Have you been scratching your head to come up with a list of budget friendly things to do in Tempe? Well, I am here to help! There’s nothing I love more than having fun that doesn’t break the bank. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Tempe:
1. Hadyen Butte Preserve
Commonly referred to as ‘A’ Mountain, Hayden Butte is located northeast of Mill Avenue District in downtown Tempe and is a popular destination for college students and locals alike. The 25-acre park is home to around 500 petroglyphs made by the Hohokam, who lived in the area between A.D. 750 and 1450.
The ‘A’ for Arizona State University is mirrored by another ‘A’ mountain on Sentinel Peak in Tucson, home to the University of Arizona. It’s become a local tradition for students at the universities to try to paint each ‘A’ in the opposing team’s colors during rivalry week before the Territorial Cup. Some ASU students are so passionate about protecting the ‘A’ that they’ll camp out on Hayden Butte to prevent it!
The Leonard Monti Trail leads to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy views of Mill Ave, Tempe Town Lake, Papago Park & Camelback Mountain to the north. It’s an easy hike that’s just under a mile long, although it can be steep with a lot of stairs so beginning hikers may find it challenging. Like most trails in the Phoenix area, there’s no shade so be sure to bring a hat and water!
Even during the cooler months in Arizona, I like to visit Hayden Butte and hike the trail in the morning, before grabbing breakfast at one of the great restaurants along Mill Ave. The Daily Jam is one of my favorites with their fresh, scratch-made food and cocktails!
2. Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Town Lake is a man-made lake over what was once the dry Salt River. Even though swimming is not allowed with the exception of special events, the 2-mile long lake is a hub for things to do in Tempe. Pathways and parks line the lake, which is great for enjoying a walk or jog along the lake.
The walking paths also connect with the bike trails both to the north and south. Tempe was named a gold level bicycle friendly community in 2019 by the League of American Bicyclists and has over 217 miles of bikeways. Tempe Town Lake is a central location for most of these paths so it’s a great place to start exploring from! If you’re here on vacation, there are several bike rentals along the Mill Avenue District in downtown Tempe.
One of my favorite things to do in Tempe to beat the heat is to rent a boat and cruise along the lake. Boat Rentals of America at Tempe Town Lake has a variety of kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, electric boats, and more. The pedal boats were great to see how coordinated you and your friends are! If you’ve got a large group of people, renting a pontoon or donut boat, and bringing a picnic lunch is a great way to spend the day.
Tempe Town Lake also has around 40 special events at the lake or Tempe Beach Park throughout the year, so it’s checking out the calendar of events can be a great way to find more things to do in Tempe.
3. DIY Art Walk
Most locals tend not to know this, but Tempe spends one percent of the city’s total annual capital improvement budget on the Municipal Art Fund to advance all kinds of art.
Sculptures, mosaics, labyrinths, architectural features, and more are located all around the city. Take an Instagram-worthy photo in front of one of the many murals or learn about the many artists who have contributed to the installations. Tempe Public Art has a great interactive map that not only lists where the art installation is but gives you information and history about the artists.
Most of the art is centered around Mill Avenue District and downtown Tempe, but if you’re up to more exploring renting a bike and going along the bikeways is a great way to cover a lot more ground. This is a great option for someone looking for unique things to do in Tempe.
4. Papago Park
Papago Park is one of the most unique desert areas with its rounded red sandstone buttes located in the middle of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. While it’s a shared municipal park with Phoenix, the southern section is part of Tempe and it’s huge park with lots of things to do. It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors with a variety of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and lagoons. Papago Park is also home to the Loma del Rio Hohokam ruins, as well as the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, several museums, golf courses, and more.
One of the most popular things to do in Tempe is the Hole in the Rock Trail, a less than half a mile hike up one of the buttes which has a large hole near the top. It’s a great spot for looking over the metropolitan area especially at sunrise or sunsets. The remainder of the trails are between half a mile to a little over three miles and are all easy trails. However, there’s little to no shade, so be sure to bring a hat and some water!
5. Arizona State University
Not just for university students, ASU has a variety of things to do in Tempe’s campus that are free to the public. Explore Palm Walk, located between University Bridge and the Sun Devil Fitness Complex. It’s lined with 100 date palms and is one of the most photographed spots at the campus.
Avoid the heat and explore the ASU Art Museum, Ceramics Research Center, Harvey Wood Gallery or Gallery of Design, which are all free to visit. For science lovers, the Lunar Exploration Museum, Mars Space Flight Facility, or Gallery of Scientific Exploration are great places to explore. ASU Gammage and the Herberger Institute of Arts hold a multitude of concerts, shows, musicals, plays, exhibitions, and more throughout the year, so you’ll find plenty of things to do to in Tempe to match your budget.
6. Tempe Festival of the Arts
Next on the list of things to do in Tempe is the Festival of the Arts. Held twice a year in early December and late March, Tempe’s Festival of the Arts showcases hundred of artists from around the country. Admission is free there is a variety of food, beverages and entertainment throughout the three-day festival.
7. Museums
In addition to the museums at Arizona State University, there are several museums around Tempe itself that are great to go to for the afternoon.
The Arizona Heritage Center is located near Papago Park and features a variety of exhibits on the history of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It has a World War II AT-6 training airplane, displays of unique rocks, gems and minerals tying back to Arizona’s mining history and more. There is general admission for adults and older children, but kids 6 and under are free.
Tempe’s History Museum is a community history museum and covers not only historical peoples who lived here, but the histories of the current community as well. It’s divided into four thematic areas in addition to a children’s section for the little ones. Admission is free for all ages, making this a another win for things to do in Tempe on a budget!
Tempe History Museum also manages the Petersen House Museum and helps with the Eisendrath House, both of which have been closed for personal tours due to COVID. They’re expected to begin tours again in 2022 but check the websites for the most up to date information.
The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is in Papago Park and has a 2/3-mile accessible trail that takes you through a prehistoric Hohokam village site and has three galleries including a children’s hands on-gallery.
