Tempe packs an unusual amount into a compact part of the Phoenix metro area. You can walk beside Tempe Town Lake, hike above downtown, explore Arizona State University, see contemporary art, catch a concert, and finish the evening around Mill Avenue without spending your whole trip in a car. The key is choosing activities around the desert weather and using Tempe’s strong transit network when it makes sense.
Quick Answer
The best things to do in Tempe include walking or paddling at Tempe Town Lake, hiking Hayden Butte, exploring Mill Avenue and ASU, visiting the ASU Art Museum, seeing a show at ASU Gammage or Tempe Center for the Arts, and using Tempe as a base for nearby Papago Park.
Key Takeaways
- Stay near Downtown Tempe, Mill Avenue, or ASU if you want the easiest combination of walking, dining, attractions, and transit.
- Tempe Town Lake and Hayden Butte are two of the easiest outdoor attractions to combine with downtown sightseeing.
- Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock are nearby, but important parts of the park, including Hole-in-the-Rock, are on the Phoenix side.
- Valley Metro Rail, Tempe Streetcar, free Orbit circulators, biking, and rideshares can make a car optional for a downtown-focused trip.
- In hot weather, schedule hikes and long walks for cooler periods and check the official forecast before heading outside.
Top Things to Do in Tempe
Start with the attractions clustered around Downtown Tempe and Arizona State University. Walk the waterfront at Tempe Town Lake, climb Hayden Butte for an elevated view of the city, and explore the shops, restaurants, public art, and entertainment around Mill Avenue. The compact layout makes it practical to combine several stops in a single day.
On the ASU campus, ASU Gammage is worth seeing even when you do not have a performance ticket. The auditorium was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and remains one of Tempe’s most recognizable buildings. Nearby, the ASU Art Museum provides an indoor cultural stop that works especially well during hot afternoons.
If you have extra time, Tempe is also a convenient base for exploring neighboring parts of metro Phoenix. Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo, and Desert Botanical Garden are close to Tempe, but they should be treated as nearby Phoenix attractions rather than attractions located entirely within Tempe.
Best Time to Visit Tempe
For outdoor sightseeing, the cooler part of the year is generally the easiest time to explore Tempe on foot. Spring can bring busy university and event weekends, while fall and winter often work well for patio dining, Town Lake walks, and desert hikes.
Summer requires a different plan. Shift outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day, build more museums, restaurants, pools, and performances into the afternoon, and check the National Weather Service Phoenix heat guidance before long walks or hikes.
Warning: Desert heat can become dangerous quickly. During excessive heat, avoid strenuous midday hiking, carry more water than you expect to need, use sun protection, and move indoors if you develop symptoms of heat illness. Summer thunderstorms can also produce lightning and rapidly changing conditions, so check the forecast before outdoor plans.
Best Areas to Stay in Tempe
For visitors, it is more useful to choose a hotel by the attractions and transportation around it than by small residential neighborhood names.
Downtown Tempe, Mill Avenue and ASU
This is the strongest choice for a first visit without a car. You can walk to restaurants, ASU, Mill Avenue, Hayden Butte, transit stops, and parts of the Town Lake area. It is also the liveliest zone at night, so travelers seeking very quiet evenings may prefer another area.
Tempe Town Lake Area
Choose this area if waterfront walks, events, parks, and easy access to downtown matter most. Check the exact hotel location because the lake is large and not every property is equally convenient for Mill Avenue or ASU.
East Tempe and Tempe Marketplace
This area works well if shopping, restaurants, highway access, or a hotel outside the busiest university blocks is more important than being able to walk everywhere downtown.
South Tempe and the Kiwanis Area
South Tempe is calmer and more residential. It can suit families or travelers planning to drive, especially if parks and a quieter base matter more than nightlife.
West Tempe and Airport Access
Hotels on the western side of Tempe can be convenient for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and road trips around the Valley. Compare the property with your planned attractions, because some airport-oriented hotels are less practical for walking around downtown.
Note: If you are visiting for an ASU football game, graduation, a major concert, or a large Town Lake event, book early. Hotel availability, traffic, and parking can change significantly on major event weekends.
