Escape to Sunny Tempe this Spring

MLB spring training, exciting nightlife and of course great weather are just a few of the attractions during springtime in Tempe, Arizona.

By ArizonaGuide.com Staff

You’ll have a plane ticket to take you home after your spring vacation in Tempe, but after spending a few days here, you won’t want to leave. It’s easy to see why spring is such a popular time to visit the hometown of Arizona State University.

Hiking Tempe and Beyond

Start the day with a rejuvenating desert hike. Your choices are as endless as the trails before you. Papago Park is a slice of the Sonoran Desert in the center of the city. Along with popular hiking and biking trails, the park is home to attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona Historical Society Museum.

South Mountain Park/Preserve, the largest municipal park in the country, is a favorite spot for challenging hikes, mountain bike adventures, horseback rides and picnics. “A” Mountain rewards hikers who make the quick jaunt to the top with a bird’s eye view of Tempe Town Lake, Arizona State University (the reason for the signature “A”), Mill Avenue and the airport. From late March through May, visitors can experience the desert at its best, in full bloom. The landscape is carpeted with wildflowers in shades of gold, purple and red, perfect compliments to the brilliant hues in the sunset.

Swing into Spring with Baseball and Golf

The boys of summer make an early appearance in Arizona every year during Cactus League Spring Training, held from late February through early April each year. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tempe’s home team, plays right here at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tickets start at just a few bucks, so it’s the perfect excuse to dine on a tasty hot dog, try to catch a fly ball or two, or just soak up the sun.

Be inspired by the line drives at Tempe Diablo Stadium and go for your own drive – on the golf course. ASU Karsten Golf Course is a par 70, classic Pete Dye links-style course, conveniently located just a stone’s throw from Tempe’s Mill Avenue District, Tempe Town Lake and Arizona State University. Top PGA and LPGA professionals, Phil Mickelson, Billy Mayfair and Grace Park, honed their skills at ASU Karsten. It is home to one of the strongest collegiate golf programs in the country and is open to the public, offering a great value for such a championship course. Golfers looking to improve their game can also visit their PING Learning Center. The state-of-the-art instruction is perfect for all levels, from beginners looking to learn basic skills to experienced players who want to lower their handicap.

Dine Al Fresco at Tempe Restaurants

Dining out in Tempe doesn’t mean that you have to take a break from all of the springtime outdoor activity. Dining outdoors is a way of life here. Visit the Mill Avenue District, where there are more than 100 tasty restaurants, unique shops and fun-filled taverns.

The majority of restaurants along Mill Avenue’s brick-lined sidewalks have patios that are perfect for sampling some of the Southwest’s best cuisine and people watching at the same time. Favorites include the new American cuisine at House of Tricks, the Mediterranean-inspired menu and wine pairings at Caffe Boa and authentic dishes from the Emerald Isle at Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Or, go to Tempe’s newest entertainment destination, Tempe Marketplace. National favorites such as Dave & Buster’s and California Pizza Kitchen are part of the landscape in “The District,” a pavilion filled with trendy shops, cafes, restaurants and nightspots. Maria Maria Restaurant, a concept created by guitar legend Carlos Santana and Chef Roberto Santibañez, serves flavorful Mexico City-inspired creations inside the artfully designed restaurant and outside on their relaxing patio. The District also hosts free live music performances, from pop to alternative rock to acoustic folk, every Thursday through Sunday evening.

Cruise the Lake – Right in Downtown Tempe 

Before you retreat back home, don’t miss Tempe Town Lake. This 220-acre urban oasis is the center of Tempe’s active lifestyle. There are five miles of pathways that surround the lake, ideal for walking, rollerblading or biking. The paths can also be traversed by Segway. Segway of Tempe is offering new tours of the lake on this exciting, high-tech mode of transportation. Visitors can also rent pedal boats or kayaks and explore the cool waters of the lake on their own.

It’s easy to see why Tempe, Arizona should be your next vacation destination. Warm sunshine, engaging activities and fun-filled days await you in this classic college town.

(Updated by the Arizona Office of Tourism - 2009)