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City in the United States
Photo: Nicktalk, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tempe is a city of 180,587 (2020) in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU). Its younger, student-heavy population allows it to offer a vibrant nightlife that is relatively rare in Arizona.
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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.
The original school's building, dating back to its founding.
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.
Supports the Thermal Emission Spectrometer experiment that was sent aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft when it launched in November 1996. The Mars facility has a visitor area with displays about Mars and a television tuned to NASA TV.
Houses minerals, gems, fossils from Arizona and around the world. It also has a six-story Foucault pendulum; local fossils including Colombian mammoth remains excavated in 1985, 1997 and 1999; real dinosaurs, a giant-extinct fossil shark over tall (featured on the National Geographic Channel in 2009) a rare T-rex brain cavity and cast and many other rare and extinct fossil mammals including saber-toothed cats. The museum also features several large meteorites from the ASU Center for Meteorite Studies; Ore minerals and crystals from the many Arizona open-pit and underground mines, a gemstone exhibit and a tall amethyst geode at the museum entrance. Other exhibits include: Volcanology; Mineralogy, Geology of Arizona; Rocks of the Grand Canyon and Arizona's State Fossil: Fossil wood from the Petrified Forest proposed by 2 former ASU Geology faculty members in 1988.
Houses the world's largest university-based meteorite collection, with specimens from more than 1700 separate meteorite falls. Portions of this collection are on display to the public.
Has a fine permanent collection and an active guest artist program. The attached gift shop is, surprisingly, a great place to get beautiful and unusual gifts.
A vast collection housed mostly underground in the center of campus. It has many unique features, including the only Child Drama collection, various exhibits, and rare and valuable works available to the public through the Luhrs reading room. Where else can one walk in and request to see a page from a Gutenberg Bible?
Has glass cases set into the hallways that house dozens of reptiles, including a comprehensive sampling of the poisonous snakes of Arizona.
Run by the internationally acclaimed School of Human Evolution and Social Change, has many interesting permanent and visiting exhibits throughout the year.
Exhibits a broad range of photographic work by emerging and international recognized artists.
A museum that concentrates on Arizona's history in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Features the history of Tempe from the time of prehistoric Hohokam to today. Video, hands-on exhibits and gift shop.
Numerous examples of public art dot Tempe's landscape. Additionally, Tempe presents exhibits featuring professional and student artists. Works may be viewed in public places, which serve as alternate spaces for regularly changing exhibits.
Restored Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1892 by one of Tempe's earliest settlers.
Tempe Arts Center
For events see the event calendar.
Has exhibits illustrating the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, as well as other exhibits relating to the history of water usage in Arizona.
Has a walk-through aquarium, and 30 displays.
Set adjacent to Tempe's Mill Avenue District, Arizona State University and the Papago Park, Tempe Town Lake embodies a unique vision for the future of the Valley. It is the center for many activities like boating, biking etc and has a jogger's track as well. The sight of the bridge at sunset is worth a watch.
Held annually in November.
Held annually in January.
Citrus Bowl; formerly the Insight Bowl Tempe
Annually in December.
Hosted every March.
Massive twice yearly street fair featuring arts and crafts from all over the country, as well as a wide selection of carnival/street fair style foods, beverages and live entertainment. Held at the end of March and beginning of December.
Cafe Lalibela is a family restaurant bringing Ethiopian cuisine to the heart of Tempe. Takeout available.
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.
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.
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.
Family-run Chinese restaurant. Mouth-watering food and very friendly service.
The food is wonderful, portion sizes are great, and the service is the most personal you will get in town. Free delivery ($10 minimum order).
Delivers large portions of Greek food and is a favorite of many ASU college students.
Delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. Relatively small and often packed, esp. while the university nearby is in session. Try the babaganouj (eggplant dip) and the baklava, made from scratch. There is also an attached small Middle Eastern grocery that has great prices, especially on spices, Middle Eastern/Mediterranean deli items, and bulk olive oil. Very good service and friendly atmosphere. Restricted hours June to September, call ahead to check.
This popular, long-established family restaurant serves up Mexican classic dishes with a focus on Sonoran cooking.
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.
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.
A Mardi Gras-themed daiquiri bar.
Arizona's largest brewery located in a turn of the century brick warehouse with award-winning food and hand-crafted ales.
The second story New Orleans style restaurant has three balconies overlooking the downtown district. Within walking distance from major business, ASU and Sun Devil Stadium and offers complimentary valet parking beginning at 5PM every night.
Features billiards and beer.
Lively old-world pub & restaurant built in Ireland. Four-star cuisine, pub fare, and ample pints of Guinness. Live music and courtyard patio bar. Seating for 130. Semi-private dining for 50.
Offers traditional and southwestern cuisine and is known for its well rounded beer selection, excellent service and great eats. The Tavern on Mill has almost as much seating space inside as outside. 30 television monitors and flat screens display the latest music videos, sports games and more.
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.
Rates include free wi-fi and breakfast. 12 mi from downtown Phoenix.
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.
Centrally located near the airport, ASU, the Mill Avenue District, and Tempe Town Lake. Pets accepted.
This hotel is 5 mi from the airport and very close to ASU. Easy access to freeways for travel in Tempe. Breakfast and wi-fi included.
Upscale 303-room hotel with courtyard and roof top pool, of conference space, 10 ADA rooms, restaurant. AAA/CAA & TAG approved.
Offers more than 175 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues under one roof.
A new and used independent bookshop, and practically a Tempe institution.
The only one in Arizona.
Tempe Marketplace's 1.3 million square feet (0.1207740m²) of retail space is positioned as an open-air, pedestrian-oriented environment, creating an eclectic atmosphere for a memorable experience. Arizona State University maintains the "Night Gallery" at the marketplace. It is free to the public, and open late into the evening. There are also frequent concerts and other activities throughout the year.
By bus
See By bus under "Get In", in the Phoenix article for a list of additional bus and shuttle van companies serving the Phoenix area.
By plane
Tempe is one of the most accessible cities in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and only 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
By car
Tempe is accessible via several main arteries, including Interstate 10, Loop 101, Loop 202, US 60, and surface streets including Washington St to the Mill Avenue Bridge.
By bike
Several bike routes reach into Tempe, especially around the downtown area where you can bike over Tempe Town Lake from Phoenix on the Mill Ave Bridge.
By bicycle
Tempe is a comparatively bicycle-friendly city in the Phoenix valley area, and features bike lanes along many roads (which see more traffic the closer you get to downtown Tempe and ASU) and a variety…
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