Outdoor Adventures and Parks
Tempe gives you several ways to get outdoors without committing to an all-day wilderness trip. Tempe Town Lake provides paved waterfront recreation close to downtown, while Hayden Butte offers a short urban hike. Papago Park adds easy desert trails a short distance away.
Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is one of the easiest places to walk, run, bike, or spend time near the water. Multi-use paths run through the lake and Tempe Beach Park area, making the waterfront useful for both sightseeing and exercise.
Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, and other rentals may be available through the lake’s rental operator. If you plan to launch your own watercraft, check the city’s current boating permit and regulation information before arriving.
Sunrise and the period near sunset are comfortable times for photography and walking when temperatures allow. Event days can make Tempe Beach Park much busier, so check the city calendar if you prefer a quieter waterfront visit.
Hayden Butte Preserve and A Mountain
Hayden Butte, commonly called A Mountain, rises directly beside downtown and ASU. Its location makes it one of the simplest hikes to add to a Tempe itinerary. The climb is short compared with many Phoenix-area mountain hikes, but it still involves a noticeable incline, exposed desert conditions, and limited shade.
Use designated trails, carry water, and save the climb for a cooler part of the day. The reward is a broad view over Downtown Tempe, ASU, Tempe Town Lake, and surrounding parts of the Valley.
Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock
Papago Park spans areas managed by Phoenix and Tempe and is known for rounded sandstone buttes and generally approachable desert trails. It is close enough to combine with a Tempe stay, but visitors should pay attention to which side of the park their destination is on.
The popular Hole-in-the-Rock Trail is on the Phoenix side. Phoenix Parks describes it as a short dirt-and-step route to a natural opening in the butte. It does not require technical climbing equipment, but the dirt surface, steps, and elevation change mean it should not be described as universally accessible.
The Crosscut Canal area also passes near Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, making Papago Park easy to combine with those nearby Phoenix attractions.
Arts, Museums, and Live Music
Tempe’s cultural scene ranges from university museums and Broadway touring productions to local music venues. These indoor stops are especially useful when the afternoon is too hot for a long outdoor activity.
Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe Center for the Arts sits near Tempe Town Lake and hosts theater, music, visual art, community programs, and special events. Its main performance hall seats about 600 people, giving many shows a more intimate setting than a large arena.
- Check the calendar for concerts, theater, comedy, and community events.
- Allow time to look at current visual-art exhibitions when galleries are open.
- Combine a performance with a Town Lake walk if weather permits.
- Verify performance times, ticket requirements, parking, and gallery hours before your visit.
ASU Art Museum
Located at ASU’s Tempe campus, the ASU Art Museum focuses on contemporary art, exhibitions, and community-centered programming. Admission is currently free. As of August 2026, the main museum lists regular hours of Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with closures on Monday, Tuesday, and university holidays.
Because schedules and exhibitions change, check the museum’s official visit page before building your day around it.
ASU Gammage
ASU Gammage is more than a performance stop. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the building, which was completed in 1964 after his death. Today it hosts Broadway touring productions and other large performances. If architecture interests you, it is worth seeing the exterior even when you do not have tickets.
Live Music Venues
Tempe’s music options range from small local stages to larger touring shows. Marquee Theatre on North Mill Avenue regularly hosts touring performers, while Yucca Tap Room has a long-running local live-music program. Tempe Center for the Arts and ASU venues add seated concerts and performing arts.
- Check the venue’s own calendar rather than relying on old event listings.
- Verify age restrictions before visiting bars or club-style venues.
- Buy tickets early for popular touring acts.
- Use rideshare or transit when drinking rather than planning to drive afterward.
Food, Breweries, and Nightlife
Mill Avenue and Downtown Tempe are the easiest places to sample several restaurants and bars without repeatedly moving your car. The mix changes frequently, but you can usually find quick student-friendly meals, Southwestern and Mexican food, pizza, international restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, cocktails, and late-night options within the broader downtown and ASU area.
