Nature & Wildlife
Audubon Arizona
Audubon Arizona is the state office of the National Audubon Society and a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, with the mission of connecting...
Audubon Arizona
3131 S. Central Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85040
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe, just east of Phoenix, contains the vibe you would expect in a college town, and attractions that make you want to stay awhile.
Unlike other cities in the Valley of the Sun, Tempe is landlocked on all sides by neighboring communities, which means much of the ambitious growth and development that have turned it into a must-see destination have been fueled by incredibly imaginative use (and reuse) of features that already existed within its city limits.
Perhaps the most dramatic example is Tempe Town Lake, created in 1999 at a site on the Salt River where riverboats once delivered grain to be ground at the historic Hayden Flour Mill. Now, more than 2.4 million people a year visit the 220-acre manmade reservoir for kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. Or stick to the miles of surrounding parks and paths for walking, bicycling, Segway tours, volleyball competitions, music and food festivals and other Tempe Town Lake events.
The lake marks the north end of downtown Tempe, known as Mill Avenue, where the sidewalks buzz day and night with people checking out the shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Twice a year, the neighborhood hosts the Tempe Festival of the Arts, where more than 350 artists and artisans take to the streets and sidewalks to showcase their wares.
You don't have to step far onto Arizona State University's Tempe campus to start experiencing something fantastic: ASU Gammage, a landmark performing arts center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, hosts touring Broadway productions, concerts and dance performances. ASU Art Museum presents a colorful collection of Latin American art. Or head to outer space by visiting the Lunar Exploration Museum and NASA's Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Operations Center.
Each spring, Tempe Diablo Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Angels for Cactus League Spring Training. Bonus tip: Before each game, you'll see fans waiting outside in the west parking lot near the practice stadium; it's a prime spot to score autographs from your favorite players headed to the playing field!
At Papago Park, the 150-acre desert preserve split between Tempe and Phoenix, visitors can enjoy more than 10 miles of Tempe hiking and biking trails. One of the most popular (and shortest) leads to the iconic Hole in the Rock, a west-facing cave carved out of a sandstone butte that affords fantastic sunset vistas.
For a more manicured experience, head to the 125-acre Kiwanis Park in south Tempe, where tennis courts, a batting range, a 5,000-square-foot seasonal splash pad and an indoor heated wave pool and splash pad are scattered around a 12-acre man-made lake where visitors can rent kayaks and pedal boats. (Speaking of pedaling, Tempe’s 217 miles of bike paths helped earn its designation as a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.)
In Tempe, even shopping malls have been reinvented as innovative and imaginative destinations: Arizona Mills hosts both the two-story LEGOLAND Discovery Center, complete with the 1-million-brick Miniland that replicates Arizona landmarks including the Grand Canyon, and the 26,000-square-foot interactive aquarium SEA LIFE Arizona.
Eat & Drink
As the home of Arizona State University, Tempe doesn't disappoint those in search of college-town grub. But foodies will also be pleased to find...
Eat & Drink
Arizona's coffee culture may not be as widespread as our neighbors in the Northwest, but we do have our share of coffee shops serving up a café...
Arts & Entertainment
Book-lovers rejoice! In every corner of Arizona, there's a locally-owned bookstore with stacks upon stacks for you to explore. Check out this...
Must Do
Venturing into the great outdoors can seem a bit daunting at first. Here are some beginner-friendly suggestions to get you started and have you...
#TempePride
A friendly community, diverse population and central location make Tempe an ideal spot to stay and play.
Outdoor Adventures
Arizona offers rivers and lakes in the low deserts, as well as the high deserts and the mountains, for a variety of kayaking and paddling...
Spring Training
Got tickets but no wheels for Spring Training? We got you—with ideas on where to eat, shop and have fun near each stadium, and most just a short...
Cities
Looking to upgrade your travel experience? Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona's vacation destination for fine dining, upscale shopping and luxury...
Cities
Visit this hot spot for family activities, excellent shopping and dining, and charming downtown strolls.
Cities
Go big in Mesa, Arizona's third-largest city, where fan-favorite sports, art attractions, and outdoor adventure attract visitors on a large...
Cities
Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and is located in the central region of the state. People may know it for its year-round sun, desert...
Nature & Wildlife
Audubon Arizona is the state office of the National Audubon Society and a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, with the mission of connecting...
Tours
The Wine Wagon believes that getting there is half the fun, which is why we create a unique AZ winery shuttle experience from start to...
Tours
The Arizona Dragon Boat Association is the organization that runs dragon boating in Arizona. We are based at Tempe Town Lake, own all the...
Breweries
Family Activities
Nestled on 20 acres in Arizona on the northern tip of Tempe and just south of Scottsdale, Big Surf Waterpark has remained an Arizona icon...
Culinary
BK Lobster in Scottsdale, AZ is a quick casual seafood restaurant established in 2022 by married NYC expats intent on adding variety to the...
Distilleries
Known for their Arizona-made, Southwest-inspired premium gin and vodka, Blue Clover Distillery is the first and only micro distillery in...
Nature & Wildlife
Butterfly Wonderland, featuring the largest butterfly conservatory in the country with thousands of fluttering butterflies, transports...
Wineries
Located in the arts and entertainment district of Old Town Scottsdale, Carlson Creek's tasting room was a former art gallery now completely...
Music
Performing Arts
Chandler Center for the Arts is an engaging, welcoming, innovative space serving our diverse community.With three dynamic performance...
Arts & Culture
Chandler Center for the Arts is an engaging, welcoming, innovative space serving our diverse community.With three dynamic performance...