Taliesin West, Scottsdale

My husband and I did the 90-minute tour of Taliesin and it was amazing. The buildings, the information the guide imparts, the views.....just the entire package. Sitting in furniture designed by FLW, walking through his rooms and hearing the history of how his commission from Falling Waters paid for the land in Scottsdale. The life of his apprentices as they built the structures and lived on the land. It all makes a perfect way to spend a couple hours enjoying the AZ sunshine and learning about the history, present day university and those who continue in FLW's footsteps. It's worth it....totally. There are several different tours....check ahead. I wanted to come back for the evening tour when the property was lit and the city sprawled below.......next time.

"Frank Lloyd Wright is listed with 20 buildings in the top 100 of best buildings ever", the guide told us but I forgot who's list it was. The tour was very dense with information and took app. 90 minutes. This is building is not one of his best in output but it has some very interesting ideas and concepts. FLW bought the land with a down-payment for Falling Water. He had students building it, they would learn by doing, and they would pay him for the experience. There was a lot of new experiences going on at the site, new building techniques, new techniques in light fixtures, acoustics. Like the "Last Supper" of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan also this complex suffers from it experimental origin. The harsh climate of the desert leaves it's traces on the complex. Many parts of the structure have already been replaced with more durable materials (wood beams in the roof by steel beams) and there is a plan to renovate for a huge some of money. FLR is not know for the quality of his roof structures, but if you want to see an original lay-out and how to connect the different buildings and their fuctionality, this is the place to get new inspiration.

Our guide was very informative - learned a lot about the area as well as FLW. * Note - skip the $2 bottle of water in the gift store prior to the tour - they give you one for free half way through!

Our experience was without flaw. Visited the center in mid January during a break from the Barrett-Jackson auto auction and can highly recommend it to those like us who do not consider themselves art and architecture groupies. On our tour we encountered no excessive FLW fawning or worship. Perhaps our best suggestion is to call ahead and find out when Phil will be leading tours....fun and informative and a great gentleman.

A must see for AZ. If your in to any kind of art you will love this place. The tour is not long and it is very interesting. The place is near mountains and has beatiful views.