Monday, January 23, 2006
PHOENIX: Blooming Cultural Mecca
Come to MLA Phoenix and discover the vibrant culture that charms its 1.5 million residents and increasing number of visitors. The cityscape of Phoenix in the surrounding southwest desert is growing and changing. Phoenix has transformed from the dusty small town of long ago to the fifth largest dynamic, thriving city in the country. Like its legendary mythological namesake, the Phoenix bird, the city itself continues to renew and bloom, making it one of the brightest spots on the national map. Plan to enjoy the many special places to visit while you are in Phoenix for MLA. These are just a few ideas:
Heard Museum: An Arizona Treasure http://www.heard.org/
The world-renowned Heard Museum is a “must-see” during your trip to Phoenix. The museum is dedicated to educating visitors about Native peoples of the Southwest. The Heard spans ten exhibit galleries and a beautiful outdoor courtyard. The latest signature exhibition is HOME: Native People in the Southwest reflects the importance of family and community in the traditions of Native people. The Heard is open daily 9:30 until 5:00 pm. Guided tours are available. Remember to stop in the famous Heard Museum Gift Shop to shop or browse the beautiful Native American jewelry and art creations. Delicious lunch selections are also available at Arcadia Farms at the Heard 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Museum is less than two miles from MLA and is a short five minute ride away.
Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation http://www.franklloydwright.org/
Taliesin West is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is the international headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Taliesin West began in 1937 when Wright purchased the land. He along with his architecture apprentices began his organic architecture studies here. The desert environment inspired his organic philosophy of architecture conserving the natural environment. He continued to work, teach organic design and build on the site for twenty more years. Wright used the location as his personal home, studio and campus for his architectural school. A variety of tours are available seven days a week in May. Taliesin West is located approximately 27 miles from downtown Phoenix. Allow at least 30 minutes travel time to Scottsdale. Please check the Website or call 480-860-2700 for additional information.
Desert Botanical Garden http://www.dbg.org/
The Desert Botanical Garden, located at Papago Park, is home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world. The Garden is a one-of-a-kind 50-acre museum of outdoor desert plant exhibits. The Desert Botanical Garden seeks to promote the appreciation of the Sonoran Desert and the importance of conserving the desert environment. Exhibits explore using desert plants for food, construction, tools, basket-making and more. Throughout the year garden tours include birding, wildflower classes, cactus and desert plant collection. Tours are seven days a week 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. in May. The Garden is a 15 minute drive from MLA headquarters in downtown Phoenix and about a nine mile drive. Visit the Website to find out “How to Get the Most out of Your Visit.”
Sedona: Red Rock Country http://www.visitsedona.com/
Arizona’s spectacular red rock country is a short two hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona is located at beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. The winding road through Oak Creek Canyon is one of Arizona’s scenic highways, as well as on the way to the Grand Canyon. The area is a delight to any visitor. Whether you are interested in a Jeep tour, hiking, archaeology, geology, art galleries, shopping in Sedona’s eclectic shops, or relaxing at an outdoor patio restaurant taking in the breathtaking scenery, you will enjoy Sedona any way you chose to spend your time. Sedona is located 120 miles north of Phoenix, so plan on a two hour drive to see Arizona’s beautiful red rock country. Visit the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce for specific information regarding travel plans - http://www.visitsedona.com/
Indian Ruins
What is a visit to Arizona without exploring one of our spectacular Indian ruins?
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is located in downtown Phoenix at 44th Street and Washington. The 100 acre park and museum is dedicated to the study of the prehistoric Hohokam people, who lived as farmers in the Valley of the Sun until 1450 AD. Pueblo Grande Museum is a convenient ten minute drive and only seven miles from our downtown Phoenix MLA meeting location. Educational programs and guided tours are regularly scheduled. Please check the Website: http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/pueblo.html
Heard Museum: An Arizona Treasure http://www.heard.org/
The world-renowned Heard Museum is a “must-see” during your trip to Phoenix. The museum is dedicated to educating visitors about Native peoples of the Southwest. The Heard spans ten exhibit galleries and a beautiful outdoor courtyard. The latest signature exhibition is HOME: Native People in the Southwest reflects the importance of family and community in the traditions of Native people. The Heard is open daily 9:30 until 5:00 pm. Guided tours are available. Remember to stop in the famous Heard Museum Gift Shop to shop or browse the beautiful Native American jewelry and art creations. Delicious lunch selections are also available at Arcadia Farms at the Heard 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Museum is less than two miles from MLA and is a short five minute ride away.
Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation http://www.franklloydwright.org/
Taliesin West is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is the international headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Taliesin West began in 1937 when Wright purchased the land. He along with his architecture apprentices began his organic architecture studies here. The desert environment inspired his organic philosophy of architecture conserving the natural environment. He continued to work, teach organic design and build on the site for twenty more years. Wright used the location as his personal home, studio and campus for his architectural school. A variety of tours are available seven days a week in May. Taliesin West is located approximately 27 miles from downtown Phoenix. Allow at least 30 minutes travel time to Scottsdale. Please check the Website or call 480-860-2700 for additional information.
Desert Botanical Garden http://www.dbg.org/
The Desert Botanical Garden, located at Papago Park, is home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world. The Garden is a one-of-a-kind 50-acre museum of outdoor desert plant exhibits. The Desert Botanical Garden seeks to promote the appreciation of the Sonoran Desert and the importance of conserving the desert environment. Exhibits explore using desert plants for food, construction, tools, basket-making and more. Throughout the year garden tours include birding, wildflower classes, cactus and desert plant collection. Tours are seven days a week 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. in May. The Garden is a 15 minute drive from MLA headquarters in downtown Phoenix and about a nine mile drive. Visit the Website to find out “How to Get the Most out of Your Visit.”
Sedona: Red Rock Country http://www.visitsedona.com/
Arizona’s spectacular red rock country is a short two hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona is located at beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. The winding road through Oak Creek Canyon is one of Arizona’s scenic highways, as well as on the way to the Grand Canyon. The area is a delight to any visitor. Whether you are interested in a Jeep tour, hiking, archaeology, geology, art galleries, shopping in Sedona’s eclectic shops, or relaxing at an outdoor patio restaurant taking in the breathtaking scenery, you will enjoy Sedona any way you chose to spend your time. Sedona is located 120 miles north of Phoenix, so plan on a two hour drive to see Arizona’s beautiful red rock country. Visit the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce for specific information regarding travel plans - http://www.visitsedona.com/
Indian Ruins
What is a visit to Arizona without exploring one of our spectacular Indian ruins?
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is located in downtown Phoenix at 44th Street and Washington. The 100 acre park and museum is dedicated to the study of the prehistoric Hohokam people, who lived as farmers in the Valley of the Sun until 1450 AD. Pueblo Grande Museum is a convenient ten minute drive and only seven miles from our downtown Phoenix MLA meeting location. Educational programs and guided tours are regularly scheduled. Please check the Website: http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/pueblo.html
