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

Performing Arts

Tempe Center for the Arts

The strikingly magnificent Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), designed by Tempe-based Architekton and award-winning Barton Myers Associates...

Galleries & Museums

Tempe Center for the Arts

The strikingly magnificent Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), designed by Tempe-based Architekton and award-winning Barton Myers Associates...

Music

Tempe Center for the Arts

The strikingly magnificent Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), designed by Tempe-based Architekton and award-winning Barton Myers Associates...

Sports

Tempe Diablo Stadium

With amazing views of the Buttes, Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels. The venue is located in...

Shopping

Tempe Marketplace

With 1.3 million square feet of retail space, featuring dramatic light and laser elements, outdoor fireplaces and unique water features,...

Shopping

Voyce Threads

Voyce Threads is a lifestyle brand that brings awareness to important causes by creating one-of-a-kind mismatched socks that tell the...

Tours

Western Sky Helicopters

Our daily helicopter tours of Phoenix and it's surrounding areas depart from Scottsdale Airport and include themes such as Sunset, City...

Shopping

wrenchdoc

Our expertise spans various types of vehicles and their unique intricacies. But we’re more than just our collective years of experience –...

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.