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Taliesin West

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Taliesin West - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona

In the northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona , there is a living memorial to great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert lays a sprawling 600-acre complex called Taliesin West (pronounced: tal-ee-ess-in), designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. The buildings and landscape of this National Historic Landmark coexist in harmony, blending form and color, beauty and grace, nature and science.

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in 1867. He grew up in rural Wisconsin, where he was taught the virtue of hard work and acquired a love of the landscape. At the age of 18, he entered university to study civil engineering, and, shortly thereafter, he began his career in architecture. As an architect, he became known as a revolutionary and a nonconformist. He despised what he called the stale, backward-looking ideas of his peers who were designing architecture based on the Greek, Roman, Gothic, and Tudor models instead of creating a new, vibrant American landscape. He longed to be freed from the limits of existing material and designs. In his various writings, he described "organic architecture" with site-specific construction where "form and function were one." He set forth the principles of the Prairie House with open expanses and limited subdivisions, which he referred to as "boxes." While his architectural principles gained him fame overseas, Frank Lloyd Wright was not always appreciated at home, where he was often ridiculed. Eventually, the number of his followers grew.

Factoid:  Frank Lloyd Wright visited Arizona for the first time in 1927. He often stayed at a temporary camp near Chandler .

Why Did He Build Taliesin West?

Taliesin I was built in 1911 in Wisconsin . The word Taliesin means "a shining brow," perhaps alluding to the scenic location and vista. It was built to be a home, a workplace, and a school and cultural center for Wright's students. Wright designed it all, to the last piece of furniture. In 1914, it suffered severe fire damage. Taliesin II was soon built on the same spot, but it was also damaged by fire and again rebuilt as Taliesin III.

In 1927, architect Albert Chase McArthur (a former student of Wright’s) asked Wright to help him with the projected construction of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Wright accepted, came to Phoenix, and presented plans based on his unusual architectural principles. There was opposition to the unique design and some compromises were made. Known today as The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the award-winning property describes itself as “the only existing hotel in the world with a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design.”

Now introduced to the Arizona landscape, the master and his disciples planned and built Taliesin West. Indigenous materials were used throughout, and Wright's students built it, basically by hand.

Visitors to Taliesin West are struck by the expanse of the site and the intricate structures built of massive walls fashioned of desert rock embedded in masonry, topped with canvas flaps for ceilings affixed to redwood beams. The structures at Taliesin West are sort of tents-yet-not-tents by virtue of their weight and permanence. The units that comprise it are arranged at various distances and angles connected by terraces, lawns, pools, and stairways.

Of Taliesin West, Wright wrote, “Our new desert camp belonged to the Arizona desert as though it had stood there during creation.”

Factoid: Frank Lloyd Wright was 70 years old in 1937 when he decided to build his winter residence in an undeveloped portion of the Scottsdale desert with a view of the valley.

Frank Lloyd Wright in Arizona

Wright founded the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in 1932 to teach his theories and practices to young men and women. Subsequently, he decided that he needed a camp to escape the harsh Wisconsin winters. Five years later the seventy-year-old architect returned to Arizona and purchased the land upon which he built Taliesin West.

It turned out to be much more than the winter camp for which it was intended. In the course of the next 22 years until his death in 1959, Frank Lloyd Wright was awarded, rewarded, decorated, and celebrated here and abroad. He was a prolific writer, inventor, world traveler, and, of course, architect.

Over the course of the time that Frank Lloyd Wright spent in Arizona, he designed and built many projects, including some in the Phoenix area. They include the inspiring Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium -- now referred to as A.S.U. Gammage -- on the campus of Arizona State University . The building was completed posthumously.

Factoid: Frank Lloyd Wright designed many homes and buildings in Arizona, but most of them were never built.

Public Tours

A guided tour is the only way visitors can see the Taliesin West complex, which includes The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation (fundraising), The Frank Lloyd Wright Memorial Foundation (archives), The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Wright's home. The Taliesin Association of Artists, a group of architects dedicated to the spirit of the founder, is also on site at Taliesin West.

Taliesin West offers several tours of the buildings:

• Panorama Tour : 1 hour. Visit the Cabaret Theater, Music Pavilion, Kiva, Wright’s private office, outdoor spaces, terraces, gardens, and walkways. Year-round.
• The Insights Tour : 90 minutes. Same as the Panorama Tour, plus Frank Lloyd Wright's living quarters. Year-round.
• Behind-the-Scenes : 3 hours. An in-depth look at Taliesin West. It's the Insights Tour but with the opportunity to talk to Wright associates. Architecture enthusiasts especially enjoy this tour. Year-round.
• Desert Walk : 90 minutes. Guided desert nature walk at Taliesin West with an in-depth description of native materials found on the site and used by Wright. November through April only.
• Desert/Insights Tour : A combination tour offered November through April.
• Night Lights in the Desert : 2 hours. Includes everything on the Insights Tour but seen through the different perspective of twilight. Light refreshments. February, March, April, May, October, November. In December, the Night Lights Tour goes festive for the holidays, with music and light holiday refreshments.

Factoid: Taliesin West sits on 640 acres and has more than 150,000 visitors every year.

Other Activities

The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture offers academically and professionally accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its students and faculty work here year-round.

Also on this property, The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives is "the largest and most complete collection of materials related to a single artist housed under one roof anywhere in the world."

From time to time, special events will be hosted by Taliesin West as "The primary objective of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Arts & Culture Program is to offer the public various performances, exhibitions, and workshops in the area of arts and culture. The program serves to heighten public awareness of Taliesin as a National Historic Landmark and draws attention to the historical intersection of architecture, arts, and agriculture unique to the Taliesin campus."

Arrangements for corporate functions may be made, but Taliesin West does not rent facilities for political or activist events or for religious ceremonies.

Factoid: The Frank Lloyd Wright Archives contains 22,000 original drawings and other documents as well as 400,000 other artifacts.

Tips for Visiting

Here are some things you should know before you take a tour:

• People are not permitted to wander on their own. You must enroll in a guided tour.
• You can sign up for a tour in the gift shop, but advance reservations are recommended.
• Several of the tours take place all year long, including during the summer months. The tours vary as to how much outdoor activity there is, but it is advisable to carry a bottle of water with you no matter which tour you decide to take and no matter what time of year. There are no refreshment stops during the tours.
• You may take pictures at Taliesin West but not in the gift shop.
• We don't recommend the tours for young children; there are no activities for them.
• There is no charge if you just want to visit the Book Store. It is one of the best, most unique gift shops in the Valley of the Sun!

Factoid: Taliesin West was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982.

Address and Directions

Taliesin West is the Arizona home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Its city of residence, Scottsdale, is located east of Phoenix, Arizona. The entrance to Taliesin West is located at the intersection of Cactus Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard (the equivalent of 114th Street) in northeast Scottsdale.

Taliesin West Address: 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85259

GPS: 33.606395,-111.845172

Parking is free. Discounts for seniors, active military, students, and youth are available for most tours.

Entrance to the book store/gift shop is free. Taliesin West is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Phone: 480-860-2700

Directions:  From The Loop 101 (Pima Loop) in Scottsdale, exit at Cactus Road and travel east to Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Cross over Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd which becomes Taliesin Drive. Follow that road to Taliesin West.

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Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

Discover Frank Lloyd Wright's desert laboratory, Taliesin West. Scottsdale's only National Historic Landmark is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for visitors to the Valley of the Sun.

Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, Taliesin West was Wright's desert home and architectural studio where the American master architect designed some of his greatest achievements including the Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater. Wright's renowned apprenticeship program, The Taliesin Fellowship where "learning by doing" was emphasized, was founded here and produced generations of successful architects and designers.

Begun in 1937 and continuing over the next 20 years, Taliesin West's structures and grounds were designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices amidst nearly 500 unspoiled acres in the Sonoran Desert. Unlike any other Wright site, its distinctive architectural style of desert masonry punctuates the rugged desert while at the same time looking very much a part of the landscape. Over 110,000 visitors tour this iconic cultural attraction each year, taking a 60-minute audio or guided tour, attending a cultural or educational program, and shopping the curated collection of artful decor accents, gifts, and books in the Frank Lloyd Wright Store at Taliesin West.

Plan your visit and purchase tour tickets at www.franklloydwright.org or by calling (888) 516-0811. Taliesin is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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• 12621 North Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
• Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
• Hours Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Store and tour hours vary seasonally
• (480) 860-2700
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Taliesin West is open for tours. Here's how you can see Frank Lloyd Wright's Arizona home

Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home in Scottsdale is open again with group and self-guided tours.

Since closing its doors in March 2020, Taliesin West has undergone restoration efforts that brought back the authentic essence of Wright's desert laboratory.

“From something as simple as placing chairs around a fireplace to the more in-depth reconstruction of some of the room’s original furnishings, it all changes how the site is experienced and evokes a renewed sense of life in the spaces,” Emily Butler, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation director of preservation, said in a press release.

Taliesin West is Arizona's first cultural  UNESCO World Heritage Site . Arizona's other World Heritage Site is Grand Canyon National Park, which was added to the World Heritage List as a natural site in 1979.

Wright's Scottsdale property, built in 1937, was added to the World Heritage List in July 2019 and had been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1982.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

How to book a tour at Taliesin West

There are two tour options, and one of them involves listening to Wright himself explain his philosophies.

The new hourlong “Guided By Wright” self-guided tour involves moving around the site while listening to Wright through on app on your phone or a borrowed tablet.

According to the Taliesin West website, "Wright’s audio clips discuss his connection to nature, poetry and art, and other ideas that inspired his work."

These tours are available beginning at 10, 10:10 and 10:20 a.m. daily. Reservations are required for all guests, including members. Prices are $40, $30 for students with ID, $19 for ages 6-12 and free for age 5 and younger. 

Group tours, which visit Wright's private quarters, living room, garden room, drafting studio, music pavilion and more, also are back. They are limited to groups of 10 and cost the same as the self-guided tour. The guided tour is not recommended for children younger than 6.

Group tours take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Reservations: 888-516-0811, https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/tickets-tours .

New at Taliesin West: Behind the restoration at Frank Lloyd Wright's Arizona home

How Taliesin West will look different

Through its restoration efforts, Taliesin now has "new nods to the past."

Some of the changes that have made the site "more authentic and accessible," according to Frank Lloyd Foundation CEO Stuart Graff, include an acrylic protectant over a screen painting in the Dining Cove and a reconstructed portable canvas shade the Wright family used on the Sunset Terrace.

According to a press release, "The Foundation’s Collections and Preservation teams pored over hundreds of historic photographs and archival reference materials to get a sense of how Wright decorated, used and often rearranged his environs with eclectic, beautiful artifacts and designs."

This has resulted in "an even richer essence of what life was like in Wright’s heyday."

More: Frank Lloyd Wright's School of Architecture to change name, move to Arcosanti

COVID-19 safety measures at Taliesin West

Taliesin West has new signs, plexiglass barriers and store arrangements to ensure social distancing and touchless experiences. Here are some of the safety precautions:

• Face coverings over the nose and mouth are required in all areas, indoors and outdoors.
• Cash is not accepted.
• Guided tours are restricted to 10 people.
• Advance reservations are required.
• Only one person or family is allowed in the bathroom at one time.
• The store has limited capacity, and furniture is rearranged to allow for physical distancing.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. $19-$40. 480-860-2700,  https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west .

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin  and Instagram @ReporterKiMi .

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today .

Guide To Frank LLoyd Wright’s Taliesen West In Scottsdale Arizona

Taliesen West is one of only 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesen West been described as a campus, a desert laboratory, and a historic landmark.

It’s a a complex of low-slung buildings made of rock and glass in the Sonoran Desert. The beautiful building served as Wright’s winter home and the home of his utopian architectural school.

In this guide, Taliesen West, I give you a short history of Taliesen West and tell you everything to see there.

History Of Frank Lloyd Wright And Taliesen West

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of America’s greatest architects. Over a 71 year career, he designed 1114 buildings, of which 532 were built. He completed most of his work in his 70s and 80s, when he was incredibly prolific.

Wright produced iconic buildings like  Fallingwater , Taliesin East and West, and the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. In 2019, eight of his buildings became UNESCO sites.

A self-proclaimed genius, Wright claimed to “work true.” He was known as the inventor of “organic architecture” and the “prairie house,” distinctively American concepts at the time.

The philosophy of “organic architecture” meant that a building should be sustainable and evolve from its natural setting.

Wright was an imperious figure, clad in a cape and cane. He was difficult to work with, a narcissist, and led a scandalous personal life that was tabloid fodder. If you want to read more about that, click here .

In 1911, Wright began building Taliesen East, his home in Wisconsin. In 1932, he founded an “architectural school” called the Taliesin Fellowship.

Taliesen means “shining brow” in Welsh. It’s also the name of the chief poet or troubadour for King Arthur.

The school was the brain child of Wright’s third wife, Olgivanna. A spendthrift Wright was bankrupt after the Great Depression. Olgivanna suggested an immersive architectural school as a way to bring in income.

So the Taliesen Fellowship was launched. Taliesen succeeded, albeit in an unconventional way. Wright lured in architectural students with his reputation for genius and free thinking.

In return, his students paid tuition and “learned by doing.” They were no classes per se ; Wright was anti-school.

The apprentices were tasked with construction, farming the land, and preparing meals. At the time, Taliesin was essentially a quasi-cult, or proto-hippie community.

In 1935, Wright was advised that the winter climate in Wisconsin was compromising his health.

He decided to move his architectural school to Scottsdale Arizona for the winter months, calling it his “desert laboratory.”

Wright and his students traveled by caravan to Scottsdale. He purchased 800 acres in the middle of nowhere. Wright said, “Oh, we have to build here, this is pure abstraction wherever you look.”

He and his 30 students set about designing and building the compound known as Taliesen West in a style they called “desert masonry.”

They harvested stones right from the desert. Wright coined the terms “one-man rock,” “three-man rock,” etc. for measuring rock size. Over 20 years, the apprentices hand-crafted Taliesen West.

Taliesen West was a primitive place at first, while they were building. The architecture students lived in tents or small structures in the deserts. There was no water or plumbing. The tents remain today.

Taliesen West was designed in the prairie style, which I discuss below. The building is in perfect harmony with its environment. Wright himself designed all the furniture.

He loved music and installed 13 grand pianos. Wright was also fascinated with Asian art and you’ll see that in the decorations.

During the Taliesen West years, Wright’s architectural practice took off. In 1938, he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine. He designed the most famous house in the United States, Fallingwater.

