One of New York’s Best Architectural Secrets Is Just 90 Minutes Outside the City
One of New York’s Best Architectural Secrets Is Just 90 Minutes Outside the City
Audley C Bullock/Shutterstock
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/new-york/experiences/news/theres-a-frank-lloyd-wright-house-open-to-public-just-90-minutes-outside-new-york-city
A hidden Frank Lloyd Wright escape is just 90 minutes away from Manhattan.
I knew there were several Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Buffalo that the public could tour. I know about the three Usonian houses in Westchester County that are all still in private hands and can’t be toured. But I had never heard of a Wright home in Mahopac, about 50 miles north of New York City, and I’d certainly never heard that it was open to the public for semi-private tours in the summer and early fall each year. The fact that it makes for the perfect day trip from Manhattan is the icing on the cake.
When I was invited to visit a Frank Lloyd Wright house with a group of other media, I could not resist the chance, so a few weeks ago, I jumped on Metro-North and headed upstate for the day to tour the house (or rather, houses). Mr. Massaro and his family have been offering limited private tours for 3 years (2026 is the fourth), but to date, only 2,500 people have toured the home on these tours. And there is, of course, a back story.
When Joe Massaro, who owned and operated a sheet metal firm in upstate New York, bought Petra (or “Petre” depending on the source) Island in 1995, it already contained the 1,200-square-foot Chahroudi Cottage, which was commissioned by Ahmed Chahroudi in 1949 and built it in 1952 (with the direct involvement of Frank Lloyd Wright, who had been working on the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan at the time).
Though modest in size, the cottage served as the family’s summer retreat for the better part of a decade. However, Mr. Massaro had acquired several original drawings of the original house plan from the son of the original owner, including a floor plan and ideas for built-in and stand-alone furniture, and three elevations (five drawings in all). When he sold his company and retired, he had the means and time to build the new house.
David S. Allee
Wright had designed the existing cottage as a guest house; but the showpiece of the project was to be a 5,000-square-foot main house, which was planned to cantilever 30 feet out over the water of Lake Mahopac, to fit within the natural landscape of the island (encompassing a giant boulder, which still sits in the main entry hall), and be grander in scope than Fallingwater, the Pennsylvania house that is widely considered to be his masterpiece.
David S. Allee
Massaro built the house in 2004 after having architect Thomas Heinz, a Wright historian, finish the interior plans. The house plan was not produced or endorsed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, so it can’t be called a “Wright” home; rather, it’s a “Wright-inspired” home. But a particularly striking one. And the gigantic living room jutting out over the lake is magnificent, as are the multiple fireplaces and redwood-beamed interior. Unlike many Wright homes, this one has modern conveniences such as air conditioning and radiant-heated floors.
Best of all, anyone can visit the home during the visiting season from June 1 through October. And if you are driving, you can combine a tour of the Petra Island Houses with another upstate location like the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point (Real ID required), Garrison, or Cold Spring (all of which are within an hour of Mahopac).
Know Before You Go
Petra Island Tours Meeting Point: 883 S. Lake Blvd., Mahopac, NY 10541.
Small-group tours are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday at noon and 2 pm and cost $150 (no kids under 12 allowed). Tours include boat transportation to Petra Island and a guided tour with a family member.
David S. Allee
Getting There
Mahopac is about 50 miles (approximately 90 minutes) north of NYC via the Taconic Parkway (take exit 20 to Mahopac, then drive approximately 6 miles on U.S. 6 to Mahopac). The area is also reachable by Metro-North (Harlem Line to Croton Falls), then by Uber to the boat dock. If you take the train, you can get food and use the restroom at Hygrade Market, directly across from the train station. If driving, Brooklyn Organic Kitchen (closed Mon.) is almost directly across from the boat dock.
The 15 Best Things to Do in London in 2026 (and Top Things to Avoid)
IakovKalinin/iStock
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/england/london/experiences/news/photos/20-ultimate-things-to-do-in-london
The best things to do—and the top things to avoid—in London. Plus, the best hotels, restaurants, and tips for a memorable vacation. All curated by a trusted Fodor's writer based in the British capital.
