Tempe, AZ Road Trips

Tempe is a small but dynamic, steadily growing city. Its shared history with ASU has given it a long-standing reputation as a college town, and it is considered to be the academic and intellectual center of the greater Phoenix area. It is home to numerous research-centric industries in fields ranging from biotechnology to solar energy as well as a high percentage of knowledge workers those industries require. Being surrounded by the neighboring cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler, it serves as a major hub in the Valley Metro light rail transit system. 1 Tempe Tourism Office, 51 W 3rd St, Ste 105 (just off of Mill Ave), ☏ +1 480-894-8158, toll-free: +1-866-914-1052. Provides city maps, and up-to-date information on hotels, restaurants, and city events.

1 Arizona State University, University Dr and College Ave. In the heart of Tempe, ASU is a key factor in its vibrant, diverse and progressive lifestyle. It was founded as a Normal (Teaching) school in 1885. Arizona State is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with several campuses spread throughout the metropolitan area. The largest of these campuses is the Tempe ASU Campus, a square-mile center of knowledge and cultural experience. ASU's expansive campus features many shaded lawns and expansive walks; most buildings feature displays and recent projects. The grounds are officially an arboretum – discreet tags mark many of the trees and plantings, which showcase desert and tropical flora from around the world. There are also a number of free museums and exhibits available, some permanent and some on a rotational basis. (updated Apr 2024) 2 Old Main, 400 E Tyler Mall (adjacent to University Dr and College Ave). The original school's building, dating back to its founding. (updated Apr 2024) 3 Gammage Memorial Auditorium, 1200 S Forest Ave, ☏ +1 480-965-5062. A theater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that hosts international talent, Broadway shows, and local entertainment. One of his last architectural pieces, it was designed for Baghdad before being built in the equally arid Valley of the Sun. 4 ASU Mars Space Flight Facility, 201 E Orange Mall, ☏ +1 480-965-1790. M-F 8AM-5PM. Supports the Thermal Emission Spectrometer experiment that was sent aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft when it launched in November 1996.

Tempe has numerous parks, soccer fields, fenced dog parks, lighted tennis courts, pools, golf courses and its own two-mile urban park complex, Tempe Town Lake. Twin bicycle and walking paths circle the lake leading to Tempe Beach Park, Splash Playground, Town Lake Marina and Giuliano Park, where many triathlons take place. In addition, Tempe has more than 150 miles (250 km) of dedicated bikeways and the League of American Bicyclists has designated Tempe a Silver-Level Bicycle-Friendly Community Award winner. Tempe's outdoor activities and sporting events add to its dynamic lifestyle. Tempe is the annual home to a number of sporting events, as well as all of the intercollegiate athletics at Arizona State University. ASU's hockey venue, Mullett Arena, was the temporary home of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes from 2022–2024 before the Coyotes' plans for a new arena in the Phoenix area fell into development hell, leading to the league brokering the sale of the team to the owners of the NBA's Utah Jazz. The Coyotes name and brand will remain in Phoenix for a potential revival, while the roster and front office moved to Salt Lake City under the temporary name of Utah Hockey Club. Mullett Arena will still host a professional team; the Valley Suns, the Phoenix Suns' NBA G League affiliate that starts play in the 2024–25 season, will play here. 1 Tempe Town Lake. Set adjacent to Tempe's Mill Avenue District, Arizona State University and the 2,000 acres (810 hectares) Papago Park, Tempe Town Lake embodies a unique vision for the future of the Valley.

Tempe's Mill Avenue District offers the most concentrated area of restaurants and cafés in Arizona. Tempe restaurants offer cuisines including Middle Eastern, Asian, Mexican and, of course, American fare. Many have received the Phoenix New Times's "Best of" award. 1 Cafe Lalibela, 849 W University Dr, ☏ +1 480-829-1939. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Cafe Lalibela is a family restaurant bringing Ethiopian cuisine to the heart of Tempe. Takeout available. 2 Cornish Pasty Co, 960 W University Dr #103 (University Park Shopping Center, NW corner of Hardy & University), ☏ +1 480-894-6261. M-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su noon-10PM. A British and Irish themed restaurant and bar offers a wide range of classic, modern, and experimental pasties with a number of European beers available on tap. It is popular with Tempe's younger and bohemian crowd. 3 Green New American Vegetarian, 2240 N Scottsdale Rd #8, ☏ +1 480-941-9003. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Vegan restaurant that was named the best vegan restaurant in Phoenix by the Phoenix New Times. PETA named the secret BBQ Chicken sandwich as the best faux chicken sandwich in the USA. Another location in Central Phoenix. 4 La Fonda Mexican Food, 1831 E Baseline Rd, ☏ +1 480-966-8001. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. La Fonda is a great restaurant if you're looking for Mexican food. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is friendly; good pricing is an added benefit, not a factor. 5 Little Szechwan, 524 W University Dr, ☏ +1 480-966-7660, fax: +1 480-966-0774. M-F 11AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM; Sa Su 5-9PM.

