Part of our Arizona guide.
Tempe, Arizona, rewards visitors with a mix of outdoor recreation, cultural spots, and a lively downtown, all set against the Sonoran Desert. This guide gathers seven focused pages covering cycling routes, historic sites, hidden gems, and more, each with practical specifics for planning your trip.
Related travel guides: Scottsdale Travel Guide, 7 Best Cycling Routes In Casa Grande, Arizona, 12 Best Cycling Routes In Gilbert, Arizona, 7 Best Cycling Routes In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and Sierra Vista Travel Guide.
12 Best Cycling Routes In Tempe, Arizona
Tempe’s cycling network spans flat riverside paths and hilly desert trails. The Salt River path offers a smooth, mostly shaded ride along the water, while Papago Park’s terrain adds rocky climbs and technical sections. Other routes include the Western Canal Path, the Arizona Canal Path, and the loop around Tempe Town Lake, a flat 4.5 miles. For longer distances, the Crosscut Canal Path connects to Mesa and Scottsdale. Each route is well-marked, and bike rentals are available near the lake.
11 Must-Visit Historic Sites In Tempe, Arizona
Historic landmarks in Tempe range from ancient Hohokam platform mounds to early 20th-century architecture. The Hayden Flour Mill, built in 1874, still stands near the lake, and the Petersen House Museum (1892) shows a Victorian-era farmhouse. The Tempe Butte (“A” Mountain) has been a landmark for centuries, with petroglyphs at its base. Other sites include the Eisendrath House, the 1909 Carnegie Library, and the Old Main building on the ASU campus, which dates to 1898. Many of these are free to view from the outside, and a few offer guided tours on weekends.
Tempe, Arizona
Beyond the main attractions, Tempe holds lesser-known spots worth seeking out. The Desert Botanical Garden’s nearby trails, the hidden murals along University Drive, and the quiet paths of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area all fit the bill. For those interested in Arizona’s more obscure corners, the phrase “hidden landmarks in Arizona” applies to spots like the Mystery Castle or the ruins at Casa Grande, though Tempe itself has its own share of tucked-away corners, such as the abandoned railroad trestle near the lake. These places rarely make the top-10 lists but reward a curious traveler with fewer crowds.
30 Must Visit Places In Tempe
Start with the basics: hike up “A” Mountain for a 360-degree view of the valley, then rent a kayak or paddleboard at Tempe Town Lake. The ASU Art Museum is free and open daily, and Mill Avenue’s restaurants range from casual taco stands to sit-down spots. For a quieter hour, visit the Tempe History Museum or the Japanese Friendship Garden. The lake’s 5-mile perimeter trail is popular for jogging, and the nearby Kiwanis Park has a wave pool and sports fields. If you have time, drive 20 minutes to South Mountain Park for more hiking trails.
10 Top Wine Tasting Destinations In Tempe, Arizona
While Tempe is not a wine region, a few tasting rooms operate within city limits. The Windmill Winery, about 30 minutes south in Florence, offers a rustic barn setting and weekend tastings. Closer to Tempe, the Arizona Winery Tasting Room on Rural Road pours a rotating selection of state-grown varietals. Several restaurants on Mill Avenue have wine lists with Arizona bottles, and the annual Tempe Wine Festival in November brings together regional producers. For a full experience, pair a tasting with a walk along the lake at sunset.
8 Unforgettable Experiences In Tempe, Arizona
Beyond the obvious, try a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the desert (operators launch from nearby Scottsdale), or take a guided kayak trip down the Salt River to spot wild horses. The ASU campus’s public art tour highlights works by James Turrell and Louise Bourgeois. For a more adventurous outing, the “Sabino canyon’s thrilling desert tram ride” is a one-hour trip through a narrow canyon, though it’s about two hours north of Tempe near Tucson. Closer to home, the Tempe Butte trail is a short but steep 1.1-mile climb that rewards with views of the entire metro area.
11 Cultural Hotspots To Check Out In Tempe, Arizona
Tempe’s cultural scene centers on the ASU campus, which hosts the ASU Art Museum, the Nelson Fine Arts Center, and the Lyric Opera Theatre. The Tempe Center for the Arts offers plays and concerts in a modern venue overlooking the lake. For independent art, check the galleries on Roosevelt Row in nearby Phoenix, or the local shops on Mill Avenue. The annual Tempe Festival of the Arts, held twice a year, turns the main street into an open-air gallery with over 350 artists. For a deeper dive into regional history, the Huhugam Ki Museum on the Salt River Reservation (about 20 minutes east) documents the area’s Native American heritage.