Part I
There are over 9 million people in London, and I’m proud to be one of them. As a first-generation Brit, I took on a tour guide role from a very young age, navigating the West End independently before I was even a teen. I’ve lived North-West, worked all over Central, and now reside in East London…and I’ve partied in every pocket in between. Now, I don’t have the stamina; I write guidebooks for people who do.
Think of me as a trusted friend you haven’t yet met, a face on social media you ping for local intel but block after getting what you want (hey, I don’t mind!). I’ll tell you which weekend markets to visit, help you avoid crap high teas, and let you tick off greats away from loop sightseeing bus stops. In short, here’s how to experience London like a seasoned queen.
RELATED TRAVEL GUIDES
If you’re traveling throughout England, get our expert recommendations for the best things to do in Manchester and the best things to do in Birmingham.
PHOTO: CHUN JU WU/DREAMSTIME
1 OF 26
Hang Out in Shoreditch
WHERE: Shoreditch, East London
Whilst hardly offbeat, I don’t understand why debutantes still prioritize South Kensington over Shoreditch. South Ken is all posh museums. Shoreditch is the real, gritty London that best represents the average Joe in the city. Sure, it’s undergone heavy gentrification over the years, but the mishmash of graffiti walls and shiny glass skyscrapers means contrasts to explore, worthy even of base status. It’s easy to spend an entire day shopping for treasures at Brick Lane Vintage Market or Spitalfields Market, then spill things into the night with coffee and bar crawls along Commercial Street. You can then cap things off at London’s highest bar, Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate, or a sweaty Brat-style gig at Village Underground. Whilst in the East End, don’t miss the OG Poppies chippie (fish and chip shop), and keep those eyes peeled for Banksy murals on the Truman Brewery and Rivington Street.
PHOTO: COWARDLION/SHUTTERSTOCK
2 OF 26
Tick Off the Biggies on a Half-Day Stroll Along the Southbank
WHERE: London Bridge to Westminster, Central London
Yes, you must see Big Ben, but rather than line up with hundreds of other people at the red phone box on Parliament Square, let’s make a scenic stroll out of it. Get off at London Bridge Station, grab a to-go coffee from Borough Market, and enjoy the spectacular stroll along the walking path which winds past St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern (free to enter and highly recommended!), The London Eye, and of course, Big Ben (real name Elizabeth Tower, FYI). As for a slightly less competitive photo spot, sans red box, try the National Covid Memorial Wall by St Thomas’ Hospital to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in all their glory from across the river.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BUNGA 90
3 OF 26
Travel Back in Time at London’s Ultimate ‘90s Bar
WHERE: Covent Garden, Central London
If you thought the ‘90s were the best decade in pop culture, Bunga 90 is a chance to forget modern-day everything and totally immerse the era. Guests enter a very realistic video rental store lined with VHS greats, and at the back, a soda time machine is your portal to the ‘90s home of a FANATIC. We’re talking Spice Girls merchandise all over the bedroom walls, a Jurassic Park pinball machine and lots of other old (still working) consoles, and cocktails like the Fresh Prince served in a Will Smith head mug. Drink up, because every hour, the bathrooms become a warehouse rave with smoke and old skool dance beats, or book you and your pals into the Mel B karaoke room and have a girlband vs boyband sing off. Remember to reserve in advance.
PHOTO: WILLIAM BARTON/SHUTTERSTOCK
4 OF 26
Admire History’s Most Recognized Faces at the National Portrait Gallery
WHERE: Trafalgar Square, Central London
Celebrating folks who have shaped British history and identity through portraiture, the National Portrait Gallery is situated behind the more famous National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. Inside, you’ll come up close to a vast collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures that span the Tudor period to the present day. Must-see portraits include William Shakespeare, the British royal family, Sir Winston Churchill, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, and the recently unveiled Lily Allen West End Girl portrait by Nieves González. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. For a swoonsome eat, check out The Portrait Restaurant on the gallery’s top floor, which boasts views of Trafalgar Square.
