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    Frederick C Robie House

    4.2 (115 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Frederick C Robie House Photos

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    Interior of living room and dining area
    Anna M.

    This was a wonderful tour of one of Wright's favorite works. We took the interior tour which lasted an hour. Tour sizes are small - about 10 people. Excellent guide that fully explained the history, unique aspects of the design and structure, and gave time for answering any questions in each room. They also have a nice gift shop with a number of items depicting Wright's iconic design.

    Entrance
    Dustin E.

    The Robie House is amazing! One of the finest FLW properties we have toured. It has been lovingly cared for and restored by the foundation. The docent we had was simply incredible! His knowledge of the house, property and area was expert level. There was no question anyone asked that stumped him. He was such a good story teller. The tour here is complete, with access to most rooms except the kitchen. It's a great way to spend an hour if you can get in.

    Natalie L.

    We are HUGE Frank Lloyd Wright fans--so much so that our son is currently getting his master's in architecture (we're practically living the dream). We were so pumped for this tour that we rushed from the train station, pushing our timeline to the edge, and arrived just as it was starting. Our oldest daughter, ever the professional multitasker, quietly stepped back to answer an email. Perfectly normal, right? But just as we were about to immerse ourselves in Wright's genius, Mary, the tour guide, sidled up to her like a caffeine-deprived librarian and said, "There's a cafe around the corner if this is boring you." Let's break this down: we just dropped $130 for five tickets, trekked across town, and we were all on the edge of our seats, ready for a deep dive into the mind of Frank Lloyd Wright. And in a blink, it was crushed by Mary's very questionable hospitality. Mary, you were a walking encyclopedia of knowledge--truly, your architectural facts were on point--but your manners? Let's just say they need a little renovation. We left the tour still big fans of FLW, but now, also major fans of the "cafe around the corner" for next time.

    Outside of the house
    Andrea C.

    As an architecture student, this house was the first architectural piece i've studied and have been osessed with it ever since. I finally got the chance to come and see it in person and was amazed by the level of detail and work that Mr Wright was able to accomplish. We did the tour with the guide for 24 dollars and it did not disappoint. the guide was super knowledgable and was always open to questions. The guide was more or less a totla of 25 minutes but it did not include the kitchen, or the maids quarters which is a different chunk of the house. All in all, the tour is worth it because he talks to you about so many things you wouldnt know otherwise. This house is a must when you come to chicago and since youre already on Campus of an astonishing university, you can walk around and explore!

    Hunter S.

    Touted as the quintessential example of the Frank Lloyd Wright prairie style home. Cost is 20-75 dollars. 20 for the house tour, 30 for the indoor tour and audio outdoor tour, and a 65 dollar 90 minute tour. The audio tour was fine, but mainly just tells you about six or seven sites on the University of Chicago campus that contrast with FLW's vision. For diehards, fine, but I wouldn't spend the extra 10 bucks next time. The home itself is almost empty, with a few FLW furniture pieces throughout. There are beautiful lines, leaded windows. Much like many other historical spots, this site changed hands many times and was allowed to fall into disrepair and was almost demolished. But the FLW foundation has done a fantastic job or restoring the site. Our docent (I think his name was Phillip) was great. Clear, concise, knowledgeable. The history about the few families who lived there were interesting. I wish we had learned a little more. Overall worthwhile. If you don't have a car with you, Lyft is easy and accessible and decently priced.

    Interior Ceiling (upper room).
    Gilbert G.

