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Best Tourist Spots in Tempe

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Tempe, though being a small and offbeat city, has multiple faces, and each face is different, interesting and wonderful. You’ll be struck by Tempe’s historical, cultural and artistic sights. There are some fascinating and downright surprising tourist spots to take in while you’re there. Here’s our list of top-rated points of interest in Tempe.

Tempe Butte

A Mountain Tempe
Image by Joseph Plotz at en.wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

Located in the center of Downtown Tempe, the Tempe Butte, also called as A Mountain offers stunning views of Tempe and the neighboring areas. It has mountain bike and hiking trails. Visitors can view a variety of native vegetation and wildlife. The beautiful scenery at this spot can’t be beat. Along the way, you’ll also see vestiges from the Hohokam people early settlements, including about 500 petroglyphs and potshards made by Hohokam Native Americans.


Enjoy performing arts at ASU Gammage!

Performing arts auditorium
Image By Marine 69-71 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Located in the heart of Tempe, ASU Gammage is one of the largest college-based performing arts presenters in the world. It is an architectural gem designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Enjoy the visually appealing live performances on stage. It entertains all sorts of audience with diverse shows and performances on stage. Performances include Broadway musical shows, nationally and internationally touring shows, Broadway play, organ recitals, symphony concerts, opera, and much more. The art here isn’t just on the stage, but also in the four galleries housed in the venue. Art and architecture co-exists beautifully!

Address: 1200 S Forest Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States

Sate your artistic instincts at Tempe Center for the Arts!

Browse the contemporary art
Image By Ktr101 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Riveting gallery and performing arts await visitors at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Relish the visually appealing performances and art pieces at this center. See the stage productions, music, dance, art and children’s theatre. It houses a studio theatre accommodating 200 people, a proscenium theatre accommodating 600 people, a multi-purpose room and an expansive gallery. Browse the gallery that features works by international and local artists. Special events are held here that allows the folks to immerse themselves in the exciting world of art!

Address: 700 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States 
Phone: 1 480-350-2829
Opening hours: Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00am-6:00pm; Wednesday & Friday: 10:00am-7:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am-6:00pm

Discover the Tempe’s history at Tempe History Museum!

  Map data: Google, DigitalGlobe

The Tempe History Museum highlights the history of Tempe. The Tempe History Museum boasts permanent and temporary art exhibition that brings to life Tempe’s colorful past. Inside the main hall, you’ll find an exhibit “Tempe: Distinct, Diverse and Dynamic” that highlights the growth story of Tempe through a wide spectrum of media. The museum also has the changing exhibits gallery and a community room art gallery that housed temporary art exhibits. Pick up keepsakes or quality souvenirs of your visit from the museum store. 

Address: 809 E Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282, United States
Phone: 1 480-350-5100
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm


Appreciate different types of art at Arizona State University Art Museum!

Located on the main campus of the University of Arizona, the Arizona State University Art Museum features more than 12,000 collections of art pieces that embrace everything from contemporary art to Latin American to Southwestern and Arizona art to Mexican folk art and ceramics to European prints and American ceramics, from ancient times to the present. It also houses an impressive collection of art from Cuba, plus there print collection spans from the fourteenth century to the present day, dealing with social and political issues. Some of the well-known artists works displayed here include Derek Boshier, Hung Liu, William T. Wiley, Karel Appel, William Kentridge and Deborah Butterfield, to name a few. An art lovers spot!

Address: 51 E 10th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Phone: 1 480-965-2787
Opening hours: Tuesday: 11:00am-8:00pm; Wednesday to Saturday: 11:00am-5:00pm


Art in a different form at ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center & Brickyard Gallery!

The ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center & Brickyard Gallery has on display a wide ceramic collection of about 4,000 pieces. Also, rotating exhibition by several contemporary artists is on display. From ceramics to contemporary art to prints and photography by renowned national and international artists can be found here.  Some of the artists whose work has been on display here include Hans Coper, Karen Karnes, Rudy Autio, Angus Suttie, Bernard Leach, Ruth Duckworth and Maria Martinez, to name a few.

