Walk among local plants at the Desert Botanical Garden
Put on your hiking boots and head to Papago Park
Dine with a desert view
Just because Tempe is located in the desert doesn’t mean the food scene has to suffer! This town’s restaurants rival those of any coastal city, though with some more Western character and spicy flavors. Dig into a hearty steak at Rustler’s Rooste, a famous honky-tonk that’s just as well known for its entertainment as its spectacular views. From your table on the patio, you can watch the sun set over the desert, which is just unforgettable. Wrap up your memorable meal with a ride down the slide! We’re not kidding on that one!
For a more sophisticated experience (leave the cowboy boots home for this one), head up to Top of the Rock, a swanky restaurant that offers panoramic vistas of the mountains and Phoenix metro. At night, the glittering city lights are not to be missed.
Prefer to cook up your own desert-inspired feast? If you’re searching for vacation rentals Tempe is home to modern travel apartments with full kitchens, including cookware and dishes, and comfortable living rooms where you can kick back and relax.
Indulge in a desert-themed massage
Try a refreshing local craft beer
Check out some desert-inspired art
What’s more inspirational than Arizona’s mountainous, colorful landscape? For ages, artists have flocked to the desert to create all kinds of art, and some of that work is on display in Tempe. In addition to many galleries around town, the ASU Art Museum has a wonderful ceramics collection and exhibitions that change frequently. For more local artwork, don’t miss the Tempe Festival of the Arts, which runs twice per year, in the spring (late March) and the fall (late November or early December).Tempe’s performing arts scene is also thriving, thanks to the world-class Tempe Center for the Arts and a variety of more intimate show venues. Whether you’re in the mood for a Broadway- style musical or an indie rock concert, you can find it here.
This Desert Oasis Appears Out of Nowhere in One of Earth’s Most Barren Places