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Tempe-tations: The Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Tempe, Arizona (You Won’t Want To Leave!)

Tempe runs hot through the whole of the day. Downtown Tempe and the Mill Avenue District hold the bars, the clubs, the coffee shops and the live music. Four Peaks. Hayden Butte, which everybody calls “A” Mountain, is a short climb worth taking at sunset. And the parking gets worse after dark for exactly that reason, which tells you where everybody in this town actually is.

Welcome to Tempe, Arizona, where the sun runs hot and the evenings run hotter. Local or visitor, there is plenty to do and plenty to visit in this city. From time outdoors to the cultural side, Tempe covers everybody.

Ready for some time outdoors? Tempe Town Lake is where to start. Rent a kayak, a paddleboard or a bike and work the country around the lake. If you want something with more in it, try rock climbing at AZ on the Rocks. Or, if you want a slow walk, take the Desert Botanical Garden and let the desert planting do its work.

If you follow history and culture, Tempe runs plenty. Visit the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park and work the state’s history. Take a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed ASU Gammage theater, or work the Tempe History Museum. And if you want to shop, head to the Mill Avenue District for the shopping and the eating.

Key Takeaways

• Tempe, Arizona offers a variety of fun outdoor activities, from kayaking to rock climbing.
• Explore history and culture by visiting museums, theaters, and historical sites.
• Shop and dine in the Mill Avenue District for a great retail therapy experience.

Fun Outdoor Activities

Tempe, Arizona works hard for anybody who follows the outdoors and wants sun and air. Kayaking, hiking, fishing, or simply sitting in a park, everybody is covered. Here are the outdoor runs to take in Tempe:

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

If you want a way to work Tempe you have not tried, kayaking or paddleboarding on Tempe Town Lake is it. With over 2 miles of water on it, you can paddle round and take the mountains standing behind it. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards from several vendors, or bring your own. Wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.

Hiking Trails

Tempe holds some of the strongest hiking trails in the Phoenix area. One people take most is Hayden Butte, known as “A” Mountain. This short hike opens out over Tempe and the country around it, and it earns the climb at sunset. Another one people take is the Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park, a short but steep climb to a natural sandstone formation with the city open in front of it.

Picnicking & Fishing

Want a slow day outdoors? Tempe runs several parks and lakes that work for a picnic and for fishing. Tempe Beach Park is where to take a picnic, with plenty of shade and a beach to sit on. You can also fish in the lake if you hold a valid Arizona fishing license. And if you want somewhere quieter, head to the Salt River and find your own spot to cast.

Biking & Skateboarding

Tempe runs plenty of bike and skateboard rental, so you can work the city on two wheels or four. One of the bike trails people take most is the Rio Salado Pathway, which runs along the Salt River with the mountains open beside it. And if you skate, head to one of Tempe’s skate parks, the Tempe Sports Complex Skate Park among them.

Tempe works for anybody who follows the outdoors and wants sun and air. Kayaking, hiking, fishing, or simply sitting in a park, everybody is covered. So get outside and work it.

Exploring History & Culture

If you want the history and culture of Tempe, Arizona, this is the place. There are plenty of museums, galleries and historical landmarks to work. Here are the places to visit:

Museums & Galleries

Tempe holds several museums and galleries that open up the area’s history and culture. One people go to most is the Tempe History Museum, which runs exhibits on everything from the city’s founding to how it grew. You will also find plenty of art galleries around, showing the work of local artists.

Historical Landmarks

If you follow history, do not miss the historical landmarks in Tempe. The Arizona State University campus holds several buildings dating back to the early 1900s, the ASU Gammage theater among them. You can also visit Hayden Butte Preserve, which holds rock formations millions of years old.

Arizona State University

Speaking of ASU, the university earns the stop for anybody interested in the history and culture of Tempe. The ASU Tempe campus runs strong buildings and green space, and you can take a guided tour and work the university’s history and traditions. You can also visit the Arizona Heritage Center, on the ASU campus, which runs exhibits on Arizona’s history and culture.

Geology, Frank Lloyd Wright, or the Sun Devils, Tempe’s history and culture scene runs all three. So go ahead and work everything this city holds.

