Things To Do
Activities near Downtown 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
- Address: 310 S. Mill Ave., #A101 Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 968-9288
- Website: mydailyjam.com
- Category: Daily Jam serves up breakfast, brunch and lunch in a casual, friendly environment with a cool vibe.
Foch Café & Bistro
- Address: 21 E. 6th St., #146 Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 398-8534
- Website: fochcafe.com
- Category: Locally-owned restaurant with American-European inspired dishes + craft cocktails made with house-made juices.
Snooze an AM Eatery
- Address: 615 S. College Ave., Ste. 103, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 355-1934
- Website: snoozeeatery.com
- Category: Located in a former ASU art studio, Snooze has some of the best pancakes you’ll ever have and a wide variety of omelets and benedicts.
Lunch/Dinner
Caffe Boa
- Address: 398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 968-9112
- Website: cafeboa.com
- Category: Italian cuisine, including handmade pastas and fresh seafood, along with craft cocktails and a wide selection of wines.
Casey Moore’s Oyster House
- Address: 850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 968-9935
- Website:
- Category: Known for its inviting atmosphere and classic pub fare, including sandwiches, salads, beef dishes, oysters, and seafood.
Culinary Dropout at the Yard Tempe
- Address: 149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 240-1601
- Website: culinarydropout.com
- Category: Offers elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and live local music.
Filthy Animal
- Address: 740 S Mill Ave Suite D-140, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel: (480) 397-1046
- Website: thisisfilthyanimal.com
-
Category: Offers bold, wood-fired cuisine in an atmosphere that blends elegance with adventurous flair, creating a distinctive dining experience unique in Arizona.
Hundred Mile Brewing Company
- Address: 690 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Tel:
- Website: hundredmilebrewing.com
- Category: Offers 24 hand crafted beers, a full menu, signature cocktails and wine.
Peskesi
- Address: P.O. Box 32, Gazi 71414, Heraklion, Crete, GR
- Tel: +302814266000
- Website: [email protected]
- Category: (prices subject to change based on availability and season)
Peskesi
- Address: P.O. Box 32, Gazi 71414, Heraklion, Crete, GR
- Tel: +302814266000
- Website: [email protected]
- Category: (prices subject to change based on availability and season)
Peskesi
- Address: P.O. Box 32, Gazi 71414, Heraklion, Crete, GR
- Tel: +302814266000
- Website: [email protected]
- Category: (prices subject to change based on availability and season)
Peskesi
- Address: P.O. Box 32, Gazi 71414, Heraklion, Crete, GR
- Tel: +302814266000
- Website: [email protected]
- Category: (prices subject to change based on availability and season)
