Arizona Weekend Getaway Itinerary: Things to Do in Tempe

Tempe is located east of Phoenix in Arizona, a booming city known for hosting concerts, outdoor activities, and sporting events in Wells Fargo Arena. Additionally, it’s the home of Arizona State University, the largest university in the United States. Curious about things to do in Tempe? We spent the weekend in this bustling city to give you ideas on how to spend the perfect weekend in Tempe, Arizona.

How to Get to Tempe

Drive- Tempe is only a 6-hour drive from San Diego, so driving could be a great option depending on the airfare, your budget, and how many people you travel with.

Fly- The flight from San Diego to Tempe is easy, only 50 minutes. After you land, depending on your preference, you can easily rent a car or take an uber or lyft to the hotel. The drive is roughly 10 minutes and will cost you $25-$35, depending on the ride share. If you want to avoid driving altogether, you can also take the light rail from the airport. Follow the signs on the gate level for the PHX Sky Train and take the train to the 44th Street station.
TIP: Rent a car, as finding ubers in the area can be tough.

Stay at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center

We stayed at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, right in the center of Downtown Tempe, that’s walkable to over 100 shops and restaurants. The hotel offers a rooftop pool and breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus at The Mission Grille, Harry’s Place Lounge & Restaurant, and Cabana Bar & Grill. Additionally, it’s adjacent to “A” mountain for anyone interested in hiking in Tempe. This relaxing retreat is the perfect desert destination.

Address: 60 E 5th St. Tempe, Arizona, 85281

TIP: The team is so friendly! They do have an airport shuttle that leaves ~every hour. And if they’re not heading to the airport, they likely can shuttle you to some top attractions. They operate off tips so it’s nice to support them.

DAY 1: Explore Tempe Town Lake & Papago Park

If you fly into Phoenix in the morning, you’ll have the afternoon to explore and get a vibe for the city. After checking into the hotel, we had lunch before heading to Tempe Town Lake to kick off the weekend.

Have lunch at Alter Ego

We started the weekend with lunch at Alter Ego, a spot offering Modern-American Fusion cuisine.

Must Order: Sweet Pear Salad, Katsu Chicken Sandwich

Address: 108 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281

Take a bike ride around Tempe Town Lake & Papago Park

In Tempe’s only 40-square-mile city, you can explore 218 miles of bike paths between the desert trails and bike lanes on the streets. We rented bikes from The Bike Cellar (walking distance from the hotel) to ride around Tempe Town Lake. If you want to kayak or stand-up paddleboard, you can visit them at their Tempe Town Lake Marina location. Keep reading to learn about our experience on the lake itself.

Price: Starting at $25 for 2-hour rental.

Address: 200 E 5th St Suite 105 – downtown Tempe at the Veterans Way/College Ave light rail stop.

View the sunset at the Rock Trail at Papago Park

Hole in the Rock is a natural formation in Papago Park that offers breathtaking views from the top. After our bike ride around the lake, we explored this popular landmark just in time to catch the sunset. Hole in the Rock is easily accessible via a short path behind the hill.

DAY 2: Experience the Arts

On the second day of our trip, we continued our outdoor adventures by Tempe Town Lake and explored the art scene.

Explore Tempe Town Lake: Rent a Kayak or Pedal Boat

Near Downtown Tempe sits Tempe Town Lake, a two-mile haven for all things water sports: kayaking, sailing, and rowing. On day 1, we explored the exterior of the lake on e-bikes, and on day 2, we set out on the water. The lake is also an active person’s paradise for jogging, skating, or setting up a picnic. Tempe Town Lake offers a prime spot for festivals, events, and charity walks. If you’re visiting Tempe, definitely check out the calendar of events for the lake area.

Swan Pedal Boat – Click here to rent.

Things to know:

Parking is available along Ash Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, near the railroad bridge.
The Boat Rentals kiosk is on the south side of the lake, near the Mill Avenue bridge. Look for the small building with a blue awning, “Tempe Boat Rentals.”

Price: $55/ hour and fits 4 people.

Address: 72 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281

Visit the Desert Botanical Garden

To fully immerse yourself in the desert’s beauty, check out the Desert Botanical Garden. The Gardens offer 140 acres of Arizona’s thriving desert plants. The vibrant trails, art exhibitions, and events make this garden a must-see. We couldn’t believe how big the gardens were. It was so peaceful, and there was so much to explore!

Price: Varies depending on the time/date of the visit. Our tickets were ~$30/pp on the weekend.

Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008

TIP: Grab lunch or a drink at Gertrude’s on the property.

Explore the Art Scene: Murals in Tempe

Tempe Public Art aims to cultivate community and illuminate the once less-than-chic public spaces. The collection of permanent and temporary art installations covers the downtown scape to be enjoyed by all who visit. I’ve outlined the current murals below so you can check them out:

“Don’t Wake the Dreamer” at 5th St & Hardy Dr
“The Greats Wall” at Tempe Marketplace, Social Hall
“Meet Me at Daley Park” at Daley Park
“Rangoli Sunrise” at The Dhaba
“America American Americans” at 13th St & Mill Ave
Tempe’s 150th Anniversary Unity Mural at 5th St & Maple Ave

Grab Dinner at Chic Chef 77

Finally, to wrap up the weekend in Tempe, we ventured to the new bistro and wine bar in the heart of downtown, Chic Chef 77. Celebrity Chef Nik Fields serves incredibly savory cuisine, boutique wines, and craft cocktails. We loved that Chic Chef 77 has live music to set the tone for the meal. This bistro is Arizona’s first black-owned wine bar, curated by celebrity Nik Fields or @nikthechicchef on social media.

Must Order: “Sticky Fingaz” Chicken Wings, “Central Park” charcuterie board, “Pop Smoke” and “Coney Island” cocktails.

Address: 1221 E. Apache Blvd. #104, Tempe, AZ 85281