Frederick C. Robie House

The Basics

Visit the Robie House museum on a guided, ticketed tour. Listen as docents share the history of the house—it was one of the last homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in his Oak Park studio. Characterized by art-glass windows, sharp edges, horizontal brick work, and an open floor plan, it's in contrast to Chicago's Loop skyscrapers. Stop by as part of an architectural driving tour, or take advantage of its inclusion on some city sightseeing passes.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Robie House is a must-see for architecture buffs and fans of Frank Lloyd Wright.

• Scheduled tours often sell out, so book in advance.

• Allow about an hour for the guided tour.

• Stock up on Wright-related books and art objects at the gift shop in the house’s garage.

• The house’s exterior and ground floor are wheelchair accessible; the second floor is not.

How to Get There

The Frederick C. Robie House is located at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and 58th Street on the University of Chicago Campus. Street parking is limited. The house is near a stop on the No. 6 Jackson Park Express bus and five blocks from Millennium Station on the University Park Line.

When to Get There

Public tours of the Robie Houses’s interior are available Thursday to Monday, from midmorning to midafternoon. Advance reservations are recommended.

Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings in Chicago

The Frederick C. Robie House is one of five Frank Lloyd Wright sites in the Chicago area, where Wright operated a design studio for decades. The Oak Park neighborhood is home to his studio and the UNESCO-listed Unity Temple. The Emil Bach House is on the North Side near Evanston, and the Wright-renovated lobby of the Rookery Building is in the downtown Loop.

Ways to explore

You must visit the Robie House as part of a guided tour. The shortest, “Robie House: A Modern Home,” lasts an hour and includes a guided visit of the interior and home studio. A longer option, “Robie House: Inside and Out,” includes a self-guided audio tour of the exterior of the house, while “Robie House In-Depth” is capped at only 10 people for an intimate experience and includes guided visits to both interior and exterior spaces. Robie House is located on the University of Chicago campus and is often visited alongside the school’s neo-Gothic landmarks.

Accessibility

The ground floor, exterior, and museum shop are wheelchair-accessible, but the second and third floors can only be reached by stairs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, history book about the Prairie School, scarf and gloves if visiting in winter

What to wear

There’s no dress code, but avoid wearing heels that might scuff the original flooring.

Not allowed

Joining a tour without checking in first (arrive at least 15 minutes early), selfie sticks or tripods, video or audio recording

Amenities

Hyde Park has a wide range of restaurants, bars, and cafés.

Address

Robie House is located on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, a historic neighborhood located in Chicago’s South Side. It takes about 30–45 minutes to get there from downtown, but the trip is worth the effort.

Driving

Take Lake Shore Drive south and exit at 53rd Street. Continue to Woodlawn Avenue and then make a left. You’ll see the Robie House on the corner of Woodlawn and 58th Street.

Public transportation

During rush hours, take the #2 Hyde Park Express bus or #X28 Stony Island Express bus. Otherwise, take the #6 Jackson Park Express bus to Stony Island Avenue and 57th Street. From there, it’s about a 7-block walk.

Best times to visit

Arrive right at opening time for the quietest experience. Reservations can be booked online in advance.

Best days to visit

Tours are offered Thursday through Monday, from mid-morning until early afternoon. The in-depth option is only offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Best months to visit

Chicago weather is best during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, although Hyde Park is often quietest in summer when school is not in session.

Special events

Architecture buffs should plan their Chicago visits in fall, when the Chicago Open House event opens more than 150 architectural landmarks—including the Robie House—to the public.