Fallingwater

Beautiful architectural masterpiece which is more impressive in person than pictures. It’s amazing how they were able to build this on the waterfall, and how well it integrates to nature and its environment. You get to walk around the house and the nature surrounding the house. The tour goes by fast, and felt a little rushed specially on the main room which has so many details and would have loved to appreciate it more. Keep in mind there is currently ongoing restoration work which is covering most of the exterior.

Visiting Falling Water was wonderful and I recommend it. Be aware the house is completely encased in scaffolding. We did the less expensive of the house tours and this really made the trip. The tour group was small. The guide was informative. She gave just enough space to experience the beauty of the interior with its relationship to exterior and surroundings.

Book tickets ahead of time. Parking is easy, but you’ll need to wait for your scheduled entry. Restroom is available as well. It’s an easy walk around the site. I’ve always admired Frank Lloyd Wright’s work—Fallingwater is beautiful and unique, though it didn’t move me as much as some of his nearby designs. Still, worth visiting at least once for its remarkable setting and design.

Parking was fairly easy with plenty of parking spots(if you selected a your time online and just show up for your scheduled time) if not parking can be much harder. Once you arrive you check in at the gate and then the pavilion at the desk in the middle and they will get you in the next tour regardless of scheduled time. The tour was about an hour and it feels very scripted to stay on time. But you have time to go through parts of the house and all of the ground on your own. We found the experience to be very good and run very smoothly. The audio devices were good so you could always hear your guide even if you couldn't see them. Give this review a like 👍❤️ now please. And thanks for reading. There are restrooms at the pavilion but those are the only ones. There is a cafe with coffee and some light snacks. There is a building about the Kaufman's, if you don't know then go to that exhibit before or after your tour. There is is a gift shop with lots of stuff for your flw fix. Pro tip: Definitely but tickets online in advance for the best experience 💯

It's hard for me to convey why visiting this landmark was so significant for me. I was a lad of 12 when I saw pictures of this house in a coffee table book about Frank Lloyd Wright in a mall bookstore. I remember because I was so drawn to the aesthetic of the building. It initiated my attraction to open living spaces, mid-century modern design, and organic architecture. All these decades later, I made it, and the sight of the house actually made me tingle. I said tingle, not tinkle. That happened in the surprisingly spacious restroom at the visitor center before the tour. Built in 1935 for Pittsburgh department store magnate Edgar J. Kaufmann and his family as a vacation home, the unprecedented cantilevered construction is a 4 bed / 4 bath that would've been pooh-poohed by the more obnoxious wannabe buyers on "House Hunters". The main house is 9,200 square feet of which 4,400 are outdoor terraces. Outdoors is where Edgar's worldly wife Liliane threw parties for their friends. However, the key draw of the multilevel terraces was the sound and sights of the Bear Run stream underneath. Except for the Kaufmann's impressive art collection, there is nothing ornate about the two-tone house of light ochre and Cherokee red. The innovative design elements speak for themselves like the glass-enclosed staircase down to the stream. Given my longstanding desire to come here, I went for the $89 In-Depth Guided Tour which ran well over ninety minutes and gave us full access to the house interior and the surrounding grounds including the guesthouse and the gardener's cottage (now used as staff offices). Our guide Larry did a fine job sharing the history behind all the architectural details of Wright's idiosyncratic design and uncompromising commitment to organic compatibility. Be aware that the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy started a major $7 million preservation project in 2023 and it's not due to be complete until next year (fingers crossed). The advanced age of the structure had caused leaks, cracks, and corrosion, so repairs are still underway. However, some of the house was still covered with scaffolding with terrace access a bit limited. It didn't bug me though because we're talking about checking off a major bucket list item for me.

First time visit and it exceeded my expectations. Our guide was exceptional and tailored our tour and discussion to the group’s interests. Highly recommend if you are within a two hour drive. Completely worth the time and effort.

We had an incredible tour here in November. Small group. As an architect I really appreciated this home, but not sure I could live in it. I have been to at least a dozen of his homes, including one in Salem, OR. Did you know there's one there? From the website: Fallingwater has always been a place for inspired thinking. When Edgar Kaufmann, jr. donated Fallingwater and surrounding property to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) in 1963, he envisioned Fallingwater not only as a place where visitors would come to experience great architecture, but also as a place where a deeper experience of art and nature might occur. In a letter dated October 14, 1963, Kaufmann said, “This gift is made in memory of my parents, Liliane S. and Edgar J. Kaufmann; their wish, in which I join, was that the great natural beauty and architectural excellence of the property which they developed might be more fully available to interested scholars and lovers of nature and the arts.”

Stopped here while in the area. House and grounds tours were sold out so all we could do was the $20 property pass. It was well worth it. It was a beautiful day and we were able to follow the well marked paths, look in the windows and even walk on all the patios and porches of the home and carriage/guest house. The walk to the lookout is worth it as well. If you have any interest in FLW, or architecture, this is not to be missed.

