Cities

Tempe

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe, just east of Phoenix, contains the vibe you would expect in a college town, and attractions that make you want to stay awhile.

Unlike other cities in the Valley of the Sun, Tempe is landlocked on all sides by neighboring communities, which means much of the ambitious growth and development that have turned it into a must-see destination have been fueled by incredibly imaginative use (and reuse) of features that already existed within its city limits.

Ride the waves

Perhaps the most dramatic example is Tempe Town Lake, created in 1999 at a site on the Salt River where riverboats once delivered grain to be ground at the historic Hayden Flour Mill. Now, more than 2.4 million people a year visit the 220-acre manmade reservoir for kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. Or stick to the miles of surrounding parks and paths for walking, bicycling, Segway tours, volleyball competitions, music and food festivals and other Tempe Town Lake events.

Mill about downtown

The lake marks the north end of downtown Tempe, known as Mill Avenue, where the sidewalks buzz day and night with people checking out the shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Twice a year, the neighborhood hosts the Tempe Festival of the Arts, where more than 350 artists and artisans take to the streets and sidewalks to showcase their wares.

Head back to school

You don't have to step far onto Arizona State University's Tempe campus to start experiencing something fantastic: ASU Gammage, a landmark performing arts center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, hosts touring Broadway productions, concerts and dance performances. ASU Art Museum presents a colorful collection of Latin American art. Or head to outer space by visiting the Lunar Exploration Museum and NASA's Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Operations Center.

Catch a homerun

Each spring, Tempe Diablo Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Angels for Cactus League Spring Training. Bonus tip: Before each game, you'll see fans waiting outside in the west parking lot near the practice stadium; it's a prime spot to score autographs from your favorite players headed to the playing field!

Put it in park

At Papago Park, the 150-acre desert preserve split between Tempe and Phoenix, visitors can enjoy more than 10 miles of Tempe hiking and biking trails. One of the most popular (and shortest) leads to the iconic Hole in the Rock, a west-facing cave carved out of a sandstone butte that affords fantastic sunset vistas.

For a more manicured experience, head to the 125-acre Kiwanis Park in south Tempe, where tennis courts, a batting range, a 5,000-square-foot seasonal splash pad and an indoor heated wave pool and splash pad are scattered around a 12-acre man-made lake where visitors can rent kayaks and pedal boats. (Speaking of pedaling, Tempe’s 217 miles of bike paths helped earn its designation as a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.)

Experience the great indoors

In Tempe, even shopping malls have been reinvented as innovative and imaginative destinations: Arizona Mills hosts both the two-story LEGOLAND Discovery Center, complete with the 1-million-brick Miniland that replicates Arizona landmarks including the Grand Canyon, and the 26,000-square-foot interactive aquarium SEA LIFE Arizona.

Visit City Website

More to Discover Near Tempe

Eat & Drink

It's the Weekend, Let's Eat. Tempe

As the home of Arizona State University, Tempe doesn't disappoint those in search of college-town grub. But foodies will also be pleased to find...

Eat & Drink

Top Coffee Shops & Cafes in Arizona

Arizona's coffee culture may not be as widespread as our neighbors in the Northwest, but we do have our share of coffee shops serving up a café...

Arts & Entertainment

Charming Book Nooks Across Arizona

Book-lovers rejoice! In every corner of Arizona, there's a locally-owned bookstore with stacks upon stacks for you to explore. Check out this...

Must Do

Arizona's Easiest Trails and Activities for Beginners

Venturing into the great outdoors can seem a bit daunting at first. Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions to get you started and have you...

#TempePride

Tempe

A friendly community, diverse population and central location make Tempe an ideal spot to stay and play.

Outdoor Adventures

Kayaking, Paddleboarding and Beautiful Canyons

Arizona offers rivers and lakes in the low deserts, as well as the high deserts and the mountains, for a variety of kayaking and paddling...

Spring Training

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training

Got tickets but no wheels for Spring Training? We got you—with ideas on where to eat, shop and have fun near each stadium, and most just a short...

Cities

Scottsdale

Looking to upgrade your travel experience? Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona's vacation destination for fine dining, upscale shopping and luxury...

Cities

Chandler

Visit this hot spot for family activities, excellent shopping and dining, and charming downtown strolls.

Cities

Mesa

Go big in Mesa, Arizona's third-largest city, where fan-favorite sports, art attractions, and outdoor adventure attract visitors on a large...

Cities

Phoenix

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and is located in the central region of the state. People may know it for its year-round sun, desert...

Search Filters

Search Results

Tours

AZ Wine Wagon

The Wine Wagon believes that getting there is half the fun, which is why we create a unique AZ winery shuttle experience from start to...

Tours

AZDBA

The Arizona Dragon Boat Association is the organization that runs dragon boating in Arizona. We are based at Tempe Town Lake, own all the...

Family Activities

Big Surf Waterpark

Nestled on 20 acres in Arizona on the northern tip of Tempe and just south of Scottsdale, Big Surf Waterpark has remained an Arizona icon...

Culinary

BK Lobster PHX

BK Lobster in Scottsdale, AZ is a quick casual seafood restaurant established in 2022 by married NYC expats intent on adding variety to the...

Distilleries

Blue Clover Distillery

Known for their Arizona-made, Southwest-inspired premium gin and vodka, Blue Clover Distillery is the first and only micro distillery in...

Nature & Wildlife

Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland, featuring the largest butterfly conservatory in the country with thousands of fluttering butterflies, transports...

Wineries

Carlson Creek - Scottsdale

Located in the arts and entertainment district of Old Town Scottsdale, Carlson Creek's tasting room was a former art gallery now completely...

Arts & Culture

Chandler Center for the Arts

Chandler Center for the Arts is an engaging, welcoming, innovative space serving our diverse community.With three dynamic performance...

History

Chandler Museum

Chandler Museum is an interdisciplinary learning environment where the community comes together to share its stories, preserve its cultural...

Discover

Cities & Regions

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.