Things To Do

Activities near Downtown Tempe

THINGS TO DO IN TEMPE

Looking for fun things to do in Tempe and the Phoenix area? We’ve got you covered. Don’t miss family-friendly attractions like the zoo, aquariums, arcades and scenic hiking trails. Dine and shop at Tempe Marketplace and Arizona Mills. Explore Tempe Town Lake from a paddleboard or kayak. Get inspired at one of the many museums and galleries throughout the city and on the ASU Tempe Campus. And that’s just the beginning.

On or near Mill Avenue

Sunset hike up “A” Mountain

With a quick jaunt to the top of “A” Mountain, also known as Hayden Butte, in Downtown Tempe, hikers are rewarded with views of the lake, ASU and rock drawings left hundreds of years ago by ancient people.

Mill Ave. and Third St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 350-4311

ASU Art Museum

The ASU Art Museum exhibits national and international contemporary artists, with a focus on Latin American art. The Museum houses the largest collection of Cuban art in the U.S. and an award-winning print collection. Exhibitions change seasonally. Admission is free. Please make a reservation prior to your visit.

Hours: Friday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

ASU Tempe Campus
51 E. 10th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 965-2787

ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center

The Ceramics Research Center houses and displays the ASU Art Museum’s extensive ceramic collection of close to 4,000 objects. Exhibitions change seasonally and admission is free. The Museum Store is open during Gallery hours.

Hours: Friday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

699 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 108
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 727-8170

Boat Rentals of America – Tempe Town Lake

At Boat Rentals of America – Tempe Town Lake, everyone can enjoy recreational boating. Select from a variety of watercraft: kayaks, pedal boats, electric boats, stand-up paddleboards and more. Guests can now rent surrey bikes too. Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 8pm

72 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(855) 690-0794

Candle Chemistry

Create your own custom coconut wax candle or body product with a scent all your own! Invent your scent at Candle Chemistry!
516 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 912-5423

The Zone Escape Rooms

Follow clues and crack codes to escape the room in 60 minutes or less. The Zone Escape Rooms offer Arizona’s highest-rated and most immersive escape game experiences. Perfect for a date night, friend/family outing, or corporate event. Do you have what it takes?
414 S. Mill Ave. #112
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 666-5550

Snakes & Lattes

Have a little fun while you drink and dine in Downtown Tempe. Gather a few friends and family for some fun playing board games and dining on delicious food. The game library offers a huge selection of both classic and new games.

20 W. 6th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 361-6644

Tempe Center for the Arts (along Tempe Town Lake)

Tempe Center for the Arts, Arizona’s premier waterfront arts center, is an iconic venue offering exceptional, diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts experiences. Enjoy dance, music, theater, comedy and visual arts all under one roof.

Gallery Hours: OPEN Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm

700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ, 85281
(480) 350-2822

Tempe E-Bike Tours

Looking for a fun way to see all of Tempe? Try our guided and self-guided e-bike tours to explore all around Tempe. Come and join us to experience an e-bike adventure. Open for “meet & ride” for private groups.

(602) 980-3798

Less than 5 miles from Downtown Tempe

Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills

Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills is Arizona’s only fully lighted 18-hole, day/night golf course and practice facility. Located in the Papago Buttes and close proximity from Arizona State University, downtown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale.

1415 N. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85288

(480) 530-9880

Hotshots Axe Throwing Tempe
The premier axe throwing venue in Arizona; our coaches will teach you how to have fun and be safe throwing axes on projected targets! 10 and up, BYOB, we welcome the whole family, date nights, friend’s or the whole company!

1290 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste. 102
Tempe, AZ, 85281
(480) 591-9118

Tempe Marketplace
With over 100 shops and restaurants and 300 events a year, Tempe Marketplace is the ultimate destination. With a vibrant outdoor setting featuring fireplaces, water features and pop-up art installations, Tempe Marketplace provides an unparalleled shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 966-9338

Outlaw Distillery

The award-winning Outlaw Distillery handcrafts spirits that tell the story of Arizona. Their products, including Copper City Bourbon and Commerce Gin, are made from the best ingredients including locally sourced grains. Tours are available. 2125 E 5th St UNIT 102, Tempe, AZ 85288

Dave & Buster’s
52,000 sq. ft. of fun! Have a blast playing billiards, eat and drink at the sports bar, and play over 150 video, prize and simulator games. Whether it’s classics like Pop-A-Shot, Pac-Man, and Skee-Ball, or the newest games in our Million Dollar Midway, everyone in your group will have a blast!

2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Ste. 1100
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 281-8456

Desert Botanical Garden

Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon celebrating 80 years, the Garden has grown into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer.

1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225

Phoenix Zoo | Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
Explore a world of curiosity, imagination and discovery at the Phoenix Zoo. See Sumatran tigers, Bornean orangutans, Masai giraffe and enjoy encounters such as Monkey Village and Harmony Farm. Your Zoo visit will be memorable for the entire family.

455 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 286-3800

Suggested Restaurants

Breakfast/ Café

Foch Café & Bistro

Snooze an AM Eatery

Lunch/Dinner

Caffe Boa

Casey Moore’s Oyster House

Culinary Dropout at the Yard Tempe

Filthy Animal

Hundred Mile Brewing Company

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