Destination Revealed
Discover Why Tempe, Arizona is in the Middle of it All
Yearning for the college years?
Tempe for the Technological Traveler
Get a Taste of Tempe
Microbreweries
Experience cuisine from around the world in Tempe
Don't Miss This...
Attractions off the Beaten Path
Travel to Tempe for an Event, Stay for the Fun
Non-Stop Shopping in Tempe
Girlfriend Getaways
Free Activities
So much to do - for so few dollars
Arts and Culture
The Lights of Broadway Twinkle in Tempe
Visualize the Arts at ASU
New Center for the Arts Opens in September 2007
Art Appears in the Strangest Places
Sports and Recreation
A Place to Stay and Play
A'fore'dable Golf in Tempe
Discovering Arizona
Step off the plane, step into Tempe.
Stay in Tempe, Stay in Arizona
Destination Revealed
Discover Why Tempe, Arizona is in the Middle of it All
An Arizona vacation isn't complete with a visit to Tempe, Arizona. Tempe is in the middle of it all...all of the wonders of Arizona.
Tempe is located in the heart of the metropolitan Phoenix area, just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Tempe is also easily accessible via four major freeways.
Tempe is home to Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest universities in the United States. ASU's maroon and gold colors envelop the city with a vibrant spirit: a common thread that encourages community pride, diversity and intellect.
During the day, you can kayak at Tempe Town Lake go mountain biking or hiking on trails that are both easy for beginners and challenging for the experienced at Papago Park. If you prefer the indoors, you can shop for bargains at the state's largest value-oriented mall, Arizona Mills, or ponder the thought-provoking contemporary art at the ASU Art Museum.
After dark, Tempe truly dances to the beat of its own drummer. Whether you prefer an exciting nightlife in the ever popular Mill Avenue District, a relaxing dinner overlooking the city lights below, or dancing and singing along with your favorite band at a concert under the stars, Tempe has it all.
Feel the energy at one of Tempe's special events: P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon, Ford Ironman Arizona, Insight Bowl, Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party, Tempe Festival of the Arts, Tempe Music Festival and many more that have become favorites of both locals and visitors.
Accommodations in Tempe range from cozy budget properties to inviting resorts perched on a mountain top or in the heart of downtown.
Yearning for the college years?
Ah, to be young again. You can't turn back the hands of time, but you can relive the good old days in Tempe and Arizona State University.
Navigating around and through campus is easy. Valley Metro offers a convenient free shuttle, the FLASH (Free Local Area Shuttle). Students use this to quickly move through campus and transition from student dorms, Tempe campus and the Mill Avenue District.
Begin your experience with an appetizing breakfast. Start your day off right with a bagel at Chompie's deli or a customized bowl of cereal at Cereality, located on campus inside the Memorial Union.
After a delicious breakfast start your tour of Tempe. With the most pedestrian-friendly downtown area in the Phoenix metropolitan area, you can tour the Mill Avenue District without a car. There are more than 100 shops, restaurants, cafes and taverns within 7 blocks. At the north end of Mill Avenue, a quick hike up "A" Mountain offers a bird's eye view of the city.
Tempe prides itself on art and culture. Walk south along Mill Avenue to the ASU Art Museum. Visit any time and see the long standing Americas Collection. The Americas Collection offers breath taking still shots of the emotions, colors and life of North, Central and South America.
Just south of the art museum you'll see the popular ASU Gammage building. If you can't catch a world-famous Broadway musical such as Wicked or Jersey Boys, you'll still want to explore Gammage, one of the final architectural designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.
College isn't college without an active nightlife. After dark, mill around on Mill Avenue to find the perfect place for dinner, dancing, listening to live music and meeting the locals.
Tempe for the Technological Traveler
When visiting Tempe, don't leave home without your laptop. Instead bring your savvy computer skills with you when traveling to the first wireless city in Arizona. Wireless users can connect to the Internet anywhere in the city, made possible with the addition of a city-wide "WiFi" umbrella in 2006. In the heart of the ASU campus or the pedestrian-friendly Mill Avenue District, Internet access is free for two hours.
While on Mill Avenue, visit the intimate and artful coffee shops like Mill's End Espresso and the Coffee Plantation. Enjoy specialty coffees, brunch, and dessert while you take advantage of the wireless technology on your laptop. Didn't bring your laptop? Head on over to E-joy Café where patrons can enjoy, great coffees, snacks and an onsite Internet station.
