‘Tempe has it all!’ Fun in the sun accentuates the excitement and spirit you’ll find in Tempe. The city is full of history, culture, shopping, dining, nightlife, sports and special events. Treat yourself to an NFL Arizona Cardinals game, have a shopping spree at Arizona Mills, kayak on Tempe Town Lake, enjoy a Broadway performance at ASU's Gammage Auditorium, hike in the picturesque Papago Park or simply lounge by the pool. It is all here for you to enjoy. Come explore our city - we'll make your stay unforgettable.

The boys of summer come to Tempe every February and March. You can watch the Anaheim Angels practice and play spring training games at Tempe Diablo Stadium while enjoying the sunny weather of Tempe.

Tempe has some outstanding sports facilities that you can use to stay fit and enjoy team sports. Tempe Sports Complex, Benedict Sports Complex and Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex have softball fields, baseball fields and soccer fields that are used for leagues, tournaments and rentals. There are six golf courses located in Tempe, including Ken McDonald Golf Course, Rolling Hills Golf Course, and ASU Karsten Golf Course.

There are plenty of places in Tempe for family fun and enjoyment, including the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park. It preserves natural desert land and wide-ranging botanical life. The Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately owned, self-supporting zoo in the U.S. and features more than 120 acres of mammals, reptiles, birds, and a petting zoo. Fiddlesticks is another popular family fun center, featuring miniature golf, a water park, a video arcade and just plain fun.

Tempe is ideal for bicycling, with more than 120 miles of on-street bike lanes and off-street bike paths. Bicyclists can cruise well-lit, winding paths along Rio Salado, the Papago Buttes or downtown Tempe.

With everything from hiking to horseback riding available, the greater Phoenix area provides something for everyone. The mild winter climate means one can be outdoors throughout the season.

Below are a few of the favorite local attractions. Please visit our Concierge for assistance in planning your family outings.

Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden offers the world's largest collection of arid-land plants from deserts around the world in a unique outdoor setting. There are more than 50,000 accessioned plants throughout its five thematic trails, which illustrate topics such as conservation, desert living, plants and people of the Sonoran Desert and desert wildflowers. Interesting workshops and lectures on horticulture and desert landscaping are offered as well.

The Phoenix Zoo
Conveniently located, the Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals, including 200 endangered or threatened birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world. Visit the tropical rainforest or African Savannah, listen to a Keeper Talk and check out the Arizona Trail for a taste of desert plants and animals.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
offers train rides throughout the park, historic exhibits, and superb picnic and playground facilities and is an entertainment and educational delight for people of all ages.

Goldfield Ghost Town
From 1893 to 1897, Goldfield was a booming mining town. Today, you can enjoy some of that history touring an underground mine, traveling through the mining district aboard the narrow-gauge railroad, and pan for real gold! The famous Superstition Mountains, where the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine still lives, serve as backdrop while you enjoy dinner or a cold drink at the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon.

Arizona Science Center
The Arizona Science Center museum with more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, five-story giant-screen Theater, live demonstrations, and traveling exhibitions. This hands-on facility is aimed primarily at children but offers lots of fun things to do for adults as well. Experience several interactive exhibits covering a variety of topics, from the human body to coping with life in the desert.

Challenger Space Center
The Challenger Space Center is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. You too can experience the thrill of space as you and your friends blast off on a 2 hour simulated space mission, listen to a presentation about the Amazing Moon, and enjoy the art of world-renowned space artist, Mr. Robert McCall.

The Value of a Phoenix Hotel and the Quality of a Scottsdale Resort
All at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel!

The Tempe Mission Palms Hotel
60 East Fifth Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281
480 894-1400 • Reservations 800 547-8705 • FAX 480-968-7677