Address: Brickyard on Mill, Brickyard Engineering, 699 S Mill Ave #108, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Phone: 1 480-727-8170
Opening hours: Tuesday: 11:00am-8:00pm (May to August until 5:00pm); Wednesday to Saturday: 11:00am-5:00pm


Plunge into the splash at Big Surf Waterpark!

         Map data: Google, DigitalGlobe

Big Surf Waterpark is a waterpark with plenty of activities for people of all ages. It features water slides, swimming pool, wave pool, and several slides for kids and adults. Beat the Tempe heat at this waterpark and have water fun at the splash. Some of the slides include Tornado Twisters, Black Hole, Bora Bora Bay, Hurrican slides and Otter slides.  Many events and concerts are also held here. Have a fun-filled day with family at Big Surf Waterpark!

Address: 1500 N McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Phone: 1 480-994-2297
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm


Travel through Arizona history at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park!

The Arizona Heritage Center features the history of Arizona through hands-on exhibits. The exhibits focus on 20th and 21st century history, enabling visitors to take a trip back in time, from the early settlements to the WWII and the post-war scenario to the pop culture in Arizona. It also houses mineral and gem collections from all around the world and Arizona. The Copper Mine Exhibit and Arizona pop culture are just a few of the standouts. Also, take in some picturesque vistas and desert atmosphere. 

Address: 1300 N College Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Phone: 1 480-929-0292
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-4:00pm

Let your kids play and build at LEGOLAND Discovery Center!

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is for kids aged 3 to 10, where they can discover themselves and know the world around them. It has a 4D movie theatre, play areas, laser rides, party rooms, large-scale models, car racing and themed build areas. It has plenty of activities that nurture the creative spirit of the children. 

Address: 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir #135, Tempe, AZ 85282, United States
Phone: 1 877-526-3960
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-7:30pm; Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm

Travel over the water at Tempe Town Lake & Tempe Beach Park!

Tempe Beach Park
Image by User:Robertbody [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Tempe Town Lake offers recreational opportunities, including sailing, skating, rowing, picnicking, kayaking, biking, hiking or jogging. Many events and festivals such as July 4th celebration, Ironman Arizona, etc. are held at the lake, attracting thousands of people. It also has a Tempe Beach Park, a 25-acres playground where you can relax, have a picnic, soak up sun and take in the beautiful nature.  Go for a bike ride, rent a paddleboard or boat and cruise the lake, or simply watch Tempe Lake Bridge LED display lights during the evening, that fill the lake with different colors and patterns. Have water fun at the seasonal splash playground that features interactive play items, slide waterfall and spray cannons. In addition, the park provides picturesque views of the city skyline. Pack up a tasty picnic and spend the day at the magnificent spot.  This spot is right up the outdoor lovers’ alley!

Address: 80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Phone: 1 480-350-5200
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 5:00am-12:00am

Venture into the ocean world at Sea Life Arizona!

The Sea Life Aquarium is a 161,000 gallon aquarium that features a variety of sea creatures. It has 12 habitat zones, 32 display tanks, an Ocean tunnel with a 360 view, and more than 5,000 sea creatures. Feed the sharks, jellyfish, rays and other aquatic creatures. Other animals include coral reefs, jellyfish, octopus, hermit crabs, clownfish, seahorses, lionfish and more. It also has an interactive touch pool known as the Rockpool, where kids can touch the sea creatures. Sea life comes to life at this spot!

Address: 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir #145, Tempe, AZ 85282, United States
Phone: 1 877-526-3960
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-7:30pm; Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm

Learn about heart at Halle Heart Children’s Museum!

Halle Heart Children’s Museum educates people about the heart through hands-on exhibits that focus on topics related to heart like healthy eating, cooking, exercise and more. The center of the museum has a huge model of human heart. It houses a kitchen cafe where you can learn about healthy food; an infant CPR station where you can learn about the proper CPR technique; a marketplace; a theatre where you can learn the heart attack warning signs; and several other heart activities. Also, there are artistic elements of heart, models of animals, smoking exhibits that highlight the effects of smoking on the human body. Learn how exercise and appropriate diet can help heart grow stronger.  This is a perfect museum for both the children and adults to learn about the heart and heart diseases. 

Address: 2929 S 48th Street, Tempe, AZ 85282, United States
Phone: 1 602-414-2800
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am-2:00pm 

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