As a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, I was very excited to finally get to Fallingwaters. First off, it's definitely in the middle of nowhere. But as they say. Getting there is part of the adventure. On arrival, I was thoroughly impressed as we drove on to the and entered the registration/ gift shop/ cafe area. It's built to blend in beautifully with the mountain countryside feel of the area. There's a nice walk down to the actual house with a golf cart available to those unable to make the walk. As soon as the house comes in to view, you see the stamp of FLW. Clean lines, large windows, and local stones being used in the structure. The inside, though beautiful (especially the views!), was much smaller than I expected. I guess being a built as a summer camp it made sense. They were there to enjoy the outdoors. I was surprised, though, to see only one piece of FLW furniture, a chair in a bedroom. I felt the tour concentrated more on the owners of the property than on the building and design of this beautiful FLW house. Maybe it was our guide? I did appreciate the ear buds supplied during the tour. There is no need to worry if you weren't right next to the guide. The magic of this whole place is obviously the waterfall! It's so amazing that it runs under the house. Can you imagine sleeping to that soothing sound? Take the walk down the path to get the stunning view of the house from a distance. That's what you're there for! Beautiful! Though not exactly what I expected, it was still worth the drive and visit. FLW architecture is always amazing to. This setting and obviously the waterfall put it over the top. 2024-55

I've heard so much about Frank Lloyd Wrights architecural work on homes so visiting Falling Waters while we were going through the area was a must stop. The tour of the home was great, the guide was very knowledgeable, and the home itself was spectacular. There is a self guided area where you can learn about Mr Wrights work as well and a very nice gift store.

Lots of walking and lots of stairs. It was worth a once in a lifetime trip. Realize this place is in the middle of nowhere. I guess you need to be a Frank Wright fan to appreciate the uniqueness of the place For the time built it was very forward in its thinking , but for me ( 6 ft 225 lb ) it went from cramped to just shy of almost impossible to get through areas. The whole of the area has a great deal of walking trails and nature Combine this w it's kentuck knob about 6 miles away for a Wright house double

For my 2nd visit to Fallingwater I did the In-depth tour 1st thing in the morning. Arrived early and got checked in which went smoothly. We had a small group of 8 people and the guide. The in-depth tour was fantastic getting us into areas that aren't on the usual tour, including the kitchen and the servant quarters. Also you are allowed to take photos inside the house. Our guide Scott was great, well informed and entertaining. Scott was also great at pointing out the details and the art that includes Picassos, Japanese woodblocks and Diego Rivera works. The house is amazing truly a masterpiece of architecture that truly integrates its natural setting that is complimented by the amazing collection from the Kaufmans. The tours are excellent and the setting is stunning. I would highly recommend a visit to Fallingwater from anyone interested in architecture, history, art or just looking for a different experience. Well worth your time, plus there are several other Frank Llyod Wright houses in the area that you can visit.

What not to love about this amazing unesco site? The nature drive from Maryland to Pennsylvania was magnificent and really awe inspiring to see such peacefulness and the greenery. It was a 3 hour drive so keep in mind to arrive at least an hour before your registered time. The website is easy to register and I called in to make sure if there are any flexibility with the time slot and unfortunately there isn't but I should check the site if there were any updates to the page. I felt that was really considerate of them to engage with the visitors and make sure we will be accommodated as much as possible. Jensen was our docent who walked us through the house and was very knowledgeable and engaging with his troupe. He explained FLW "compression and expansion" motif at Fallingwater and the different artworks as well as designs of each facade of the house. It was fun and super exciting to know more of the late kaufmanns as the previous owner of FallingWater. All in wall it was great to see and worth the hike and drive. Too bad we can't take photos of certain rooms but were exhilarated to see the available rooms and how it felt to be in this master time piece of art that stands over 86 years!! Definitely check out the gift shop ! Lots of architecture books and fascinating artworks. Do come. Worth a drive and prolly shorter to drive coming down from Pittsburgh.

THERE IS NO PLACE ON EARTH LIKE FALLINGWATER. The genius of Frank Lloyd Wright has created a place of transcendent beauty. If you love architecture then this is a MUST-SEE. Monumental on the outside--seeming to float over a waterfall. Warm and surprisingly cozy on the inside, this one-of-a-kind UNESCO World Heritage site is even more spectacular in person than it is in the photos you've surely seen. The tours are very well run with a knowledgeable guide who tell you the history of the house and people involved. Good in all weather--I visited in the rain and it was still magical! They kindly provid umbrellas! Lots of walking--or small vehicles can take you to and from the house. GO SEE THIS ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL!

Fallingwater is the most highly acclaimed work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Every inch of Fallingwater has his distinctive personal touch. With no doubt, Wright is now considered the "greatest American architect of all time." And as an innovator the creator of the "organic" approach to modern architectural design and construction. Fallingwater is located on, actually within the water of Bear Run, Pennsylvania. It's remote as it was designed to allow the Kaufmann family, who commissioned the work, to live as being a part of nature rather than a mere window-like observer of nature. When you're here, you are in a state park of some 170 heavily wooded acres. There is nothing close by, no restaurants other than the park's concession, and no hotels or motels. I had to stay some 20 miles away in Connersville at a Comfort Inn. There is a very nice boardwalk entrance to the area with a gift shop, food concession and ticket/information counter. But, it's a good distance from Fallingwater and that distance is nothing but a treacherous pea gravel path. As I'm somewhat disabled, I had to be brought down by a wheelchair. As we approached the home, I knew I was in for a real architectural treat. The home was stunning in its beauty and the way it perfectly set in with its surroundings. The modernist cantilevering of the home was obvious and as it has been said: "...Wright's cantilevers push domesticity into the wilderness." It's not only a feat of architecture but, a feat of engineering as well. Then there is the interior. All the furnishing was custom-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; hence each piece, even the lighting, is one of a kind. And you can clearly see how he used the natural cliff rock for the flooring and how the entire home hangs cantilevered from it. As one, if not the best examples of modern architecture, Fallingwater is clearly a Yelp 5 stars. However, they should use a tram or somehow get around using that horrid pea gravel walkway.

