The Taliesin West
The Taliesin West is considered one of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest architectural masterpieces and is also the repository of his work. You don't need to know architecture or FLW to enjoy a trip Taliesin. You will learn, however, to appreciate both through the vast array of designs you will see and experience. You'll find out about the man who's one of the world's most prominent and influential architects, whose work includes the Guggenheim Museum in New York and "Fallingwater", the famous Pennsylvania house built over a waterfall.
After going on one of the day tours last fall, I left with a better understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright, the genius behind the awe-inspiring works, as well as a new found love for architecture.
Here are a few of many treasures you will find there:
^ This is the fire-breathing dragon that is lit up during the Summer Insights Tour
Taliesin West offers daytime tours and nighttime tours. For more information on tours and reservations, call 480) 860-2700 ext. 494. They also have a store where you can find books and various FLW merchandise, from paperweights, to cross stitch kits, to clocks, and many more. I know I got out with a lot.
Note: Just to warn you, when I went last September on a daytime tour, it was still really hot. If you're planning for that tour, go in the morning.
Here is the 2007 Summer/Fall Tour Schedule (until Oct 31) --
SUMMER INSIGHTS TOUR (90 minutes) is offered every morning at 9, 10, 11 am, and every afternoon at 12, 1, 2, 3 & 4 pm. Cost: $20.00 /person ($18 seniors/students/military; and $12.00 children 4-12). The highlight of this 90-minute guided tour is the dramatic Taliesin West Living Room, called the "Garden Room" by Wright, and the recently renovated Wright living quarters. Summer Insights visitors have the opportunity to sit in Wright-designed furniture and experience firsthand the drama of being a guest in Wright's famous home. In addition to the Garden Room and living quarters, the Summer Insights tour includes Wright’s private office, the Kiva, the Music Pavilion and Cabaret Theater.
PANORAMA TOUR (60 minutes) is offered every day at 10:15 am and 2:15 pm. Cost: $18.00 /person ($16 seniors/students/military; and $10.00 children 4-12.) This tour showcases Wright's brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. Four interior spaces are shown, linked by dramatic terraces, walkways and splashing fountains overlooking the desert and Valley below. The tour Guides provide a general overview of Wright's basic theories of architectural design.
NIGHT LIGHTS ON THE DESERT TOUR 2 hours) is offered on Thursday and Friday nights, May through October, a two-hour is offered starting at 6:30, 7 & 7:30pm. Cost: $25 per person. On this twilight tour, the buildings, lit from within, appear as sculptures, 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 are requested but not required.
BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR (3 hours) for the Wright enthusiast Offered Monday, Thursday and Saturday starting at 9:15 am. The cost is $35 per person. Visitors have leisurely mid-morning refreshments in the colorful Taliesin Fellowship dining room, not usually open to the public. The tour also visits all the spaces on the Insights tour including the Garden Room and living quarters, and walk to another unique desert site – all with ample time to take photographs and ask questions. Reservations are requested but not required.