    My wife, two teenage sons, and I enjoyed the tour in July 2023. We were glad to have reserved tickets in advance as our group reached the maximum of 14 people. The Robie House is a key architectural milestone for Frank Lloyd Wright who completed it in 1909. Lots of pluses. First, Robie House was fully renovated in 2019 - so it looks great from the carpet to the brass fixtures. Second, our volunteer guide was knowledgable about the historical background of the house, which draws from Japanese influences (lack of clutter, open "Zen-like" upper floor, and wood interiors) and Native-American influences (Robie House has a pueblo-like structure that reminded me of Mary Colter's 1909 Hopi House in Grand Canyon NP). Third, you can take pictures inside of all the rooms (which is really nice). However, the tour did have some minuses. Finding street parking was difficult because we had a large SUV. I had to drive to the Campus North parking garage (15 minute walk away). Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts if you drive a large car. Also, I was surprised that Frank Lloyd Wright did not formally acknowledge Japanese designers or Native-American designers in his Prairie-style home. But that's a minor quibble. The building is a key milestone in American architecture, which is now preserved on the National Register of Historical Places.

    Sean W.

    Nice tour and beautiful grounds near campus. We enjoyed the short tour. It was around 20 minutes on train from Chicago.

    Gerald H.

    Stopped here on my never-ending quest to see all the Frank Lloyd Wright houses. There is street parking, and with this being right on the edge of the U of Chi campus, there may be other visitor parking with a walk available. We ubered here soon can't speak to it. Loved the look of the house - and the tour was pretty straightforward. What I liked about this one was they allowed pictures. In other houses we have toured they don't allow photography which is stupid so I appreciated being able to take pictures. The tour took about an hour and even though the guide tried to pop me for getting to close to the wall - which I didn't - I liked the tour. Weather didn't want to cooperate but this would rank in the top half of the locations we have been to.

    The tour begins outside the gift shop
    David M.

    Amazing architectural gem. It was a bit of an ordeal to get there from the Loop but still doable for a pedestrian. The number six bus dropped me near the museum of science and industry and I walked the rest of the way. Take the tour, they offer a lot of facts and they're open to questions. The greatest thing though is to feel the space and the presence of this masterpiece. Worth a visit. Go.

    PJ S.

    A really beautiful and interesting Frank Lloyd Wright home. Loved the details especially on the light fixtures. The outdoor self-guided tour was just okay - it really isn't about Robie house and more of a U of C tour - wouldn't do that again.

    Inside

    We had a wonderful tour guide named Chris. We was very knowledgeable and had a lot of insights into the design of the house. You learn a ton while you are there. BOOK AHEAD, showing up won't get you tickets, we saw so many people turned away for tours because tickets were sold out. But it is well worth it.

    Side of the Robie house.
    Brandi F.

    Fantastic tour of an amazing house. We had a great tour guide, Joan who was a fountain of knowledge of not only the Robie house, but of Frank Lloyd Wright in general. She was patient with our two young kids, one of which asked a lot of questions. She was gracious and informative. We enjoyed seeing one of the Wright houses in Chicago, it didn't seem right to come here without seeing at least one of his buildings.

    Living room.
    Megan M.

    Absolutely stunning tour of this well-preserved FLW design from 1909. Incredible woodwork, gorgeous lighting, beautiful windows. Also has a great gift shop, and an informative tour guide (John). Well-worth the fee and a great rain-day activity.

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    Stunning architecture and Wayne's tour was really informative. Absolutely worth a visit!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Frederick C Robie House

    Review Highlights - Frederick C Robie House

    FLW only cared about the rooms people see, the public space, that was my take away from this experience...

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    The Rookery Building - FLW iron installation.

    The Rookery Building

    4.5(75 reviews)
    6.4 miThe Loop

    Visiting The Rookery was one of those quiet Chicago moments that really sticks with you. From the…read moreoutside it's understated, but once you step into the Light Court, the space opens up with natural light, ironwork, and detail everywhere you look. The Frank Lloyd Wright staircase is subtle but impressive--nothing flashy, just solid design that holds up over time.Tip for first-time visitors: go on a weekday and aim for mid-morning if you can--the light is best, it's calmer, and you'll actually have space to stop and look around. It's not a long visit, but it doesn't need to be. The Rookery is simple, beautiful, and worth slowing down for.

