Welcome to Tempe!
Tempe, Arizona is located in the heart of Metropolitan Phoenix. Refreshingly offbeat, Tempe is a college town with a personality all its own. It’s a welcoming destination with a spirited lifestyle where you’ll find fun-filled activities at every turn.
Cheer at an Arizona State University basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena. Go on a shopping spree at Arizona Mills, Tempe Marketplace or IKEA. Cruise around Tempe Town Lake on a kayak or paddleboard. See a Broadway show at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed ASU Gammage. Take in an art exhibition or performance at Tempe Center for the Arts or on the ASU Tempe Campus. Celebrate with a night on the town in historic and lively Downtown Tempe. And if sunshine is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Tempe. Go for a hike along a cactus-lined Sonoran Desert trail, dine on one of the many outdoor patios or simply lounge by the pool.
Stay, Eat & Shop
Accommodations
Hotels in Tempe range from a mountain top resort to beautiful conference hotels to cozy, budget-friendly options. Tempe is conveniently located next to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, so the majority of hotels offer a free airport shuttle or are accessible via METRO light rail. Guests will also enjoy amenities such as sparkling pools, close proximity to dining, shopping and entertainment options and Internet access. Tempe boasts a variety of hotels such as Embassy Suites, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hyatt Place and Sheraton properties.
Dining
The most culturally diverse of the cities in the metropolitan area, Tempe restaurants include an astonishing range of tasty cuisines from Thailand to Mexico to Ethiopia. Tempe’s family owned eateries, upscale al fresco dining and familiar American cuisine are sure to please even the most discriminating tastes.
Tempe’s dining scene includes national favorites and locally owned eateries. There is something to satisfy every taste, from Thai to Mexican to Ethiopian and everything in between. Most restaurants along Mill Avenue or at Tempe Marketplace feature beautiful outdoor patios, where you can dine and enjoy the warm weather. Breweries also dot the Tempe dining scene with their unique twist on Arizona inspired brews.
Shopping
Tempe’s shopping scene has a little something for everyone’s tastes and pocketbooks. Arizona Mills is the destination for bargain shoppers with more than 175 manufacturer outlets, specialty shops, IMAX Theater, SEA LIFE Arizona and Gameworks. Another great shopping experience is Tempe Marketplace, an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex with everything from national retailers to quaint boutiques. The pedestrian-friendly downtown Mill Avenue District features red brick sidewalks lined with restaurants, taverns, cafes and shops. And for those looking for bargain deals on home furnishings, add IKEA Tempe to the list of amazing shopping options found in Tempe.
Things To Do
Outdoor Recreation
In Tempe, you can soak up the sun poolside, kayak or paddleboard at Tempe Town Lake and explore the serene Sonoran Desert. Papago Park has more than 10 miles of winding trails, perfect for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The park is also home to Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo, Hall of Flame Fire Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum & Archaeological Park and Arizona Historical Society Museum.
Arts and Culture
Creativity abounds in Tempe, home to Arizona State University (ASU). The ASU Art Museum features revolving exhibits of contemporary art. ASU Gammage, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is home to the best touring Broadway shows such as Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia. Stray Cat Theatre, located adjacent to the ASU campus, features unique indie theatre productions. The lakeside Tempe Center for the Arts hosts a jazz series, gallery exhibitions, symphony concerts and productions from Childsplay, a professional theatre company for young audiences.
Nightlife and Live Music
When the sun goes down, Tempe’s nightlife heats up. Groove to the tunes from a local band at one of Tempe’s many live music venues. Dance the night away at a local hot spot. Sip a golden ale or hearty stout at a cozy microbrewery. Or, simply unwind at an elegant wine bar. Whatever you choose, you’ll feel right at home.
Nightlife and entertainment districts like Tempe Marketplace and Mill Avenue includes live music, dance clubs, Irish pubs and everything in between.
Attractions
In one day in Tempe, you can explore the Sonoran Desert, kayak on Tempe Town Lake, visit a museum or two and see a Broadway show.
Papago Park is one of the most conveniently located places to hike, mountain bike or horseback ride through a scenic desert landscape. The park is also home to several attractions, such as The Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden and the Arizona Historical Society Museum. Just south of Papago Park, Tempe Town Lake is an urban recreational oasis, perfect for kayaking, paddle boating or a leisurely stroll along the shore.
Arizona State University (ASU) is a great destination for sporting events, golf at ASU Karsten Golf Course, public art, museums and Broadway shows at ASU Gammage.
The Mill Avenue District, adjacent to the ASU Tempe Campus, is home to more than 100 restaurants, taverns and shops. It is also a popular destination for special events like the Fiesta Bowl Block Party on New Year’s Eve and the bi-annual Tempe Festival of the Arts.
Tempe Marketplace, with 1.3 million square feet of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues, is popular with both residents and visitors alike. And, Arizona Mills is the ultimate shopping destination with more than 175 manufacturer’s outlets and attractions such as SEA LIFE Arizona aquarium and GameWorks.
Festivals & Events
Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake (October) – live entertainment, a polka stage, beer gardens and tasty German fare
Ford Ironman Arizona (November) – world-class triathlon featuring a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run
Women’s Half Marathon (November) – a half marathon and 5K, both ending with an unforgettable post-race party at Tempe Beach Park
Tempe Festival of the Arts (December and March annually) – a three-day festival with more than 400 artists, live music and cottage edibles in the Mill Avenue District
Insight Bowl (December) – an exciting football matchup between the Big 12 and the Big Ten at Sun Devil Stadium
Fiesta Bowl Block Party (New Year’s Eve) – One of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a national musical act and local bands, beer gardens, street performers, family activities and two fireworks shows
P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon (January) – Run, walk and roll with live bands and spirit squads along the marathon and ½ marathon courses that finish in Tempe
My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge (April) – Taste homemade salsas from both amateur and professional chefs and enjoy family fun and entertainment
Pat’s Run (April) – a fundraiser for the Pat Tillman Foundation, this 4.2 mile run finishes inside Sun Devil Stadium
July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival (July) – family fun, food vendors, local bands and a spectacular fireworks show over Tempe Town Lake
