Arizona is filled to the brim with an amazing amount of natural beauty, and I think we can each think of our own list of examples. But what about examples of human-made beauty? Buildings naturally come to mind but gardens, farms, art installations and bridges could also be included in that category.
Today, I’m providing you with a list that shows of some examples of how humans have left their own beautiful mark in history. Check it out:
Please note, the White House Ruin Trail is temporarily closed.
- Arcosanti
Michael Martin/Flickr Not just a building but an entire self-contained city, Arcosanti has some incredibly unique and stunning architecture developed by Italian architect, Paolo Soleri.
- Church of the Holy Cross
Sheila Sund/Flickr Jutting out of the red rocks in Sedona, this church is a beautiful example of how landscape influences architecture.
- Desert Botanical Garden
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr If the collection and arrangement of desert plants isn’t quite enough for you to love, then the winter art installations at this Phoenix garden will definitely have you wanting to visit. The botanical garden in the past has seen massive installations, such as this by Dale Chihuly.
- Desert View Watchtower
Charlie Gza/Flickr This structure was designed by architect Mary Colter in the style of old Pueblo dwellings to look like it has always stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
- The Doors
Alan Levine/Flickr No, we’re not talking about that popular ’60s band but instead a door-covered art installation that sits in Scottsdale. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to stand inside a kaleidoscope then you will want to visit this art installation.
- Japanese Friendship Garden
Michael Martin/Flickr This garden is a peaceful oasis in the middle of Phoenix and is a perfect example of how to artfully blend design, landscape, and culture.
- London Bridge
Michael Theis/Flickr In case you didn’t already know, this bridge was originally installed in London in 1830 and was the inspiration behind the song “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” Today, it spans across a canal on the Colorado River in Lake Havasu City.
- Luhrs Tower
BEV Norton/Flickr It’s a shame that Arizona doesn’t have many standing examples of Art Deco architecture because it happens to be one of my favorite architectural styles. Luhrs Tower along Washington in Phoenix is a stunning example of this and will soon be revived as a hotel.
- Roosevelt Lake Bridge
CEBImagery/Flickr I’m not the only one who thinks this bridge is beautiful; it is regularly touted as one of the most aesthetically pleasing bridges in the country.
- San Xavier del Bac Mission
John Menard/Flickr Who could forget the White Dove of the Desert? This mission in Tucson combines beauty and history as it is the oldest European structure in Arizona.
- Taliesin West
Daniel Hooker/Flickr Arizona is pretty lucky to have not one but a half dozen standing examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. Taliesin West served as FLW’s winter home, studio, and school for 22 years until his death in 1959.
- Tohono Chul Park
JR P/Flickr Who knew the desert could be home to not only many gardens but many beautiful examples of them? This one in Tucson is known for not only its variety of desert flora but also for its dramatic setting against the Santa Catalina Mountains.
- White House Ruin
Curtis Brown/Flickr I bet in its prime, this Anasazi structure looked stunning sitting inside Canyon de Chelly. Even all these centuries later, it still looks pretty amazing.
If only we had more beautiful examples of architecture, art and engineering in Arizona. Let me know what else you would add to this list by leaving a comment below!
Michael Martin/Flickr
Not just a building but an entire self-contained city, Arcosanti has some incredibly unique and stunning architecture developed by Italian architect, Paolo Soleri.
Sheila Sund/Flickr
Jutting out of the red rocks in Sedona, this church is a beautiful example of how landscape influences architecture.
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
If the collection and arrangement of desert plants isn’t quite enough for you to love, then the winter art installations at this Phoenix garden will definitely have you wanting to visit. The botanical garden in the past has seen massive installations, such as this by Dale Chihuly.
Charlie Gza/Flickr
This structure was designed by architect Mary Colter in the style of old Pueblo dwellings to look like it has always stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Alan Levine/Flickr
No, we’re not talking about that popular ’60s band but instead a door-covered art installation that sits in Scottsdale. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to stand inside a kaleidoscope then you will want to visit this art installation.
This garden is a peaceful oasis in the middle of Phoenix and is a perfect example of how to artfully blend design, landscape, and culture.
Michael Theis/Flickr
In case you didn’t already know, this bridge was originally installed in London in 1830 and was the inspiration behind the song “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” Today, it spans across a canal on the Colorado River in Lake Havasu City.
BEV Norton/Flickr
It’s a shame that Arizona doesn’t have many standing examples of Art Deco architecture because it happens to be one of my favorite architectural styles. Luhrs Tower along Washington in Phoenix is a stunning example of this and will soon be revived as a hotel.
CEBImagery/Flickr
I’m not the only one who thinks this bridge is beautiful; it is regularly touted as one of the most aesthetically pleasing bridges in the country.
John Menard/Flickr
Who could forget the White Dove of the Desert? This mission in Tucson combines beauty and history as it is the oldest European structure in Arizona.
Daniel Hooker/Flickr
Arizona is pretty lucky to have not one but a half dozen standing examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. Taliesin West served as FLW’s winter home, studio, and school for 22 years until his death in 1959.
JR P/Flickr
Who knew the desert could be home to not only many gardens but many beautiful examples of them? This one in Tucson is known for not only its variety of desert flora but also for its dramatic setting against the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Curtis Brown/Flickr
I bet in its prime, this Anasazi structure looked stunning sitting inside Canyon de Chelly. Even all these centuries later, it still looks pretty amazing.
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