the group must move at the speed of the slowest member, the amount of time spent at a site may be reduced if group members cannot maintain a moderate walking pace. ASA tours should not present any problem for active people who can manage day-to-day walking and stair-climbing. However, if you have any doubts about your ability to manage on a program, please ask your ASA travel consultant whether this is a suitable tour for you.

Please note:  it is a condition of travel that all participants agree to accept ASA’s directions in relation to their suitability to participate in activities undertaken on the tour, and that ASA retains the sole discretion to direct a tour participant to refrain from a particular activity on part of the tour. For further information please refer to the ASA Reservation Application Form.

Tour Price & Inclusions

Aud $14,990.00 land content only – early-bird special: book before 30 sep 2023, aud $15,190.00 land content only, aud $4240 single supplement, tour price (land content only) includes:.

• Accommodation in twin share rooms with private facilities in 3- to 4-star hotels
• Breakfast daily; lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary where: B =breakfast, L =Lunch and D =dinner
• Drinks at welcome and farewell meals. Other meals may not have drinks included.
• Transportation by air-conditioned coach
• Economy airfare Chicago – Boston (Day 5) and Washington DC – Pittsburgh (Day 16)
• Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at hotels (not at airports)
• Lecture and site-visit program
• Tour reference book
• Entrance fees
• Use of audio headsets during site excursions
• Tips for the coach driver, local guides and restaurants for included meals

Tour Price (Land Content Only) does not include:

• Airfare: Australia-Chicago, Pittsburgh-Australia
• Personal spending money
• Airport-hotel transfers
• Luggage in excess of 20kg (44lbs)
• Travel insurance

A non-refundable deposit of  $1000.00 AUD per person  is required to reserve a place on this ASA tour.

Cancellation Fees

If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply:

• More than 75 days before departure: your initial deposit of $1000.00 is non-refundable
• 75-31 days prior 50% of total amount due
• 30-0 days prior 100% of total amount due

We take the day on which you cancel as being that on which we receive written confirmation of cancellation.

Unused Portions of the Tour

We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers.

Will the Tour Price or Itinerary Change?

If the number of participants on a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates ASA reserves the right to amend the advertised price. We shall, however, do all in our power to maintain the published price. If an ASA tour is forced to cancel you will get a full refund of all tour monies paid. Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of ASA make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes in due course.

Travel Insurance

ASA requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. A copy of your travel insurance certificate and the  reverse charge emergency contact phone number must be received by ASA no later than 75 days prior to the commencement of the tour.

Final Payment

The balance of the tour price will be due  75 days prior  to the tour commencement date.

Limitation of Liability

ASA is not a carrier, event or tourist attraction host, accommodation or dining service provider. All bookings made and tickets or coupons issued by ASA for transport, event, accommodation, dining and the like are issued as an agent for various service providers and are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by each service provider. ASA is not responsible for their products or services. If a service provider does not deliver the product or service for which you have contracted, your remedy lies with the service provider, not ASA.

ASA will not be liable for any claim (eg. sickness, injury, death, damage or loss) arising from any change, delay, detention, breakdown, cancellation, failure, accident, act, omission or negligence of any such service provider however caused (contingencies). You must take out adequate travel insurance against such contingencies.

ASA’s liability in respect of any tour will be limited to the refund of amounts received from you less all non-refundable costs and charges and the costs of any substituted event or alternate services provided. The terms and conditions of the relevant service provider from time to time comprise the sole agreement between you and that service provider.

ASA reserves the sole discretion to cancel any tour or to modify itineraries in any way it considers appropriate. Tour costs may be revised, subject to unexpected price increases or exchange rate fluctuations.

Interested in this tour? Take the next step

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Discover our related articles and events before you take your journey

How the shed was made: the kinetic architecture of new york’s newest cultural institution, when it comes to art & design, chicago offers more than frank lloyd wright, aud $4240.00 single supplement, physical endurance rating.

The number of flags is a guide to the degree of difficulty of ASA tours relative to each other (not to those of other tour companies). It is neither absolute nor literal. One flag is given to the least taxing tours, seven to the most. Flags are allocated, above all, according to the amount of walking and standing each tour involves. Nevertheless, all ASA tours require that participants have a good degree of fitness enabling 2-3 hours walking or 1-1.5 hours standing still on any given site visit or excursion. Many sites are accessed by climbing slopes or steps and have uneven terrain.

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Dr Chris McAuliffe is a Professor of Art at ANU and a freelance curator, critic and art consultant. Dr McAuliffe took a BA Hons and an MA at the University of Melbourne and a PhD at Harvard University (1997) with a dissertation on contemporary American art. Chris taught art history and theory at the University of Melbourne (1988-2000), including conducting three ASA tours of the New York art scene. In 2011-12, he was the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard University where he staged ‘Tinnitus’, a symposium on art and rock’n’roll.