    Make no mistake, this space is stunning and definitely something to see. As a recent wedding guest,…read moreI was expecting more. The setup of the building makes for a cramped wedding. We had to stay in the crowded lobby for a long time before the ceremony space was opened. The restrooms are far away from the action, about as far from the party as they could be. The second floor cocktail space was cramped. The two bartenders were soooo slow. Not sure if they were part of the catering staff the Rookery uses or separate. Dinner was exceptional. No one knew the bar moved from the second floor to a space under a first-floor staircase for drinks after dinner. There was no announcement of where desserts were located. A lot of the issues I had with the wedding could have been eliminated had an experienced planner been hired. Too often during the day guests were not sure where to go or what was happening, what was next. It's a beautiful space but my advice to couples would be to hire a planner who is experienced and who has worked several wedding at the Rookery. Also, I was told the space was rented the night before the wedding so the couple couldn't have a rehearsal. Unfortunately, that was obvious and added to the disjointed event. Also, some tourist walked into the back of the ceremony space during the wedding. I would have thought Rookery staff/security would keep tourists out of a private event, but this is one of those things that will become a funny wedding story in a couple of years.

    Photos
    The Rookery Building - Glass canopy

    Glass canopy

    The Rookery Building - FLW Planters

    FLW Planters

    The Rookery Building - Glass canopy

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    Glass canopy

    Skydeck Chicago - NEVER FORGET (look closely)

    Skydeck Chicago

    3.5(946 reviews)
    6.5 miThe Loop

    I have only been on the Skydeck once. I absolutely urge first-time visitors to check it out. The…read moreChicago skyline from the deck is breathtakingly beautiful. You'll need to purchase tickets to enter. The lines can sometimes be long but they do try and control that. Of course they have a gift shop...a few actually. You can pay for a photo of yourself on the deck and you can also snap some of your own. Staff are accommodating. You are able to learn a lot of history as well as seeing other important historical displays about the city. Big touristy thing to do? Yep! Should you do it? Yep!

    This is super touristy, but who cares, it's worth it! When in Chicago, this is a must do! We got…read morethe CityPass, which normally I would be bear-ish on something like that, but it was totally worth it. This is a pretty pricey single attraction for a family, but bundled with the 5 venue pass, this makes it much more reasonable. You also get the Expedited Entry included for free with your CityPass, which I would absolutely not pay the extra amount for (about $20 more per adult and $30 more per kid depending on the the day), but it made it super easy to get into the glass ledges. We went on a random Thursday, before most kids were out for the summer, and there was no wait to go up the elevator, and no wait for the expedited line for the ledges. They give you a set amount of time in the ledges, it seems like 90 seconds when it's busy and 2 mins 30 secs when it is slower, but you can get back in line and do it again. With the expedited pass we went 3 times into the ledges so that everyone could get all the photos they wanted. The rest of the view around the perimeter of the building was nice, and like I said when we went, not crowded, so we took our time and enjoyed the view. All told we probably spent an hour at the observation level. There is a gift shop up top, but everything they have up there, they also have in the lower level store (and more) when you exit the down elevator, so don't feel like you have to buy souvenirs up top. My boys chose a souvenir at the top and then had buyers remorse when they saw more for sale down below; thankfully they accepted returns and they were able to swap for the souvenirs they really wanted. All in all, this was worth the walk up Jackson from the Art Institute, and now I can say I have been in 3 buildings that when they were built were the tallest in the world!

    Photos
    Skydeck Chicago - Use your phone flash!

    Use your phone flash!

    Skydeck Chicago - Read sign if it's not obvious.

    Read sign if it's not obvious.

