Leigh Wilson - Arizona Day Trips by Theme

Dedication

For Amy, Jenny, and Olivia, thanks for tagging along on my first-ever trip to Arizona way back in 2008! Love you guys!

Acknowledgments

For itinerary help and recommendations, thanks to Jackie Leatherman of Go Lake Havasu, Ann Steward of Visit Prescott, and Meg Roederer of Discover Flagstaff. For recommendations on Native Arizona, thanks go to Donovan Hanley of Detours Native America.

Safety Note Arizona is home to a variety of potentially dangerous animals, including venomous snakes, scorpions, as well as natural hazards, such as temperature extremes, sudden flash floods, and cliffs and dropoffs. Always heed posted safety warnings, take common-sense safety precautions, and remain aware of your surroundings. Youre responsible for your own safety.

Cover and book design by Jonathan Norberg

Front cover photo: Wupatki National Monument (photographed by Traveller70/Shutterstock.com )

Back cover photo: Hot air balloons over London Bridge (photographed by Angel McNall Photography/Shutterstock.com )

All photos by Leigh Wilson, except

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Arizona Day Trips by Theme

Copyright 2020 by Leigh Wilson

Published by Adventure Publications

An imprint of AdventureKEEN

330 Garfield Street South

Cambridge, Minnesota 55008

(800) 678-7006

www.adventurepublications.net

All rights reserved

Printed in China

ISBN 978-1-59193-889-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-59193-890-3 (ebook)

Disclaimer Please note that travel information changes under the impact of many factors that influence the travel industry. We therefore suggest that you call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information throughout this book, and the contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, for changes in details given in this guide, or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided by the same. Assessments of attractions and so forth are based upon the authors own experiences; therefore, descriptions given in this guide necessarily contain an element of subjective opinion, which may not reflect the publishers opinion or dictate a readers own experience on another occasion.

Table of Contents

Arizona is a bright, dazzling place, and so is its artistic style

WHILE ITS TRUE that Phoenix is home to the majority of fine arts and performance spaces in Arizona, theres art and culture to be had in every corner of the state. From Native American art to contemporary art and performing arts, this is a sampling of some of the work that Arizona artists are producing.

CULTURAL PURSUITS:

Performing & Visual Arts

World-class performers produce five grand operas per season in both Tucson and Phoenix.

Enjoy seasonal performances of classic and contemporary ballet under the direction of a New York City Ballet alumnus.

Visit the hub of Flagstaffs vibrant arts and sciences community, with performing arts and rotating exhibits.

See where Soleri windbells are designed and produced, at two sites founded by Italian architect Paolo Soleri.

This vibrant campus in the heart of downtown Mesa has four theaters and more than a dozen art studios.

What do you do when youre a billionaire who loves musical instruments? Open one of the coolest museums in Arizona! Almost 7,000 instruments representing nearly every country in the world are on display here.

This museum and art gallery is all about the art of cowboys and Native Americans.

The Southwests largest art museum has an extensive art collection, from Renaissance to contemporary.

The largest regional theatre company in the Phoenix area produces more than 400 performances per year.

Encompassing the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Scottsdale Public Art, this complex offers a robust selection of art to explore.

Explore the history of the Southwest through art at this museum and adjoining art gallery.

Experience Western and contemporary art in historic Sonoran row homes of Tucsons Presidio District.

Visit the site of a famous art heist, and see works by Georgia OKeeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Norman Rockwell.

Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Opera

1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004; 602-266-7464, 520-293-4336 azopera.org

The Arizona Opera was born from the Tucson Opera Company, which was founded in 1971. Operas, concerts, and collaborative programs are produced throughout the state. The season includes five full-scale operas each year, with performances in Phoenix and Tucson as well as touring programs statewide. The season runs from September through April, and single-performance tickets start at a very reasonable $25.

Ballet Arizona

2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034; 602-381-0184 balletaz.org

Entertaining Arizona audiences since 1986, Ballet Arizona is led by Ib Andersen, an alumnus of the New York City Ballet. The season kicks off in September with Ballet Under the Stars, a series of free performances at Phoenix-area parks and ends with summer evenings at the in May and June. The company also has a robust offering of classes for all ages through the School of Ballet Arizona.

Coconino Center for the Arts

2300 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; 928-779-2300

Run by the Flagstaff Arts Council, the Coconino Center for the Arts is the hub of Flagstaffs vibrant arts and sciences community. This performing arts center and exhibition space has several gallery spaces featuring contemporary art and fine crafts. A 200-seat theater presents a wide variety of performances. Admission to the galleries is free, with donations accepted. Check the website for current exhibitions, which rotate frequently.

Cosanti and Arcosanti

Cosanti: 6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253; 480-948-6145 Arcosanti: Arcosanti Road, Mayer, AZ 86333; 928-632-7135 cosanti.com

Italian architect Paolo Soleri came to Arizona in the 1940s to study under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, and he later became famous for his bronze and ceramic windbells. Cosanti is more than just an art gallery; you can watch live demonstrations at the foundry or take a guided tour of the property. Seventy miles north in the town of Mayer, Soleri founded Arcosanti, an ongoing experiment in urban architecture and environmental accountability. Tours are conducted daily, and theres a cafe on-site for lunch. Its an interesting stop if youre en route to Flagstaff or Prescott.

Mesa Arts Center

1 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201; 480-644-6560 mesaartscenter.com

Downtown Mesa has an impressive performing and visual-arts campus, the largest in the state of Arizona. The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum features four exhibits that rotate quarterly and spotlight artists from Arizona. The campus also has four theaters and more than a dozen art studios. A robust class calendar includes music, ceramics, photography, glass, sculpture, and much more. Free campus tours take place Wednesdays, SeptemberMay; private tours can be arranged with two weeks notice.