Chris has published widely on both historical and contemporary art with a focus on Australia and the USA. His research focuses on the relationship of art with everyday life and popular culture, including sport, rock music and suburbia. His books include Art and suburbia (1996), Linda Marrinon: let her try (2007) and Jon Cattapan: possible histories (2008). He has also published in academic journals and exhibition catalogues on American pop art, Abstract Expressionism, earthworks art and minimalist sculpture. He has been a regular commentator on ABC radio and on ABC TV’s ‘Sunday Arts’.

Chris has extensive experience in the art museum sector, ranging from community-based contemporary art spaces through to the Council of the National Gallery of Victoria. From 2000-2013 he was Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art, the University of Melbourne. Among the exhibitions he has curated are ‘After the age of Aquarius: American art in the 1970s’, ‘Game on!: art and sport’, and ‘The Shilo project’, an exhibition on Neil Diamond. In 2013, he was curatorial consultant for the major exhibition, ‘America: painting a nation’ at the Art Gallery of NSW, which featured works from museums in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston and Chicago. In 2006, Chris initiated the Basil Sellers Art Prize; a biannual award for contemporary art on the theme of sport, one of the richest in Australia.

Chris has travelled extensively in the USA, having visited 26 of the 50 states (and counting!). He first moved to Boston in 1986 and has lived there and in New York for a total of five years. He has undertaken field research in the Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico), exploring earthworks sculptures, and is an aficionado of the regional cuisines of the USA.

Chris McAuliffe’s research interests include nineteenth and twentieth century art (Australia and America) with a focus on earthworks (Robert Smithson), abstract expressionism (Jackson Pollock), art and sport, art and rock music. He is currently a partner in the ARC-funded research project ‘Fringe to Famous’ which examines the crossover between ‘alternative’ and ‘mainstream’ Australian cultural production since the 1980s.

A writer and editor who specialises in history, visual art, travel and American culture, Stephanie has lived in New York and Boston. She taught at RMIT University for many years, and led student tours to Bali and China. She was previously editor of Meanjin cultural journal, and a contributing editor to World Art magazine. She has extensive experience working as a freelance curator, an editor of non-fiction trade and scholarly texts and as a writer of articles and essays. She currently works in various editorial capacities, and is Executive Officer of the History Council of Victoria. She holds a BA in History from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Adult Education from Monash University. Stephanie co-leads the Art and Architecture in the USA tour.

David Brand is a Melbourne architect, educator and heritage consultant with degrees in architecture and in History and Philosophy. For many years he has taught architectural history and design at the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University. David is a well-known local heritage & planning activist, and is passionate about enabling cities to preserve and maintain their historic character and cultural richness. He has served multiple terms as elected councillor and deputy mayor of his St Kilda-based inner Melbourne city council.

David takes a global view of architectural history and urban culture. He has travelled widely through Asia, Europe and the USA, has lived in Washington DC, and has previously co-led ASA’s Art and Architecture in California tour.

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An ASA consultant will call you within 24 hours between 9.00am and 6.00pm Monday through Friday should read 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday through Friday EST, Australia

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The 10 Best Cities in the US for Architecture Lovers

Traveling around the United States of America can be an eye-opening and rewarding experience for architecture enthusiasts. The U.S. has a built environment that’s over two centuries old, so throughout the country, you’ll find many heritage structures with Spanish or European colonial influences.

In the bustling urban centers, magnificent skyscrapers clustered together create spectacular city skylines. A broad range of architectural styles are represented across the country’s 50 states, as are many world-famous works by master architects such as Daniel Burnham, Louis Khan, Walter Gropius, Frank Llyod Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, Zaha Hadid, and Renzo Piano.

Whether you prefer historical styles or more contemporary aesthetics, the U.S. has a plethora of architectural beauties just waiting for you to discover. If you’re an architecture lover, here are 10 cities you’ll find particularly delightful.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s steep, hilly streets are lined with a variety of Victorian-style buildings, the most prevalent of which are the Queen Anne style houses that were constructed in the late 1800s with adorable bay windows and ornate gingerbread trims. Among the most photographed Queen Annes are The Painted Ladies in Alamo Square and the Haas-Lilienthal House, which is sometimes open for public tours.

Other Victorian styles you’ll see in San Francisco include Gothic Revival, exemplified by the Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, and Tudor Revival – a style most often seen in the Presidio Heights neighborhood. Fans of modern architecture can admire the futuristic, concrete, glass, and steel Transamerica Pyramid by William Pereira & Associates or the Xanadu Gallery, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and thought of as the predecessor to his Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Washington D.C.