After Wright’s death in 1959, his wife took over the helm of Taliesen West and the Fellowship. (And she installed air conditioning, something Wright hated.)

The Fellowship lasted 88 years. The school was closed in 2020, due to financial problems and internal strife between the Fellowship and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Nowadays, Taliesen has a full calendar of lectures, symposiums, exhibitions, and film screenings.

What Is Prairie Style Architecture?

The Prairie style emerged in Chicago around 1900. A group of young architects, including Wright, wanted to steer away from fussy Victorian or European architecture.

They were inspired by the ideals of Arts & Crafts movement, with its emphasis on nature, craftsmanship, and simplicity. As Wright said, “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature; it will never fail you.”

Wright embraced the architectural theories of Louis Sullivan, who was his mentor. Sullivan famously coined the phrase “form follows function.” He called for architecture that was non-derivative, rooted in nature, and with a sense of place.

But the prairie style also incorporated modern elements, like flat planes and stylized ornamentation.

As Wright put it, prairie buildings are “married to the ground.” They celebrate long, low landscapes. Their most defining characteristic is their emphasis on the horizontal rather than the vertical.

As Taliesen West embodies, prairie homes spread out over their lots. They feature flat roof lines, rows of windows, overhanging eaves, and bands of stone or brick across the surface.

Most prairie homes are intended to be functional and flowing, so that you can “glide” through them. They have open floor plans, with low ceilings, and hand crafted details.

Wright said that anyone over 6 feet was a “waste of material” and designed his houses for people his own height (5’6″ with lifts).

Guide To Taliesen West: What To See

The exterior of Taliesen West is a juxtaposition of massive stone masonry and a breezy canvas-covered redwood framework. There are open interior spaces, linked by scenic terraces that look out on gardens.

Here are the highlights of Taliesen West in the order you’ll most likely encounter them on a guided tour.

1. Entry Court

The entry court is full of stunning sculptures by Heloise Crista. You can admire them while you’re waiting to start your tour. Crista was an apprentice of Wright, who was encouraged to pursue sculpture.

You’ll also find indigenous petroglyphs. These giant quartzite boulders held profound significance for Wright.

When Wright was first canvasing the property, he found stones marked by native peoples—the O’odham, Piipaash, Hopi, Yavapai, and Apache—with figures and designs.

He couldn’t translate the petroglyphs. But Wright believed the placement of the boulders was part of their message.

He adopted one petroglyph as the logo of Taliesen West. He thought it represented entwined or clasped hands.

Nearby and scattered around the estate outside, you’ll see Chinese ceramic theater freizes. Some parts have melted away from the intense sun. But that didn’t bother Wright, who saw beauty in imperfection.

You can also see Whitman Square. It was created under Wright’s direction in the early 1950s.

The square has an engraving, in gold lettering, on a flat red stone. It’s Wright’s manifesto, adapted from the poem Song of the Universal in Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass .

The inscription expresses Wright’s concept of American democracy, borrowing Whitman’s words.  

2. Wright’s Office

Wright’s office was one of the first things built at Taliesen West, between 1938-39. The office was where Wright conducted business and greeted guests.

The office roofline angles toward the mountains. Strategically placed windows focus views on the desert.

At first, the windows were just covered with canvas flaps. But later, when practicality prevailed (i.e., keeping out critters and the intense desert heat), glass was installed.

Wright didn’t even want a ceiling in his office, all the better to commune with nature.

Eventually, a wood framed canvas ceiling was added to cut the glare of the desert sun. It provided a filtered natural light.

The floors are poured concrete and the walls are made of rocks and concrete. You can see his two reds in the room — Maricopa (bright) red and Taliesen (dark red). There’s also a large fireplace.

3. The Prow

Just past the office is the Prow. It’s the most photographed spot at Taliesen West.

The Prow is an outdoor garden space with a triangular reflecting pool. In this spot, Wright thought he was “standing on the rim of the world.”

The Prow contains the vault (fireproof storage space), the drafting studio, and the original kitchen. The upper level contained the student quarters.

The building’s angles reflect the mountains beyond. The pool gives it an oasis feel. Back in Wright’s time, the pool was also functional, providing water to put out fires.

In total, there are seven pools of water at Taliesin West. Water may seem out of place in the Sonoran Desert. But it comes from an onsite well that Wright had dug 486 feet into the ground.

The Prow is used for afternoon tea, receptions, and other celebrations.

3. Living Room or Garden Room

The living room, official known as the Garden Room, reflects Wright’s architectural concept of “pressure and release.”

Built between 1939-49, it was given that name because the room looks out onto an enclosed garden space.

You enter a room via a tiny narrow passageway. But then the room itself is enormous.

Wright’s living room is a “great room.” He was contemptuous of boxy living spaces and essentially invented the idea. His theory was that the living room was a place for commune and comraderie, so should be large.

There’s a grand piano in the Garden Room. Both Wright and his wife Olga loved music.

Olga herself was a talented musician. The Wrights even expected their apprentices to be skilled musicians.

Wright designed all the furniture in the Garden Room. The room has long built in bench seating across from the windows. Wright’s famous origami chairs, which are made out of a single sheet of plywood, and are surprisingly comfy.

Wright believed that furniture should follow the lines of the room. He often told his clients to get rid of all their furniture and use his custom made pieces instead.

There are no paintings in the garden Room. For all his love of Asian art, Wright despised paintings. But there is a beautiful Asian screen and plenty of ceramics for decoration.

The space was renovated in 2003-04. It appears exactly as it did in 1959.

4. Living Quarters

The Wrights’ living quarters were completed in 1940. They overlook a landscaped courtyard.

One room is called the Swan Cove, named for the bird-themed Japanese screen mounted on the walls. it served as Oglivanna’s sitting room.

There’s a sparely furnished low ceilinged bedroom, with a desk where Wright would often work late into the night. It’s filled with Scandinavian furniture 

Metal pots hang on the bedroom’s fireplace. They’re not just decorative. Wright used them to make his late night soup snacks.

The bathroom still looks very modern. Wright wrapped the walls in sheet aluminum, a new building material at the time.

5. Dining Room

You can only peek at the dining room through glass walls. This was Wright’s second dining room.

His first was in a different place. But when the phone company put up telephone lines wrecking his view, he moved the dining room to the other side of the house.

There’s a massive fireplace just outside the dining room. When the doors are open, it’s an amazing indoor-outdoor space.

Nowadays, the dining room is rented out for special occasions and events.

The “kiva” resembles a pueblo, dark and windowless. It was inspired by Native American ceremonial spaces.

The kiva was originally used just for storage. But it was later turned into a movie room. Wright, not surprisingly, liked John Wayne. And his granddaughter was the actress Ann Baxter.

Red benches line three sides of the room, which has rough textured rock walls.

In this room, you can see Wright’s innovative square floor lights. He invented floor lighting because he hated light bulbs. There’s also one of Wright’s first drawings for the design of Taliesen West on the wall.

6. Drafting Studio

Wright viewed architectural drafting as a spiritual act. He once said: “I have never had any greater pleasure than to take a handful of colored pencils in one hand … and try to feel the design of the thing I want to do. It’s a great moment.”

The Taliesen West drafting studio was one of the first buildings constructed on the property beginning in 1938. Like the rest of Taliesen, it was built using materials found on site, allowing the architecture to connect with the environment and feel as if it belongs there.