In the middle of nowhere, a little gem of a house and architectural history, is open for tours. What an incredible place to visit. The grounds are spectacular with rhododendrons and the waterfall, and the house is well maintained. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and pleasant. It's always nice to find out personal information about the owners. The visitor's center is "new-ish" and built to mimic the surroundings and house. You can find a gallery, a boutique, and a coffee shop (with quite delicious almond milk latte!).

Brilliant architecture situated in a stunning natural landscape. This is the commission that revitalized and solidified Frank Lloyd Wright's career and established his reputation as the great American Architect. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is the caretaker of the buildings and grounds. Their excellence in guest services and interpreting the architectural masterpiece is unparalleled. The Cafe, Gift Shop and Guest Services Desk is the hub that greets visitors as they arrive and prepare for their tour. Small details, such as loaner umbrellas, lockers, and seating create a welcoming and informative space. I found the parking lots somewhat confusing. They need some color coded signs to help guests re-find their cars and to guide them to and from the parking area. The Docents are well trained, creative and thoughtful as they inform, guide and educate guests. I arrived on a day that was completely sold out, and yet the Docents and Staff kept everything running smoothly. If you love Fallingwater, there's an excellent chance you will also adore the nearby, less well known, Kentuck Knob.

A must see, truly an architectural wonder! Ingenious design and distinctive craftsmanship. Surrounded by nature and incorporating it into the features of the house. Would be a great experience anytime of the year.

After 30+ years of always dreaming of visiting one of the most famous houses in the world, let alone Frank Lloyd Wright's, I was finally able to make it come true this summer. How could I not give Fallingwater 5 stars? It exceeded all my dreams by a light year! I still am dreaming about it when I sleep, it's had that much of a lasting impression on me and I'll be talking about my 2 days of tours for the rest of my life. If you've been thinking about going, do whatever you can to make it happen. Just check their website, book your tours and know that Wednesdays the location is closed. One could look at all the books, pictures and lore of this house like I have for years. But, until you get to walk down that first pathway along the Pottsville sandstone and all the native plants and trees and hear that water running through Bear Run and the house is right before your eyes, you won't really know what truly is Fallingwater. Once there, it felt like I was in the presence of a sentient being that had existed in this location for centuries, living and breathing in concert with the Earth. I didn't feel so much that I was visiting someone's home as I was interacting with an entity unlike any other. The senses are overwhelmed with nature, and spending just a few hours a day here has changed my life for the better. I'd recommend paying the extra cash if it's your first visit for the "In-Depth Tour." This tour for me was my very first one and I'm so glad that I did it. Not only was the tour approximately 90 minutes long, but the educator who conducted the tour, Sally, was absolutely amazing. She was engaging, chill, knowledgeable and made the tour interactive and a conversation amongst the group. Be prepared to walk and climb a ton, so wear your best walking shoes and your questions! On this tour, you also get access to at least 3 different rooms of the house such as the kitchen, cellar and sitting room, and you're allowed to take pictures at any time in any room. Sally was just awesome and I felt extremely fortunate to have had her for my very first visit to Fallingwater, and I'll never forget her for making it the best impression for my life. The shorter, 60 minute tour, was good but felt more rushed because there are many groups coming through the house and the schedule is very tight for the guides. Our educator on this tour was a younger man, and he was a lot more intense than my first experience. He was good, and very knowledgeable. However, on this tour you are given an ear piece to wear so you can hear what the guide is saying. Ours didn't really work too well, so I just held it in my had and held it up to my ear if I couldn't hear him. Just be sure to remember to NOT touch any of the wood anywhere in the house so you don't get yelled at. Touching the stone anywhere on the stairways is fine. There are several trails around the grounds of the house as well for hiking back to the visitor center, and a few spots to snap iconic views of the house. Finally, the entire visitor center is beyond amazing how they built it up like a treehouse with separate areas for function. The reception desk is in the middle, then it branches out for restrooms, a cafe, the museum store chock full of great items and a gallery with unrealized projects of Mr. Wright's. Not only are there projects for the Kaufmann Family, but other ideas throughout the country that weren't completed. There is a Guest Book to sign in here as well. Through and through, I am beyond satisfied with the two days that I spent at Fallingwater, and it was even better to do so with a loved one. I definitely will be back in the future after they finish all of the renovations that are scheduled within the next few years to the main house.

Truly an amazing experience. Easy to buy tickets online and plan your visit in advance. It is in the middle of nowhere, but if you can make your route to somewhere else go through here --- it's definitely worth it. I would not want to do this in the rain, however. There are complimentary umbrellas available if you need them. The architectural tour is worth it for all of the details and nuances ($39 a person and lasting about an hour). You get to go inside the house and learn a ton! You also get a little ear piece so that you can hear the tour guide. The view is obviously spectacular! Do wear good shoes as there is a fair amount of walking!

Had an amazing time visiting this beautiful heritage site. The grounds are so scenic and just very relaxing. Love the sound of the water. Touring the grounds and seeing varying plant life was amazing. The house itself is amazing, really really appreciated the design and build of the house. Would definitely recommend visiting Fallingwater. My family and I did just the grounds tour. Loved the visitors area. There's also a museum, cafe and gift shop.

