Things to do at Arcosanti Arizona

Arcosanti Arizona is one of the most unique and interesting cities in the Southwestern USA.

It is a project of the Cosanti Foundation whose mission is to inspire a reimagined urbanism with a focus on equitable and sustainable communities.

Situated about an hour north of Phoenix, Arcosanti is an experimental community with a focus on multi-use architecture and ecology.

This is a must see destination for those interested in architecture or sustainable urban development.

Acrosanti is conveniently located along the Phoenix to Sedona drive and can be visited in just a few hours. During your visit I recommend taking the guided tour and then enjoying a healthy and delicious lunch at the Arcosanti Cafe.

Continue reading to see what you can expect from a visit to Arcosanti Arizona.

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What is Arcosanti?

Arcosanti is an experimental community with a focus on living frugally and with a minimal environmental footprint. The Arcosanti community was envisioned and designed by architect Paolo Soleri beginning in 1970.

Arcology, a fusion between architecture and ecology, is one of the concepts around which Arcosanti was built.

Arcosanti is an attempt at a prototype arcology, integrating the design of architecture with respect to ecology. Based on a set of four core values that include Frugality and Resourcefulness, Ecological Accountability, Experiential Learning, and Leaving a Limited Footprint. 

Arcosanti Foundation

When you arrive at Arcosanti you’ll immediately notice the unique architecture. Each building was designed using the natural contours of the land and were intended to be multi-functional.

Guided tours are available for visitors and I highly encourage you to take one. The tours are incredibly interesting and are the best way to become familiar with what Arcosanti is all about.

Be sure to book your guided tour in advance. They sell out often.

Today, Arcosanti continues its mission to elevate and advocate for sustainable urban development.

How to Get to Arcosanti

Arcosanti is located in central Arizona about one hour north of Phoenix in Yavapai County.

The best way to get to Arcosanti is to drive. The drive from the Phoenix city center to Arcosanti is 67 miles and will take just over one hour.

You will take the Arcosanti exit off Arizona Highway 17. Once you exit the highway you will drive 2 miles down a dirt road. The road is unpaved but flat, so any passenger vehicle should be capable of making the trip.

Arcosanti Visitor Center

Once you arrive at Arcosanti, your first stop will be the Arcosanti Visitor Center. This is where you’ll find the meetup point for the Arcosanti Tours, the Arcosanti Gift Shop and the Arcosanti Cafe.

The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Arcosanti Tours

The guided tours at Acrosanti are extremely popular so you’ll want to make your reservation in advance. You can prebook your reservation here.

The guided tours offered Thursdays to Mondays at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 2 pm. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the guided tours are offered at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

The guided tours last approximately 90 minutes and will include visits to the ampitheatre, ceramics apse, foundry apse, and more.

Arcosanti Windbells

Arcosanti is famous for its bronze windbells, which are made by local artists onsite. You’ll find these windbells on display in the Visitor Center and in the Arcosanit Gift Shop.

The Arcosanti bells are made of bronze or ceramic and painted in a variety of colors. Paolo Soleri created 32 different patterns for the windbells.

Purchasing a bronze bell is an excellent way to support the Arcosanti community. They make the perfect addition to any home, or a unique gift for a friend or family member.

Prices for the ceramic and bronze windbells vary and range from about $40 to over $300.

You can view the windbells for purchase on the Cosanti Originals website.

Arcosanti Cafe

The Acrosanti Cafe was a pleasant surprise.

While I knew there was a cafe onsite, I was not aware that the food would be so good. I recommend stopping here for lunch after your guided tour if you have the time.

They serve breakfast and lunch and are open from Thursday to Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cafe is open to the public even if you’re not joining a guided tour.

Arcosati Cafe offers a seasonal menu that changes daily. You can expect to find sandwiches, salads, soups, and more. Vegetarian and Vegan options are always available.

Arcosanti Hiking Trails

Visitors will find a variety of hiking trails all around the property at Arcosanti, which is an area where the Sonoran Desert and Colorado Plateau meet.

As you walk along the trials you’ll encounter a variety of habitats and have the opportunity to see all sorts of local wildlife.

There are four hiking trails in total including the Visitor’s Trail, Valletta Loop, Mind’s Garden and Tomiaki Trail.

The trails are in excellent condition with minimal elevation gain for most visitors.

Note that only guests staying overnight may access the Valletta Loop, Mind’s Garden adn Tomiaki Trails.

Arcosanti Guest Rooms

Those wishing to stay overnight at Arcosanti can do so by booking one of their guest rooms. The rooms are basic but offer nice views overlooking the Agua Fria River.

Room prices vary but average around $110 per night depending on the season and day of the week.

I recommend bringing extra blankets or wearing extra layers if staying overnight. The rooms get quite chilly at night, especially during the fall and winter months.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to visiting Arcosanti Arizona and that I’ve convinced you to plan a visit of your own. As always, thanks for reading.