This is where Wright presided over his students. There’s a large black and white photograph of him at one end of the room. According to lore, Wright was so prolific that “shook designs out of his sleeve.”

The studio’s roof angles toward the mountains. The roof was originally canvas. and open to the adjoining Pergola. But windows were added to enclose the space.

The exterior of the studio is a celebration of the desert. It’s a stone, concrete and glass sculpture. A pitched roof angles upward, drawing the eye toward the McDowell Mountains in the distance.

The room is open with a slew of drafting tables. They’re set close together. Wright thought would imbue the room with a sense of togetherness.

The pergola is a long promenade topped with buttress-like red wooden beams adjacent to the drafting studio. It’s lined with bright pink bougainvillea. The red doors open into the drafting studio.

Near the Pergola, you’ll find Wright’s famous fire breaking dragon. It greets guests during special evening events.

The dragon was originally a water feature. But Oglivanna installed a gas line and propped it atop a stone stele, so that dragon flames lit up the night sky.

8. Music Pavilion

I didn’t see the Music Pavilion on my tour. But this was the last structure that Wright himself oversaw at Taliesen West.

The pavilion is a theater that seats 108 people. The space was used for musical, dance, and theatrical performances.

The space was destroyed by fire in 1963, but was rebuilt.

The space has a series of curtained backdrops to accommodate different stage sets. There’s also an orchestra pit and a large abstract mural of the Chicago skyline.

9. Cabaret Theater

The Cabaret Theater was built in 1949-50 to replace the Kiva. It served as Wright’s custom made entertainment space for formal evenings. A gong sounded to summon you to the performance.

You enter through Mandarin red doors. Beyond the doors is a long passageway with views down into the cabaret, creating a dramatic entrance.

The angled floor and angled built in seating meant the guests had unimpeded views of the stage. Beneath the stage is another of Wright’s grand pianos. Today, strings of lights sparkle on the ceiling.

Wright was determined to make the space acoustically perfect. And he succeeded. The space is 95% flawless.

The cabaret stays cool because it’s partly underground. Dinner was served on tables that folded down when the performance started 

10. Chihuly Exhibit

I was incredibly happy to visit at a time when Taliesen West was mounting a Dale Chihuly exhibit. Chihuly is the United States’s most famous glass artist.

The exhibit pairs the artistry of two icons with like minds. Both Weight and Chihuly were inspired by light, color, and nature. You can see their work side-by-side at Taliesin West, to stunning effect.

Six large Chihuly glass installations are nestled on the property. You can see them until June 19, 2022.

They include:

•   Alabaster and Amber Spire Towers  at the Entry Plaza
•   Red Reeds and Niijima Floats  at the Front Pond
•   Black Saguaros and Scarlet Icicles  on the Studio Lawn
•   Golden Celedon Baskets  in The Garden Room
•   Fire Amber Herons  at the Tower Pool
• Marine Blue and Citron Tower  at the Garden Squares

The sculptures reflect the desert landscape. You’ll see glass pieces that look like barrel cactuses, black saguaros, yucca, agave, and desert reeds. In the large Garden Room, there are a beautiful series of golden baskets.

The Chihuly exhibit is two part and continues at the Desert Botanical Garden . The garden showcases Chihuly’s large-scale installations nestled among the garden’s world class collection of over 21,000 desert plants.

11. Pfeiffer-Jester House

After Frank Lloyd Wright’s death, several new structures were added to the Taliesin West compound. They included desert dwellings designed and built by Taliesin Fellowship apprentices and the building known today as the Jester-Pfeiffer House. 

Just a short walk from the main compound, this is the circular home of Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation archivist Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer.

The home was designed by Wright in 1938. It was originally meant to be built in California for Hollywood costume designer Ralph Jester.

But Jester cancelled the job when construction costs were too high. In 1971, Pfeiffer used the design to built a house at Taliesin West for his father. It’s a house featuring a series of round rooms.

Today, the Pfieffer House houses the Foundation’s Licensing Department. It’s sometimes included on tours.

Is Taliesen West Worth Visiting?

If you’re a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright or take your UNESCO sites seriously, Taliesen West is a must visit destination in Arizona. I have an Arts & Crafts style house, so it was an exciting visit for me.

But even if you don’t know much about architecture, the place is still fascinating. It’s a beautiful building with interesting and unique design features, reflecting a revolutionary period in the history of architecture.

To have the chance to visit one of Wright’s most personal creations, and one that he lived in, is an amazing opportunity.

Practical Information For Visiting Taliesen West

Address : 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Parking : There is free parking onsite.

• Tour Hours: Open Daily, 10:00 am – 4:20 pm
• Store Hours: Friday – Wednesday, 10:00am to 6:00 pm and Thursday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The store sells books, home decor, apparel, and art that celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright.

Entry fee : You can only visit Taliesen West on a 90 minute guided tour, which you need to reserve at least a week in advance. The cost is $49.99. You’ll get a good introduction to Wright, his life, designs, and his school. 

Self Guided Tour : You can also take a 60 minute self guided tour of the grounds at night for $35. The tour is entirely outdoors though.

In all but one room, there are places for everyone on the tour to sit down and rest. The tours vary depending on what has been renovated. You may see different spaces than I did.

Bring water and wear sunscreen and a hat. Be aware that there’s nowhere to eat at Taliesen West.

You can find rest rooms near the Kiva and in the Music Pavilion.

If you want to fuel up before or after your visit, Teaspressa (coffee, pastries), the Reserve (outdoor fine dining), or Cafe Monarch (contemporary American cuisine) are all nearby.

If you need a guide to Taliesen West, pin it for later.

2 thoughts on “Guide To Frank LLoyd Wright’s Taliesen West In Scottsdale Arizona”

What a talented man. You have a remarkable mind for all the details and a superb writer

I took good notes on the tour!

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Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

Touring the Arizona legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright

Visit Taliesin West and other buildings designed by, or inspired by, one of America’s pre-eminent architects.

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Thousands of senior citizens migrate to the Phoenix area each year seeking sun, golf and the good life.

Then there’s Frank Lloyd Wright.

He landed in the Sonoran Desert as a 62-year-old snowbird in 1929 and went on to generate one of the greatest architectural legacies of the 20th century. Here, in the final, remarkable flowering of a career that ultimately spanned seven decades, he built a winter home and studio; established a school (which still operates today); and conjured a handful of the most influential and inspirational pieces of architecture in America — including New York City’s Guggenheim Museum .

Though many of the masterpieces he crafted during this period were erected elsewhere, he also designed and built about a dozen significant projects in and around Phoenix, many of which still stand and offer public tours . Here’s a small selection of Wright (and Wright-related) sites on the must-see list.

Taliesin West

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In 1937, having already spent some time in the Sonoran Desert, Wright bought a plot of land at the foot of the McDowell Mountains and started to dream.

He envisioned a style of architecture that grew out of the sweeping vistas and sun-baked rocks of Arizona. And piece by piece, with the help of students, apprentices and acolytes, the dream he called Taliesin West began to take shape.

Today, the compound consists of about a dozen interconnected structures that house the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Together, the buildings function as a sort of 3D sketchbook, introducing visitors from all over the world to Wright’s revolutionary concept of “organic” architecture.

