Get in
Tempe is one of the most accessible cities in the Phoenix Metroplitan area and only 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Tempe is accessible via several main arteries, including the Loop 101, Loop 202, US 60, and surface streets including East Van Buren Street to the Mill Avenue bridge. In 2008, the Valley Metro Light Rail project is scheduled to bring light rail service through Tempe.
Get around
Tempe offers convenient bus service as well car rental agencies and sightseeing companies.
See
Arizona State University (ASU) Tempe is vibrant, diverse and progressive. A key factor in Tempe's lifestyle is Arizona State University (ASU). ASU, located in the heart of Tempe, started out as a small teaching college in 1885 and has grown into the largest university in the nation, with several campuses spread throughout the metropolitan area. The largest of these campuses is the Tempe ASU Campus, a square-mile center of knowledge and cultural experience.
ASU Gammage, Arizona State University, Box 870105, Tempe, AZ 85287-0105, Phone: (480)965-5062
is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed theatre that hosts international talent, Broadway shows and local entertainment.
ASU Mars Space Flight Facility,(480)965-1790. The facility supports the Thermal Emission Spectrometer experiment that was sent aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft when it launched in November 1996. The Mars facility has a visitor area with displays about Mars and a television tuned to NASA TV. Open 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday.
Two times per year, Tempe is host to the Tempe Festival of the Arts, , a masive street fair featuring arts and crafts from all over the country, as well as a wide selection of carnival/sreet fair style foods, beverages and live entertainment.
City of Tempe Cultural Services, 3340 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ 85282, Phone: (480)350-5287
Numerous examples of public art dot Tempe's landscape. Additionally, Tempe presents exhibits featuring professional and student artists. Works may be viewed in public places, which serve as alternate spaces for regularly changing exhibits.
Petersen House Museum, 1414 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282, Phone: (480)350-5151
Restored Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1892 by one of Tempe's earliest settlers. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission.
Do
Tempe Historical Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282, Phone: (480)350-5100
M useum featuring the history of Tempe from the time of prehistoric Hohokam to today. Video, hands-on exhibits and gift shop. Open Mon. - Thurs. and Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Free admission.
Tempe has numerous parks, soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, pools, golf courses and its own two-mile urban park complex, Tempe Town Lake. Twin bicycle and walking paths circle the lake leading to Tempe Beach Park, Splash Playground, Town Lake Marina and Giuliano Park, where many triathlons take place. In addition, Tempe has more than 150 miles of dedicated bikeways and the League of American Bicyclists has designated Tempe a Silver-Level Bicycle-Friendly Community Award winner.
Tempe's outdoor activities and sporting events add to Tempe's dynamic lifestyle. Tempe is the annual home to the Ford Ironman Arizona, the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, the Insight Bowl Tempe and all of the intercollegiate athletics at Arizona State University. Every March, Tempe plays host to the Angels Major League Baseball Spring Training games at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Buy
Tempe has a wide range of shopping choices from nationally known department stores to outlets and specialty boutiques. The heart of downtown Tempe and the main shopping district is the Mill Avenue District. This area is filled with specialty shops, bars, restaurants, cafés, pubs and is also the cornerstone of the downtown business district.
Arizona Mills offers more than 175 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues under one roof.
Arizona's only IKEA located in Southern Tempe.
The Tempe Marketplace is scheduled to open in the summer of 2007. Tempe Marketplace's 1.3 million square feet of retail space is positioned as an open-air, pedestrian-oriented environment, creating an eclectic atmosphere for a memorable experience
Eat
The Mill Avenue District offers the most concentrated area of restaurants and cafés in Arizona. Tempe restaurants offer cuisines including Middle Eastern, Asian, Mexican and, of course, American fare and many have received the Phoenix New Times "Best of" award.
Monti's La Casa Vieja 100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)967-7594 Monti's La Casa Vieja (old house) is the largest full-service restaurant in Arizona. This adobe hacienda offers steaks, seafood and grilled options for almost 50 years. Banquet and catering services available.