Stunning views and a tall drink of gas to see this beauty. Tucked all the way in the SW portion of PA. This modern house of sculpture. Intertwines itself with nature. It creates a harmonious union of respect. The wooden interiors really open up and bathe in the oversized window treatments. Like the surrounding rock, there are levels to FallingWater. The cascading waterfall it accompanies further emphasizes this. Its famous cantilevered decks do not disappoint. They shine brightly as beacons of a daring vision. There is a lot to say. But, the best I can say is that it was a Bucket list item for me.

This was my first visit to Falling Water. My sister has been wanting to come here since she was little. So for her birthday on our roadtrip to Minnesota, I took her here. It was a rather warm summer day but this house has is in the woods. As a matter of fact, when you are driving to it, you really feel like you are going the wrong way. It is deep deep in the woods! Keep driving you will finally arrive. Being that it's in the woods, there is a lot of trees creating shade and keeping it cool. There are no elevators so there are stairs you have to climb throughout the house. Wheelchairs are accessible to the first floor. There is about a 1 mile of walking on gravel paths uphill and downhill so those with mobility issues may have some problems visiting this house. It's a unique looking house and very airy! A nice site to visit. It's pretty amazing how modern the house is from being built in 1937. The photos truly don't do it justice. The way the windows open and how every space has several views of the falls and water. The landscape is beautiful and must be absolutely gorgeous in the fall with the trees changing colors! You can choose to visit the house or just the grounds. If you choose the house, the grounds are included! It's truly a beautiful place to visit. I do recommend it!

Wow! I always thought it was amazing in photos but the stand there in front of it and see this amazing home built over a little waterfall inside a mountain, it was breath taking! (^｡^)My tour guide Millie was an absolute gem. A treasure trove of charming story telling ! Robbie, even Mr Kaufman (owner of FallingWater) wanted three bedrooms in the main house. One bedroom for himself, one bedroom for his wife, and one for his adult son Edgar. Mr. Kaufman & Frank Lloyd Wrght fussed quite a bit For example: Mr. Kaufman wanted a bigger built in desk in his bedroom. Frank said "no because he had a really special window put in that room and A bigger desk would prevent the window from opening. And that window overlooks the water that flows from the infamous waterfall. Frank Lloyd Wright did not want to discuss it further... This was affecting his design! Mr. Kaufman wrote to Frank & kindly explained something along the lines of "... the desk is so small that it prevents (me) from writing a check to my architect. " Frank made an adjustment... & ultimately accommodated the home owner. The nicest desk at fallingwater is in the sons bedroom ! (*´`*) If I had my ukelele I would tell the story Lori at the ticket booth (and cafe) who treated me with such sisterly kindness & humor , I really felt so happy in her care. And i would have a chorus in my song noting my epic afternoon with Millie and that clever house Fallingwater and the convo mess (the conflict of the Kaufman desk. I'm smitten with All the patios/balconies/decks, gobsmacked by the charming built-in sofas and that sassy stairway to the River below! Go see and enjoy Fallingwater. Tip your tour guide Millie handsomely and bring Lori baked goods. Such a sweet bunch.

Fallingwater is about a 45 minute drive from my home. Although, I go to Ohiopyle often, I haven't visited Fallingwater for about 10-12 years. It was on a whim that we decided to stop and visit it. The in-depth tours had sold out quickly and we had arrived early. Still, we got to walk the grounds and take in the home from the outside. There are guides who lead the tours but other guides are available to answer questions. The home is recognized world wide and it's story is interesting. There are several books available in the museum store. We enjoyed the gallery where FLW's drawings are displayed. There were families with very young children, who were unimpressed. I think middle school students would be the appropriate age for taking the tour.

This house is beyond amazing! I literally can't stop talking about it. I still can't believe it was built in the 1930s. The living room could have easily been designed today. It's absolutely insane what Frank Lloyd Wright accomplished with this house, it's just beautiful. The disappearing corners and his signature compressed entryway make for a great tour. Highly recommend paying for the guided tour. Fallingwater needs A LOT of repairs so all the money that can go towards that really helps the preservation organization save the house. The property itself is also beautiful. We mainly just went for the tour and left. But you could easily spend most of the day here between the cafe and the walking trails. If you are even a little bit into architect or mid-century modern design, it is 100% worth the trip to Fallingwater. I've toured quite a few Frank Lloyd Wright houses and Fallingwater is by far my favorite. It truly is incredible.

Fallingwater is a must-do, though there are so many tours that you can't help feeling rushed through... not their fault that it's popular. The buildings are nice, the views spectacular, but the stairs are a bit much if you're not expecting them. Magnificent innovations, the windows are striking, the opening to the stairs down to the water, and the stairs themselves, marvelous! Would recommend the first or last tours of the day, especially if you paid for the tour that permits you to take photos inside... though to be honest this is probably not something I would do again, as the pace of the tour makes getting good pictures tough... buying a book for the interior pictures is probably a better way to spend the money.

