Endless sunshine, delicious food, live theatre and more!

Tempe, Arizona is a vibrant city that offers the perfect blend of relaxation and fun. Home to Arizona State University, Tempe has lots to see and do, from lounging poolside to exploring the many shops and attractions downtown. The best part? It’s easy to get to. Tempe is a quick five minutes away from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and close to other hotspots like Scottsdale. If you haven’t already booked your plane tickets, check out some of the best places to stay, dine and explore during your next vacation.

Stay

Tempe has a wide range of luxurious and quirky hotels (like the retro-fun Graduate Tempe), but there’s no better way to soak in the city’s nearly 330 days of sunshine than at the gorgeous pool at the Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes. Guests can enjoy panoramic views and relaxing spa treatments, while only being minutes away from great shopping and other attractions.

Dine

Dining in Tempe is inspired by both regional and international cuisine. For upscale American fare, try local favourite, House of Tricks Restaurant. Located in historic downtown cottages, the restaurant’s menu features burgers (hoisin glazed salmon and half pound sirloin) and homemade quiche. Other casual hotspots to visit are Culinary Dropout and Postino Annex. If you like spice, take a walk down the ‘Spice Trail’ along Apache Boulevard – home to a number of fantastic locally owned Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Vietnamese dining spots.

Explore

You will never be bored on your vacation to Tempe – there is so much to see and do. If you love live theatre, visit the famed ASU Gammage, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or the Tempe Center For The Arts where you can catch touring Broadway shows and local theatre. Another must see are all of the international desert plants at the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park. The park is a desert preserve in the middle of the city that hosts hiking trails, The Phoenix Zoo, the AZ Heritage Center and the Rolling Hills Golf Course. And if you love to shop, be sure to take a stroll down the tree-lined streets of downtown and pop into the local boutiques, or go bargain hunting at Arizona Mills.