For a quieter meal, look beyond the busiest Mill Avenue blocks toward South Tempe, Apache Boulevard, or shopping districts such as Tempe Marketplace. Restaurant hours can vary sharply between weekdays, weekends, university breaks, and major event nights, so check the restaurant’s current website or listing before traveling across town.
Pro Tip: If you want dinner followed by live music, choose both in the same part of Tempe. Pairing a Downtown Tempe meal with Mill Avenue, ASU Gammage, Town Lake, or a nearby venue can save considerable parking and rideshare time.
Sample 24-, 48-, and 72-Hour Itineraries
You do not need to cross the entire Phoenix metro area to fill several days in Tempe. Keep each day geographically compact and put the most weather-sensitive outdoor activity first.
24 Hours in Tempe
- Morning: Hike Hayden Butte during a comfortable part of the day, then have breakfast or coffee downtown.
- Late morning: Walk through ASU and see ASU Gammage.
- Afternoon: Visit ASU Art Museum when it is open, or substitute an indoor attraction if the museum is closed.
- Late afternoon: Walk or paddle at Tempe Town Lake if conditions are suitable.
- Evening: Eat around Downtown Tempe and finish with live music, a show, or a relaxed Mill Avenue walk.
48 Hours in Tempe
Follow the first-day plan, then use the second day for Papago Park and a deeper look at Tempe’s arts scene.
- Morning: Visit Papago Park and Hole-in-the-Rock before the hottest part of the day.
- Midday: Have lunch and cool down indoors.
- Afternoon: Add Desert Botanical Garden or the Phoenix Zoo if you want another nearby attraction, remembering that both are in Phoenix.
- Evening: Return to Tempe for Tempe Center for the Arts, ASU Gammage, Marquee Theatre, or another scheduled performance.
72 Hours in Tempe
Use the third day for a slower pace. Explore South Tempe or Kiwanis Park, shop around Tempe Marketplace, return to a favorite part of the lake, or add another museum or event elsewhere in the Valley. A third day also gives you room to move an outdoor activity if extreme heat, wind, or thunderstorms disrupt the original plan.
Getting Around Tempe: Transportation Tips
Tempe has one of the better combinations of walking, cycling, and public transportation in the Phoenix metro area, especially around downtown and ASU.
| Mode | Best for |
|---|---|
| Valley Metro Rail | Travel between Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, and the rail connection serving Phoenix Sky Harbor |
| Tempe Streetcar | Short trips through central Tempe and connections with the wider transit network |
| Orbit | Free neighborhood circulator trips within Tempe |
| Bike | Town Lake paths and short trips when weather is comfortable |
| Walking | Downtown, Mill Avenue, ASU, and nearby attractions |
| Rideshare | Late nights, hot-weather transfers, or destinations away from convenient transit |
| Rental car | Day trips and attractions spread across the wider Phoenix area |
Valley Metro Rail and Tempe Streetcar
Valley Metro Rail connects Tempe with Phoenix and Mesa. Tempe Streetcar adds a shorter central-Tempe route with 14 stops along approximately three miles. Check Valley Metro before traveling for current fares, schedules, service changes, and the best transfer for your destination.
Free Orbit Circulators
Tempe’s Orbit neighborhood circulators are free and connect residential areas with shopping, schools, major bus routes, and other parts of the city. They can be especially useful when your destination is not directly beside rail.
Getting From Phoenix Sky Harbor to Tempe
The free PHX Sky Train connects airport terminals with the 44th Street/Washington Valley Metro Rail station. From there, rail service provides a public-transit connection toward Tempe. This can be practical if your hotel is near a Tempe rail stop and you are traveling with manageable luggage.
Biking and Walking
Town Lake’s off-street multi-use paths are generally more comfortable for recreational family riding than busy downtown streets. Families with young children should choose routes based on separated-path access and the child’s experience rather than assuming every bike lane or bridge is suitable.
Heat changes the calculation. A walk that feels short on a map can become unpleasant or unsafe during very hot weather, so use transit or rideshare for longer transfers when conditions warrant it.
