This article was published on June 9th, 2019

Home of Arizona State University, Tempe Arizona is a young, vibrant college town full of attractions and things to go do. With its close proximity to Phoenix in the center of Arizona, Tempe offers amazing things to do with ample resources to do it with. Check out all of the wonderful things to do in the fun desert city of Tempe, Arizona.

Tempe is home to one of the biggest and best universities in America: Arizona State University (ASU). This means Tempe is a more youthful city, often aiming products and services towards a younger crowd. Arizona State is almost a mini city within the city of Tempe, and the college has lots to see and do within its campus. 

ASU is already a beautiful school with a gorgeous campus, but this university contains one of the best art museums around: the ASU Art Museum. Cited in “Art in America” as “the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona,” the ASU Art Museum exhibits contemporary artists, both regional and national, with a focus on Latin American art. The Museum also houses the largest collection of Cuban art in the US and an award-winning print collection. Exhibitions change seasonally, and admission is always free. 

The main street of Tempe is Mill Avenue, and it is lined with bars, restaurants, and fun shopping. Mill Avenue is often where people come to hang out and stroll, morning through late night. This is a great place to meet the locals, people watch, and make plans for further adventures in and around Tempe. 

Tempe Town Lake is a man-made lake adjacent to the downtown core. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and paddle boating. A 5-mile paved running / walking path around the lake. Fantastic place for sunset selfies. Bridges lit up at night, one with rainbow lights. 

A-Mountain is also located adjacent to the downtown core. This is a popular hike for morning and lunch breaks: It takes 20 mins to climb to the top / 10 minutes to get down. A-mountain offers the best views from the city center, including Four Peaks Mountain range, and other popular hiking destinations. You’ll find great views and photo opportunities of Tempe, Phoenix skyline, and aircraft landing at PHX from the summit. This is a free, easy hike and you can even catch some hieroglyphics on a rock on the way up– very cool. 

The Desert Botanical Garden is one of Tempe’s featured attractions. This botanical garden is more of a living museum, featuring 50,000 desert plants from around the world on 55 cultivated acres. This massive garden allows visitors a free exploration of the flora and fauna of the southwestern US region. Be sure to mock hug some Saguaro cacti and buttes for the ultimate Arizona selfies. Plus, there are wild birds, rabbits, squirrels, gecko’s, and other local critters to explore on the grounds. The cherry on the Desert Botanical Garden’s sundae: the Night light art installation that plays on the cactus garden. 

Get your grub on at the always fun F&B. This is a young, fresh, and hip gastronomic adventure of an eatery and bar! Also, Postino Annex comes highly HomoCulture recommended (we advise you try their incredible bruschetta). Grad drinks and appetizers at the newly renovated The Normal Bar at Graduate Tempe, dash into the trendy Culinary Dropout, or dine with as little of a carbon footprint as possible with farm-to-plate breakfasts at Singh Meadows. 

Get your drink on at Four Peaks Brewing Company –  home to Kilt Lifter and Hop Knot IPA, Arizona’s most awarded craft brewery. Four Peaks Brewing Co is located in a turn of the century brick warehouse with an expansive menu and a climate-controlled patio. There is even a full brewery historic tour, featuring alleged ghost stories and including a tasting bar with a full restaurant.

Get adventurous at Lumberjaxe axe throwing. Test your “totes masc” status by broing out with a little axe throwing. Test your strength and destress with this fun, outrageous activity that is all the rage these days. No lumberjacking experience necessary. Just head to Lumberjaxe in Phoenix and you’ll walk out of there feeling like a hunter warrior axe-throwing manly man!

For accommodation, stay at The Graduate Tempe. This is an out of this world hotel like a retro time capsule with different decorated rooms throughout. Free bikes, a 24-hour gym, pool, hot tub, the Normal Bar and Restaurant, and its close proximity to ASU makes The Graduate Tempe a perfect gaycation stay.

Need further ideas for Tempe adventures and sightseeing? Look no further than Tempe Travel. Tempe Travel has all of your needs covered and can offer the best information to make sure your visit to Tempe, Arizona is the absolute best. You’ll be set with the best Tempe travelers tips! www.tempetourism.com

Arizona is so much more than The Grand Canyon State and sexy destination cities like Tempe and Phoenix. Arizona has lakes, forests, deserts, mountains and ever possible adventure you could ask for. Notably one of the most beautiful of all the United States, Arizona is a stand out for its natural wonders and seemingly endless opportunities to explore this majestic state. You’ll find everything in Arizona: history, art, culture, Southwestern and Native American artifacts and history, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet! www.visitarizona.com