Tempe Arizona
Stand-up paddleboarding under the sun on Tempe Town Lake
Sharing a laugh and a pint at Pedal Haus Brewery
Enjoying family time at a resort pool
A sunny day for a baseball game at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Angels
Cycling with views of the city in Papago Park
Hiking a scenic desert trail in the heart of the city
Date night made fun with charcuterie, red wine and art at Culinary Dropout
Riding bikes alongside Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Center for the Arts
Shopping for bargains and local finds in one of the city's shopping districts
Enjoying the view of Downtown Tempe and ASU from 'A' Mountain
- Major Airports:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
- States:
- Arizona
Arts, culture and shopping under the sun
Outdoor Play
For nature lovers and active explorers, Tempe is a welcome surprise. Hike the scenic desert trails at Papago Park, particularly the popular Hole-in-the-Rock Trail where you can capture a great shot of the city through a hole in a sandstone butte. The park also includes the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Hall of Flame Fire Museum and AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park. More than 80 kilometers of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails await at South Mountain Park and Preserve. Enjoy sunshine and water views by kayaking or paddleboarding on Tempe Town Lake, or take a stroll along the pathways around the lake. Sports fans, don’t miss Major League Baseball’s Cactus League spring training games in March.
Sun-soaked Shopping and Dining
From bargains to boutiques, Tempe’s shopping variety is sure to satisfy. Take advantage of amazing discounts – and air-conditioned, enclosed shopping – at Arizona Mills, boasting 175 stores, an IMAX movie theater, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium and a variety of dining options. At Tempe Marketplace, look for brand name favorites, entertainment and loads of dining options from Greek to Japanese, plus live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Downtown Tempe is a vibrant and funky district that takes you from day to night. Find a vintage edition at Old Town Books, get a temporary tattoo at the Henna Shoppe, stock up on trendy outfits at Pitaya and pick up ASU gear at Cactus Sports. By night, downtown hums with live music, dancing and drinks.
City of Arts
The youthful vibe of ASU is enriched by its cultural offerings. Catch a production at ASU Gammage, a performance hall designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and featuring top-rated Broadway shows. Stop by the ASU Art Museum to view their unique collection and rotating exhibits of contemporary art. The Tempe Center for the Arts presents performing arts in an architecturally stunning building. Stroll the sprawling campus and admire beautiful works including “Skyspace: Air Apparent,” “Fountain Cast in Stone” and “Blue Vase.” You’ll notice public art all around the city – there are more than 70 permanent and temporary works. Admission to the Tempe History Museum is free; take a look inside to learn about local history through a variety of prehistoric and modern artifacts.
Fun Fact
ASU Gammage was the last major public building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s based on a design originally intended to be an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq.
Photo: Tim Trumble
Tempe is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece, a legendary hangout for Apollo and the Muses.
Photo: Tim Trumble
You might recognize ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium from the films “Raising Arizona” and “Jerry Maguire.”
Photo: Tim Trumble