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The Hohokam people inhabited the Salt River Valley for centuries, building an extensive canal system that transformed the desert into fertile farmland. Their agricultural ingenuity laid the groundwork for what would become the modern Phoenix metropolitan area. By the late 19th century, Charles Trumbull Hayden established a ferry crossing and mercantile operation along the Salt River.
Hayden named the settlement after the Vale of Tempe in ancient Greece, envisioning a prosperous community along the riverbanks. The arrival of the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad in 1887 accelerated growth, and Tempe incorporated as a city in 1894. The establishment of the Arizona Territorial Normal School in 1885 eventually evolved into Arizona State University, cementing Tempe’s identity as a center of education and innovation.
Mill Avenue District serves as the city’s vibrant social hub, lined with independent boutiques and eclectic restaurants that cater to students and visitors alike. Catch a live music performance at the Marquee Theatre, a popular venue that hosts touring acts. The Tempe Marketplace offers outdoor shopping and dining with community events held throughout the year.
Tempe Town Lake provides year-round recreational activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing against the city skyline. For sports fans, a visit to Mountain America Stadium to watch the Sun Devils football team is a quintessential Tempe experience. Art enthusiasts should explore the galleries and studios along Artists’ Alley in the Mill Avenue District.
Rising above the desert landscape, Hayden Butte offers panoramic views of the Salt River Valley and the sprawling ASU campus. The Arizona State University Art Museum, designed by Antoine Predock, features an impressive collection of contemporary and Latin American art.
The Tempe Center for the Arts, perched on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake, showcases theater productions and community performances in a stunning lakeside setting. The Petersen House Museum, a restored Victorian home from 1892, provides a glimpse into Tempe’s pioneer history. The ASU Gammage Auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, hosts Broadway touring productions and stands as a remarkable architectural landmark.
Papago Park features distinctive red sandstone buttes and miles of trails winding through the Sonoran Desert landscape. The park is home to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, both located within its scenic boundaries.
Kiwanis Park offers a fishing lake, a swimming pool, and picnic areas spread across 125 acres of green space. The Hayden Butte Preserve allows hikers to climb to the summit for sweeping views and a chance to spot ancient petroglyphs along the trail. The Arizona Canal Path provides a scenic route for biking and jogging along the historic canal system.
The best time to visit Tempe is during the fall months from October through November and the spring months from March through April, when daytime temperatures range from the comfortable 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. These shoulder seasons offer ideal weather for outdoor exploration of Papago Park and Tempe Town Lake.
The winter months of December through February bring mild temperatures perfect for hiking and golfing, with clear blue skies in the 60s and 70s. Summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit from June through September. If visiting during summer, plan outdoor activities for the early morning hours. The Tempe Festival of the Arts in December and March draws large crowds to the city.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Tempe. Choose your favorite!
The SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall brings the wonders of the ocean to the desert with over 30 display tanks and a 360-degree ocean tunnel where visitors walk beneath swimming sharks and graceful rays. The aquarium houses thousands o…
Tempe Town Lake is a 224-acre reservoir stretching for two miles along the Salt River channel in the heart of downtown Tempe. Created in 1999 , this man-made lake transformed a dry riverbed into one of the most popular outdoor recreation destination…