Weekend (2 Days) · in Phoenix
A Phoenix Weekend: Desert Icons Plus Scottsdale
A weekend lets you combine Phoenix's desert icons with Scottsdale's architecture and art. Day one covers Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden and the Heard Museum. Day two explores Taliesin West, Cosanti and Old Town Scottsdale. It suits first-time visitors who want the essentials without rushing.
Day 01
Papago Park, the Heard & the Desert
Desert plants, red buttes and the Southwest's finest museum of American Indian art.
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.
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.
Lunch
Arcadia
Have lunch in the Arcadia neighborhood, at the foot of Camelback Mountain.
Afternoon
Heard Museum
Spend the hottest hours at the Heard Museum, exploring its collections of American Indian art.
Late Afternoon
Phoenix Art Museum
Walk to the nearby Phoenix Art Museum, the largest art museum in the Southwest.
Evening
Pizzeria Bianco
End the day downtown with wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria Bianco on Heritage Square, expecting a wait at peak times.
Day 02
Scottsdale & Frank Lloyd Wright
Desert architecture, bronze bells and the galleries of Old Town.
Morning
Taliesin West
Take a morning tour of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's desert home and studio, booked in advance.
Late Morning
Cosanti
Visit Cosanti, the studio of architect Paolo Soleri, known for its earth-cast concrete structures and bronze bells.
Lunch
Old Town Scottsdale
Have lunch in Old Town Scottsdale.
Afternoon
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Explore contemporary art and design at the museum, then browse the galleries of Old Town.
Late Afternoon
Soleri Bridge and Scottsdale Waterfront
Walk along the canal to the Soleri Bridge.
Evening
FnB
Dine at FnB, known for its seasonal, vegetable-forward cooking and Arizona wines.