Beautiful! Great walking trails, gorgeous falls. The cafe was lovely! A little pricey, but it was yummy. Might I add, the house was stunning, interesting history and landscape. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area

Recently I was invited to ride along with a friend who was picking up her son from SCI Fayette. Since it wasn't too far from Falling Water, a place both on our bucket lists we decided to add it to our trip. Since we didn't know if prison releases run on time we did not book tickets in advance but did arrive an hour and a half after opening on Monday July 3rd. Imagine our disappointment when we approached only to see a sign that no more tours were available that day. Fortunately we were still able to tour the grounds unguided for a cost of $17 per person. Not ideal on a hot, rainy day but we came all this way and wanted to make it worthwhile. Having only known that the house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright around a cascading waterfall, I wish I would have read up on the history beforehand to make the tour more meaningful. However, researching after the fact, I was intrigued not only by the story of the design and construction but the sometimes scandalous life of the original owners the Kaufman's. I would advise anyone to read up on the house and this family, as the self guided tour will be more enchanting. The property is very large and lush with thick vegetation, some flowering, all well maintained. The trail is wide, but has meaning steps, inclines, and downhill challenges. As someone who is not physically fit I could do it, but definitely could feel the pain. It's almost a half mile walk from the parking lot to the house itself, and there's additional trails beyond the house. I would not recommend this for any age children, especially ones in a stroller. I do believe they have a handicap tour where a van transports you to the house but not entirely sure. For the self guided grounds tour you basically rely on a small map, without much detail. You can go up to the house and peer through the windows as well as on one terrace. There's an upper guest house/garage area as well linked together by a distinctive walkway and an upper pool undergoing renovations. Beyond the building is just trails overlooking the forest and stream. The best views are before the house and not after. I do wish I did my research beforehand as the owners cyrpt is located off the path on the grounds. Since I didn't know I didn't look for it but supposedly you can see it from one of the trails. One thing I did appreciate and wasn't expecting was complimentary umbrellas to use on the premises. Aside from the house is a gallery, gift shop (very overpriced!) , as well as a Cafe and a covered area to sit and rest or wait for your tour. That area felt like a tree house. I do wish there was signage along the way explaining the details and areas as the guide is very vague. My advice is to book ahead to ensure you get inside, read up on the family and history before you go, dress for the weather, and wear comfortable shoes. Enjoy the view, it's pretty amazing.

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's crowning architectural achievements is hidden here in rural southwestern Pennsylvania. Completing construction in 1937, it signaled the resurgence and inflection of Wright's style when he designed this summer retreat for the Kaufmann family hanging over a waterfall, hence its name. At this point in his career, it was all about flat parallel and orthogonal surfaces, multi-level cantilevers and blending the design into the landscape. The quarried limestone and painted reinforced concrete form a harmonious counterpoint with its surroundings. Instead of building a separate foundation, Wright integrated the house into the granite boulders above the waterfall. The main boulder is seen protruding through the floor in the dining room and is an integral part of the main floor fireplace. Throughout the house, you see Wright's design touches in not only the structure and exterior design, but all the way down to the built-in furnishings, light fixtures, heating vents and linen patterns. It feels like a walk through Frank Lloyd Wright's creative mind. This was my second trip here, but my first was close to 40 years ago. This amazing house itself has not changed, except that it had gone through a structural renovation, but a Visitors Center with a gallery, café, gift shop and a large parking lot have been added. We arrived early for our pre-scheduled tour of the house and grounds after a long 6 hr roadtrip and was able to be moved to an earlier time slot. Our docent guide, Susan was very knowledgeable and even provided headphone radio comms, so we were able to hear her, even if we were in the next room. The tour continues through the guest house further up the hill and afterward, you can wander the grounds down to the scenic view for that classic frame of the house and falls. If you're an architectural aficionado, you cannot pass up a trip to Fallingwater.

Unfortunately, we didn't get book early enough to get the inside tour of the home; however, the guided grounds tour was outstanding! Lesson learned, book early! You might not think it's worth it, but the guided grounds tour was! There is a nice little café in the visitor center, as well as a beautiful gallery.

Fallingwater is absolutely incredible. The vision of Frank Lloyd Wright is jaw dropping once you see both the interior and exterior from the various terraces and all around the home and property. In particular the incorporation of natural light, the vast, spacious interior (first floor especially), windows from floor to ceiling which contribute to the feel of openness and being surrounded by nature, and recurring motifs of horizontal lines and terraces throughout the home are awe-inspiring. Quoth Edgar J. Kauffman Jr. (Former resident): "Mistakes have plagued Fallingwater, yet the extraordinary beauty of the house and the delight it brought to the life of its inhabitants form the context in which its construction should be evaluated."

I have wanted to tour Falling Waters for sometime now and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do so. I took the $85.00 ( or something in that range tour) and that tour is two hours, you can take pictures and see more of the fabulous house! Well worth the extra money! If you are a Wright fan you definitely don't want to miss this home!

I can't comment on the tour because we never even started it, but I can comment on the treatment we received. While we were waiting for our tour to begin, an elderly member of our group of three developed an urgent medical issue that required us to leave. I told the person behind the desk we needed to leave, told her why, and asked if a raincheck was possible. Without even looking up, without even expressing any concern, she told me I could call the main office and try, but "I've never heard of them doing it" (allowing a raincheck). If that's the policy, so be it. I didn't ask for a refund, only a raincheck. Curious if our $99 was really such a critical element of the $5 million annual revenue Western Pennsylvania Conservancy takes in from Fallingwater admissions. And whether the goodwill aspect is worth anything at all.

We rented a cabin near here for the weekend with family. I've always wanted to visit this house so we stopped by on our last day. Tickets were sold out for the indoor tours (they weren't doing many because of Covid), so if you want to do that, book at least a month in advance. That being said, the grounds and outside of the property are incredible. It's such a beautiful house and definitely worth visiting just the outdoor portion too. Plus you can see the inside through the windows. Tickets for that were only $20/person when we went. There are tons of trails you can explore around the grounds too. I'd allow at least 1-2 hours here. It's definitely worth a day trip to visit if you're anywhere near here!