Get a Taste of Tempe
Microbreweries
Beer lovers of all ages will not want to miss out on one of Tempe's many attractions: microbreweries. With Four Peaks Brewing Company and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant folks will never tire of the selection!
Four Peaks, located near the ASU campus, is housed in a turn-of-the-century brick building, formerly the Borden's Creamery warehouse. Unique to Arizona, it offers a diverse selection of beers on tap; both year-round and many seasonal brews. Its premier, award-winning beer, Kilt Lifter, is especially popular. They also have a reputable food menu, serving lunch, dinner, as well as brunch on Sundays.
Gordon Biersch, located in the robust Mill Avenue District, is an upscale bar and restaurant that serves its own German brews. Its second floor location provides some wonderful views of Mill Avenue. Besides the beer and food, they offer some visually pleasing modern décor as well.
Experience cuisine from around the world in Tempe
For a change of pace, dine around the world, all while never leaving Tempe! All over the city, you can experience a variety of cuisines with some of the best restaurants in the Valley. Taste the flavors of Mexico and one of Tempe's many family-owned Mexican food establishments. Sample a savory chicken pita next door to a mosque at Phoenicia Cafe. Or, eat with your fingers. It's encouraged at Café Lalibela where you can try Ethiopian fare such as asifah, gomen and shiro wat. With as many ethnicities as these, you will be sure to never get into a food rut during your stay in Tempe. Contact the Tempe CVB for recommendations.
Israeli
Ethiopian
Greek
Italian |
Chinese
Irish
Japanese |
Korean
Mongolian
Thai |
Indian
Mexican
Middle Eastern |
Don't Miss This...
Attractions off the Beaten Path
Been there, done that? Not so in Tempe. Visitors enjoy an array of fun, but unexpected activities.
Ever kayaked in the desert? You can at Tempe Town Lake. This 220-acre recreational lake is a favorite for kayaking, fishing, paddle boating and even crew. Amazing what can be created from what once was a dry river bed.
Live a day in the life of Arizona's earliest settlers at the Arizona Historical Society Museum. See how Arizona has developed from the ancient Hohokam to modern times.
Like arts and culture? You're in luck in Tempe. There are over 20 free museums and galleries at Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S. You can see everything from the most cutting edge contemporary art at the ASU Art Museum to electronic art installations at the Computing Commons Gallery. If science excites you, take a look at the experiments sent to Mars and watch NASA TV or analyze meteorites that have fallen to earth.
Tempe has one of the most exciting live music scenes around. In the Mill Avenue District, you can stroll from one club or coffeehouse to another to listen to the latest sounds. When these bands make it big, you'll love to say that you heard them first in Tempe. Or, conduct your own dine-a-round in the Mill Avenue District. Mill Avenue is home to more than 65 restaurants, ranging from new American to Mexican to Asian, and everything in between.
Laugh until you cry at the Tempe Improv. America's original comedy showcase and restaurant delights audiences with its line up of national comedians.
If you're a beer connoisseur, you're in luck in Tempe. The inviting Gordon Biersch Brewery and Four Peaks Brewery each offer handcrafted blends of malt, hops and barley that will quench your thirst and top off your Arizona experience.
Travel to Tempe for an Event, Stay for the Fun
Looking for an uneventful vacation? That won't happen in Tempe. Tempe's calendar is filled with special events that capture the spirit of the Southwest.
- The Mill Avenue District is filled with artists, entertainers and shoppers for the Tempe Festival of the Arts, held the first weekend of December and the end or March or first weekend in April each year. The Tempe Festival of the Arts is one of the largest arts and entertainment festivals in the Southwest, drawing nearly half a million people to the award-winning event each year. Artisans exhibit and sell hand-made works of art or products. Another highlight is the food, with both traditional and ethnic eats, and non-stop live entertainment.
- The Tempe Music Festival is Arizona's largest music festival. This annual event at Tempe Town Lake showcases a plethora of popular and local musicians over two days on three stages. The Tempe Music Festival offers interactive activities, vendors and more. Past headliners have included: The Fray, O.A.R., Lifehouse and the Gin Blossoms.