An organic building, in Wright’s view, was one whose site, form and materials coalesced into a unified whole. The apotheosis of this idea is Fallingwater , the architect’s residential masterwork in rural Pennsylvania. It’s built over a waterfall and is so sublimely formed and scaled that it appears to bloom out of the hillside, instead of sitting on it.

Likewise, Taliesin West looks and feels like an extension of the desert — low, rocky, spare and flooded with light. Its walls are masonry; the ceilings are canvas; and in Wright’s time, the windows were wide-open apertures to the desert air. (After he died, his more pragmatic wife had glass installed.)

Visitors may choose one of several docent-led tours, including the Panorama (one-hour highlights, $24-$28) and Insights (90-minute overview, $32-$36). Devout design geeks, should opt for the three-hour Behind the Scenes tour ($70-$75), which includes tea in the Taliesin Fellowship dining room; a talk by a Wright specialist and a peek into the architect’s humble living quarters, complete with his books and his surprisingly modern stainless-steel shower.

12345 N. Taliesin Drive, Scottsdale, Ariz. (480-627-5340 or franklloydwright.org ).

ASU Gammage Memorial Auditorium

Wright undertook the commission for this concert hall on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe when he was nearing 90; it was one of his final public projects. While it may not be the equal of his best work — it looks a little like an upside-down wedding cake on stilts — it has an interesting origin story .

In the 1950s, Wright designed an opera house for the city of Baghdad, at the behest of Iraq’s King Faisal II. But the king was assassinated in 1958, and his family’s monarchy deposed, so the plans were shelved.

Not long after, ASU president Grady Gammage approached Wright to design a signature concert hall for the campus. Wright (the story goes; some details are in dispute) took the Baghdad plans, brushed them off, stripped them down to fit a university budget — and Gammage Auditorium was born.

Wright didn’t live to see the 3,000-seat hall built, but today you can tour the interior, with its graciously intertwining curves and tiered balconies, or see a show there almost any weekend night. In earlier days, Gammage hosted artists such as Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and the Bolshoi Ballet; today it primarily presents touring Broadway productions.

1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, Ariz. For free building tours, offered on Mondays and also on other days by appointment, call 480-965-6912; for a schedule of performances, go to asugammage.com/shows

First Christian Church

This arresting building is another Wright project designed for one site but erected on another. It was originally meant to anchor the campus of a proposed Southwest Christian Seminary, but the seminary folded and the school was never built. More than a decade after Wright’s death, his widow granted Phoenix’s First Christian Church the right to implement the plans.

The finished structure, with its tall, pointy spire and even taller, pointier bell tower, makes a strange and wonderful architectural gesture: the artist stretching toward the divine.

The metaphor holds, indoors, as worshippers pass through a low-ceilinged lobby into an open, airy room of worship, moving from the earthly to the celestial. All around are rough stones — characteristic of Wright’s Arizona projects — and angles moving all directions, while small stained-glass windows overhead call to mind the intricately patterned skin of a snake.

Back outside, the scaly roof evokes another desert animal (though not one native to Arizona): the armadillo. And the 120-foot bell tower confounds: It’s designed to appear triangular from all sides, but it’s actually four-sided; and is said to be constructed of 300 tons of concrete, stone and steel, with no interior supporting structure.

Services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, 6750 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix (602-246-9206 and fccphx.com .

This stop on the Frank Lloyd Wright tour of central Arizona was not designed by Wright at all, but by Paolo Soleri , a revered architect, urban planner and philosopher who passed through the Taliesin Fellowship in the late 1940s.

Soleri, who was born in Italy in 1919 and died just two years ago in Phoenix, extended the idea of organic architecture in new and different directions. His philosophy of “ arcology ” — the integration of architecture and ecology — has inspired generations of thinkers concerned with pollution, population, consumption and quality of life.

Arcosanti, whose origins date to 1970, was conceived as a kind of living laboratory to explore some of Soleri’s ideas about living structures, communities and urban planning. Essentially, it’s a counter model to urban sprawl, in which people live, play and work in a very compact area. A windbell foundry is based at Arcosanti, providing much of the community’s income.

Arcosanti’s master plan is ambitious: It points ahead to a desert Utopia, where 5,000 people will coexist, sharing values of proximity, reduced consumption, creativity, frugality and so on. However, after four decades of planning and construction, it’s still in a formative stage: Fewer than 100 people currently live on site year-round, with many more coming and going as long- or short-term students, volunteers and visitors. At once visionary and unfinished, Arcosanti’s geometric, concrete forms look oddly like relics of the future.

Visitors are welcome at Arcosanti for a day or overnight. Hourlong tours set off from the windbell gallery/gift shop several times a day ($10). Longer specialty tours focusing on architecture, urban planning, desert birds and archaeology can be arranged for groups with advance notice.

A cafe serves buffet meals daily, and simple rooms with desert views can be booked overnight at moderate prices ($30 for a small room with a shared bath; $100 for a suite with kitchenette and living space).

Arcosanti is about an hour north of Phoenix in Mayer on Interstate 17. To find a taste of Soleri closer in, visit the Soleri Bridge and Plaza in downtown Scottsdale.

Arcosanti, 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Ariz. (928-632-7135 or arcosanti.org ). Soleri Bridge and Plaza, 4420 N. Scottsdale Road ( scottsdalepublicart.org ).

Where to stay

El Dorado : The modestly priced hotel of choice for fans of midcentury design. Don’t expect anything fancy, but the rooms are large (with kitchenettes and living spaces) and the whole place has a mod, garden-apartment vibe that’s irresistible. Weekends in April, $125-$150/night; 6825 E. Fourth St., Scottsdale. .

Hotel Valley Ho: Designed by Edward L. Varney, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, this circa 1956 property has more groovy orange-and-aqua details than Zsa Zsa Gabor had husbands. (Gabor was a regular visitor here, by the way.) Take the 90-minute Magical History Tour offered by the hotel to learn more about the Southwestern brand of modernism ($19.56). Weekends in April, $300-$360/night; 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. to learn more about the Southwestern brand of modernism ($19.56). Weekends in April, $300-$360/night; 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale.

Arizona Biltmore Hotel : Wright was a consulting architect on this stunning, luxury resort, which opened in 1929. The original hotel was built entirely of precast blocks made of desert sand and imprinted with deco patterns inspired by palm trees. If you’re priced out of staying here (and most people will be), pull up a stool at its Wright Bar, have a glass of wine and marvel at the surroundings. 1.5-hour tours of the Arizona Biltmore are offered three times a week. Weekends in April begin at $360/night; 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix.

More information

franklloydwrightsites.com/arizona/arizona.htm

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Taliesin West Tours

Taliesin West Tours: How to Prepare & What to Expect

If you’re planning to visit Taliesin West during your visit to Scottsdale, Arizona, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with all the tour options available to ensure you purchase the right tour for your timeline, budget, and interests.

Discover everything you need to know about this famous museum in Scottsdale , including tour options, ticket prices, and rules for visiting Taliesin West!

What Is Taliesin West?

Taliesin West is nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains and was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s. Taliesin West was created as Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory and winter home. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark that welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year.

Taliesin West is maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and serves as an excellent example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative architecture. This popular attraction is located at 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259.

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Tour Options for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

Find the best tour for you to explore Taliesin West—the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Home & Studio Audio Tour

The Home & Studio Audio Tour is a self-guided audio tour that allows you to explore Taliesin West’s iconic spaces, both inside the buildings and outdoors, with your smartphone and headphones. You’ll be able to see the highlights of the Desert Laboratory and all the places where Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked with his apprentices.

