Travel Icons: Fallingwater, Pennsylvania

Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater, rests majestically above a waterfall in the woodsy, bucolic folds of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains near Mill Run. Completed in 1939, the famous multi-tiered spread is the only Wright-designed home open to the general public, and it still holds much of the original Wright-designed furniture, as well as original artworks by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera.

Fallingwater is located about 65 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, making it an ideal day-trip destination. Go in fall to enjoy the area’s resplendent fall foliage, or in summer and early fall to take advantage of the excellent rafting in nearby Ohiopyle State Park. More than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River Gorge lie within the heart of this fine state park. Visitors ply the Class III and IV rapids primarily in outfitter-guided rafts. The Middle Youghiogheny has Class I and II rapids and is more suited for beginners. This run is entirely inside the park, beginning at the Ramcat put-in and ending at Ohiopyle.

Photo credit: Fallingwater near Mill Run, Pennsylvania (Lykantrop/Wikimedia Commons)

Top 3 Cheap East Coast Escapes

These historic cities each have a reputation for being pricey, but they all offer plenty of free and low-cost fun. Here's our guide to some of the top money-saving attractions in each:

Boston
Don’t bother renting a car. Boston’s public transportation system is excellent, and you can buy a seven-day unlimited pass for $15 to the city's extensive "T" subway and transit system. Admission to the historic Paul Revere house is just $3.50, while a tour of Red Sox home Fenway Park is $12. With plenty of mom-and-pop eateries and small ethnic restaurants to choose from, cheap eats aren’t hard to find.

Philadelphia Day Trips: Discover the Rural Delights of Milford, Pennsylvania

With a population of 1,292 and only one traffic light, the quaint but eclectic town of Milford, Pennsylvania, has a disproportionate number of cool things to do. Tour idyllic Victorian homes, enjoy homemade ice cream to a blues or jazz performance, go on an art gallery crawl, or check out the American flag on which Lincoln rested his head when he was shot. Or, just admire the fall foliage.

Photo credit: Milford, Pennsylvania's fall colors (Woodstock)

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia: Culinary Capital

Pennsylvania's capital city of Philadelphia has roots stretching back to the inception of the United States, but among the overlooked Philadelphia factoids is the city's diverse culinary tradition. In the 2005 Zagat Restaurant Guide, the city had more high-scoring restaurants than any other city in the country. Philadelphia is also home to distinctive dishes including cheesesteaks, hoagies, strombolis, and world-famous cream cheese.

Photo credit: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Corbis)