America’s cosmopolitan, political capital has buildings with architectural influences from Greece, Rome, France, the United Kingdom, and ancient Egypt. The U.S. Capitol and the Jefferson Memorial, both modeled after the Patheon in Rome, are just two of the classical Roman-style buildings that give Washington D.C. its regal and stately atmosphere. The White House was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban and purportedly modeled after a Georgian-style estate in Dublin, Ireland named Leinster House. The Lincoln Memorial, with its 36 Doric columns, is unmistakably Greek in design, while the 600-foot-tall Washington Monument obelisk was inspired by the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

Other interesting buildings in the city are the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which was designed in the Second Empire style, and the medieval-castle-like Smithsonian Institute by Victorian architect James Renwick.

Boston, Massachusetts

Nicknamed “The Puritan City”, Boston’s architecture is heavily influenced by the Puritan settlers who arrived here on the Mayflower from England in 1962. Expect to be wowed by enchanting Craftsman bungalows, and stately Georgian and Victorian Tudors as you explore the city’s main thoroughfares and narrow side lanes.

Architectural highlights include the Trinity Church – the first major work of prominent American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, the father of the “Richardsonian Romanesque” style with its round, masonry arches; the Federalist-style Massachusetts State House and Faneuil Hall, and the well-conserved colonial home of American revolutionary Paul Revere.

Also dotted throughout the city are a handful of remarkable and imposing modernist buildings such as the brutalist-style Boston Government Center and Lindemann Center by Paul Rudolph who was known for his love of concrete and complex floor plans, the spaceship-like Kresge Auditorium by Finnish-American Bauhaus-school architect Eero Saarinen, and the surrealistic Ray and Maria Stata Center by Frank Gehry.

Palm Springs, California

A mecca for lovers of mid-century modernism, Palm Springs – a desert resort city in southern California’s Sonoran Desert – is where architects Richard Neutra, John Lautner, and Albert Frey built some of their most well-known “desert modernism” and International Style houses.

Designed to respond to the dry and sunny local climate, many of the homes here feature shaded verandas, overhanging roof planes, large glass doors, and expansive outdoor pools. Buildings such as Frey’s Palm Springs City Hall, Neutra’s Desert House, William Krisel’s “House of Tomorrow” where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967, and Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate, designed by E. Stewart Williams, are just some of the standout buildings here that capture the grooviness of baby boom era, southern Californian living.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has many buildings that are heavily influenced by French, Spanish, and Caribbean styles, but the best representative of the city’s architectural character is probably the Creole townhouse. Built in the French Quarter after the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, Creole townhouses, such as the famous Miltenberger Houses, are romantic-looking, multi-story brick, or stucco, edifices with steeply-pitched parapeted roofs, arcades, and ornate Spanish cast-iron balconies.

Besides Creole townhouses, there are many other period-style buildings to see here. The Renaissance-meets-Spanish-Colonial-style St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the United States, the Pontalba Buildings – two Parisian-style, brick row house buildings designed by local architect James Gallier Sr., and the Doullut Steamboat Houses, which were built during the steamboat era by a captain of such a vessel, all reflect New Orleans’ multicultural heritage.

New York City, New York

In his 1976 novel “Slapstick”, American author Kurt Vonnegut dubbed New York City the “Skyscraper National Park”. Indeed, America’s most visited metropolis contains some of the world’s most impressive high-rise towers such as Shreve, Lamb & Harmon’s Empire State Building, Daniel Burnham’s Flatiron Building, Cass Gilbert’s Woolworth Building, and Reinhard, Hofmeister & Walquist’s Art Deco icon – the Chrysler Building.

But it’s not just skyscrapers that make New York so impressive architecturally. The city is also home to less statuesque, but equally gorgeous gems such as the Beaux Arts-style Ansonia Hotel, as well as striking newer-builds like the Santiago Calatrava-designed World Trade Center Transportation Hub and the honey-comb-like “Vessel” visitor attraction by Thomas Heatherwick.

The Best Cities in Europe for Architecture Lovers

Detroit, michigan.

Boasting one of the most recognizable skylines in the U.S., Detroit’s downtown core is lauded by both architects and preservationists alike because it has some of the best-conserved late-19th and early-20th-century buildings in all of America.