Tempe is situated amidst the Phoenix Metro area as a "college town," and considering this Tempe's nightlife constitutes a wide variety of people. Most prominent is a college-aged drinking crowd that congregates on Mill Avenue District (which offers the most concentrated area of restaurants and cafés in Arizona) seven nights a week. 1 Caffe Boa, 398 S Mill Ave, ☏ +1 480-968-9112. Su 10AM-3PM, 4-10PM; M-W 11AM-10PM; Th-Sa 11AM-11PM. An original, casual, Euro-style bistro/wine bar. Award-winning wine list with authentic Mediterranean styled food. Over 250 wines with full bar. Voted best Italian restaurant and best chef for 2005. (updated Feb 2017) 2 Casey Moore's Oyster House, 850 S Ash Ave, ☏ +1 480-968-9935. Daily 11AM-2AM. Built in 1910, the Historic William Moeur house has been the home of Casey Moore's since 1986. With an Irish pub feel and an expansive front and side patio, Casey Moore's maintains a neighborhood ambiance. Often dozens of bicycles are locked up out front; it is a local favorite. Multiple beers on tap, free food with happy hour, and a full menu featuring fresh seafood. Rumored to be haunted. 3 Fat Tuesday, 680 S Mill Ave #106, ☏ +1 480-967-3917, [email protected]. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa Su noon-2AM. A Mardi Gras-themed daiquiri bar. 4 Four Peaks Brewing Company, 1340 E 8th St #104, ☏ +1 480-303-9967, [email protected]. M-Sa 11AM-2PM, Su 10AM-2PM. Arizona's largest brewery located in a turn of the century brick warehouse with award-winning food and hand-crafted ales.

1 Courtyard Tempe Downtown, 601 S Ash Ave, ☏ +1 480-966-2800, fax: +1 480-829-8446. 10 minute free shuttle ride from your flight into Sky Harbor Airport. From there you are just blocks from downtown Tempe and Arizona State University. $119+. 2 Embassy Suites Hotel Tempe, 4400 S Rural Rd (6 mi (9.7 km) from Phoenix Airport PHX, and 2 mi (3.2 km) from the main ASU campus), ☏ +1 480-897-7444, fax: +1 480-897-6112. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $134+. 3 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Tempe, 1520 W Baseline Rd (adjacent to Arizona Mills Mall), ☏ +1 480-831-9800, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Rates include free wi-fi and breakfast. 12 mi (19 km) from downtown Phoenix. $95-104. 4 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Phoenix Tempe - University, 1031 E Apache Blvd, ☏ +1 480 966-7202, fax: +1 480-829-9340, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Located within walking distance of ASU, this hotel offers proximity to local area attractions in a room with various full-service accommodations. Includes breakfast and wi-fi. $80-108. 5 Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix Airport, 1413 W Rio Salado Pkwy (2 mi (3.2 km) from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from downtown Tempe and Arizona State University), ☏ +1 480 804-9544. 6 Quality Inn Airport Tempe, 1550 S 52nd St, ☏ +1 480-967-3000, fax: +1 480-966-9568, [email protected]. Centrally located near the airport, ASU, the Mill Avenue District, and Tempe Town Lake. Pets accepted. $74+.

The Valley Metro Light Rail project is operational and brings light rail service through Tempe from the neighboring cities of Mesa and Phoenix. Tickets may be purchased from automated kiosks at every station. An app or dedicated card is needed, see Valley Metro below. Free Park-and-Ride lots are located along the length of the route. There are plans in the works to extend the rail system through the use of spurs. See By bus under "Get In", in the Phoenix article for a list of additional bus and shuttle van companies serving the Phoenix area. Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach (Operated by Stagecoach Express), (Curbside Stop) 3rd and Ash, toll-free: +1 800 USA RAIL (8727245). Connects the Phoenix metro area to the Amtrak Sunset Limited and the Texas Eagle trains in Maricopa (35 mi (56 km) south). Additional stops are in Sky Harbor International Airport and Metro Center Transit Center by the Metro Center Mall. (updated Mar 2018) 1 Flixbus, (bus stop) 872 S Rural Rd (stop is in the bus terminal on E Tyler St (University Dr/Rural Rd Station); look for the green FlixBus sign). The next nearest one is at the 44th St PHX Sky Train Station on 44th St & Washington near the airport. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Hoang Express, (Bus stop) Lee's Sandwiches at 1901 W Warner, Chandler, ☏ +1 714-839-3500, +1 408-729-7885, toll-free: +1-888-834-9336. Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe).

Tempe offers two free and convenient neighborhood circulators, called "Orbit" and "Flash". Fixed route service (fee) is available through Valley Metro, connecting commuters with neighboring cities. A system-wide route map for all bus routes, paid and free, can be downloaded from the Valley Metro website here. Orbit. M-F 6AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-7PM; every 15-30 minutes. Has six routes, taking passengers through neighborhoods to the downtown area and the Mill Avenue District and connecting to the light rail station at College Avenue. The Orbit routes are each named after planets (complementing the "orbit" moniker), charge no fare, and can pick up passengers at any point along a sidewalk in residential areas where no bus stops are established. A route map is available here Free. (updated Apr 2024) Flash. 7AM-10PM, ASU breaks 7AM-6PM. Operates one route on weekdays only, taking passengers from the Tempe Transit Center to around the Arizona State University area. A map and schedule can be downloaded here. Free. (updated Mar 2021) 3 Valley Metro, Tempe Transit Store, 200 E 5th St, 1st Floor, ☏ +1 480-858-2350. M-Sa 4:40AM-11PM; Su 5AM-11PM. Has an extensive bus service operating on every major road with cheap fares; paper tickets have been abolished, so you load value to an app or a dedicated card ($4) before buying the ticket by tapping or scanning. Single tickets can also be paid with cash. Many bus routes connect to Metro, the light rail system.