Graycliff

A destination for Frank Lloyd Wright worshippers and casual critics alike, this 1927 house set on a 70-foot cliff overlooking Lake Erie was built for Isabelle Martin -- wife of Wright's most generous patron, Darwin Martin. The two-story, 6,500-square-foot house on 8 acres served as the Martins' summer home through the mid-1940s, and is a wonderful example of Wright's take on "organic architecture," an attempt to bring the natural world indoors. Ribbons of glass flood the house with light; cantilevered balconies move fresh air throughout the rooms; manmade lines and shapes echo the natural forms outdoors. It's a transitional point from Wright's earlier Prairie style -- found in Buffalo's Martin House -- to his late concrete designs like Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. The basic one-hour tour is fascinating, but you can also sign up for two-hour, or the even more intensive four-hour tours with a master architect. Restoration of the property is ongoing, so Graycliff just keeps getting better.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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