Things to do in Tempe
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Top 10 attractions in Tempe
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden is a themed botanical garden focused on the display and conservation of desert plants, spanning approx. 140 acres, featuring over 50,000 plants from global desert habitats, covering more than 4,000 taxa, including hundreds of rare or endangered species. The garden's history dates back to the 1930s, established through the efforts of local plant conservation advocates, and officially opened at its current site in 1939, with the original intention of changing the prejudice that the Sonoran Desert was a barren wasteland. The Webster Auditorium, built in the same year, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour route is structured around five themed trails: the Desert Discovery Trail focuses on iconic plants such as saguaro cacti and agave; the "Sonoran Desert People and Plants" trail connects indigenous culture with the history of desert plants; the Wildflower Loop Trail presents rare, vibrant colors in the desert during the spring blooming season; there are also the Center for Desert Living Trail, which focuses on more sustainable gardening, and the Nature Loop Trail, which offers views overlooking the Papago Buttes. Nearly 1,000 saguaro cacti are scattered throughout the garden, some reaching heights of over 10m, with upright forms, making them the most recognizable plant view in the Sonoran Desert and a long-term focus of the garden's conservation efforts.Phoenix · 4km from Tempe
Hole in the Rock
Hole in the Rock is a unique geological wonder located in Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It is composed of red sandstone and has been eroded by wind and rain for about 20 million years to create its current amazing appearance. This unusual rock formation features large erosion-formed holes, including one large hole that opens into the other side of the rock. It's an easy 10-minute hike from the parking lot on a 0.3-mile trail. Standing at the entrance of the cave, it's like opening a window to a wonderful world, and you can see the magnificent scenery of Papago Park. The desert scenery in the distance stretches out, contrasting with the surrounding urban landscape, which is unique.On a clear day, the sun shines on the red sandstone, and the colors are particularly bright; at sunset, the soft light dyes the sky orange-red, adding a bit of romance and mystery to this place.Phoenix · 3.5km from Tempe
Golfland Sunsplash
Mesa · 10.4km from Tempe
Fear Farm Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Fear Farm Haunted House Phoenix AZ is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, and is a prominent seasonal Halloween-themed horror attraction in the Phoenix area. It is open to the public only on select nights from late September to early November and is a long-standing autumn tradition for local residents. The venue covers a vast area and utilizes the farm setting to create multi-themed immersive horror spaces, combining rural elements such as barns, fields, and silos with the scenes to build an atmospheric, chilling world. The park is not a single haunted house but consists of multiple independent themed attractions, a corn maze, and a haunted hayride. Different themed attractions have their own complete storylines, with set design, lighting, sound effects, and live actor performances working together to create a layered, immersive scare experience. Actors will not touch visitors at any time, ensuring a safe experience. The winding horror corn maze weaves through tall crops, with a dim environment paired with hidden performance spots. Every turn holds surprises, making it a classic and iconic attraction of the park.Maricopa County · 3.6km from Tempe
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix · 12.2km from Tempe
South Mountain Park and Preserve
Nanshan Park is located on Dobbins South Road in Phoenix, covering an area of more than 9,700 acres, making it the largest urban park in the world. The park has a very quiet environment, with picnic areas and walking trails for people to take a break. People can ride horses, walks, mountain bikes, etc., to meet your different needs. There is also an environmental center within the park, which exhibits the history of the park and the ancient Hohokam people who lived here. The place where the park is located is steep, and walking will be a little tiring, but when you climb to a high place, you will feel that all the efforts are worth it, and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire city of Phoenix.Phoenix · 14.7km from Tempe
Arizona Falls
Phoenix · 7.4km from Tempe
Mesa Arizona Temple
Mesa · 11.3km from Tempe
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
The Japanese Friendship Garden is located in Phoenix, USA. It is a Japanese-style park with a quiet environment. Here, in addition to watching the koi in the ponds, visitors can learn more about Japanese culture. In addition, there are often interesting activities such as tea ceremony, yoga and live music.Phoenix · 13.3km from Tempe
Big Surf
Big Surf Waterpark boasts the 3rd largest largest wave pool in the world, Waikiki Beach. The park offers rides for the whole family, with zones for children, surfing, and over 3000 feet of water slides.Tempe · 3.4km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Tempe
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Free things to do in Tempe
Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix · 4km from TempeHole in the Rock
Phoenix · 3.5km from TempeGolfland Sunsplash
Mesa · 10.4km from TempeFear Farm Haunted House Phoenix AZ
Maricopa County · 3.6km from TempePhoenix Convention Center
Phoenix · 12.2km from TempeSouth Mountain Park and Preserve
Phoenix · 14.7km from TempeArizona Falls
Phoenix · 7.4km from TempeMesa Arizona Temple
Mesa · 11.3km from TempeJapanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
Phoenix · 13.3km from TempeBig Surf
Tempe · 3.4km from downtown
What travellers say about Tempe
Haque Saheb26 September 2026
5.0
Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful place where the unique charm of the desert comes alive. The incredible collection of cacti, colorful desert flowers, and native plants creates a peaceful and fascinating atmosphere. Walking along the scenic trails feels like discovering a completely different side of nature, with stunning mountain views adding to the experience. The garden is especially magical during golden hour when the warm sunlight highlights the plants and surrounding landscape. It is a wonderful destination for photography, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a relaxing escape. Would you love to explore this beautiful desert garden on your next trip?
Desert Botanical Garden
M30***412 March 2021
4.0
This place is amazing not what you would expect to find in the middle of phoenix . it felt like the outback of australia .
Hole in the Rock
PINGPINGPING101317 August 2022
5.0
My review is here. I will give my review right after I experience it. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Phoenix Convention Center
小鱼儿201521 February 2020
4.0
Nanshan Park is also a very interesting garden structure. There are many fun things to enjoy in the whole park. You can see many scenery here. There are also many forests and flowers in the park, and there are small lakes to visit.
South Mountain Park and Preserve
小凌6026 July 2020
3.0
I thought it was a small garden, but in fact the entire park is quite large, including large tracts of woods and artificial lakes. Moreover, the scenery of this garden not only has Japanese scenery, but also includes European landscapes.
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
_FB***9312 August 2019
5.0
had so much fun here water sides were super fun the wave pool was amazing the water wasnt super cold but not super hot either
Big Surf