Shopping & Dining

If you want to shop or eat well, Tempe has it covered. Here are the places to shop and eat in the city:

Tempe Marketplace

This indoor shopping center runs over 100 stores and restaurants to work. You find everything from clothing and accessories to electronics and home goods. And when you need a break from shopping, eat at one of the many restaurants, California Pizza Kitchen or Thirsty Lion Gastropub among them.

Arizona Mills

If you want a mall that runs the lot, Arizona Mills is where to go. With over 185 stores, you find deals on everything from clothing and shoes to electronics and home goods. And when you need a break from shopping, catch a film at the IMAX theater or eat at one of the many restaurants, Rainforest Cafe or Seafood City among them.

Mill Avenue District

The Mill Avenue District is where a night out happens. With a range of restaurants, bars and coffee shops, everybody is covered. Take a drink at the Handlebar Tempe or eat at House of Tricks. And stop by Cartel Coffee Lab for the coffee.

Local Coffee Shops

Speaking of coffee, Tempe runs some strong local coffee shops. Somewhere small to work or somewhere to sit with friends, you will find it. Try Press Coffee Roasters for a latte or head to Infusion Coffee & Tea for a blend you will not get elsewhere. And if you want something harder, try the Nitro Cold Brew at Cartel Coffee Lab.

So shopping or eating, Tempe runs plenty of options.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Looking for family time in Tempe? These are the family attractions to work.

Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

Get into the marine world at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium. This aquarium runs over 30 displays of sea creatures, sharks, rays and sea turtles among them. Check out the ocean tunnel, where you walk under the water with everything swimming over you. And say hello to the otters.

Legoland

If you want something built out of bricks, head to Legoland. This indoor attraction runs rides, interactive exhibits and Lego by the crate. Your kids will build and race their own Lego cars, work the Lego City play area, and take a turn on the Merlin’s Apprentice ride.

Zoo

No family trip to Tempe is complete without the zoo. The Phoenix Zoo holds over 3,000 animals from around the world, elephants, giraffes and lions among them. Take the Africa Trail and see if you can spot the rhinos, or head to the Children’s Trail for a hands-on animal encounter. And if you want more, try the Endangered Species Carousel or the Safari Train Ride.

So grab your family and head out to these attractions in Tempe. The day will run wild.

Walking up Hayden Butte at sunset costs you nothing. The ASU Art Museum and the Gallery of Scientific Exploration are both free to enter. You pay for the kayak on Tempe Town Lake, for Legoland, for Sea Life and for the Phoenix Zoo. And you will pay for parking on Mill Avenue after dark, so walk in from further out.

Sports & Events

Looking for something with more in it in Tempe? The sports and events side is where to go. From baseball and football to live music and performances, something is always running in this city.

Baseball & Football Games

If you follow sport, you are in the right city. Tempe holds the ASU Sun Devils football team, and in the spring you can catch baseball at Tempe Diablo Stadium. And if you are lucky, you might see the Los Angeles Angels during spring training.

And the game is not all of it. Before or after, head to one of the many bars in the area for a drink and the people who follow the same team. You never know who ends up next to you.

Live Music & Performances

If you follow music, Tempe has it covered. The ASU Art Museum hosts local music showcases and performances through the year, and there are plenty of venues around town for a live show.

Rock, jazz, or whatever sits between, something is always on in Tempe. Check the calendar of events to see what is coming up.

Tempe Festival of the Arts

One of the biggest events in Tempe is the Tempe Festival of the Arts. This annual event runs every spring with hundreds of artists showing their work, live music, food vendors and more.

If you want a day out with friends or family, do not miss this festival. And while you are in the area, take the hike up “A” Mountain for the city from above.

So sport follower or music follower, Tempe covers both. Get out there and work everything this city runs.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Looking for a night out in Tempe? This is the place. The city runs a real nightlife scene that covers everybody. Craft beer spots, live music venues or smarter bars, Tempe has it.

Downtown Tempe

If you want a night out, Downtown Tempe is where to be. This neighborhood holds some of the city’s strongest bars and clubs, as well as a range of restaurants and shops. A casual night with friends or something smarter, Downtown Tempe covers both.

