01

Day 01

Papago Park, the Heard & the Desert

Desert plants, red buttes and the Southwest's finest museum of American Indian art.

1. Morning

   Desert Botanical Garden

   Arrive at the Desert Botanical Garden at opening, when it is coolest, and walk the Desert Discovery Loop among saguaros and cacti.

2. Late Morning

   Hole-in-the-Rock

   Drive a few minutes to Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park and climb the short trail to the natural window in the butte.

3. Lunch

   Arcadia

   Have lunch in the Arcadia neighborhood, at the foot of Camelback Mountain.

4. Afternoon

   Heard Museum

   Spend the hottest hours at the Heard Museum, exploring its collections of American Indian art.

5. Late Afternoon

   Phoenix Art Museum

   Walk to the nearby Phoenix Art Museum, the largest art museum in the Southwest.

6. Evening

   Pizzeria Bianco

   End the day downtown with wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria Bianco on Heritage Square, expecting a wait at peak times.

02

Day 02

Scottsdale & Frank Lloyd Wright

Desert architecture, bronze bells and the galleries of Old Town.

1. Morning

   Taliesin West

   Take a morning tour of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home and studio, booked in advance.

2. Late Morning

   Cosanti

   Visit Cosanti, the studio of architect Paolo Soleri, known for its earth-cast concrete structures and bronze bells.

3. Lunch

   Old Town Scottsdale

   Have lunch in Old Town Scottsdale.

4. Afternoon

   Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

   Explore contemporary art and design at the museum, then browse the galleries of Old Town.

5. Late Afternoon

   Soleri Bridge and Scottsdale Waterfront

   Walk along the canal to the Soleri Bridge.

6. Evening

   FnB

   Dine at FnB, known for its seasonal, vegetable-forward cooking and Arizona wines.

03

Day 03

Sunrise Hike & Musical Instrument Museum

A mountain sunrise, a world of music and sunset over the Valley.

1. Morning

   Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain

   Start before sunrise for a hike in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve or on Camelback, carrying plenty of water.

2. Late Morning

   Breakfast in Arcadia

   Refuel with breakfast near the mountain.

3. Lunch

   Musical Instrument Museum

   Drive to the Musical Instrument Museum and have lunch at its cafe before exploring.

4. Afternoon

   Musical Instrument Museum galleries

   Spend the afternoon in the geographic galleries and the Experience Gallery.

5. Late Afternoon

   Resort pool

   Cool off at your hotel or a resort pool.

6. Evening

   Dobbins Lookout

   Drive up South Mountain to Dobbins Lookout for sunset and the city lights, checking road hours.