1. The interior tour was worth it! Do make reservation 2 weeks ahead. I did, for the sake of pre July the 4th crowd, and saw a notice at the entrance that the day was sold out. 2. There's some stairs climbing inside the house and some trails on the property. I think it rained the night before so some places were wet. Wear proper footwear. 3. The only bathroom is at the visitor center so be prepared. 4. There's another Wright's house called Kentuck Knob nearby. Visit that one, too! 5. You can take pics except the interior of the 2nd and 3rd floors. 6. The tour took a little bit over an hour. I then went to the lookout to snap some typical Fallingwater pics and walked back to the visitor center. So probably giving it 1 hr 30 min is sufficient enough. 7. I suppose you cannot enter the house without a guide or at least without looking like you're with a guide lol

Date of visit: 11/27/21 I can't stress this enough: Buy tickets well in advance! As soon as you think you're going to be in the Pittsburgh area and want to check this out, buy these tickets first. As we did not do so, we were stuck with just the exterior tour, which allows for some interesting pictures, but doesn't have the same appeal as the interior, guided tour. The exterior tour was fine, though a bit expensive for what you actually get. Shout out to volunteer Michelle, who provided great background information on the site and the construction of the home, plus offered to take a picture of us with the house in the background. The store has some interesting items at varying price points, so if you are an architecture or Frank Lloyd Wright fan, definitely stop in. The additional gallery doesn't have much of interest, so feel free to skip it if you're short on time.

Visiting Fallingwater has been on my bucket list for years. And I finally made it a few weeks ago! It lived up to my expectations, so I recommend it to anyone who is thinking of visiting. (Background on Fallingwater: Built in 1935, Fallingwater is arguably Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous and historic design/build. It is particularly famous for being designed to rise above the waterfall over which it was built. Partly as it was only ever owned by one family, the family who built it, it is the only major Wright work to come into the public domain with its setting, artwork, and original, Wright-designed furniture intact. If you don't know it by name, you probably know it by sight.) There are several tour options when you visit Fallingwater. We decided to do the In Depth Guided Tour, which is more expensive and offered only twice a day (at 8:30 and 8:45 on days they are open). I was excited about this tour option because - even though it's pricey at $85 per person - it's a 1.5-hour tour, includes access to more spaces and rooms than the guided architectural tour, and personal photograph is permitted throughout. If you'd be happy with a shorter tour, the guided architectural tour is $32 dollars per person, 1 hour long, and offered all day. The guided architectural tour is a screen-free tour with opportunities for photography for personal use as indicated by tour guides. There are additional options, too: grounds pass (house interior not included, $15 per person), brunch tour ($175/person), sunset tour and reception ($175/person), and more. I was very happy with our In Depth tour. It was long enough that it didn't feel rushed at all. I felt like we saw most of the house and guest house and had plenty of time for questions. It felt very comprehensive, and I was able to get some amazing pictures during the tour. If you - like us - feel like you might only get the chance to come once, I recommend a splurge for the in depth tour! No matter which tour you take, make sure to give yourself a little to walk around the grounds and walk the overlook trail and the lower Bear Run trail. The visitors center was designed by the partner of Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., the son of the original owners who designed, built, and lived in Fallingwater. It has a decent cafe, a museum store, and a gallery with photos and historical artifacts relating to the house's design and construction (worth visiting). Our visit was amazing. It lived up to my very high expectations. I recommend it anyone with an interest in architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, or design. And to just to anyone that loves anything beautiful!

I loved the tour, and our tour guide was great! The home, and surrounding grounds are beautiful. I felt very relaxed during and afterwards.

The house and ground are beautiful. You are giving a good taste of what Frank Lloyd Wright cherished Other than in the cafe, many employees were unfriendly and less than helpful. Instead of suggesting their shuttle, a woman told my friend that her walker was not allowed. Babies are not allowed, even in a pouch on mother's front. Our tour guide was condescending and sometimes spoke sharply. The earphones were irritating and unnecessary for most. Instead of explaining how the house was designed, she would ask how we felt. It would be far more helpful to say, "We're entering a small hallway. It is small to contrast with the spaciousness of the next room". Instead of he asking how we felt in the hallway

Great place to visit during the day and even at nighttime when you are visiting the Pittsburgh area. So book as head.

We recently visited two homes designed by Frank Llyod Wright in Manchester, New Hampshire. We knew we would be coming to see the two in Pennsylvania as well. The first one we visited was Fallingwater, which was a home designed in 1935 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. It was their weekend home from 1937 until 1963, when the property was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. We started in the ultra-modern Visitor's Center that was designed to blend into the nature of the land. Our guide was Michelle, and she really had an in-depth knowledge of the property. She made the home and the land come alive for us. We took the shuttle bus driven expertly by Jean from the Visitor's Center to the house. The house, set amid 5,000 acres of natural wilderness, is constructed of local sandstone, reinforced concrete, steel, and glass. It juts out over a waterfall on Bear Run, appearing as naturally formed as the rocks, trees, and rhododendrons which surround it. The interior has cantilevered desks, earth-toned built-in sofas, polished stone floors, and large casement windows which allow the outdoors to pour in. It still looks as it did when the family lived there - the only remaining great Wright house with its setting, original furnishings and artwork intact. Certainly, the setting was stunning and the house unusual in design for its time. Photography was only allowed on the exterior and the first floor of the house. We did feel that the property is in real need of refurbishing. We could see some workmen working on the foundation of the house.