Cafe Lalibela, 849 W. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)829-1939. Cafe Lalibela is a family restaurant bringing Ethiopian cuisine to the heart of Tempe.
Caffe Boa,398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)968-9112 An original, casual, Euro-style bistro/wine bar. Award winning wine list with authentic Mediterranean styled food. Over 250 wines with full bar. Voted Best Italian Restaurant and Best Chef for 2005.
Cereality at ASUASU Memorial Union Building, Tempe, AZ 85287
Phone: (480)242-4743 Cereality is a patent-pending new restaurant. It brings a unique, highly personal, healthy eating experience where the menu is entirely built around brand-name cereals.
Four Peaks Brewing Company1340 E. 8th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480)303-9967 Arizona's largest brewery located in a turn of the century brick warehouse with award-winning food and hand-crafted ales.
Grilled Expedition740 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480)317-0600 offers classic favorites prepared over live oak and mesquite flames with unique flavors from around the world. Grilled on Mill welcomes guests to the new "X" bar on the main level and diners may experience the cozy dining room on the second floor. Patios are available on the main and upper level for sidewalk and balcony dining. Grilled on Mill holds a generous happy hour and reverse happy hour 7 days a week as well as 1/2 price bottles of wine on Mondays.
House of Tricks Restaurant114 E. 7th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480)968-1114 is a Tempe original accesible witrhin walking distance from Mill Avenue. House of Tricks is hidden inside two turn-of-the-century homes, behind a vine-strewn courtyard. Eclectic new American menus and extensive wine list. Outside catering available. Private dining area or patios can accomodate 35-75 guests; semi private dining areas can accomodate 15-20 guest.
IKEA Restaurant & Cafe 2110 IKEA Way, Tempe, AZ 85284
Phone: (480)785-8209 Swedish American cuisine featuring IKEA's famous Swedish meatballs, herb crusted salmon, open-faced shrimp sandwiches, salads, delicious desserts and many more items to choose from. Kid-friendly seating area, a relaxed atmosphere for adults and cafeteria-style dining options.
Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)929-9500 Lively old world pub & restaurant built in Ireland. Four-star cuisine, pub fare, and ample pints of Guinness. Live music and courtyard patio bar. Seating for 130. Semi-private dining for 50.
Drink
The Mill Avenue District offers the most concentrated area of restaurants and cafés in Arizona.
Tavern on Mill 404 S. Mill Ave., Tempe AZ 85281, Tel: 480-967-5887 Located just off the main commercial street, The Tavern on Mill offers traditional and southwestern cuisine and is known for its well rounded beer selection, excellent service and great eats. The Tavern on Mill has almost as much seating space inside as outside. 30 television monitors and flat screens display the latest music videos, sports games and more.
Caffe Boa,398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)968-9112 An original, casual, Euro-style bistro/wine bar. Award winning wine list with authentic Mediterranean styled food. Over 250 wines with full bar. Voted Best Italian Restaurant and Best Chef for 2005.
Four Peaks Brewing Company1340 E. 8th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480)303-9967 Arizona's largest brewery located in a turn of the century brick warehouse with award-winning food and hand-crafted ales.
Gordon Biersch 420 South Mill Ave Suite 201, Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: 480-736-0033 Located in the heart of downtown Tempe on the corner of South Mill Avenue and 5th Street. The second story New Orlean's style restaurant has three balconies overlooking the downtown district. Within walking distance from major business, ASU and Sun Devil Stadium and offers complimentary valet parking beginning at 5:00 p.m. every night.
Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: (480)929-9500 Lively old world pub & restaurant built in Ireland. Four-star cuisine, pub fare, and ample pints of Guinness. Live music and courtyard patio bar. Seating for 130. Semi-private dining for 50.
Sleep
Get out
Tempe welcomes the LGBT & GLBT community.
