The most fun, fabulous and exciting things to do in Tempe, AZ
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Just south of Phoenix sits the beautiful city of Tempe, AZ, and a world of wonderful sights, sounds, and experiences. Sure, Arizona State University might be our claim to fame, as they say, but we’ve got much more to offer. You can find a festival or event happening nearly every week in Tempe. That includes, for example, the Tempe Festival of the Arts, one of the country’s longest-standing juried art festivals.
If day-tripping and window shopping is more your style, Tempe offers plenty! Bustling Downtown Tempe offers over 100 exotic locations of every fashion and flavor. You’re bound to find your favorite from shops to cafes, bars, taverns, and nightclubs. It’s tough to choose, that’s for sure, so we put this article together to guide your decisions. Read on to find out all about the most fun things to do in Tempe, AZ!
Attend an ASU Football Game at Sun Devil Stadium
One of the Pac-12 college football conference powerhouses, the ASU Sun Devils, plays at gorgeous Sun Devil Stadium. There’s nothing like the feel, the noise, and the excitement of a live college football game. Even better, the Sun Devils are a perennial favorite, and the stadium is one of the best for fans! Opened in 1958, Sun Devil Stadium has a storied history in Tempe, with many great games. They’ve even had a visit from a sitting Pope and US President, the latter giving an address to the nation. If you love raucous stadiums and football under the sun, a Sun Devil’s football game makes a perfect Saturday afternoon!
Go Surfing at Big Surf Water Park
Is Tempe, AZ, near the coast or the ocean? No, far from it, which is why you might be wondering how it’s possible to surf here. The reason is as simple as it is fun; Big Surf Water Park! Boasting America’s first wave pool, Big Surf contains over 2.5 million gallons of fresh water! The surfing, as the kids say, is off the chain! Plus, the park offers plenty of slides and other fun, water-based activities for those who don’t surf. You and the fam can also rent a raft and lazily float around, enjoying some fun in the sun! For fun, family-oriented things to do in Tempe, AZ, Big Surf Water park is a sure thing!
See Stunning Sea Creatures at Sea Life Arizona
The sea is filled with fantastic creatures and wildlife, it’s true. In Tempe, they decided to bring the sea closer so that everyone can experience its wonders. Sea Life Arizona is their solution, a breathtaking, awe-inspiring aquarium. Sea Life Arizona is interactive, which means you and the kids can get up close and personal with many aquatic creatures. The aquarium isn’t as big as some but is a beautiful (and educational) experience for kids of all ages. It’s also located within a local Tempe mall, which means you can do some shopping when you go! If fun, exciting and educational things to do in Tempe are what you seek, Sea Life Arizona does not disappoint.
Meet, Greet, Eat and Shop at Tempe Marketplace
Sometimes you want to window shop, have a bit of this over here and some of that over there. Plus, it would be nice if the location was idyllic, with lots of sunshine, water features, and places to sit. If that sounds like heaven on earth to you, head over to Tempe Marketplace. With over 1.3 million square feet of retail, including shops, restaurants, movie theatres, and more, it’s the most happening place in Tempe. The architecture is made to make you feel relaxed like you’re at a vacation resort. There are dramatic lighting and laser elements and even outdoor fireplaces for when it cools off after dark. It’s the perfect place to come with the kids! They can catch a movie while you leisurely shop, and then you can all meet afterward for a great meal!
Are there Good Bars in Tempe, AZ? (Hint: Yes!)
With beautiful weather most of the year, Tempe is big on nightlife. We’re also a huge college town, home to the awesome ASU Sun Devils! For those two reasons, Tempe has bars and, boy howdy, do we have a lot of them! Many are excellent, of course (even the dive bars), but not all of them can be the best. For that, they need excellent service, unique offerings, and a relaxed vibe. The following 10 bars do all of those things very well. (Keep in mind they also change their name often. If you don’t find one, it’s probably still there with a different name!)
- Handlebar Tempe
- Devil’s Advocate Bar & Grill
- Boulders on Broadway
- Pedal Haus Brewery
- Yucca tap Room
- Taste of Tops
- Spokes on Southern
- Four Peaks Tasting Room
- Freezer’s Ice House
- The Time Out Lounge
See a Big, Red Butte in Papago Park
Only minutes from downtown Tempe is the lovely Papago Park, home to breathtaking butte rock formations. The scenery here is, in a word, spectacular. You can hike around the massive park and, if you like, go fishing in their stocked lagoons. (The park was the location of a fish hatchery during the Great Depression!) Papago Park also has access to the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden, just down the road. It’s a beautiful way to spend an afternoon and offers something for the whole family. Some call it one of the most interesting things to do in Tempe, AZ.
What is the Selection of RV Parks in Tempe, AZ?
If you’re visiting Tempe in an RV, you’ll be glad to know we have almost 200 RV parks here! They range from exclusive (and expensive) locations to ‘mom and pop’ RV parks that are a genuine bargain. Trying to determine the very best of them? That’s tough, but below are our picks for the Top 5.
- Twin Palms RV Park
- Val Vista Village
- Towerpooint RV Resort
- Haciendo Solano esort
- Scottsdale Trailer Corral
What do you think of our choices for fun things to do in Tempe? We’re Storage-Solutions, the self-storage leader in the west! If you need a storage unit in Tempe, AZ, we can help. Our storage units are clean, safe and secure, and ready for anything you need to store! Until then, we hope you enjoy our marvelous city! We love it here, and we’re sure you and your family will too! Have fun!