An absolutely stunning landmark with a rich and fascinating history. The tour guides were insightful and definitely planted grains of curiosity and inspiration in my mind. Went home and researched the family, the art in the house, Frank Lloyd Wright, and any other house of his I may have the privilege of touring at some point in the future. I loved it so much, I went there twice in the span of a month and a half. Worth a visit even in the rain (it rained both times I went).

We had a fantastic time touring this amazing home. Fallingwater has been on my "must see" bucket list for years and I was not disappointed. When you enter, the visitor center is just as nice and interesting as the house. We had a very lively and passionate tour guide (sorry, I don't remember her name) and of course, we loved taking pictures of this beautiful home. If you are anywhere near this town, it's a must stop and see!

loved my time at fallingwater. at times the tour can feel a lil crowded, but their use of headsets gives you the freedom to meander around and not miss any information. I feel the Dana Thomas House is Wright's most livable/comfortable home this is a close second. Not as a full time residence but as a summer home it seems perfect. but it would be very dangerous to go on any of the balconies late at night after a a few cocktails. the water wouldn't be the only thing falling

A beautiful place to visit on a road trip! I highly recommend. You will be impressed very much. It's in a beautiful part of the state. If you are out antiquing or riding the bike on a road trip. A must see spot!

Great experience. A little pricey but very unique and worth it for at least a one time visit.

How awesome is it that this is like in the backyard of Pennsylvania? I mean it is tucked away in a state park, and it is not even the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in the area. But to have this picturesque beauty within your reach, you appreciate it just a bit more. Fallingwater has been a bucket list item of mine for some time. I had known about it for a majority of my life, but I could not fathom how close it really was to me. In my mind I had it out in the middle of nowhere in a hard to reach place and would only be visited by me in my wildest dream. I have no idea where I got that notion, but I felt a little dumb to find out that it is located in Fayette County and not far from many a towns between Pittsburgh and Johnstown. I finally made my way here. Tip for you: set up your trip beforehand. Especially with how things are right now. Go online, select your time, pay for your ticket, download a map, and do a bit of research to give yourself enough time and space to do what you want to do here. It really helps, and don't be afraid once you are here to ask the nice staff any question you have. They have the inside scoop and give you a few tips to give you the hand up to make it through here at a quicker pace. As of right now, it is all self guided tours. Limited capacity. Social distancing highly suggested and masks are a must. I took the advice from the staff member sitting at the information desk and did the trek backwards. It may throw people off, but take my word for it, you will want to, you start with the steps (going down) and end with a gentle incline coming back up. Also going this way takes you to the viewpoint first where you can get that ideal picture of the house with the falls. To note, there are two different trails that you can take, one being longer than the other and it kind of bypasses some of the viewable areas. Once you make it to the house enjoy yourself. You are free to move about the area as you like. Snap those pictures and take that selfie. The self guided tour, in my opinion, is the way to do this. There are staff positioned everywhere for you to ask a question if you have it. I did that while peering through the glass. I wanted to know what was down the stairs inside the house and I was informed that this is one of the few houses that FLW built that has a basement (although there is not much down there, furnace and storage). I really enjoyed the decks here, it is quite peaceful and the babbling from the water below can be almost zen like. This house is pretty amazing and I am glad that they did not let it fall into disrepair. Even the servants quarters are well taken care of. My favorite parts of the house were the stairs leading down to the creek. Imagine having a rough day and just wanting to put your feet in the cool water and let it wash away everything. The wading pool on the lower portion of the house is pretty awesome as well as the pool at the upper portion of the house. I also found it neat that they had a hand washing station at the front door complete with bar of soap. After you do your self guided tour you can stop back at the entrance area. There you can take in lunch if you like in there small cafe. Or, if you want a souvenir browse through their gift shop. They also offer an area if you wish to hold an event here. Also, if you have the money to spend, you can spend the night in the house.

Fallingwater (and local Kentuck Knob) are destinations. Do not come on a lark. Tickets sell out months in advance. It is not near anything else. The docents give a great variety of tours, audio boosted by small personal earbud allowing you to hear at a distance. The added flexibility allows you to hear and look at what interests you. Nice complex away from the house with information, trail routes with access to waking sticks and umbrellas, a small cafe, and a lovely gift shop.

Excellent tour. Fun, informative. Fantastic staff and tour guides. Would not recommend for children under 7.

Fun spot to explore and especially on a nice fall day when the leaves are changing but the temperatures aren't too low! I think it was roughly $17 dollars a person which seems a little steep just to walk the grounds, but this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that we felt justified the price. Even though we didn't walk through the residences, we had access to a couple of the balconies and all of the trails around the house with different vantage points. Overall, great experience but not one I would come back for.