Some of the nation’s most-respected Gilded Age architects, such as Louis Kamper and Gordon Llyod, did much work here. Notable landmarks include the Italian Renaissance-style Book Building and Book Cadillac Hotel by Kamper, Art Deco style masterpieces such as the Fisher Building by Albert Kahn and The Penobscot Building and Guardian Building by Wirt C. Rowland, as well as the post-modern Neo-Gothic style One Detroit Center by Philip Johnson.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

A city that evokes the roughhewn ruggedness of the Wild West, architecturally, Santa Fe stands apart from other North American cities thanks to its unmistakable adobe brick dwellings. These reddish-brown, mud-brick style structures come in three core designs – Territorial Revival, which features flat roofs and angular edges, and often brick-capped rooflines; Spanish Revival, which come with clay tile roofs, plaster walls, and decorative iron trims, and the most common – Pueblo Revival, where buildings have smooth, organic forms and soft corners. Some well-known examples of the latter are the Palace of Governors, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and the San Miguel Chapel.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has a rich history of architectural experimentation. It’s the birthplace of the “Chicago School” style commercial building – skyscrapers built in the 1880s and 1890s that used steel-framed construction in innovative ways – and “Second Chicago School” – towers built from the 1940s through the 1970s using new structural systems such as the tube-structure.

Admirers of German-American, Bauhaus master Ludwig Mies van der Rohe can see some of his most famous works, such as 860-880 Lake Shore Apartments and S.R. Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology, here. Other architectural sites worth seeing are the Brutalist Marina City by Bertrand Goldberg and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, which have fragments from world-famous edifices like the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, and the Great Wall of China embedded in its interior.

Charleston, South Carolina

Travelers interested in historical architecture will enjoy Charleston, a city that’s home to a wide variety of well-preserved heritage buildings of diverse architectural styles.

Stop by the Colonial-style Old Exchange Building, which had been used as a public market, meeting place, custom house, and a jail during the 18th century, but is now a museum of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Go back in time as you tour the interiors of the Heyward-Washington House – a Georgian-style double house that was the residence of American patriot and one of the four signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward Jr. Or, visit the oldest fire-resistant building in the US – the Greek Revival style Fireproof Building, designed by America’s first domestically-trained architect, Robert Mills, and completed in 1827.

1. Boston, MA 2. Chicago, IL 3. Dallas, TX 4. New Orleans, LA 5. Palm Springs, CA

Yet another architectural “expert” has left off Philadelphia on this list. Nobody likes us and we don’t care!!!…

I like Philadelphia my friend.. We’re not alone 🙂

Tulsa, Oklahoma has some of the most beautiful buildings in the United States.

Not to worry mate. I have seen impressive architecture in even Houston, Texas…. Lot of cities seem to be missing due to some reason. Article’s concentrated on skyscraper parks than the actual thing.

Clearly you do care… you commented….

Where’s Buffalo? It belongs on this list.

I live in Seattle. Architecture here is so-so. I love Philadelphia. Any so-caller expert to puts Detroit above Philly is delusional. It’s colonial architecture beats Boston.

The authors left out Columbus, Indiana – a unique town known for modern architecture and art from world famous architects with seven National Historic! Landmarks.

The article is about cities. Not small towns. Columbus is a neat little town, but its just that.

Chicago has by far the best and most diverse architecture in the country. Detroit???

Errr…Miami Beach..only the finest collection of Art Deco Architecture in the N.America

Miami and its Mediterranean Style Homes

Pittsburgh and Miami for sure

You really missed out on putting philadelphia on the list. The colonial architecture is super impressive. Right in downtown philly, there’s still plenty of colonial architecture where people still inhabit these buildings. Not to mention the craftsmenship of many other buildings such as Philly’s city hall, The Philadelphia Art Museum, public library, the ritz carlton and many more buildings.

People who question why Detroit is on the list have never been there. I used to give architectural and historic tours in Detroit. Phenomenal variety and history. Some great buildings.

I actually traveled to over 40 states in this country. Detroit has some of the worst and best looking neighborhoods in the country.

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DC Design Tours

Historical and architectural guided tours of washington dc.

Get an insider’s look at the design of the District!

Explore Washington’s architectural marvels and best kept secrets, while hearing about the conflicts, controversies, and personalities involved in the development of our Capital City. From Neo-Classical to Brutalist, learn the history behind the brick and mortar on our design-focused Washington tours!

We offer small group, private walking, driving , or virtual tours!

We also have gift cards, the perfect present for your adventurous urban explorer! Gift cards can be purchased to join a small group tour or book a private tour. Get your gift card here , or  contact us  to learn more.

Explore the history behind the brick and mortar on a tour of Washington DC

National mall: monuments & memorials architecture tour.

Duration:  2 Hours, 1.5 Miles

Learn the little-known history of Washington’s most well-known national landmarks. See the towering Washington Monument, visit the sobering Vietnam Wall, the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial, and explore the secrets of the National Mall.

Dupont Circle & Embassy Row Tour

Gilded Age opulent mansions and grand embassies line the streets of one of Washington’s most fashionable neighborhoods. Hear the stories and scandals that helped shape the Nation behind the doors of the District’s most extravagant homes.