PHOTO: ANDREW MEREDITH
5 OF 26
Shop, Drop, and Everything in Between at Selfridges
WHERE: Oxford Street, Central London
Normally, I’d warn tourists to avoid jam-packed Oxford Street when shopping because why bother when Zaras is back home? However, you HAVE to visit Selfridges. Founded in 1909 and hailed as the ‘best department store in the world,’ everything you can think of is on offer under six floors of retail space. There are independent labels and designer brand names, fancy homeware items you never knew you needed, and giant coffee table books bigger than coffee tables. This is more than just a shop and easily a whole day situation, whether you decide to nibble and sip at over two dozen eateries or sit back and relax with a film in the plush basement cinema. Seasonal pop-ups, elaborate window displays, and sales (duh!) attract crowds.
PHOTO: JACLYNE ORTIZ/SHUTTERSTOCK
6 OF 26
Lose Yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
WHERE: Multiple locations across London
The thing about London is there are Harry Potter spots everywhere that no theme park in Florida can replicate. Hot ticket of the last decade has been the two-part West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, set 19 years later with Harry as an adult. If you’re tackling both showings at once, then break with a visit to House of MinaLima around the corner, a gallery and store founded by the team behind the film’s graphic art. Muggles will also want to stop by Kings Cross for Platform 9¾ to jump on the vanishing luggage trolley; Leadenhall Market, which was used as a backdrop for Diagon Alley; and, of course, the colossal Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to immerse in the fantasy sets and original props and costumes, and try ‘authentic’ butterbeer.
PHOTO: TOM ROTHERY
7 OF 26
Go Viral in Chinatown
WHERE: Soho, Central London
You’ll be hard-pressed to scroll TikTok or IG without seeing Chinatown London’s famous red lanterns out of focus, and that’s because a grand portion of viral food content is filmed right here. From fluffy buns oozing with black sesame (Bun House) to hand-pulled noodles dripping with chili (Kung Fu Noodle), expect to be spoiled for choice when it comes to filling both camera roll and stomach…and those are just for starters. Dessert in Chinatown is the main event in the Gen-Z world, with egg-shaped waffles stacked with matcha toppings (Bubblewrap) and vibrant rainbow cakes (Chinatown Bakery) taking the spotlight. How about dim sum AND dessert? Golden Phoenix’s afternoon tea is served in a golden cage.
PHOTO: SHARON LOPEZ
8 OF 26
Picnic in Pretty Hyde Park
WHERE: Hyde Park, Central-West London
As one of the top cities in the world for green spaces, Londoners have over 3,000 options to escape the concrete noise. In particular, the eight royal parks that were once owned by the monarchy are now open to the public. The most famous among them is Hyde Park, mostly because it hosts huge seasonal events like BST Hyde Park in the summer and Winter Wonderland at Christmas. When the weather is on your side, you don’t need a ticket to enjoy it. Pack a picnic (alcohol is permitted, yay!) and bask on the lawn—but do remember to clear up your trash. Points of interest to explore include Princess Diana’s Memorial Fountain, the free-to-enter Serpentine Galleries, and my favorite and quieter spot, the Rose Garden.
PHOTO: HOTEL CAFE ROYAL
9 OF 26
Do Afternoon Tea Like a Princess
WHERE: Regent Street, Central London
Speaking of Princess Diana, did you know one of her beloved high tea spots was at Café Royal (now Hotel Café Royal)? The 19th-century tradition is still upheld today within the breathtaking gold-gilded Grill Room that twinkles with mirrors and is soundtracked by a live pianist. If you’ve never had a British afternoon tea, the classic experience looks a little something like this: a tier of treats beginning with finger sandwiches at the base, warm scones in the middle (sided with jam and preserves), and sweet delicacies in miniature form at the top. Teas are always unlimited, and if you want bubbles, always state in advance so you get the included welcome glass of champagne rather than pay more to have it separately.