This Frank Lloyd Wright designed structure is an astonishing work of architecture. Created as a weekend/holiday getaway for a Pittsburgh department store magnate and his family, the structure is elegantly integrated with the surrounding forrest and stream. The great, ochre-colored platforms have no support beyond their own steel-reenforced concrete, only connecting with the sandstone base of the house at one end. Thus, they appear to hover over the water. The clear windows which enclose most of the house allow a viewer to see in one side and out the other into the forest beyond. This achieves one of Wright's preferred effects, blurring the line that separates the interior from the out-of-doors. The Pottsville sandstone looks distinguished but also natural, so it doesn't clash with the surrounding environment. The interior radiates the charm of an earlier era, while being ahead of its time, architecturally. Details like the lighting, shelves and ventilation were very innovative, at the time the house was built. By "compression" of the entrance area, the living room is made to feel even larger and grander. (Another technique found in many Wright-designed homes.) The interior is full of art and old world artifacts that belonged to the family. The tour was very comprehensive and detailed. They allow you to take interior pictures on the first floor. I've wanted to visit this spot for quite a while, so it seemed appropriate that it should be my 200th review.

This Sunday, I visited Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA. About three weeks before, I'd booked an hour-long tour of the house. Very important FYI - You have to get tickets ahead of time or else you risk not being able to go in because everything will be sold out. (it's not even a risk, really, you won't be able to get a tour). I got the $30 regular tour of the house. You can purchase tickets online and then pick them up on your tour day. You drive through country lands for a while before you get to the compound. There's a booth where you give your name and they let you through to park and give you your ticket. At the info booth, you show your ticket and then are told your tour group number and where to wait (area between the gift shop and cafe). There's a short, downhill walk to the house, so wear comfortable shoes and double check you can handle the walk. Also, don't bring a big bag. They are very serious about what you can bring into the house in order to reduce risk of any damage to the house. No pictures allowed inside for the regular tour, but there is a viewpoint lookout area where you can take pics of the structure to snap that classic image of the house. Worth visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most iconic and critically heralded architectural designs! Random notes: For me, Internet was spotty in the area. So posting to social media is kind of a pain and easier to post later. However, weirdly enough, there are PokémonGO stops and a gym at Fallingwater if you are into that.

Fallingwater is Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural wonder built for the Kaufmann family. Kaufmann's was once a notable Pittsburgh downtown department store that eventually closed down. It took me almost a month to get a reservation for a guided tour but was able to snag one. Currently they are limiting tour groups to a maximum of 6 people due to Co-Vid restrictions which is why they are so popular. My online reservation advised us to get there early since tours sometimes leave late. As we approached the entrance gate we showed the gatekeeper my email confirming our tour and he handed us a slip to take inside with us. Currently they are requiring masks in indoor areas only including the house itself. Once inside the visitor center the receptionist arranged for us to take an earlier tour since we made good time in coming and was advised to wait until they called our tour number to meet at the "broadwalk" as they call it. Our tour was called within 10 minutes and our guide gave us a brief orientation of the house and the surrounding area. We were each given microphone packs with earbuds. The earbuds were ours to return or keep at the end of the tour. Having just fractured a toe earlier this week I was delighted to learn they offer free shuttle service to the house itself. The walk is about 1/4 mile but I figured I better play it safe with my boot on. The shuttle was directly outside the visitor center and the driver not only offered a step up onto the vehicle but also explained and showed me the Meadow picnic area and the garden house the people on foot were seeing as rode by. I was able to meet up with the group in front of the house itself. Prior to entering the house we learned the bridge is currently under construction. There is no touching anything inside or sitting on any or the furniture. You are however, permitted to take pictures for personal use. We toured both the inside of the main building including the kitchen, saw the babbling falling water nearby, saw the carports, and toured the guesthouse. It was fascinating learned that the family went with an Oriental motif but we were able to see a piece of Mexican sculpture along the way. We learned about the topography and the architectural design. The tour ended with us going to the famous outside "view" where you can snap a ton of pictures of the entire building. After that my group headed up 60 some stairs back to the visitor's center while I and some others took the shuttle back. The visitor's center has a small café where you can dine in an open area setting and a gift shop. Memberships are available as well. The place has a number of trails for self exploration and if you wish then you can do a self guided tour on your own including the house. My husband and I took an easy walk to the bird's eye overlook to conclude our visit. I was pleased with the fact that they are accommodating to those who are physically challenged. The staff and services were outstanding and this is definitely a must see just to get away from the hustle and bustle and take in the surroundings of nature as well as an architectural masterpiece.

We had an amazing time visiting this historic and architectural wonder! Tickets were bought ahead of our visit and this was very convenient. Our guide was knowledgeable and the beauty of the place speaks for itself. This is a must see! Stop by another FLR home Kentuck Knob nearby. Worth the drive into the Laurel Highlands. Beautiful scenery along the way.

Behold, a cabin in the woods on steroids; better for cocktail parties rather than hunting trips. This is a truly beautiful landmark, and an interesting take on how art can influence a living space. The tour that's given is very informative and thorough, so expect to spend about an hour being guided around the house. Impressively, most of the furniture and personal effects in the house are the actual remnants of the family that owned this property. The portrait of Edgar Kaufmann Sr. hanging in the dining room is stunning, and I found myself gazing at it for some time. Priceless works by Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera and others line the walls. The sound of the creek flowing below the house is a soothing reminder of the world outside. If one was to be here alone, it would be a world app to itself. Please try and come on a sunny day. I made the mistake of coming on a rainy day, and the one downfall is that the house can get extremely cold and damp during rainfall. I probably would have had a fat better time on a clear day, but this is worth the trip if you are interested in the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. It's a small slice of high art in an otherwise rural area of Pennsylvania.

Really great experience. We took a guided tour of the grounds and the house and were able to see and learn so much. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The house was awesome to see and although it's a bit out of the way from anything else, it was definitely worth visiting.