2012-2013 Fountain Hills Community Guide—Page 53
Attractions (continued from page 52) hot dogs, brats, s’mores, alcoholic drinks and sodas range from $1 to $5. Adventures include a city slicker cattle drive, Verde River kayaking, Segway tours, Verde River trail ride and jeep tour. The Yavapai Experience explains the ancient culture, history and lifestyle of the Yavapai people. “Adult Education” classes began in March 2012 for the “over 21” adult crowd. On the last Friday of the month, guests camp overnight in tents or stay at Fort McDowell Radisson Resort. Live music, a catered menu and adult competitions such as a bungee run, limbo and tequila contest provide an evening of fun. After a summer hiatus, the adult education classes return Sept. 28. Children can accompany adults until 10 p.m. on those evenings. Other Fort McDowell Adventures experiences return Sept. 7. Turn north off Beeline Highway (State Route 87) a half mile past Fort McDowell Casino and turn left on Hiawatha Hood Road. Stay on the dirt road for 2 ½ miles. To make a reservation, call (480) 816-6465 or visit www.fortmcdowelladventures.com.
Various tours are conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., September through May, ranging from one to three hour tours. Behind-the-scenes visits, desert walks and twilight summer tours take place in June through August. An architecture discovery tour is a favorite for families with school-age children. The facility can be rented for evening receptions, dinner and daytime meetings for up to 500 guests. A bookstore provides an extensive selection of books and merchandise, works by Taliesin artists and souvenirs. The property is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter. The entrance is at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Cactus Road intersection. Parking is free. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and active military. Call (480) 627-5340 or toll-free (855) 860-2700 for tour availability, times and prices. Tours can be customdesigned for pre-arranged groups of 15 or more. Small groups and individuals may schedule a tour by an architect, Wright associate, Taliesin artist or personal guide. Visit www.franklloydwright.org for additional information.
Desert Belle Saguaro Lake Cruises You can plow the waters of Saguaro Lake aboard the new Desert Belle, a two-level cruise boat capable of accommodating 143 passengers. The lower level has an air-conditioned section and includes two bathrooms and a snack bar. Originally launched in 1964, the Desert Belle has been a familiar lake attraction for its 90-minute narrated cruises to see Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and desert vistas. Entertainment is frequently scheduled for the Friday and Saturday sunset cruises. Private cruises can be booked for weddings, office parties or celebrations. From the Beeline Highway 87, take exit 199 to the Bush Highway and head east approximately 4 miles. The entrance to the marina will be on your left between markers 32 and 33. For more information, call (480) 9842435 or visit www.desertbelle.com.
Taliesin West This desert masterpiece, the winter home, studio and architectural campus of architect Frank Lloyd Wright in northeast Scottsdale, observes its 75th anniversary in 2012. Wright spent winters from 1937 until his death in 1959 at Taliesin. He designed 55 projects for Arizona, of which 16 were built during his residency. Visitors can tour the rock and redwood buildings crafted from boulders unearthed from the nearby McDowell Mountains. Guests will experience firsthand his ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces into his architecture. The site is a National Historic Landmark and international headquarters for 22,000 of Wright’s architectural drawings and more than 300,000 documents, and the winter campus for the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.
Disc golf is a popular sport in Fountain Hills. A championship course is featured at the Fountain.