• Schedule: Thursday through Monday
• Duration: 60-minute self-guided walking tour
• Price: $39 for adults, $27 for students, and $19 for youth

Highlights Audio Tour

This self-guided tour is very similar to the previous tour, but it begins on October 1st, 2022. It’s ideal for first-time guests because the tour takes you through the most popular places on the property and grounds, including the Garden Room, Drafting Studio, and the Prow at Taliesin West.

This self-guided tour includes music and narration from Frank Lloyd Wright. You’ll need to download a free app to embark on the tour, so please bring your smartphone and headphones.

• Schedule: Daily (First tour begins at 11:20 AM)

In-Depth Guided Tour

If you’re a fan of guided tours, you’ll love the In-Depth Guided Tour of Taliesin West. This 90-minute tour allows guests to ask questions to a knowledgeable guide while walking around the Historic Core of Taliesin West with a small group.

While you’ll see the same highlights of Taliesin West as the self-guided audio tours, you’ll also gain access to private living spaces that can only be seen on this tour. You will also dive deeper into the history of the site, architecture of the buildings, and life of Frank Lloyd Wright on this guided group tour.

• Schedule: Daily (First tour starts at 10 AM)
• Duration: 90-minute guided walking tour
• Price: $49 for adults, $35 for students, and $24 for youth

Programs at Taliesin West

In addition to tours, guests can also attend fun cultural events and programs at Taliesin West.

Starting in December, guests can attend “ Friday Night Films ” at Taliesin West to watch cinematic classics that Wright may have watched like It’s a Wonderful Life , followed by conversations about how the movie may connect with his architectural work.

Starting in October, Taliesin West begins taking reservations for the “ Sunset & Sips ” happy hour. On the second and fourth Thursday of each month, guests can walk the pathways of Taliesin West with a drink in hand to soak up the gorgeous landscape of the Sonoran Desert. This popular program is one of the most romantic date nights in Scottsdale!

Taliesin West Tour FAQs

Do i need tickets to visit taliesin west.

Yes, you need tickets to explore Taliesin West. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation recommends securing ticket reservations online in advance. However, there are usually a select number of tickets you can purchase at Taliesin West on-site the day of your tour.

Is there a Frank Lloyd Wright store?

Yes, there is a Frank Lloyd Wright store guests can visit before or after tours of Taliesin West. The store has Wright-inspired products to purchase that will allow you to commemorate your trip to Scottsdale and Taliesin West. The store hours are Thursday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Are photos allowed?

If you want to bring your camera to take photos of nature, art, architecture, and the scenic outdoors at Taliesin West, you’re in luck! Photography for personal use is permitted, but tripods and drones are prohibited.

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Scottsdale Stories

Frank lloyd wright's inspiration lives on in scottsdale.

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in 1867 and was a controversial character who some say never constructed a building that was watertight and always argued with his clients. He had a definite aesthetic and knew how a building was supposed to look, including how each room should be furnished once the commissioned building was complete. Hiring Wright to

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in 1867 and was a controversial character who some say never constructed a building that was watertight and always argued with his clients. He had a definite aesthetic and knew how a building was supposed to look, including how each room should be furnished once the commissioned building was complete. Hiring Wright to construct a home was agreeing to live by his vision – no exceptions.

Wright’s legacy lives on today in Scottsdale at Taliesin West ,  which served not only as the architect’s winter home, but also was where his apprentices worked and lived. Starting in 1937, Wright and his last wife, Olgivanna, made the annual trek to Scottsdale. During the first years, the Wrights essentially camped out in the desert. As Taliesin West evolved, Wright’s School of Architecture grew and prospered. Today, you can take one of many tours to explore the legacy and the legend that is Scottsdale’s only National Historic Landmark.

The 90-minute Insights Tour is offered daily and explores the Wrights’ private quarters, the drafting studio and the impressive Music Pavilion. With each stop on the tour, your guide will share stories of the property. For a more in-depth exploration, I recommend either the 3-hour Behind the Scenes Tour or the 2-hour Details Tour. I took the Details Tour recently and was fascinated that I discovered things I’ve not noticed on my previous visits.

Depending on the guide, you’ll hear different stories. On the afternoon I visited, our guide even played Wright’s piano. While many of the furnishings are reproductions, the piano is an original, so moments such as this are treasures. Looking out over the gardens, it’s easy to imagine what it must have been like on a winter’s evening in the early 1940s, with no power lines, no housing developments, no sounds of airliners overhead. The only sounds would have likely been a coyote howling in the distance or a hawk calling from the nearby McDowell Mountains. It is not hard to imagine why Wright lost his heart to the Sonoran Desert and why he wanted to keep his designs simple to welcome in the breathtaking natural setting.

You can also take a 60-minute audio tour if you're a little short on time. The audio tour immerses you in the Desert Laboratory, giving you insight into the story of Taliesin West. You'll be able to go at your own pace and explore the campus using your headphones and smartphone. Also available are group tours for company outings and you can speak to a coordinator on renting the house out as a venue.

As you explore Scottsdale, you will see other reminders of Wright. One of the most visible is at the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. The Frank Lloyd Wright Spire is a 75,000-pound, 125-foot-tall spire built in 2004 to honor a design Wright offered in 1957 for the Arizona Capitol building. His design, dubbed “The Oasis,” was a futuristic spire and glass canopy that stymied the state legislators at the time. At night, the Spire lights up in blue and green and can be spotted for miles.

Other Wright influences include Gammage Auditorium on the Arizona State University campus in nearby Tempe. Wright had originally planned a similar design for an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq but that structure was never built. Gammage Auditorium opened in 1964 and to attend a performance there is to witness the genius of Wright’s concepts for public spaces. As you walk up the winding paths to the upper seats, you’ll notice Wright’s indoor/outdoor design aesthetic. Best of all, even the highest seats have wonderful acoustics. Building tours of Gammage are available.

Not only can you see Wright’s buildings, but as you explore Scottsdale architecture , it becomes obvious that his influence was on the minds of other architects who designed our hotels, office spaces and public buildings. One of Wright’s most famous students, the late Paolo Soleri, created his Cosanti studio in the residential neighborhood of nearby Paradise Valley. Soleri’s studio, workshop and his creative bronze bells are a testament to Soleri’s creativity and a nod to his early mentor.

Over his lifetime, Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 1,100 architectural works, 532 of which were constructed. The School of Architecture at Taliesin West remains a vital part of today’s architectural scene, completing projects not only here in Scottsdale, but around the world.

Susan Lanier-Graham has been living in Arizona for more than 20 years. She is a freelance food, wine and travel writer who wanders the world in search of "wow moments." She finds many of them right here at home. You can find more of her travels at  www.wanderwithwonder.com .

Road construction may lead to delays, so please plan your visit accordingly.

Introductory House Tour

Discover the architecture, landscaping, and furnishings of Taliesin as we tour both the interior and exterior of this historic home at a fast pace!

Rates & Starting Location

Adult – $42 Student, Senior & Military – $37

Children (including infants) under the age of 8 are not permitted on the House Tour.

The meeting Location is the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center (Spring Green, WI).

The fast-paced One-hour House Tour explores Frank Lloyd Wright’s extraordinary home, designed and modified by the architect over nearly fifty years. This tour looks at two of the major spaces in Wright’s career, including the living quarters of Taliesin and his personal studio, where he designed many of his masterpieces, including Fallingwater.