Historic Georgetown Tour

Duration:  2.5 Hours, 2 Miles

Home to palatial mansions, elegant cemeteries, stately churches, and a world class University, explore the highlights and secrets of Washington’s most exclusive neighborhood! Learn about the dramatic rags to riches transformation of  this now idyllic enclave of Washington DC.

Iconic Capitol Hill Tour

Duration:  2 Hours, 1 Mile

Explore the political core of Washington DC—from the first plans for a new Federal City, to the tumultuous construction of the U.S. Capitol, the rise of the resplendent Beaux Arts Library of Congress and imposing Supreme Court, and into the present day. Controversy, chaos, and red tape abound!

Sixteenth Street & Adams Morgan Tour

Home to ambassadors and politicians, revolutionaries and civil rights leaders, venture into some of DC’s most diverse areas in this off-the-beaten-path tour of Northwest Washington.

Castle to Capitol: National Museums Architecture Tour

Learn how the Smithsonian Institution has shaped the fabric of the National Mall since 1847. Hear about the style, design, controversy, construction, and fascinating backstory behind the grand buildings, secret gardens, and both beloved and reviled designs along the National Mall.

Cleveland Park & Cathedral Grounds Tour

Duration: 2 Hours, 1 Mile

Dubbed “The Queen of the Washington Suburbs,”, Cleveland Park is one of the city’s most beautiful and architecturally eclectic areas.  Visit the National Cathedral grounds, stroll picturesque streets, visit the oldest home in DC, and see the city like a local!

Urban Oasis: Rock Creek Park History Hike

Duration: 3 Hours, 4 Miles

Established in 1890, Rock Creek Park was the third National Park in the country, and the first in a major city. More than 2,000 acres was set aside as a refuge for wildlife and an escape for locals, winding its way through Northwest Washington DC. Beyond natural beauty, Rock Creek contains historic structures, memorials, ruins, and other remnants of the past.

Building Black Broadway: U Street Tour

Duration: 1.5 Hours, 1 Mile

Join a walking tour along the U Street Corridor, once known as Washington’s “Black Broadway,” to explore the civic and cultural heart of the District’s Black community through the last century.

America’s Main Street: White House & Pennsylvania Avenue

Explore the President’s front yard and walk the inaugural route! Pennsylvania Avenue has hosted inaugurations, protests, and parades for 200 years. But the White House neighborhood is forever fraught with conflict and intrigue. Learn how downtown DC went from Murder Bay to America’s Main Street.

Architecture of Historic Anacostia Tour

From the trading grounds of the Nacotchtank, to a Whites-only suburb called “Uniontown,” to a mostly Black community, Anacostia has seen dramatic change and stark contrast. Its architecture tells the story of this ever-shifting place.

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

Duration:  2.5 Hours, 2.5 miles

Visit the Kennedy Graves, go inside Arlington Mansion, witness a Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and learn stories and secrets within this hallowed ground. This tour is offered publicly on Memorial and Veterans Day. Please reserve a private tour outside of those times.

Private Tours

Duration:  Customizable

Book your private design tour to explore DC in depth. Choose any of our Washington walking tours to be conducted as a private tour, with just you, your family or group, and your guide!

See What Our Guests Have to Say!

The tour of Dupont Circle/Embassy Row was amazing! Christine has such a wealth of knowledge of architecture and the history. She's super sweet and had us laughing while teaching the group. It was my second of the Design Tours and can't wait for the next one!

Had a wonderful time and learned a lot. My family took the walking tour (led by Christine) from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. She made the tour enjoyable for everyone, including my 6-year-old daughter. I highly recommend this for families that want to visit the “must sees” and want a better understanding of how Washington D.C. was initially developed and how it has evolved over time.

Great tour! It's was a great day to get introduced to Union Station and Capitol Hill building architecture and history. Tour started in time and ended on time. Sam is a great guide with passion, energy, and information.

Terrific tours from our guide Carolyn - we did both a tour of the main monuments and a tour of Arlington Cemetery. Carolyn tweaked the tours to suit our interests and stamina, held the kids (and adults) in rapt attention, answered all our questions and shared lots of details and history we would not otherwise have known. Strongly recommended.

We booked Monuments and Memorials, Georgetown and Capitol Hill tour during independence day weekend. All 3 of them were so amazing! Our guide, Sam, was knowledgeable and full of energy. If you want to know history, understand architectural details and hear stories, then I highly recommend DC Design Tours. Our experience exploring Washington DC via these guided public walking tours was very enriching.

Incredible tour of Georgetown with both insightful information about the design and architecture, but also a rich history of the community. Sam, our guide, was informative and made the tour fun. His passion for history and architecture came shining through.

