Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
440
Architectural Highlights
Architecture buffs will find plenty to gape at in Phoenix. Here's a list of my
favorite buildings.
•
Arizona Biltmore
This resort hotel, although not designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright, shows the famed architect's hand in its distinctive cast-cement
blocks. It also displays sculptures, furniture, and stained glass designed by
Wright. To learn more about the building, reserve ahead for a tour ($10 for
nonguests, free for guests). The Biltmore is located at 2400 E. Missouri Ave.
(
&
602/955-6600
).
•
Burton Barr Library
This library is among the most daring pieces of
public architecture in the city, and no fan of futuristic art or science fiction
should miss it. The five-story cube is partially clad in enough ribbed copper
sheeting to produce roughly 17,500,000 pennies. It's located at 1221 N.
Central Ave. (
&
602/262-4636;
www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org). Free
admission.
•
Mystery Castle
Built for a daughter who longed for a castle more
permanent than those built in sand at the beach, Mystery Castle is a won-
drous work of folk-art architecture. The 18-room fantasy has 13 fireplaces,
parapets, and many other unusual touches. It's located at 800 E. Mineral
Rd. (
&
602/268-1581
). Admission $5 adults, $3 children 5-15. Closed
June-Sept.
•
Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright fell in love with the Arizona
desert and, in 1937, built Taliesin West as a winter camp that served as his
home, office, and school. Today, the buildings of Taliesin West are the
headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and School of Archi-
tecture. Basic tours cost $27 adults, $23 students and seniors, and $10 for
children (ages 6-12). Expanded Insight Tours ($32), behind-the-scenes tours
($60), guided desert walks ($33), apprentice shelter tours ($40), and night
hikes ($43) are available at certain times of year. Call ahead for schedule
information. Taliesen West is located at 12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. (at
Cactus/114th St.), Scottsdale (
&
480/860-8810
for information or 480/860-
2700, ext. 494, for reservations; www.franklloydwright.org).
13
600 E. Washington St.
&
602/716-2000.
www.azscience.org. Admission $9 adults, $7 seniors and chil-
dren 3-12. Planetarium and film combination tickets also available. Daily 10am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiv-
ing and Christmas. Bus: 0 or DASH downtown shuttle. METRO light rail: Central Station.
PARKS & ZOOS
Perhaps the most unusual park in the Phoenix metro area centers on
Tempe Town Lake,
620 N. Mill Ave., Tempe (
&
480/350-8625;
www.tempe.gov/lake), which was created
in 1999 by damming the Salt River with inflatable dams. Tempe's 2-mile-long lake is
lined with parks and bike paths on both the north and south shores. The best lake access