A short shuttle ride will bring you to Taliesin, where you will traverse several key spaces in life of Wright, including:

• Beautiful courtyards near the home
• The personal drafting studio of Frank Lloyd Wright
• Portions of the main house, including the living room, Loggia, and Wright’s bedroom and Terrace. 
• The furnishings and artwork from the collection of Frank Lloyd Wright and his Fellowship

Due to the fast pace of this tour, photography opportunities are limited.

Note that this tour is divided between the grounds and interiors, with approximately 15 minutes devoted to exterior exploration. Due to staffing limitations, our May One-Hour House Tour schedule may vary. Please refer to our tour  calendar  for current availability.

Accessibility

The tours begin on the picturesque rural estate that has some unique characteristics. All tours require a significant amount of standing, stair climbing, and walking on uneven terrain. There are several series of steps and some with no handrails. Some exterior walkways consist of loose gravel or grassy pathways. There is no opportunity to leave the group should you wish to stay behind. Our public tours are not wheelchair accessible. We can arrange private accessible tours with three weeks’ notice.  Please call directly for details . 877-588-7900 Ext 229. We share this information so that all guests may be fully prepared for what to expect.

Cancellation Policy

Tickets are non-refundable, even if plans change due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 24 HOURS NOTICE is required to reschedule a tour or provide a tour credit (in the form of a gift card) for a future tour. Same-day cancellations will not be recompensed. In the unfortunate event Taliesin Preservation cancels a tour or event, guests will be notified in advance and offered a full refund back to the original method of payment or a credit valid through the following tour season.

Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as space is limited per tour. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased using a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

What is the main difference between the tours which one should i take, we offer a variety of tours which vary by duration and sights seen. while there is some overlap in terms of the areas seen, each tour is very different and often guests take more than once during their visit. in general, our most popular tours are the house tour and highlights tour, which also run the most often. in addition, our estate tour is also popular and the most in-depth tour of taliesin. however, if you are short on time, consider taking the highlights tour, which combines overviews of both taliesin and hillside into a quick-paced 2-hour tour. if you've taken the estate tour or highlights tour, it would not be necessary to take an additional tour. however, the house tour and hillside studio & theater tour are complimentary of one another., are there any age limits can we bring our kids, yes, children ages 10 and older are allowed on the tour. as parents, you should use your best judgment as to whether your child will enjoy the tour. if you have young children, we advise taking the driftless landscape tour, as this is the only tour children under the age of 10 are permitted to attend., what about inclement weather, tours will run rain or shine. most of the buildings on the taliesin estate do not have heat or air-conditioning. we suggest you check the forecast and dress appropriately for the weather as our tours go out regardless of conditions., can we explore taliesin on our own or do we need to take a tour, the taliesin estate is privately owned and is therefore accessible only on a guided tour. the frank lloyd wright visitor center, which houses the taliesin gift shop and the riverview terrace cafe is free of charge but guests must have tour tickets to view the remainder of the property. the frank lloyd wright visitor center is open to the public every day from may 1 through october 31., how will we get to the taliesin estate from the frank lloyd wright visitor center, part of the tour includes short 5-minute drive to the estate and back from the frank lloyd wright visitor center in one of our climate-controlled shuttles. while the drive to the estate is short, your guide will provide narration along the way., how much walking or standing will there be will i be able to sit down, other than during the shuttle ride, guests will be standing or walking for most of the tour. generally, the first 15 minutes of the tour is spent exploring the gardens and courtyards, and the rest is spent inside the house. please note we do walk at a casual pace, but we will be walking on some uneven terrain including gravel walkways and grassy areas., is taliesin handicap accessible, since the tour covers uneven terrain and stairs, as well as boarding our shuttle, we do not advise this tour for those with accessibility issues. if you are concerned about accessibility please contact us prior to purchasing tickets to determine which tours are best suited to your abilities. accessible tours are available by special arrangement with 3 weeks' notice. if you have any questions or would like to schedule an accessible tour, please contact us., do you allow photography, due to the fast-paced nature of this tour, photography opportunities are limited., can i leave the tour early, guests are shuttled from the frank lloyd wright visitor center to the estate so guests will not be able to leave during the tour., is taliesin open all year round, the regular tour season runs from may 1 through october 31. taliesin offers 2-hour house tours in april and november on friday, saturdays, and sundays. private tours of the house can be scheduled at any time of year., do you have a gift shop, yes, the taliesin gift shop is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during our regular season from may 1 through october 31. in april and november, our gift shop is open fridays, saturdays, and sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm., what should i wear what should i bring, since a portion of the tour takes place outside, we recommend being prepared for the day's weather and wearing comfortable clothing and shoes. note there are gravel walkways that connect the buildings, so please be sure to wear appropriate shoes. in terms of what to bring, we generally find the fewer items you carry with you, the more comfortable you will be., are food and drinks available for purchase, yes, bottled water can be purchased in the gift shop. please note that outside drinks, other than bottled water, are not permitted on tours., are there any restaurants nearby, yes, located within the frank lloyd wright visitor center, the riverview terrace cafe has a warm and friendly atmosphere with windows that span the entire length of the building, giving diners an unforgettable view overlooking the scenic wisconsin river. for those traveling for business or pleasure, the restaurant also has free access to wi-fi. sit, dine, relax and enjoy see cafe hours above., are restrooms available along the tour, restrooms are available in the frank lloyd wright visitor center. we recommend using the facilities prior to the departure of your tour., is there parking available, yes, there is a free parking lot at the frank lloyd wright visitor center., are pets allowed to come, certified service dogs are always welcome. other pets are not permitted on tours. also please note there is limited shade in our parking lot and pets should not be left in vehicles while guests are attending tours., is smoking allowed, smoking is permitted in the exterior areas near the frank lloyd wright visitor center. smoking is prohibited on the grounds of the taliesin estate., do you offer gift cards, yes gift cards are available and they make perfect gifts for holidays, birthdays, or any other occasion, do you offer group tours, yes, in addition to offering tours to the general public, we also welcome larger groups to the taliesin estate. for these groups, we offer the hillside school tour, the 1-house tour, the 2-hour house tour, the highlights tour, and the estate tour. to set up a group tour, please contact us., can we do a private tour, yes, private tours are available year-round. to set up a private tour please contact us..

• Open 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Private tours available with advanced reservation.

5607 County Road C

Spring Green, WI 53588

Taliesin West

12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd

Scottsdale, AZ 85259

TALIESIN PRESERVATION

Taliesin preservation, inc. all rights reserved. cookies legal disclaimer privacy policy terms and conditions, privacy overview.

You’re in the Wright Place!

Frank Lloyd Wright Site Tours

Immerse yourself in the visionary genius of Frank Lloyd Wright by exploring his iconic structures. From sprawling estates like the Dana-Thomas House to cozy cottages, Wright’s designs continue to inspire! Many of his creations offer public tours, creating a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience Wright’s architectural philosophy firsthand.

Whether you’re a lifelong architecture enthusiast or simply curious about this American design master, a Frank Lloyd Wright house tour is an unforgettable experience. With locations across the country, there’s a Wright design waiting to be discovered.

