The United States is home to some of the most iconic mid-century modern homes to visit, offering a wide range of architectural experiences for design enthusiasts. From the West Coast to the Midwest and the East, these homes show how modernist ideas adapted to different climates, client needs, and cultural settings. Yet they all share a common vision: simplicity, openness, and harmony with nature.
Whether in sunny California, the quiet woods of Connecticut, or the plains of Illinois, these mid-century homes remain essential destinations. If you’re looking for mid-century modern homes to visit and want to understand American modernism firsthand, start here.
1. Case Study House #22 (Stahl House) – Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Pierre Koenig in 1959 and completed in 1960, the Stahl House became a symbol of California modernism. Commissioned by Buck and Carlotta Stahl, its glass-walled structure cantilevered over the Hollywood Hills offers panoramic views of Los Angeles. Photographed by Julius Shulman, it became one of the most iconic images in architectural history.
How to Visit:
- Cost: Prices vary by tour type. Standard guided tour approx. US $60 per person. Discounted rates may apply on select dates.
- Transit/Car: Located in the Hollywood Hills, exact address provided after booking. Not accessible by public transport; private car or ride share is required.
- Tickets/Booking: Advance reservations are required. Book tickets via the Stahl House website. Tour options include evening and photography-focused visits.
2. Eames House (Case Study House No. 8) – Pacific Palisades, CA
Built in 1949 for Charles and Ray Eames as both home and studio. Part of the Case Study programme, it modelled efficient postwar living. Set in a eucalyptus grove, it blends industrial materials with nature. Still owned by the Eames Foundation.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: Free public parking along Corona del Mar (a 5-minute walk)
- Tickets/Booking: Advance reservations required – book through the Eames Foundation website
- Cost: US $30 general, US $10 students; free under 8
3. Farnsworth House – Plano, IL
Completed in 1951 for Dr. Edith Farnsworth. Designed by Mies van der Rohe as a weekend retreat. A glass-and-steel box raised above the ground, it became a minimalist icon. Now a landmark owned by the National Trust.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: Accessible by Metra or Amtrak from Chicago to Plano, followed by a taxi; car typical drive is about 90 minutes
- Tickets/Booking: Online or phone booking required
- Cost: Not explicitly listed—standard house tour pricing (check site for current rates).
4. Philip Johnson Glass House – New Canaan, CT
Designed in 1949 as Johnson’s residence. Inspired by the Farnsworth House, but reinterpreted in a private landscape. One open space enclosed by glass. Public access through the National Trust.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: Parking and visitor centre across from New Canaan Metro‑North train station
- Tickets/Booking: Tours only—advance booking via Glass House website
- Cost:
- US $25 weekday, US $30 weekends for basic tour
- US $50 self‑guided, up to US $250 for private tours
5. Neutra VDL Studio and Residences – Los Angeles, CA
Built in 1932 and rebuilt in 1965 after a fire. Funded by C.H. van der Leeuw. The house reflects Neutra’s focus on light, water, and indoor-outdoor living. Now managed by Cal Poly Pomona.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: Located in Silver Lake’s 90039 ZIP—best by car or rideshare
- Tickets/Booking: Saturday tours; ticket reservations via Neutra VDL website or Trip.com
- Cost: US $15 per person
6. Schindler House – West Hollywood, CA
Designed by Rudolph Schindler in 1922. Shared with the Chace family. It tested early ideas of communal, indoor-outdoor living. Now run by the MAK Center.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: 835 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood—accessible by public transport or car
- Tickets/Booking: Advance timed‑entry recommended (walk‑ups possible)
- Cost:
- General US $10
- Student/senior/resident US $7
- Free under 13 or for MAK members
7. Hollyhock House – Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood, Los Angeles
Built in 1921 for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, Hollyhock House was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first project in Los Angeles. The design blends Mayan influences with early modernist ideas. Originally part of a larger arts complex, it marked a turning point in Wright’s career and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How to Visit:
- Transit/Car: Located at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. Public parking available. Accessible via Metro B Line (Vermont/Sunset station), followed by a 10-minute walk.
- Tickets/Booking: Open Thursday–Sunday. Tickets via the Hollyhock House website or Visitor Centre.
- Cost: General US $12; seniors/students US $6; free for youth under 18 with paying adult.
8. Salk Institute – La Jolla, CA
Commissioned by Jonas Salk and designed by Louis Kahn. Opened in 1965. Though institutional, its form and material clarity influenced many mid-century modern homes.
How to Visit: Public tours are limited; book online. About 20 minutes from San Diego by car.
9. Eichler Homes – Palo Alto, CA (and other locations)
Developer Joseph Eichler built over 11,000 homes from 1949 to 1974. Designed by architects such as A. Quincy Jones, these suburban homes brought mid-century ideas to a wider public.
How to Visit: No single site, but local architecture groups offer neighbourhood tours, especially in Palo Alto and Orange County.
10. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian Houses – Various Locations
Wright’s Usonian series started in the late 1930s. These affordable homes for middle-class families are foundational to American modernism. Notable examples include the Jacobs House in Madison, WI.
How to Visit: Some are private, but others—like the Pope-Leighey House or Rosenbaum House—offer guided tours. Check each location’s website.