- Tempe's annual Way Out West Oktoberfest attracts over 200,000 people over three days. This FREE festival offers something for every age, day and night including: a Bavarian beer garden, free arts and crafts for the kids, the Splash Playground water park, bouncy rides, carnival games and a wide variety of family friendly entertainment including live music and polka dance lessons.
- Over 150,000 revelers take to the streets of The Mill Avenue District for the Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party, one of USA Today's top 10 places to ring in the New Year.
- Sway to the sounds of jazz and world beat music at Music in the Garden and Jazz in the Garden. Each fall and spring, these concert series are the centerpiece of the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden.
- " Feel the excitement at an Arizona State University game. Or, watch some of the best college teams compete at the Insight Bowl held annually on December 31.
- " Run while you rock 'n' roll during the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon. Close to 30,000 runners will cross the finish line in Tempe and stay for the post-concert at Tempe Beach Park. Start training now, the marathon is in January.
- " Are you ready? Come watch some of the best athletes in the world compete at Ford Ironman Arizona in April.
Non-Stop Shopping in Tempe
Looking for a new pair of jeans or a special gift? Tempe has the hottest spots for all of your shopping needs. From Arizona Mills to quirky boutiques along Mill Avenue, to the all-new Tempe Marketplace and the only IKEA in Arizona; these destinations promise to help you find just what you're looking for.
Arizona Mills is Arizona's largest value-oriented mall. Find impressive savings at 175 manufacturer brand name stores, including: Last Call from Neiman Marcus, Off 5th the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole.
Cutting-edge fashion is sure to be found in the pedestrian-friendly Mill Avenue District. With over 60 shops including: Abercrombie & Fitch and Urban Outfitters the latest trends are just around the corner. For those seeking a more creative wardrobe stop at one the one-of-a-kind boutiques where your choices to mix and match outfits are limitless.
The newest addition to Tempe's shopping collection is Tempe Marketplace, the 1.3 million square feet shopping, dining and entertainment mega-mall. With a grand opening slated for September 28, patrons can enjoy major stores such as Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Gap, Guess, JCPenney, Kohl's, Linens N Things, Office Max, OldNavy, PetsSmart, Pier 1 Imports, Sports Chalet, Target and Ulta.
Tempe Marketplace is designed as a gathering place, with outdoor fireplaces, raised dining patios, water fountains, nightly laser-light shows, a 300- seat amphitheatre and a party plaza with a capacity of 4,000. Tempe Marketplace will be the largest center of its kind in the U.S.
Whether on the hunt for the "perfect" bathroom, kitchen or bedroom product, IKEA Home Furnishings is sure to delight with an enormous selection of modern low-cost items. If you are feeling low on energy, visit the in-house Swedish restaurant for an inexpensive meal to re-fuel before continuing on your shopping journey.
Girlfriend Getaways
Plan a girlfriends-only getaway to Tempe and escape the demands of work and family. Surrounded by the beautiful Sonoran desert, Tempe is located a few miles from both Phoenix and Scottsdale. With more than 330 days of sunshine Tempe is a city full of energy year-round.
Tempe hotels offer something for every budget with a variety of hotels from luxury to more affordable accommodations. For a complete list of Tempe hotels visit: www.tempecvb.com/resortshotels.asp.
An all-girl getaway is time for bonding with each other, sleeping late and letting down your hair. To begin your Tempe escapade bike, walk, run or blade along Tempe Town Lake while catching up with your friends. Later soak your deserving muscles at Narande Spa located inside The Buttes, a Marriott Resort. After a relaxing massage head to Caffe Boa, a casual yet elegant Euro-style wine bar. What all-girl trip is complete without shopping? Shop until you drop at Arizona Mills, Tempe Marketplace and IKEA Home Furnishings. After all a girl can never have too much fun.
Free Activities
So much to do - for so few dollars
Visitors to Tempe, Arizona find an endless variety of things to do while they're in town. Budget conscious travelers are in luck because many of Tempe's activities are free, or almost free.
- ASU Art Museum: ASU Art Museum is considered to be one of the Southwest's most significant contemporary art institutions. Collections include a permanent American art gallery and rotating exhibits.