Pro Tip: A car is not essential for a trip focused on Downtown Tempe, ASU, Mill Avenue, and Town Lake. Rent one only if your itinerary includes several widely separated destinations or day trips around the Valley.
Seasonal Events and Practical Travel Advice
Tempe’s event calendar changes throughout the year, with university events, performances, races, festivals, community programs, and major gatherings around Tempe Town Lake. The lake hosts numerous special events, while the city also runs arts and community programming elsewhere in Tempe.
Rather than planning around an old list of dates, check the City of Tempe and individual venue calendars shortly before booking. Large ASU weekends and major Town Lake events can affect hotel rates, parking, restaurant demand, and traffic.
- Check event calendars before booking flights and hotels.
- Reserve high-demand performances and restaurants in advance.
- Carry government-issued identification for age-restricted venues.
- Verify Valley Metro service if you will return late at night.
- Bring sun protection and a refillable water bottle.
- In summer, build indoor alternatives into every day’s plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Pet-Friendly Hotels With Easy Access to Tempe Attractions?
Yes. Tempe has pet-friendly lodging in and around the downtown, ASU, airport, and shopping areas. Policies vary by property, so confirm pet fees, size or breed limits, the number of pets allowed, and nearby relief areas directly with the hotel before booking.
What Local Customs or Etiquette Should Visitors Be Aware Of?
Tempe is casual, but standard U.S. service and public-space etiquette applies. Tip where customary, respect private property and campus rules, keep trail and park areas clean, ask before photographing individuals at close range, and follow venue rules for bags, alcohol, smoking, and age restrictions.
Where Can I Find Halal, Kosher, or Specialty Dietary Options?
Tempe and the surrounding Phoenix area have restaurants serving many dietary needs, but certification and preparation standards can change. Do not assume a Middle Eastern restaurant is halal or a Jewish-style restaurant is kosher. Check the restaurant’s current menu and certification information, and call ahead when strict dietary compliance matters.
Are There Safe Bicycle Routes for Families With Young Children?
Tempe has off-street multi-use paths, including paths around the Town Lake area, that can be more comfortable for recreational family riding than busy streets. Route conditions, crossings, construction, heat, and a child’s riding ability still matter, so review the current city bike map before setting out.
What Emergency Medical Facilities Serve Tourists in Tempe?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center, formerly Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, is on South Mill Avenue and operates a 24-hour emergency department. Urgent-care clinics are also available around the area for appropriate non-emergency problems.
Do I Need a Car to Visit Tempe?
Not necessarily. A stay focused on Downtown Tempe, ASU, Mill Avenue, and Tempe Town Lake can work well with walking, Valley Metro Rail, Tempe Streetcar, Orbit, biking, and occasional rideshares. A rental car becomes more useful when you add several widely separated Phoenix-area attractions or day trips.
Is Tempe Good for Families?
Yes, especially if you focus on Town Lake paths, parks, easy outdoor activities, museums, family events, and nearby attractions such as the Phoenix Zoo. In hot weather, schedule outdoor time early and plan indoor breaks or pool time during the hottest part of the day.
Conclusion
Tempe works especially well when you keep the trip compact. Start with Tempe Town Lake, Downtown Tempe, ASU, and Hayden Butte, then add museums, performances, restaurants, and nearby Papago Park as time allows. Use rail, Streetcar, Orbit, walking, or biking where practical, and adapt outdoor plans to the desert weather. With that approach, you can experience a substantial mix of outdoor recreation, culture, food, and nightlife without spending most of the visit driving.
Sources
- City of Tempe: Tempe Town Lake Paths, Parks and Recreation — waterfront paths, boating and recreation information.
- City of Phoenix: Papago Park Trails — Hole-in-the-Rock trail description and trail details.
- Valley Metro: How to Ride — current regional rail and public transportation information.
- City of Tempe: Orbit — free Tempe neighborhood circulator information.
- ASU Art Museum: Plan Your Visit — current museum admission, hours and visitor information.
- National Weather Service Phoenix: Heat Safety — official guidance for preventing heat-related illness.
