Top Things To Do In Tempe

Tempe is a college town at heart. Located at the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the city is family-friendly and forward-thinking. Both downtown Tempe and the outer neighborhoods have plenty of attractions for people of all ages, including excellent entertainment venues, shopping centers, and dining options. Look below for great deals on what to do in this city.

Las Vegas Explorer Pass: Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 Things To Do from 40+ including High Roller, Madame Tussauds, SkyPod
Las Vegas Explorer Passes - Vegas' Top Attractions + Things to Do
19 Locations
4.5
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23,265 ratings
$51.30
Two-Attraction Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass for One Child (Ages 3–12)
Top Vegas Attraction - Observation Deck, Thrill Rides or SkyJump at The STRAT (Up to 21% off).
Thrill Rides or SkyJump at The STRAT
2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
4.6
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4,692 ratings
$24 $22.50
6% discount_off
Unlimited Ride Wristband + SkyPod Experience for One (Valid Monday–Thursday)
Adventure Pass to Phoenix & Tucson’s Top Attractions
Phoenix and Tucson Attractions Access from Pogo Pass
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4.5
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1,799 ratings
$119.98 $69.99
42% discount_off
Pogo Pass in Phoenix and Tucson for One
Single Ride Roller Coaster Ticket to the The Big Apple Coaster at New York New York Hotel & Casino
Top Vegas Attraction - The Big Apple Coaster at NYNY Hotel & Casino
3790 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
$28 $23
18% discount_off
The Big Apple Coaster at NYNY at NYNY GA - Multiple Dates Available
1,000+ bought
1 Person Sit On Top Kayak Full-Day Rental - Transporting is required
1 Person Sit On Top Kayak Full-Day Rental - Transporting is required
online_deal
$45
1 Person Sit On Top Kayak Full-Day Rental - Transporting is required
Romantic Walking tour in Phoenix for couples
Romantic Walking tour in Phoenix for couples
online_deal
$174.15
Romantic Walking tour in Phoenix for couples
Up to 60% Off on Rallying / Drifting (Drive / Experience) at Drift Haus LLC
Up to 60% Off on Rallying / Drifting (Drive / Experience) at Drift Haus LLC
2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe1.3 mi
4.9
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48 ratings
$20 $13
35% discount_off
Single Drift season
20-Minute Destruction Room Session for Two or Four at Simply Smashing Rage Release Room (Up to 22% Off)
22% Off Sessions at Simply Smashing Rage Release Room
1845 East Broadway Road, Tempe0.6 mi
4.8
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551 ratings
$87$71.34
 Sale Ends 6/5
20 Minute Destruction Room Session for Two Valid Monday-Thursday
$73.79 for Private Escape Room for Up to Four at Great Room Escape Tempe ($115.99 Value)
36% Off Private Escape Room at Great Room Escape Tempe
1625 West University Drive, Tempe3.3 mi
4.8
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394 ratings
$115.99 $89.99$73.79
 Sale Ends 6/5
Private Escape Room Experience for up to Four

Tempe is centrally located between Scottsdale and Phoenix. Have a bite at Tempe favorites Chuck Box or House of Tricks, or spend some time near the Arizona State University campus to get the full college experience.

The best things to do near Tempe include:

  • Exploring the natural desert beauty at the Desert Botanical Gardens
  • Shopping at the the retail mecca Tempe Marketplace
  • Having a picnic at one of the many ramadas at Papago Park
  • Walking across the Tempe Town Lake Bridge to view the lights and the lake
  • Having dinner on the Cornish Pasty patio on Mill Avenue

Events in TempeView All

Top Vegas Attraction - Observation Deck, Thrill Rides or SkyJump at The STRAT (Up to 21% off).
Thrill Rides or SkyJump at The STRAT
2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
4.6
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icon-full icon
icon-half icon
4,692 ratings
$24 $22.50
6% discount_off
Unlimited Ride Wristband + SkyPod Experience for One (Valid Monday–Thursday)
Adventure Pass to Phoenix & Tucson’s Top Attractions
Phoenix and Tucson Attractions Access from Pogo Pass
online_deal
4.5
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1,799 ratings
$119.98 $69.99
42% discount_off
Pogo Pass in Phoenix and Tucson for One
$27 for Admission for Two to an Event from Startup Grind ($50 Value)
46% Off Technology Networking Event from Startup Grind
1300 N College Ave, Tempe2.4 mi
$50 $27
46% discount_off
2 admissions
10+ bought
General Admission or Preferred Seating at Red Velvet Burlesque Show (Up to 34% Off)
General Admission or Preferred Seating at Red Velvet Burlesque Show
7295 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale5.9 mi
$35 $28$22.96
 Sale Ends 6/5
General Admission
200+ bought
Journey Through Time at Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs - Where Prehistoric Creatures Come to Life!
Up to 31% Off on Museum at Pangaea Land Of The Dinosaurs
9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale9.8 mi
4.0
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4,219 ratings
$19.95 $18.95$15.54
 Sale Ends 6/5
Admission for One Adult (Ages 13+)
Pentatonix – The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina on September 9 at 8 p.m.
Pentatonix – The World Tour with Lauren Alaina - Up to 54% Off
2121 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix
$43.30 $20
54% discount_off
Pentatonix - The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on September 9, 2023
1,000+ bought
Hot Summer Nights with TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston on July 7 at 7 p.m.
TLC, Shaggy, En Vogue and Sean Kingston – Up to 43% Off
2121 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix
$35.30 $20
43% discount_off
Events at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on July 7, 2023
1,000+ bought
Experience the Magic of the Movies at Universal Studios Hollywood - Your Ultimate Entertainment Destination!
Universal Studios Hollywood Admission Tickets
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
4.6
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4,740 ratings
$154 $109
29% discount_off
1-Day General Admission Tickets
Boy George & Culture Club: The Letting It Go Show with Howard Jones and Berlin on August 18 at 7 p.m.
Boy George & Culture Club w/Howard Jones – Up to 52% Off
2121 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix
$41.75 $20
52% discount_off
Boy George & Culture Club: The Letting It Go Show at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on August 18, 2023
300+ bought