- Over 20 museums and galleries at Arizona State University (ASU): Visit photography exhibits at the Northlight Gallery, 18 varieties of rattlesnakes at the Life Sciences Center, minerals and gems at the R.S. Dietz Museum of Geology and much more. There is also an extensive public art collection throughout campus.
- The Mill Avenue District: Stroll down the red brick sidewalks of the Mill Avenue District. Mill Avenue is a gathering place with over 100 restaurants, shops and taverns. You might also see an impromptu artist, street performers, or the next up and coming band.
- Fall and Spring Tempe Festivals of the Arts: In December and March/April every year, the Mill Avenue District is home to over 450 artists, food vendors and entertainers. You never know what treasures you'll find at this free festival.
- Tempe Town Lake: One of Tempe's most unexpected attractions is a 220-acre man made lake, just north of the Mill Avenue District and Arizona State University. Free attractions include a Splash Playground for children (open during the summer), biking and walking paths, picnic space and a variety of spirited festivals.
- Oktoberfest: Germany in Arizona? It happens every October at the Way Out West Oktoberfest. There's something for everyone: beer gardens, live entertainment, children's activities, German food and a polka stage.
- Tempe Historical Museum: Witness Tempe's transformation from the home of the prehistoric Hohokam Indians to a farming community to a modern city.
- Climb "A" mountain: Tempe has an abundance of natural desert beauty, best seen by hiking or mountain biking. Choices include Papago Park, with 11 miles of trails and "A" Mountain, offering great views of the Mill Avenue District, ASU and Tempe Town Lake. Bordering Tempe is South Mountain Park/Preserve, the nation's largest municipal park, with seemingly endless trails and city views.
- The Arboretum at ASU: Stroll the entire campus of Arizona State University and view Arizona's largest public urban arboretum, with the largest date palm collection in North America and the Arizona selected site of the All American Selections Garden.
- ASU Gammage: Take a tour of this amazing structure and well-known landmark.
- FLASH (Free Local Area Shuttle): Getting around downtown Tempe and Arizona State University is simple, and free, thanks to the FLASH shuttle.
- Kiwanis Community Park: Walk, run, play volleyball and other sports in this extensive city park.
- Arizona Mills: The browsing is free, but you'll be tempted by over 175 value oriented stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Arts and Culture
The Lights of Broadway Twinkle in Tempe
Tempe, Arizona is a haven for Broadway shows. The best of Broadway appear throughout the year at ASU Gammage, an acoustically perfect hall designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The building is as much of a masterpiece as the stage productions.
The shows are affordable too, with tickets starting around $20.
The best way to enjoy the show is by making an evening of it. Have dinner at a tasty ethnic restaurant along Mill Avenue, walk a couple of blocks to the auditorium, then walk back and discuss the wonderment of the theatre over coffee or dessert.
Visualize the Arts at ASU
Tempe's visual arts scene has always been a major force in the metro Phoenix mix. Established in 1951, the ASU Art Museum has long been recognized as one of the Southwest's most significant contemporary arts institutions. Art in America further distinguished it as "The single most impressive venue in the state for contemporary art." The museum also boasts impressive permanent collections of American Art. Rotating exhibits are constantly on display in the beautiful award-winning building designed by Antoine Predock.
Located adjacent to the ASU Art Museum is the Ceramics Research Center, which houses the art museum's collection of more than 3,000 objects. Its international holdings demonstrate the full range of techniques, aesthetic approaches and possibilities within the medium.
New Center for the Arts Opens in September 2007
September 9, 2007 the new Tempe Center for the Arts will open along the Tempe Town Lake shore. It will serve as the permanent home of Childsplay, Tempe Little Theatre and other Tempe performing arts groups. Childsplay has earned international praise for creating theatre that tickles the imagination, stretches the mind and expands the human experience of its chosen audience: children and families. Designed by Barton Meyers Associates of Los Angeles and Tempe-based Architekton, the 88,000 sq. foot facility features performing and visual arts spaces, and will be surrounded by a walking paths and a 17-acre arts park. The Center will boast a reflecting pool, a stunning main entry and public art features designed by nationally recognized artists.
