Tempe | Visit Arizona (2024)

Cities

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.

Ride the waves

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.

Mill about downtown

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.

Head back to school

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.

Catch a homerun

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!

Put it in park

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.)

Experience the great indoors

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.

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Tempe | Visit Arizona (2024)

FAQs

What is special about Tempe, Arizona? ›

Tempe attractions include desert discoveries, splashing around on a lake, viewing contemporary art, learning a bit of history and being mesmerized by underwater creatures at an aquarium.

Is Tempe, AZ a good place to live? ›

Tempe is a city in Arizona with a population of 181,005. Tempe is in Maricopa County and is one of the best places to live in Arizona. Living in Tempe offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Tempe there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

How much do you need to make to live in Tempe? ›

What is a livable salary in Tempe? The median household income in a city certainly helps gauge the cost of living. The median household income in Tempe is $64,080, which is 2% less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $34,829, which is 6% less than that of the state.

Is Tempe, Arizona worth visiting? ›

Some top attractions include Tempe Town Lake, the various hiking trails in the area like Hayden Butte, and the delicious restaurants and dessert spots around town, like Ghost Ranch and The Crepe Bar. Without further ado, here's my quick guide to Tempe of what to do, where to eat, and where to stay!

Why are houses in Tempe so expensive? ›

The rising housing costs can be attributed to several factors. As Tempe continues to attract more companies from out of state, demand from workers moving to the city drives up prices, Vice Mayor Lauren Kuby said.

Is Tempe more expensive than Phoenix? ›

The median housing list price per square foot in Tempe is $190, which is 12% higher than the Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale Metro's average of $169.

Is Tempe a rich area? ›

Tempe zip code 85284, according to Esri, tops some of the East Valley's wealthiest cities with an average net worth of more than $1.5 million. When you look at data from the MAG and the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, several other East Valley neighborhoods, towns and cities stand out.

Is Tempe az expensive? ›

Tempe, Arizona's cost of living is 9% higher than the national average.

Can you live in Tempe, AZ without a car? ›

Culdesac Tempe is a car-free rental apartment community in Tempe, AZ. Units are situated around vibrant courtyards that become the outdoor living rooms and center of community for Culdesac.

What is a livable salary in Arizona? ›

For a household of four, it takes about $215,000. In Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale it takes an hourly wage of $49.38 or an annual salary of $102,710 for a single adult to sustain comfortable living standards. For a household of four, it takes about $238,500.

What is the poverty rate in Tempe Arizona? ›

Poverty & Diversity

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Tempe, AZ (28.7k out of 171k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%.

What is Az Tempe minimum wage? ›

The Arizona minimum wage increased from $13.85 per hour to $14.35 per hour. The latest increase took effect on January 1, 2024, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2024.

Why is Tempe so popular? ›

Welcome to Tempe, AZ, a lively city known for its vibrant college town atmosphere, outdoor recreation, and cultural diversity. From the bustling Mill Avenue District to the scenic Tempe Town Lake, Tempe offers residents a unique blend of opportunities and experiences.

Why move to Tempe? ›

Abundant amenities – including year-round sunshine – in this city of nearly 180,000 is just one of the reasons Tempe, AZ, is one of the best places to live in the U.S. Add a robust economy, excellent access to medical care, fabulous outdoor opportunities, a lively downtown district and family-friendly neighborhoods, ...

Do you need a car in Tempe? ›

By Foot. Many of Tempe's attractions are accessible without a car, especially for visitors who stay in Downtown Tempe. Tempe Town Lake, ASU Gammage, ASU Art Museum and Mountain America Stadium (formerly Sun Devil Stadium) are just a 5 to 10 minute jaunt from many of Tempe's hotels.

What makes Tempe special? ›

Welcome to Tempe, AZ, a lively city known for its vibrant college town atmosphere, outdoor recreation, and cultural diversity. From the bustling Mill Avenue District to the scenic Tempe Town Lake, Tempe offers residents a unique blend of opportunities and experiences.

What is good about Tempe? ›

Nutritional Profile

Tempeh has no cholesterol, and it's a good way to get B vitamins, fiber, iron, calcium, and other minerals. A 3-ounce serving of tempeh has: 160 calories.

What is the famous street in Tempe Arizona? ›

Historic Mill Avenue - Next Level | City of Tempe, AZ.

What is ASU Tempe known for? ›

The Tempe campus is home to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the School of Sustainability.

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