Featured Tours

Bachman-Wilson House (1956)

Bernard Schwartz House (1939)

Bradley House (1900)

Cedar Rock – Lowell Walter House (1945)

Charnley-Persky House (1892)

City National Bank & Hotel (1909)

Dana-Thomas House (1902)

Fabyan Villa

Fallingwater

Florida Southern College (1938-1954)

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio (1889)

George Stockman House (1908)

(This page may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure about affiliate links here .)

Additional Resources, Links & Products

Wright Sites: A Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright Public Places (Amazon book)

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Public Buildings by Thomas A. Heinz (Amazon book)

Boulter House (1954)

Auldbrass Plantation

O’Connor House (1916)

McCartney House (1949)

For your home.

Yvonne Carpenter-Ross

Flw enthusiast & webmaster.

Architecture and home design have always fascinated me. As a young girl I enjoyed drawing floor plans, rearranging my parent’s furniture and playing with Lincoln Logs and Legos.  My passion has always been the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Since I have been old enough to drive a car, I have visited Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Chicagoland area and attended the Wright Plus house walks. Now, as co-owners of Northern Sky Designs , my husband & I are able to combine our website design skills and FLW travels to bring you this website! Enjoy!

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Home and Studio

Frank Lloyd Wright’s first home and studio (1889-1909) was the birthplace of an architectural revolution. Wright used his home to explore design concepts that contained the seeds of his architectural philosophy. In his adjacent studio, Wright and his associates developed a new American architecture – the Prairie style. The historic district surrounding the Home and Studio has the greatest number of Wright-designed residences worldwide.

Date & Time

10 am - 4 pm daily

951 Chicago Avenue Oak Park , IL 60302 United States

Home and Studio: Inside and Out

Combine a guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio with an outdoor self-guided audio walking tour of the surrounding Historic District. See the famed homes that were designed in Wright's studio. Excellent value for a more comprehensive experience. Tours may be taken in any order. Self-guided outdoor tours are available in eight languages (English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish).

Trust members receive $20 discount on Inside and Out tours—call 312.994.4000 for reservations.

1 hr 45 mins (interior tour: 60 minutes, outdoor tour: 45 minutes)

$30 General

Home and Studio Guided Interior Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Wright's Home and explore the Studio where the first uniquely American architecture - the Prairie style - was created.

This tour and the Robie House: A Modern Home are free to Trust members. Learn more at Membership .

$20 General, Free for Trust members

Tour and Ticket Information

Entry into the Home and Studio is by guided tour only.

Advance tickets are highly recommended. Purchase tickets online or call our box office at 312.994.4000.

All guests, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Children under 8 are not permitted on interior tours.

Late arrivals will join their specified tour in progress.

Strollers are not permitted inside the Home and Studio.

Tickets are not refundable or exchangeable.

For tickets purchased online or over the phone, guests must check-in at the Museum Shop before joining their tour . Guests will not be allowed to join a tour without checking-in first. We recommend arriving to the Museum Shop no later than 15 minutes before the start time of your tour or event.

Visit our  Group Tours  page to book a tour for groups of 10 or more.

Day-of tickets may be purchased online or over the phone up to 30 minutes prior to the tour start time.

Self-guided Walking Tours are available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Closed:  Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Accessibility

The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust welcomes all guests. We recognize the diverse needs of our audience and offer accessible programming to enable guests to explore the powerful aesthetic experiences of authentic Wright sites, preserved to Wright’s original design vision.

For questions about site accessibility and how we can accommodate your specific needs, call 312.994.4000 or email  [email protected] . Find more accessibility information on our Plan Your Visit page .

Photography

Still photography is permitted on tours. Share your photos using #FLWTrust.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Home and Studio sits on the ancestral lands of the Potawatomi, Miami, Kickapoo, and Peoria Nations. Today, Native peoples from over 100 tribes live in the Chicago area, one of the largest urban American Indian communities in the United States. Native peoples continue to contribute to the life of this region by celebrating their heritage, practicing traditions, and caring for the land and waterways.

Members-Only Program: Farming at Taliesin

September 14, 2024 taliesin — members only.

On September 14, members will have an opportunity to learn how the Foundation upholds the agricultural traditions of Taliesin. Farmer Gary Zimmer will discuss the sustainable and organic farming practices employed at Taliesin and how they help the Foundation be the best ecological stewards to the 800-acre property.

Space is limited – reserve your spot today!

Registrants will receive an email with parking instructions and other event details one week prior to this event.

Time: 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Tickets: $5 Location: Midway Barn at Taliesin

The Whirling Arrow

News and updates from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Frank Lloyd Wright + Arizona

Frank Lloyd Wright’s connection to Arizona, the location of his personal winter home Taliesin West, runs deep, with his architectural influence seen all over the Valley. Here, PhD student David R. Richardson gives a brief overview of several of Wright’s most notable projects in the Grand Canyon state.

Celebrating World Art Day April 15, 2024

Stay in a piece of design history

There’s no mistaking the pioneering style of America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Now here’s your chance to stay in one of his legendary properties

Search by destination, accommodation or landmark

Ages 0 to 17

In 1923 Swiss architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, described houses as “machines for living in.” It became the defining tenet of modernist residential architecture. But Frank Lloyd Wright, the other titan of 20th century architecture, couldn’t have agreed less.   While most modernists looked up and dreamed of gleaming glass towers and stacked apartments in residential blocks, Wright thought horizontally. From his early “Prairie Style” houses through to his late masterpieces, Wright created generous, stretched-out open spaces that had internal vistas and horizons.

In other words, homes for living in, rather than structures to be admired.  While others created stark white boxes, all but ignorant of their surroundings, Wright created houses of strata, outcrops and creeping cantilevered roofs in redbrick and wood, “organic architecture” that lived in nature.   The Guggenheim museum, overlooking New York’s Central Park, is perhaps Wright’s most famous building. But Fallingwater , set in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania and considered by many the finest house of the 20th century, is his masterpiece. Now on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it emerges out of the landscape as if divinely intended.  

Wright was a singular architect, a difficult visionary who created open-hearted, human-scale houses. He was also prolific—he designed almost 1,000 structures, of which 400 were built—which means that the U.S. is dotted with fine Wright-designed houses of different vintages, some of them available to rent right here on Vrbo. We’re proud to be partners of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , and to celebrate the month of his birthday, here are a few of our favorites.

Norman Lykes House 

The Palmer House 

The Cornwell House

The Elam House    

The Usonian Homes were perhaps Wright at his most utopian, a post-Great Depression model for highly crafted and uplifting affordable housing. The Elam House, completed in 1951 in Austin, Minnesota, is one of the largest surviving examples. And it offers the most affordable way of getting up close to one of Wright’s most iconic residential designs.  This home features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, three floor-to-ceiling fireplaces (a Wright trademark), soaring ceiling heights, 100 windows and, at Mr Elam’s request, an original Hammond organ in the main living room.  Unfortunately you can’t stay there as it’s a private house—but you can settle into its 820-square-foot, one-bedroom guest house. From there you can take in the main house’s meticulous stonework exterior, which took two years to complete, and its cantilevered balcony, supported by massive limestone pillars. Plus guest-house residents get a free and otherwise unavailable tour of the main building. 

Nick Compton

Nick Compton is a freelance writer and editor who writes about design, architecture, travel, technology and more. A contributing editor and former features director at Wallpaper* magazine, his work has appeared in numerous publications in the U.K. and U.S.

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