Tempe

A big "A" stands out on the small rocky hill of Hayden Butte, and down at the water, kayaks paddle across a lake in the middle of the desert. If you're planning a trip to Tempe, you'll find the youngest and perhaps most laid-back city in the Phoenix area, shaped by Arizona State University, bike paths and a lively nightlife strip.

Ferry, Mill and University

Tempe was founded in the 1870s at a ford on the Salt River, where Charles Trumbull Hayden operated a ferry and a flour mill. The name is said to come from a British traveler who thought the landscape resembled the Vale of Tempe in Greece. In 1885, a teachers' college was founded here, which grew into Arizona State University, today one of the largest universities in the U.S. The Hayden Flour Mill still stands at the foot of the butte and is preserved as a landmark.

Sights in Tempe

Tempe Town Lake was created in the 1990s by inflatable dams across the mostly dry bed of the Salt River. Along the shore you can stroll, bike or rent a stand-up paddleboard, and the Tempe Center for the Arts sits right on the water. A short, steep trail leads up Hayden Butte, with Hohokam petroglyphs and panoramic views over the Valley. On the ASU campus, Gammage Auditorium, one of Frank Lloyd Wright's last public buildings, and the ASU Art Museum are worth a visit. Papago Park on the border with Phoenix, with its red sandstone buttes and Hole-in-the-Rock, offers easy hikes.

Eating and Going Out in Tempe

Mill Avenue is the main street of downtown Tempe and, thanks to the students, the nightlife hub of the East Valley, with bars, pubs, live music and inexpensive eateries. Mexican food plays a big role, from taco stands to family restaurants serving Sonoran dishes. Craft breweries have moved into old commercial buildings. On weekends, a market is often held downtown, and in the fall, Sun Devils football games at Mountain America Stadium draw tens of thousands of fans.

Festivals and Sports in Tempe

Twice a year, the Tempe Festival of the Arts turns Mill Avenue into a huge art market with hundreds of booths. Around Tempe Town Lake, you'll find races, rowing regattas and, in November, Ironman Arizona. In spring, the Los Angeles Angels train at Tempe Diablo Stadium. If you're looking for a break from city life, visit the Desert Botanical Garden in neighboring Papago Park, where thousands of cacti and succulents grow and flashlight tours are offered in the evening.

Getting Around Tempe and Best Time to Visit

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is only about ten minutes to the west and is connected to the light rail by a Sky Train. Valley Metro Rail runs to Phoenix and Mesa, and a streetcar operates around downtown and the campus. Tempe is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Arizona. The best times to visit are fall, winter and spring; in summer, temperatures climb above 100°F. Spring also brings Spring Training baseball games. Day trips lead to the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale or the Apache Trail.