Cosanti
Italian-born Paolo Soleri first came to Scottsdale in 1947
to study architecture with Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1956 Soleri started the Cosanti
Foundation to design energy- and space-efficient cities. At Cosanti (6433 E. Doubletree
Ranch Rd. in Paradise Valley, look for the sign "Soleri" on the south
side of the street, 480/948-6145, www.arcosanti.org,
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., donations welcome) you can see some
of Soleri's unique structures and learn about his ideas for making the world a better
place. The gallery/gift shop sells books, a video, drawings, sculpture, and Soleri's
famous windbells. You can often see the pouring of bronze to make bells 10a.m.-noon
on weekdays. From central Scottsdale, go north five miles on Scottsdale Road, then
turn left on Doubletree Ranch Road and continue one mile. You can also visit Soleri's
town-in-the-making, Arcosanti, 65 miles north of Phoenix (see North of Downtown
Phoenix).
Heard Museum North
This satellite of the Heard (The Summit at Scottsdale
32633 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480/488-9817, www.heard.org,
noon-5 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mon.-Sat., except to 5 p.m. in summer, $5 adults,
$4 seniors (55+), $2 students, free under 6) hosts two exhibitions annually, along
with a good gift shop.
Cave Creek and Carefree
The adjacent towns of Cave Creek and Carefree
lie in the foothills about 25 miles northwest of downtown Scottsdale and 30 miles
north of downtown Phoenix. They fit well into a scenic drive between northern Scottsdale
and northern Phoenix. Cave Creek has a good historical museum and Carefree features
one of the world's largest sundials. You'll also find many art galleries and several
restaurants. The Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce (748 Easy Street, 480/488-3381,
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., www.carefree-cavecreek.com),
along with the sundial and many shops, is near the southeast corner of Tom Darlington
and Cave Creek Roads. Maricopa County parks and the Tonto National Forest have scenic
areas to explore nearby—see Valley of the Sun Recreation.
To reach Cave Creek and Carefree from Scottsdale, follow Scottsdale Road, which
turns into Tom Darlington, north to its end. From Phoenix, drive north on Cave Creek
Road, or take I-17 north to Carefree Highway/AZ 74 (Exit 223), and head east 10.2
miles.
Cave Creek Museum (corner of Skyline Dr. and
Basin Rd. 480/488-2764, www.cavecreekmuseum.org,
1-4:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun., Oct.-May, $3 adult, $2 students and seniors 55+, free for
kids under 12) offers a look at the region's past. The Archaeology Wing holds a
fine collection of pottery, baskets, and other crafts from prehistoric and modern
times. The Pioneer Wing displays aspects of early mining, ranching, and home life.
Changing exhibits fill the central hall. Walk out back to see an early 1920s' tubercular
cabin and a small church. There's a well-preserved mining arrastre (primitive tool
to grind ore) in front. A gift shop offers books and crafts of Native Americans
and the Southwest. Turn east on Skyline Drive or south on Basin Road from Cave Creek
Road in Cave Creek.