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Phoenix
Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0

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.

2 days

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.

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.