This tour was everything I was hoping for and more (found on IG)! I lived in Georgetown decades ago, but didn’t have a chance to experience it like this. Passing by and admiring architecture is one thing, but learning about it is another. And you don’t know what you don’t know! Every trip to DC, I look forward to enjoying a different one…

We had a wonderful experience with DC Design Tours. Our team of real estate agents went on this tour to learn a little history and architecture about DC. We truly learned so much and had so much fun. The bus was gorgeous and our guide was so knowledgeable and personable. Highly recommend!!

My family did the DC Museum tour with Sam this Sunday. He was great. Meeting us in front to Smithsonian castle and walking and talking us thru the architecture and history of all the museums on the mall. Very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions. Thanks Sam.

Fantastic tour! Sam made the cherry blossom tour of the DC tidal basin so much more then a walk amongst the cherry blossoms. He really made the monuments and whole area come to life too! I will be recommending all of the DC Design tours to visitors and neighbors here! And Sam gave me plenty of time to snap pictures to my hearts content, a real bonus on a guided tour! Thanks for the wonderful experiencence!

Beautiful walking tour of the cherry blossoms. Unfortunately we weren’t able to the splendor due to the bad weather a few days prior to the the tour. Our guide was very informative!

I've been on two DC design tours in the last month and I am so impressed! I am a local and I love architecture and I have learned so much history about my community. These tours are fantastic! You should absolutely go! Don't question it.

The Georgetown and National Mall tours were so good. Sam was our guide on both tours and he was great. I learned so much and highly recommend.

Our tour guide Sam was incredible. I told him he should do Podcast. Was able to navigate between tour questions and general questions beautifully and seamlessly. Love the restaurant recommendations. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

We live nearby in Maryland and have been to Georgetown numerous times. Sam made it’s history and beauty to come alive with his very informative and entertaining presentation. 2.5 hours flew by. Highly recommend.

We did the private tour of DuPont Circle and Embassy Row with Carolyn. It was amazing. She’s very knowledgeable and did an excellent mix of history and architecture. I wish I could do a tour with her everyday of my trip. I will be using DC Design Tours anytime I’m back in DC.

Carolyn was a wonderful guide for our family group of seven. We would definitely use her on our next trip to DC. And I’ve already recommended her to several friends. Thanks for perfect experience.

Our tour of Georgetown's architecture was absolutely amazing! Carolyn's knowledge of the history of Georgetown is deep and her added stories about little known snippets of American history added a wonderful touch of humor. I would highly recommend taking one of the custom tours for a few hours that you will never forget!

The tour was amazing. Carolyn was nice and knowledgeable. She was sincere about the good and bad of DC, very descriptive and had great suggestions. Took time to hear our story and made personalized suggestions on other tours we should take with them. We definitely will be back to take more tours with Carolyn.

Four of us went on a National Cathedral-Cleveland Park Cherry Blossom tour with Carolyn. It was very informative and fun. Carolyn is so prepared and knowledgeable, you can tell she has a background in architecture and has studied the neighborhood history. We are looking forward to booking another tour soon.

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Archaeological-themed tours for the curious to the connoisseur

Travel with an engaging and informative AIA Tours' lecturer, plus trip manager/guides. Each well-paced itinerary offers ample time at each site. The capable and friendly AIA Tours staff makes it easy to prepare for your journey from start to finish!

"Hands down this was the best organized tour I have taken. The leaders were a joy to be with and our group were the nicest and most inclusive people I have had the pleasure to travel with. I hope to see anyone of the group on any AIA trip again.” - Sandra, Virginia

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Featuring small-group tours, usually with a maximum of 12, 15 or 16 guests, and an expert AIA Tours' lecturer who is both fascinating and approachable. Each well-paced itinerary offers ample time at each site and carefully chosen hotels; trip managers and local guides handling every detail.

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Featuring ships between just 8-72 comfortable cabins to luxurious staterooms. Dock in the heart of smaller, historic ports. Travel with an expert AIA Tours lecturer, professional trip manager/cruise director, and local guides who will take care of all the details.

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• North America
• A Tour Of Atlantas Most...

A Tour of Atlanta's Most Iconic Architectural Landmarks

The metropolis of Atlanta is full of world-class cuisine, an iconic music scene, the heart of the civil rights movement and a thriving artistic community. But what many don’t know about the metropolitan city is its remarkable architectural landmarks. From compelling angles on museums to striking skyscrapers, discover the architectural beauty in Atlanta’s buildings.

High museum.

Located in the northern Midtown area of Atlanta, the High Museum is the largest in the southeast. Designed by architects Richard Meier, who won the 1984 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Renzo Piano, the museum is elevated on a hill. Richard Meier used his signature elements of white metal panels and glass to construct the museum. The general scheme of the architectural design consists of four quadrants with one carved out to distinguish it from the other three; the missing quadrant becomes a central, light-filled atrium, which is inspired by the Guggenheim Museum.

