Taliesin West Tours: How to Prepare & What to Expect

If you’re planning to visit Taliesin West during your visit to Scottsdale, Arizona, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with all the tour options available to ensure you purchase the right tour for your timeline, budget, and interests.

Discover everything you need to know about this famous museum in Scottsdale, including tour options, ticket prices, and rules for visiting Taliesin West!

What Is Taliesin West?

Taliesin West is nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains and was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s. Taliesin West was created as Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory and winter home. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark that welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year.

Taliesin West is maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and serves as an excellent example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative architecture. This popular attraction is located at 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259.

Tour Options for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

Find the best tour for you to explore Taliesin West—the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Home & Studio Audio Tour

The Home & Studio Audio Tour is a self-guided audio tour that allows you to explore Taliesin West’s iconic spaces, both inside the buildings and outdoors, with your smartphone and headphones. You’ll be able to see the highlights of the Desert Laboratory and all the places where Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked with his apprentices.

• Schedule: Thursday through Monday
• Duration: 60-minute self-guided walking tour
• Price: $39 for adults, $27 for students, and $19 for youth

Highlights Audio Tour

This self-guided tour is very similar to the previous tour, but it begins on October 1st, 2022. It’s ideal for first-time guests because the tour takes you through the most popular places on the property and grounds, including the Garden Room, Drafting Studio, and the Prow at Taliesin West.

This self-guided tour includes music and narration from Frank Lloyd Wright. You’ll need to download a free app to embark on the tour, so please bring your smartphone and headphones.

• Schedule: Daily (First tour begins at 11:20 AM)
• Duration: 60-minute self-guided walking tour
• Price: $39 for adults, $27 for students, and $19 for youth

In-Depth Guided Tour

If you’re a fan of guided tours, you’ll love the In-Depth Guided Tour of Taliesin West. This 90-minute tour allows guests to ask questions to a knowledgeable guide while walking around the Historic Core of Taliesin West with a small group.

While you’ll see the same highlights of Taliesin West as the self-guided audio tours, you’ll also gain access to private living spaces that can only be seen on this tour. You will also dive deeper into the history of the site, architecture of the buildings, and life of Frank Lloyd Wright on this guided group tour.

• Schedule: Daily (First tour starts at 10 AM)
• Duration: 90-minute guided walking tour
• Price: $49 for adults, $35 for students, and $24 for youth

Programs at Taliesin West

In addition to tours, guests can also attend fun cultural events and programs at Taliesin West.

Starting in December, guests can attend “Friday Night Films” at Taliesin West to watch cinematic classics that Wright may have watched like It’s a Wonderful Life, followed by conversations about how the movie may connect with his architectural work.

Starting in October, Taliesin West begins taking reservations for the “Sunset & Sips” happy hour. On the second and fourth Thursday of each month, guests can walk the pathways of Taliesin West with a drink in hand to soak up the gorgeous landscape of the Sonoran Desert. This popular program is one of the most romantic date nights in Scottsdale!

Taliesin West Tour FAQs

Do I need tickets to visit Taliesin West?

Yes, you need tickets to explore Taliesin West. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation recommends securing ticket reservations online in advance. However, there are usually a select number of tickets you can purchase at Taliesin West on-site the day of your tour.

Is there a Frank Lloyd Wright store?

Yes, there is a Frank Lloyd Wright store guests can visit before or after tours of Taliesin West. The store has Wright-inspired products to purchase that will allow you to commemorate your trip to Scottsdale and Taliesin West. The store hours are Thursday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Are photos allowed?

If you want to bring your camera to take photos of nature, art, architecture, and the scenic outdoors at Taliesin West, you’re in luck! Photography for personal use is permitted, but tripods and drones are prohibited.

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