Discover Tempe: Water, History and Culture

Tempe combines aquatic experiences, traces of past cultures and distinctive architecture in an unusual way. At the heart of the city lies Tempe Town Lake, which is more than two miles long. The lake was created by damming a section of the dry Salt River and introducing water. This gives Tempe a clear focal point for a trip that combines scenery, activity and discovery.

Tempe Town Lake as a starting point for active days

The paths around Tempe Town Lake are open daily from 5 a.m. until midnight. You can therefore plan your time there flexibly and use the lake as a fixed point of reference for different parts of the day. Those who do not want to simply walk along the water can find stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats at Tempe Boat Rental in Tempe Beach Park. This allows you to experience the lake from different perspectives, without every trip having to focus on the same activity.

Tempe Beach Park also contributes to the area's event-oriented character: around 40 events take place there every year. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between a peaceful stay by the water and a visit shaped more strongly by public events. The park thus complements individual time at the lake with a cultural and community aspect.

Petroglyphs and trails at Hayden Butte

Another side of Tempe can be seen at Hayden Butte Preserve. Around 500 Hohokam petroglyphs can be found there, created between A.D. 750 and 1450. The rock art gives your stay a historical focus and makes Hayden Butte a place where the landscape and cultural history can be considered together.

The Leonard Monti Trail was dedicated in 1994 and leads up along the side of Hayden Butte. If you would like to combine your trip planning with a trail that has a specific historical connection, you can include this trail as an experience in its own right. Tempe therefore offers families different points of interest: water activities at the lake, trails at Hayden Butte and the opportunity to engage with the petroglyphs each appeal to different interests, without requiring a single type of trip.

Architecture, art and local history

Culture enthusiasts will also find distinctive destinations in Tempe. ASU Gammage was completed in 1964 and is considered Frank Lloyd Wright's last major architectural work. The building adds an architectural-historical element to the trip and provides a counterpoint to the nature and water-based experiences. The ASU Art Museum offers tours that introduce visitors to the artworks and exhibitions presented there.

The Eisendrath House also offers historical insights: it is a historic adobe house in the Pueblo Revival style from the 1930s in Tempe. The Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation was opened to residents and visitors and offered docent-led tours, special events and meetings. Together with the Eisendrath House, this area of interest broadens the view of Tempe to include architecture, water awareness and local educational offerings.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can use the experience you want to define your trip as a guide. A focus on Tempe Town Lake suits a plan centered on water, trails and events. Hayden Butte offers different highlights with its petroglyphs and the Leonard Monti Trail, while ASU Gammage, the ASU Art Museum and the Eisendrath House appeal to interests in cultural history. Choosing accommodation therefore becomes primarily a question of the type of daily itinerary you want: should your stay be shaped more by scenery and activity, by history, or by art and architecture?

For further trip planning, you can also find Cave Creek, Rio Verde, Sun City, New River, Gila Bend, Chandler, Fountain Hills and Tolleson.

For the higher-level travel overview: Maricopa.