1280 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA

Located downtown Atlanta and adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium is the Center for Human and Civil Rights . Established in 2007, the center is an architectural masterpiece. The head of the design team of the 42,000-square-foot building was Philip Freelon, whose firm was also lead on the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA

Located in Buckhead , the Sovereign skyscraper incorporates upscale dining, office space and condominiums. Notably the tallest building in Buckhead, the building was designed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates.

3344 Peachtree Rd Suite 2910, Atlanta, GA

King and Queen Buildings

Locally known as “the King and Queen towers,” the two regal buildings are officially called Concourse Corporate Center V and VI . Situated in Sandy Springs, the 34-story towers can be seen for miles. Resembling the heads of chess pieces, the tops of the buildings boast white lattice crowns, which light up for special occasions including St. Patrick’s Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The architectural company that created the design was Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associate.

5 Concourse Pkwy, Atlanta, GA

Symphony Tower

Commonly known as the “Batman Building” to locals because of its wing-like glass faces above the roof of the building, the Symphony Tower is a 41-story striking skyscraper. Located in the Midtown district, it was designed by architectural firm Pickard-Chilton of Connecticut. It was the first high-rise office building in the world to achieve LEED-CS Pre-Certification Silver Level.

1180 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA

Combining Renaissance revival styles with a classical approach, the Swan House was designed by Philip T. Shutze in 1928 for Edward and Emily Inman. After their deaths, the mansion and grounds were acquired by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966 for historical purposes. In 2004, the Atlanta History Center completed restoration of the house and its furnishings. The house was used to film some scenes in the 2013 film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and its 2015 sequel, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2, and as the finish line of the 19th season of The Amazing Race .

130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA

Westin Peachtree Plaza

The Westin Peachtree Plaza held the title of tallest building in the city for more than a decade, not to mention the tallest hotel in the world for a short time. The 73-story skyscraper was designed by developer/architect John Portman. Cast in reflective glass, the cylindrical-shaped hotel boasts 5,600 windows. The main attraction is the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar , which is on the uppermost floors and is a revolving restaurant. Its panoramic views of the city, completing a full revolution every 30 minutes, is why even the locals make reservations at the hotel.

210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA

Georgia-Pacific Tower

Containing 52 stories, the Georgia Pacific Tower was finished in 1982. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the tower is an office space that features a stair-like exterior that staggers down to the ground made with pink granite quarried from Marble Falls, Texas.

Flatiron Building

Yes, Atlanta has one, too. Completed in 1897, the Flatiron Building is Atlanta’s oldest standing skyscraper. The vintage marvel predates New York City’s more famous (and much taller) Flatiron Building by five years. Designed by Bradford Gilbert, the 11-story landmark has undergone renovations and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Guides & Tips

Key stops on your civil rights tour of atlanta.

Stunning Places to Visit on a Road Trip Through Georgia, USA

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The best lakes to visit in georgia.

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The best brunch spots in poncey-highland, atlanta.

A Guide to Georgia's Spectacular Coastline

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The best villas and vacation rentals to book in st simons island, georgia.

The Best Hotels and B&Bs to Book Near Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

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The best rooftop bars in atlanta.

The Best Hotels to Book in Georgia, USA

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Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

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The award-winning interior architecture for the Southwest Public Library in Washington, DC delivers a sustainable library design with cutting-edge technology, spaces for gathering, and educational…

Design the future of the built environment with the largest, most comprehensive collection of architecture and design resources. Learn more about firm management, best practices, climate action, equity, and more for every stage of your professional journey. Lean on AIA's supportive community of industry leaders and learn from the very best.

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AIA advocacy efforts are based on our values. We advocate at the federal, state, and local levels for climate action, equity, student loan debt relief, business interests, and more. We champion meaningful policies that enable architects to build better buildings and take decisive action on the issues that matter most to our industry.

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10 Virtual Tours of Amazing Architecture Around the World

Visiting some of the world’s greatest architectural wonders—such as marvels of Frank Lloyd Wright and Zaha Hadid—has never been easier, thanks to virtual tours.

No need to strap on virtual-reality goggles—just click your way through these highly immersive, interactive visits for an architecture-themed trip from the comfort of your own home.

Courtesy of  Taliesin Preservation 

Once the personal residence of the godfather of prairie style, this 800-acre estate lies in the bucolic rolling hills of Spring Green, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison. It's currently home to the Taliesin School of Architecture and comes to life in this virtual tour of Taliesin , created by a fellow Wisconsinite. Paired with light classical music in the background, the narrator beings with the macro—why Frank Lloyd Wright’s elders settled in the Driftless Region—before diving into the micro, showcasing interior spaces (from the geometric-patterned area rug and barrel chairs in the Formal Living Room to the blue chaise cushions and Chinese art in the loggia , or second-floor patio) that Wright worked on between 1911 and his death in 1959. Bonus: visitors to Spring Green can never access the loggia.