Some of the best tourist attractions include riding the Valley Metro Rail to Phoenix or Mesa and seeing the Hayden Flour Mill near the lake. Take a tour at the Arizona Distilling Company or grab lunch at Four Peaks Brewery.

Popular attractions near Tempe include:

  • Learning all about the history of Tempe at the Tempe History Museum
  • Showing Arizona State University pride be taking a picture on “A” mountain
  • Checking out the Pat Tillman Statue at Sun Devil Stadium
  • Visiting the Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
  • Exploring the city and neighborhoods with GRID rental bike

Tempe is full of fun things to do on a whim. Encourage local business by grabbing a coffee at local favorites Cartel Coffee and King Coffee near the ASU campus. Take a yoga or spin class at Core Power Yoga on Mill Avenue or group fitness class at the local YMCA branch.

Exciting activities near Tempe include:

  • Buying tickets to a game at the Spring Training Headquarters, Diablo Stadium
  • Grabbing lunch and a brew at the Blasted Barley Beer Company
  • Getting some air at the Tempe Skatepark
  • Shopping for vintage clothes and accessories at Buffalo Exchange
  • Spending the day furniture shopping at the only IKEA location in Arizona

Tempe is where locals head to when looking for things to do at night. Enjoy dancing and music at Mill Avenue staples like Fat Tuesdays and Low Key Piano Bar. Or check out Tempe Improv to see famous comedians like Chelsea Lately and Jimmy Fallon.

Nighttime activities near Tempe include:

  • Betting on a game of billiards at Cue and Brew
  • Watching local and touring bands play at the Marquee Theater
  • Playing arcade games and have a dinner at Dave & Busters
  • Grabbing a cocktail at happy hour on the Patio of Salut Kitchen Bar
  • Spending the night out at the Wild Horse Pass Casino

Suburbs form a large section of Tempe, making the city an ideal family destination. There are plenty of things to do with kids, such as visiting the Arizona Mills Mall. Here you can explore the underwater world at Sea LIfe Arizona, create and learn at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and eat lunch at jungle themed restaurant Rainforest Cafe.

Family-Friendly things to do near Tempe include:

  • Learning all about the heart at the Halle Heart Children’s Museum
  • Getting frozen treats before the game at Rita’s Italian Ice
  • Lose yourself watching a play at the Childsplay Theatre Co
  • Checking out books and events at the local Tempe Public Libraries
  • Grabbing a slice with the family at Oregano's Pizza Bistro

Not all of the best parts of Tempe are outside. There are plenty of things to do indoors that both relax and entertain. Try zero-gravity meditation at True REST Float Spa or get relaxed at Escape Massage Day Spa. Looking to learn? Take a cooking class at Whisked Away or paint pottery at As You Wish.

Tempe things to do indoors include:

  • Watching a performance at the Tempe Center for the Arts
  • Visiting Arizona State University’s Marston Exploration Theater and seeing a 3D Astronomy Show
  • Sipping some wine and letting out your inner artist at Painting with a Twist
  • Losing yourself in visual wonder at the IMAX Theater at Arizona Mills
  • Appreciating unique and engaging art from locals at Gersten Fine Art

As a walkable city, Tempe takes pride in the amount of outdoor activities and art installations. After attending a Tempe Beach Park event, head out of town to explore the natural desert landscaping along the edges of the metropolitan area.

Active things to see in Tempe include:

  • Bringing your clubs and hit the green at Karsten Golf Course
  • Riding a segway around the lake with Segways of Scottsdale
  • Taking horseback riding lessons at the Salt River in Mesa
  • Having a picnic at one of the many ramadas at Papago Park
  • Heading south to explore the South Mountain Preserve and Park