One of the spots people go to in Downtown Tempe is Four Peaks Brewing. This local brewery is known for its award-winning craft beers, and its flagship location in Tempe earns the stop for anybody who follows beer. With a broad selection on draft and a room that stays busy, Four Peaks is where to sit down with friends.

Craft Beer Spots

If you follow craft beer, Tempe is where to be. The city runs a range of craft breweries and beer bars, each with its own room and its own selection. Hoppy IPAs or rich stouts, you will find something here that suits you.

One of the strongest spots for craft beer in Tempe is the Hall of Flame. This small bar is known for its selection of local and regional craft beers, as well as its room and staff who know what they are pouring. Seasoned beer follower or casual drinker, the Hall of Flame is where to find something new.

So there you have it, a quick guide to the nightlife and entertainment in Tempe. A night out on the town or a quiet evening with friends, Tempe covers both. So take a drink and work everything this city runs.

Practical Information

Parking

Parking. The part of any trip nobody enjoys. But we have some tips to make parking in Tempe less of a fight.

First, if you are heading to somewhere busy such as Tempe Town Lake or the Tempe Marketplace, arrive early to get a decent spot. You do not want to be circling the lot for an hour.

If you find a spot, read the signs properly. Tempe runs confusing parking regulations, and you do not want the ticket.

Pro tip: if you are struggling, park further out and walk in. You get the exercise and you skip the whole business.

And there is more. Some businesses in Tempe run free parking. You can thank us later.

One last thing: Tempe runs a serious nightlife scene, which means parking gets worse in the evening. If you are heading to Mill Avenue, be ready to walk or to pay for a garage.

So parking in Tempe takes some work, but with a little planning and some patience you will be fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a day in Tempe without breaking the bank?

Start your day with a walk at the Tempe Town Lake and take the country around it. After that, visit the ASU Art Museum and the Gallery of Scientific Exploration at the Arizona State University, both of which cost nothing to enter. Then head to the Tempe History Museum and work the city’s past. And eat at one of the many affordable restaurants in Downtown Tempe.

Are there any hidden gems in Tempe that tourists often miss?

Yes. The Halle Heart Children’s Museum is one most visitors walk past. It is an interactive museum that teaches kids about heart health. Another is Papago Park, which opens out over the city and works for hiking and picnicking.

What’s the most Instagram-worthy spot in Tempe?

It is the “A” Mountain. The view from the top holds you, and the photographs come easily. Another spot worth the walk is the Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge, which is where the photographers go.

Can you recommend a fun activity for a date in Tempe?

How about renting a paddleboat at the Tempe Town Lake and taking it out for an hour? You can also visit the Tempe Improv Comedy Club for an evening of it, or take a cooking class together at the Sweet Basil Cooking School.

What’s the weirdest attraction in Tempe?

That would be the Mystery Castle. This castle was built by a father for his daughter and is made entirely out of found objects. It earns the visit if you want something off the main line.

Is it true that Mill Ave is haunted?

Some people say they have seen ghosts at the historic Hayden Flour Mill. And there are stories that the Mill Avenue District carries the spirits of cowboys and saloon girls from the Wild West years. We will leave that one with you.

Frequently asked questions about Tempe, Arizona

How big exactly is the Tempe Town Lake over there in Tempe, then, really now, in miles?

Over 2 miles of water on it, and you can paddle the whole way around the lot of it. Kayaks and the paddleboards come from several different vendors around the lake out there as well. Tempe Beach Park sits right on it as well, with the shade and with the beach on it. Licence.

Which one of the hiking trails in Tempe is the short one, then?

Hayden Butte, which everybody calls “A” Mountain. The view out over Tempe is what you go all the way up there for, especially at sunset. The Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park is the other short one of them out there as well. Steep, though, that one.

Where exactly do you go to drink the craft beer in Tempe, then, really now?

Four Peaks Brewing, whose flagship location sits right here in Tempe itself out there today. The Hall of Flame runs the local and the regional beers and the staff there know them. Downtown Tempe holds the rest of the bars and all of the clubs as well as all that. Later than that.

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