Designed by Wright in 1902 and continuously modified throughout his lifetime, the dramatic spaces at Hillside showcase Wright’s architectural mastery. You’ll see the magnificent Drafting Studio that Wright called an “abstract forest,” the Theater used by Wright and the Fellowship for musical and theatrical performances, the Assembly Hall overlooking the Fellowship Dining Room, and the exhibit room.

Guides will trace the site’s history and tell you about the progressive co-educational boarding school Wright’s aunts established at Hillside in the 1880s. You’ll see projects that reflect the work of apprentices at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture who are now designing for the 21st century. At Hillside, the past and future meet in an extraordinary setting.

Tour Information

Group Size: 21 or more participants.

When: Daily – May 1 through October 31, by advance reservation only

Duration: One hour

Tour Schedule:

May 1 - October 31: Call for tour times.

Tour Duration: Allow 60 minutes to complete the tour plus time for restrooms and shopping.

Tour Cost: $14 per person. The escort and driver are free with 25 paid participants. Student rates: kindergarten through high school, $5; college students, $12.

Confirmation: After you reserve, we will send you a tentative reservation form. Read it carefully. Your reservation will be confirmed only after you have returned this form to Taliesin® Group Tours along with your current count, signature and a 20% deposit. We must receive this deposit no later than 3 weeks prior to your tour date. Also, please note that a 90% payment guarantee will be applied to your final count, even if you arrive with less people.

Changes: All changes of more than 6 persons must be called in no later than one week prior to the tour. A 90% payment guarantee will be applied. Any increase over 6 will be accommodated when possible but cannot be guaranteed.

Food Service: Pre-set group lunch at the Riverview Terrace Café in the Frank Lloyd Wright® Visitor Center is available by advance reservation. Please ask for a menu.

Preparing For Your Tour

Accessibility: Detailed information about participants with special needs is required 3 weeks before the tour date.

What To Expect: This fascinating tour winds through a picturesque rural estate and has some unique characteristics. We share this information so that all guests may be fully prepared for what to expect:

• All exterior walkways consist of loose gravel paths.
• The school has several series of steps to ascend with no handrails.
• The tour is one hour of continuous walking with no opportunity to leave the group should you wish to stay behind.

Dress: The tour goes on, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Your Arrival

Arrival: Arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled time. Allow ample time to use the rest rooms before the tour and for shopping before or after the tour.

Check-in: All tours begin at the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center. Upon arrival, check-in at the ticket counter. Provide your group number and pay the balance due.

Format: Unless other arrangements are made, guides board your coach at the Visitor Center and introduce the site during the 3-minute ride to the Hillside building.  The coach must return and park in the Visitor Center lot for the tour duration.

For The Driver: The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center is located at the intersection of State Hwy. 23 and County Hwy. C about 40 miles west of Madison, WI.  

On Hwy. 23, it is 10 minutes north of the House on the Rock and 3 miles south of historic Spring Green.

Coaches should not try to make a left-hand turn off of County Hwy. C into the Visitor Center parking lot, but should approach from Hwy. 23 in order to make a right-hand entrance. Also, please do not attempt to turn the coach around the flag circle at the entrance to the Visitor Center.

When unloading, please do not block the driveway or the building entrance. Pull to the right side of the driveway and assist your passengers at the entrance. Once you've unloaded your passengers, drive to the coach parking area.

For more information or tour reservations, call (608) 588-7900 or toll free at (877) 588-7900, ext. 229, or e-mail tours@taliesinpreservation.org.
Tour reservations cannot be made via e-mail.

Office hours during the tour season (May 1 - October 31) are:
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central Time, 7 days a week.