Tempe is Arizona's seventh largest city. It is adjacent to and just southeast of Phoenix, and is considered part of the metropolitan Phoenix area. It has a very diverse economic base, with a high concentration of technology-related companies. Tempe is the home of Arizona State University (Go Sun Devils!) which is the third largest university in the country. US Airways has a corporate office in Tempe, and other major employers include Motorola, Chase Bank Card Services, and Salt River Project.
Tempe is a perfect example of a blend of corporate activity, residential neighborhoods, manufacturing and recreation. And speaking of recreation, whether you live in Tempe, go to school in Tempe, or you are just visiting, there's lots to do there. Here are my top picks for Tempe attractions.
- Stroll the grounds of Arizona State University. This is where nearly 50,000 students from all states and more than 120 countries enroll each year.
- Visit the Tempe Historical Museum and learn about the development of Tempe through history, or stop by the ASU Art Museum. Both are free.
- Go to a Spring Training baseball game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
- Beat the summer heat at Big Surf. It's a waterpark with swimming, water slides, and fun for people of all ages; it is open during the summer months.
- Explore Kiwanis Park. It's a wonderful park with a recreation center that includes volleyball, tennis, racquetball, baseball and softball batting cages and an indoor wave pool with a water slide!
- Take a short and not too difficult hike up Tempe Butte, otherwise known as "A" Mountain. It's behind the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.
- Go shopping at Arizona Mills Mall. There are 175 stores, Harkins Luxury 24 Cinemas, IMAX Theatre, GameWorks for the kids and many restaurants. It's loud and snazzy!
- Enjoy a show at Grady ASU Gammage at Arizona State University.
- See dance, music, children's theatre, stage productions and art at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
- Stroll around Mill Avenue and downtown Tempe. Enjoy the shopping, food, entertainment and libations. But be careful what you do or who you are seen with--you might end up on the Sneaky Peak web cam!
- The Tempe Festival of the Arts is a nationally acclaimed event that happens each spring and fall in downtown Tempe. Arts, crafts, entertainment, food--the works!
- Rent a boat, fish, play, or attend a concert or special event at Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park in downtown Tempe.
- Play golf at Ken McDonald Golf Course, a par 72 municipal course, or Rolling Hills Golf Course, with two executive nines. These courses are bargains, and even cheaper if you are a Tempe resident. The junior golf passes are fantastic if you've got kids that are working on their golf skills.
- Tempe Public Library has ongoing book discussion groups, speakers, and workshops on topics including business, politics, genealogy and more. There are computer and Internet classes. And don't forget the programs for kids!