    Skydeck Chicago - Our friend living his best life

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    Our friend living his best life

    Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

    Landmark Theatres

    3.7(24 reviews)
    23.7 mi

    When we were looking for a local cinema to see Ne Zha 2 for the second time, this time with English…read moredubbing, we were happy to find Landmark at the Glen! It replaced Arclight which was in a decline. The cinema had been renovated 2 years ago. It was a Thursday afternoon, and the cinema was pretty quiet. There were big kiosks for ticket purchases, and the process was quick and easy. We got a small bag (which was not too small) for $10 plus tax, a little pricy for popcorn, but it was good. The popcorn guy was friendly, and he also doubled as the guy to collect our ticket stubs, and informed us which cinema room to go to. We were there for the preview of the movie, and we got the entire cinema #5 to the 3 of us! While the lobby and hallways of the cinema was nice and cool, this room was a little too warm. We totally understood that they would not cool down an entire room when there was no audience inside. I went to talk to the popcorn guy about the air temperature issue, and he promised to have it adjusted. As I went back to the cinema room. We could feel that cool air started to come out, and it was comfortable for the rest of the showing. The chairs were big, clean, and comfortable. Sound and picture were great. The movie itself was enjoyable just like the first time, and the English dubbing was perfect. The entire cinema was very clean. I was especially pleased with their restrooms being spotless clean. There is a bar in the lobby, and across from it was the biggest poster I've ever seen in a cinema lobby, it was a colorful digital poster of Ne Zha 2, very appropriate for such a spectacular movie. When we left the cinema after seeing the movie, there was another guy at the hallway collecting ticket stubs, and there was obviously more audience coming in. We enjoyed this cinema experience very much, and would definitely return to see other movies in the future.

    This movie theater's really cute. I think it's a hidden gem in the Glen. Located right next to Yard…read moreHouse in Glenview, IL. The guy was very helpful getting me a cup for water and had the whold theater to myself. Definitely coming back.

    Photos
    Landmark Theatres - Kiosks in the lobby

    Kiosks in the lobby

    Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

    Inside theatre 5

    Landmark Theatres - We held our ribbon-cutting with The Village of Glenview on Nov. 17, 2022.

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    We held our ribbon-cutting with The Village of Glenview on Nov. 17, 2022.

    Willis Tower - Entrance

    Willis Tower

    3.8(1.5k reviews)
    6.5 miThe Loop

    I will always call it the Sears Tower. I can't help it, that's what it was called the first time I…read moreever saw it and you know how it is...some of us humans just don't adapt to name changes of places we know and love. Anyway, I have been to Chicago many, many times (if you see me at a Yelp event, ask me why) and I like to see the tower whenever I am in the neighborhood. No longer the tallest building in the world, it is still a spectacular sight. The history and origin and the fact that it was the first skyscraper still holds intrigue and meaning for any architecture lover. As you can imagine, it can be extremely busy because after all, it is a building that holds businesses. However, that is not always the case. I have been at various times of day and it just really depends on the time, etc. If you are going for the first time, you absolutely want to get a view from the deck (Skydeck). The views are beyond incredible.

    I went to Willis Tower at 5 PM on a weekday with absolutely no idea what kind of crowd situation I…read morewas walking into. I had mentally prepared myself for lines, chaos, and the slow march of humanity. Imagine my surprise when I basically walked right in. In fact, my longest wait of the entire experience was for an elevator, which feels like a very reasonable thing to wait for in a giant skyscraper. I also loooooooved all of the historical information provided throughout the experience. It kept things interesting and made the journey feel like more than just walking in and riding an elevator to a great view. The cute photo ops sprinkled throughout were a nice touch too. And can we take a moment to appreciate the bathrooms? There were plenty of them and they were so clean. THANK YOU. As someone who judges attractions at least partially on restroom availability, this earned major points from me. Supreme appreciation. Everything felt organized, easy to navigate, and flowed really well. I don't know if I should credit the time of day, the weekday timing, or if it's always this smooth, but whatever the reason, I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. Would absolutely visit again.

    Photos
    Willis Tower - Chamber music in the sky

    Chamber music in the sky

    Willis Tower - I was too afraid to step all the was back to the outer wall. Others were posing and having a blast. I'd do it again!

    I was too afraid to step all the was back to the outer wall. Others were posing and having a blast. I'd do it again!

    Willis Tower - Lots of fun photo ops while heading up to the tower.

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    Lots of fun photo ops while heading up to the tower.