PHOTO: PH.FAB/SHUTTERSTOCK
10 OF 26
Get Tickets to a Football (Soccer) Match
WHERE: Stratford, East London
English soccer is as big here as the NFL in the States, and you can watch the Premier League team of your choice in many stadiums around the country. London specifically is home to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace football clubs, to name a few, but if you’re not too fussed about jersey colors and simply want to be part of the footie experience, I recommend getting tickets for a West Ham United home game. The reason is that their stadium (the London Stadium) was the 2012 Olympics Stadium, a remarkable state-of-the-art facility able to carry 60,000 footie fans. It also has a partially covered roof, so you and the rest of the ‘Hammers’ need not worry about the elements.
Hilton recognized that hotel owner margins were compressing. So it did something about it.
https://hotelsmag.com/news/hilton-recognized-hotel-owner-margins-compressing-so-they-did-something-about-it/
by David Eisen
Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta reached back to COVID days to give context to some of the lodging company’s newest initiatives to alleviate the financial stress its hotel owners have endured.
During the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Nassetta promulgated programs that he said aimed to help owners lower costs, strengthen hotel profitability and improve returns. “If you think about the lead-up to COVID, looking at 2017, 2018, 2019, you had conditions in the industry that were not great. You had very low top-line growth and higher growth in expenses. It wasn’t as high as it got post-COVID; nonetheless, margins were sort of going backwards. It made it very challenging. It was quite a difficult operating environment for owners,” Nassetta said.
The hotel industry outlasted COVID, but the hangover persisted, as Nassetta remarked, referring to negative top-line growth paired with expenses that are growing at a higher clip, ultimately subsuming large pieces of revenue. Stubbornly high inflation has exacerbated the effect. “We listen to these things,” said Nassetta, who prior to becoming chief at Hilton was the CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, a hotel REIT.
Hilton is rolling out specific programs it hopes will alleviate some owner tension, including a reduction on loyalty program fees, and Hilton Rise, a program that provides program fee discounts when hotels deliver what Nassetta called an “excellent guest experience.” Hilton is also taking a more flexible and bespoke approach to renovations and PIPS, balancing owner investment with guest expectations and hotel performance. During COVID, investment in the industry was otherwise deferred due to the pernicious nature of the pandemic. Hotel companies have tried clawing it back. “Our owners are investing a lot of money, but we basically want to set it up so that if you if it’s a good experience for the customers, you get through the gate,” as Nassetta called it, meaning without having to spend heavily on CapEx and soft-good improvements. He said roughly half the system right now in the U.S. is getting the full benefit of the initiatives. “These owner profitability initiatives are enabled and accelerated by the power of our proprietary technology platform, which allows us to innovate faster, scale more effectively, and deliver greater value across our entire network,” Nassetta said
The programs, Nassetta said, were not to be construed as any premonition that the hotel industry was headed for further disquiet. In fact, Nassetta was quite bullish, and Hilton’s Q2 numbers and guidance provided him cover. “Things are going in a really good direction, where my belief is owners are going to get margin growth,” he said. “You see it in the results year to date, and what we’re guiding into next year.”
Net income was $482 million for the second quarter, while system-wide comparable RevPAR increased 3.9% compared to the same period in 2025. Hilton approved 42,900 new rooms for development during the quarter, bringing its development pipeline to 541,300 rooms as of June 30, 2026, representing growth of 6% from the same time a year ago. It added 24,100 rooms, resulting in 21,600 net additional rooms for the second quarter, contributing to net unit growth of 6.1% from June 30, 2025. As a result, Hilton said it is guiding its RevPAR forecast up for full-year 2026 to an increase between 3% and 3.5% on a comparable and currency-neutral basis compared to 2025.
Room openings were up 50 percent from the first quarter of 2026, with notable openings including the Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the debut of the brand in Greece, and the Slohh by Roach Bengaluru, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking the debut of the brand in India. It also opened the first three Apartment Collection by Hilton properties since the brand’s launch earlier this year in Salt Lake City, Austin and Atlanta.
Its biggest announcement during Q2 was the signing of Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach, in partnership with the Reuben Brothers, who Nassetta called “big believers” in the Waldorf Astoria brand. They must be: The brothers also own Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch in London, scheduled to open later this year. Of total signings in the quarter, 35% were in luxury and lifestyle.
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