Milwaukee Art Museum

In 2001, the Milwaukee Art Museum unveiled a Santiago Calatrava-designed addition that Time Magazine dubbed its “design of the year.” These soaring white wings are now forever linked to the city’s skyline. While normally the museum’s Haitian art and Outsider art collections are a draw, you can still experience a bird’s-eye view of Lake Michigan’s shoreline immediately upon entering, noting the way sunlight glints off Dale Chihuly’s blown-glass “Isola di San Giacomo in Palude Chandelier II.” Fortunately, Visit Milwaukee’s virtual tour of what locals call “The Calatrava” is the next best thing to actually visiting.

The Colour Palace

Courtesy of Dulwich Picture Gallery 

Need a burst of serious color? The Colour Palace in London, designed by Pricegore and Yinka Ilori Studio , and unveiled last year as the contemporary sibling to Sir John Soane’s 1811 Dulwich Picture Gallery design, is your remedy. Step into this virtual tour , which is so vivid you might need to wear sunglasses. A marriage of West African (particularly Lagos’ fabric markets) and European influences, the result is a boxy rainbow of color that shifts with the sun, and your own orientation (thankfully, through both real-time and virtual visits). If you like crossing bridges and climbing jungle gyms, then the elevated walkways are kind of like that.

Versailles Palace

Flowers are poking out of the soil and trees are in bloom right now at Versailles Palace , France’s royal residence (from 1682 to 1789), 12 miles from Paris. Step into the splendor via this virtual tour, of the palace’s Hall of Mirrors , commissioned in 1678; with so much “eye candy” in the form of ornate gold trim, it’s no wonder this is the palace’s most famed room. To replace a large terrace, the hall was created in 1684 by French Baroque architect Louis Le Vau, who was commissioned to work on other areas of the palace, too.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Architect Frank Gehry’s signature sheets of undulating metal soar above downtown L.A. even before you approach the Walt Disney Concert Hall , which just celebrated its 16th anniversary. Offering not just one, but many virtual tours , you can choose to explore the sunny lobby, backstage area, garden, or theater (with its Douglas fir-lined interior). Designed to offer supreme sound quality for performances, including those by Los Angeles Philharmonic, you’ll have to visit in person when the hall reopens to see (and hear) for yourself. But in the meantime, there’s this.

Farm Street Church

Courtesy of Farm Street Church 

Seasoned travelers to Europe might quip that they’ve “seen it all” when it comes to churches, but in addition to the ones everybody knows (like Notre Dame in Paris), there are plenty of underrated sanctuaries. That includes Farm Street Church , a Jesuit Catholic parish in London’s Mayfair section and designed by Joseph John Scoles for its 1849 opening. Seeking a divine moment of inspiration? Make yourself a cup of tea and settle in for this virtual tour , which includes stained-glass windows, hand-carved wooden pews, and soaring ceilings.

Sacré-Coeur

Tucked into the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris—the basilica’s domed top is forever linked to the arrondissement and perched on Paris’ highest point— Sacré-Coeur stands as a symbol to France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Architect Paul Abadie designed the landmark, which opened in 1914, and it remains the second-most visited monument in Paris. To access the monument from your living room, visit the virtual tour here . There are two clickable maps, for the Domes and the Basilica, as well as sound options (because an organ or bells is what you might hear if you were actually there).

Sydney Opera House

Unveiled in 1973, this performing-arts venue hugging Sydney’s harbor was designed by Karl Langer, Peter Hall, and Jørn Utzon. As a consolation during this time of staying grounded, the opera house is releasing digital programming (dance performances, Sydney Symphony Orchestra concerts, interviews with notables, and more) on its website, to further enrich your virtual visit , which begins by entering it from outside, for the full experience. This year, the opera house celebrates 13 years since being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dominion Office Building

Designed by Zaha Hadid, this Moscow office building spans nine stories along Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street and was completed in 2015, designed to provide workspace to employees in the tech and creative sectors. Explore further with this virtual tour , showcasing how dramatic a palette of only black and white can be when it comes to such large-scale design.

Sistine Chapel

One of Italy’s most visited sites— the Vatican , which serves as the Pope’s personal residence—is also a must-see for art and architecture lovers. One reason is that the Sistine Chapel is here, including Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” fresco, found on the ceiling. A virtual tour allows you to zoom in on the frescos in a way you wouldn’t normally be able to on a visit. There’s also no limit to the number of times you can “visit.”

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