Art Appears in the Strangest Places
Keep your eyes open for examples of public art along the red brick sidewalks and courtyards in the Mill Avenue District, Tempe Town Lake and at City Hall. Art pops up in surprising places. Be on the look-out for art on the move. Tempe city buses are covered with poetry, portraits and other expressions. More artwork can be found incorporated into the paths and seat wall along the south shore of Tempe Town Lake. The Tempe campus of Arizona State University, also boasts an impressive collection of public art. From Depression-era murals to contemporary sculpture, ASU's public art reflects the rich historic traditions of the university and Arizona, as well as recent expressions by nationally renowned artists.
Sports and Recreation
A Place to Stay and Play
Sports fans young and old will tell you that Tempe is the perfect destination for them. Athletes flock to Tempe for the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ˝ Marathon in January. The world's best triathletes will compete in the Ford Ironman Arizona in April. Even more triathletes will compete in any number of competitions held at Tempe Town Lake throughout the year.
If you'd prefer watching sports over playing them, then don't miss Arizona State University football at Sun Devil Stadium. Or cheer on your favorite college team at the Insight Bowl on December 31.
To incorporate a little training into your vacation, you can run along the paths of Tempe Town Lake or Papago Park. The scenic South Mountain Park is ideal to hike or mountain bike and is the largest municipal park in the U.S. Rent a bike and cruise along Tempe's 150 miles of bike paths. And of course, no trip to Tempe is complete without renting a kayak or boat and cruising Tempe Town Lake.
A'fore'dable Golf in Tempe
A few miles from Scottsdale golf enthusiasts will find Tempe an affordable golf scene with well-known and beautiful courses. Here's a look at what Tempe has to offer on the course.
ASU Karsten Golf Course, 1125 E Rio Salado Pkwy, 480-0921-8070
Many touring professionals have honed their skills on the fairways and greens of this classic Pete Dye, Scottish links course. The course is home to the ASU Golf Program, which turns out winning teams year after year. The ASU Karsten Golf Course is a classic Pete Dye design reminiscent of a Scottish links course.
Ken McDonald Golf Course, 800 E Divot Dr #A, 480-350-5250
Opened in 1975, Ken McDonald Golf Course was designed by Arthur Synder and offers a fully equipped pro shop, driving range and restaurant. Golf lessons are available as well as clinics and individual instruction; public, 18 holes.
Rio Salado Golf Course, 1490 E Weber Dr, 480-990-1233
Designed by Mike Morely this course offers large fairways and nine holes of golf. The course has lush, spacious fairways and fast mid-sized greens. There is a full restaurant, chipping area and pro-golf teacher on-site; public, 9 holes.
Rolling Hills Golf Course, 1415 N Mill Ave, 480-350-5275
The course offers 18 holes among small hills and slopes. Golf Course amenities include a driving range, chipping area and pro-golf teacher on-site; public, 18 holes.
Shalimar Country Club, 2032 E Golf Ave, 480-838-0488
Shalimar Country Club is predominantly on flat terrain, with greens slightly elevated. The design features six par fours measuring up to 352 yards in length. There is a chipping area and driving range on site; public, 9 holes.
Discovering Arizona
Step off the plane, step into Tempe.
If you don't have your own private jet, let us roll out the red carpet at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Close proximity between Tempe and the airport makes flying in and out a snap. Take a weekend and come to Tempe for an Arizona State University football game, the Tempe festival of the Arts and many more of our signature events. Or, fly in for a day of golf at ASU Karsten Golf Course, located just minutes from the runway. Low fares on US Airways or Southwest Airlines mean you can afford to take a few short vacations in the Arizona sun each year.
With so many hotels to choose from, exciting events, complimentary airport shuttles, art and culture and more, sunny Tempe is the perfect remedy for the winter chills.
Stay in Tempe, Stay in Arizona
Arizona's inspiring Sonoran desert, wind and water swept canyons, and lush pine forests combine to make a diverse landscape that is like no other. Tempe is the perfect gateway to the wonders of Arizona. Visitors use Tempe as their hub to discovering the state. Get behind the wheel and take a scenic drive to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tucson and the White Mountains. Or, let the experts at one of our many tour companies take the lead and transport you to another world, such as the Navajo reservation. Visitors can even take a short, but memorable, day trip along the legendary Apache Trail or go for a tour of the desert surrounding the metro area. Go to www.arizonascenicroads.com or www.arizonaguide.com to help plan your trip. Wherever you go in Arizona, Tempe is in the middle of it all.
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