Frank Llyod Wright's Taliesin West

In 1937, Frank Lloyd Wright began building his desert masterpiece, Taliesin West. This beautiful desert gem was his personal winter home, studio, and architectural campus located in the Sonora desert are northeast of Scottsdale. Today, visitors can experience firsthand Wright’s brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces by taking a guided tour. There are several different types of tours to select from. Each offers a unique experience that everyone can appreciate. 

The most popular tour at Taliesin West is the daily 90-Minute ‘Insights” tour. This tour is offered every 30-minutes between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ($14-$32). This tour includes all the elements of the indoor and outdoor spaces plus the living room that was the social gathering place for Wright and the many famous guests he entertained. Visitors sit in Wright-designed furniture and experience firsthand the drama of being a guest in Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous home.

On Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:15 a.m. take the 3-hour “Behind the Scenes” tour ($60). This is the ultimate experience for anyone that is interested in an intimate, in-depth look at Taliesin West. The major highlight of this tour is a stop in the colorful Dining Room where visitors are treated to mid-morning tea. Visitors will also take a walk to the historic Sun Cottage.

Offered daily at 11:15 a.m., visitors can take the 90-minute “Desert Walk” ($32). This is a guided desert nature walk at Taliesin West which allows visitors to explore rugged desert trails and experience the beauty Wright discovered 70 years ago. See firsthand the desert vegetation and landforms that were translated into design elements by Wright. Hiking boots strongly recommended. No open-toe or open-heel shoes allowed.

On Saturdays at 1:15 p.m., from mid-November through April, the 2-Hour “Desert Shelter Tour” ($30-$40) offers guests an inside view of the living laboratory where students from Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture have been designing, building and living in their own architectural structures. This tour also includes elements of the Desert Walk Tour.

On Friday nights in February, March, April, and October, enjoy the 2-hour “Night Lights on the Desert” tour ($34-$38). On this tour visitors will have the opportunity to view Wright’s desert masterpiece at night. The lighting offers a jewel-like glow to the structure that can only be appreciated after the sun has set. The fire-breathing dragon is lit and the lights from the valley below create a dramatic, romantic setting. The tour includes everything on the Insights Tour plus light refreshments.

Reservations for all of the tours are highly recommended and can be made by calling or visiting the website. The only tour that a reservation is not necessary for is the daily “Insight” tour.
 

2009-2010 Tour Guide

- by Jennifer Pruett, Phoenix Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jennifer Pruett

A self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.