    Cloud Gate - Cloud Gate ("The Bean")

    Cloud Gate

    4.6(990 reviews)
    6.7 miThe Loop

    Cloud Gate aka "The Bean" is one of the best spots in Chicago - . If you've just arrived in town,…read morethis is an easy and classic first stop in Millennium Park. The mirrored, bean shaped sculpture acts like a giant mirror, giving you a unique reflection of Chicago's skyline and the crowd around you. Obviously, it's a great place for photos and a must visit in Millennium Park.

    Cloud Gate, otherwise known as the Bean, sits in the middle of Millennium Park in downtown Chicago…read moreand is one of those public art installations that consistently surprises people who encounter it for the first time despite being one of the most photographed objects in the city. I walked up to a seamless polished stainless steel form that reflects everything around it without a single visible seam or joint across its entire surface. That engineering achievement alone is worth appreciating before I even started engaging with what the reflections actually do. The reflections are the experience. I watched the Chicago skyline curve and distort across the surface in a way that shifted constantly depending on where I was standing, and walking slowly around the perimeter gave me a different composition every few steps. Walking underneath the concave arch in the center, which locals call the omphalos, produced a funhouse mirror effect that reflected me and everyone else from overhead in a way that was consistently disorienting and engaging regardless of how many times I have seen it. On a clear day with blue sky the effect was particularly strong, with the skyline wrapping around the sculpture against a bright background. On overcast days the palette shifts toward silver and grey and produces its own version of the thing. Admission is free and the park is open and accessible, which made Cloud Gate an easy addition to my Chicago itinerary without any planning required. It gets crowded, particularly on weekends and during summer, and the area immediately around the sculpture fills with people taking photos throughout the day. Early morning visits before the crowds build give you a more relaxed experience and better light for photography. It is one of the few landmarks in any city that genuinely lives up to what people say about it.

    Photos
    Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

    07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

    Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

    07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

    Cloud Gate - My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

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    My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

    Buckingham Fountain - ComEd's Switch on Summer

    Buckingham Fountain

    4.5(413 reviews)
    6.1 miSouth Loop, The Loop

    Still five stars. It's running today and it's very crowded. Great to see so many people enjoying it!read more

    If you are vising Chicago, this is one of the not to be missed iconic landmarks. The Buckingham…read moreFountain is managed by the Chicago Park District is one of largest fountains in the world. It features impressive water displays and stunning architecture in the beautiful setting of Grant Park. The Buckingham Fountain was built at a cost of $750,00 and it was dedicated on August 12, 1927. Philanthropist Kate Buckingham donated the funds for the fountain as a tribute to her brother, Clarence who was an art collector of Japanese prints. Kate collected medieval sculpture, tapestries, and decorative arts. In addition to the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain she also donated a statue honoring Alexander Hamilton in Lincoln Park and her family's art collection to the Art Institute of Chicago. Clarence Buckingham had been a governing member and a trustee of the Art Institute and Kate was influenced by his association with the institution. The Buckingham Fountain was designed by architect Edward H. Bennett in a classic Art Deco style out of pink marble. The sculptural elements were created by French artist Marcel Loyau. The fountain resembles a rococo style wedding cake and was inspired by the Bassin de Latone and modeled on the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles in France. The fountain symbolizes the vastness of Lake Michigan, with four groups of bronze seahorses representing the four states bordering the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The fountain is able to propel 14,000 gallons of water per minute. At night the fountain comes alive with lights and dancing water jets. The fountain is known for being featured in the opening of the television show, Married with Children. The Buckingham Fountain stands as a symbol of Kate Buckingham's philanthropic generosity and her love for her brother and the City of Chicago. Enjoy a picnic one one of the well maintained lawns and seating areas near the fountain where you are to create a lasting memory in the heart of Chicago. I will always treasure my visit.

    Photos
    Buckingham Fountain - Married with children fountain

    Married with children fountain

    Buckingham Fountain - IG: @ammysalamii

    IG: @ammysalamii

    Buckingham Fountain - IG: @ammysalamii

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    IG: @ammysalamii

    Frederick C Robie House - landmarks - Updated July 2026

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