Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

The temperatures have reached 100 degrees in Tempe, but to me, summer doesn’t officially start until Memorial Day weekend. If you’re going to be in my favorite city over the holiday, you might have plans to go to Arizona Mills, Tempe Marketplace, Mill Avenue and Tempe Town Lake. All excellent choices, for sure. But, if you want to try something new, here are a few ideas for you.

Take a Vacation at a Tempe hotel – Many Tempe hotels are offering great deals this summer. If you’re coming to Tempe this summer, or you’re a local who could use a mini-vacation, check out our special offers page for ideas and discounts.

Try a new restaurant – There are a few tasty new places to try, such as Tempe’s Front Porch, Hummus Xpress and Gringo Star Street Bar. There are also many places that may be on your list, but you haven’t had the chance to try them yet. A few of my favorite established local spots are Essence Bakery & Café, Cornish Pasty Co. and Casey Moore’s Oyster House.

Oceanside Ice Arena – Ice skating in the desert is possible at Tempe’s Oceanside Ice Arena. Located near Big Surf Waterpark, Oceanside is an excellent place to cool off and pretend, for an hour or so, that the weather is chilly once again. Open skating hours are 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 and 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 26.

Ride the Waves at Big Surf – Big Surf Waterpark is now open every weekend, but starting on May 25 it will be open every single day from through August 4. Zoom down slides like the White Serpentine and the Black Hole, soak up the sun on Waikiki Beach or splash with the smallest swimmers at Captain Cook’s Landing. Surfing and boogie boarding sessions are also available daily.

Plan a picnic – I haven’t planned a picnic in a while, but it sure sounds like fun. Grab a blanket, a bocce ball set or a Frisbee and pick up sandwiches from Sacks. There are lots of scenic parks in Tempe with plenty of space to play – see a full list here.

Movies in the Park – Speaking of parks, go to Kiwanis Park on May 24 and see “Finding Nemo” with the whole family. This free event starts at dusk (approximately 7 p.m.). Bring a blanket and snacks (or buy a few treats on site) and relax. Visit the City of Tempe website for the full calendar of movies.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’re sure to have a fun Memorial Day in Tempe. For even more ideas, visit www.tempetourism.com. 

It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer, which means that soon it will be too hot to venture outside for any length of time during the day. Yes, it’s time to find alternative recreational opportunities that don’t involve any exertion under the searing summer sun.

Of course there are the usual indoor solutions like retreating for hours on end to the air conditioned comfort of the malls, movie theater,  bowling alleys or laser tag.  These are all activities that will definitely keep you cool and entertained.  But eventually we all crave doing something outdoors other than trying to find relief in the tepid water of the swimming pool.

During the summer months, the Desert Botanical Garden offers Garden Flashlight Tours that will get you outside and give you a chance to see another, cooler side of the desert. From May through August, you can explore how the desert comes to life when the sun goes down. You might see nighthawks that have their own built in super night vision, snakes or other furry or scaly nocturnal desert dwellers. You might even see rare, night blooming flowers. The self-guided tour lets you set your own pace along the trail which takes you to 10 discovery stations.

So, this summer fetch your flashlights and hit the trail for a fun, cool and interesting Garden Flashlight Tour. Tours are held Thursdays and Saturday May 30 – August 31, 7-9 p.m. For more information call the Desert Botanical Garden, 480-941-1225 or visit dbg.org.

There are a lot of things I love about Arizona.  The weather and the desert landscape are atop my list.  But I also love all the fun, outdoor activities the city has.  We have IRONMAN Arizona, Pat’s Run and The Color Run.  But there’s one fun activity that I haven’t done yet that I’m really looking forward to.

Tempe Road Runner Sports Adventure Run is a really fun, 60-minute scavenger run.  There are prizes, giveaways, music, raffles and free beer.   It’s every third Thursday at the Tempe Road Runner Sports at Tempe Marketplace.

Sounds run, right?  All you have to do is register.  Sign in is usually from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. or you can register online on their website.  From 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., you have the scavenger hunt.  At sign in, you’ll get a pen, paper and a Ziploc bag for your tickets.  Right before 7:00 p.m., they’ll unveil the map of all the stores you need to run to.  Once it’s time to go, you run around to all the checkpoints, as fast as you can, collecting raffle tickets. You only have 60 minutes, so plan your route accordingly.  Once the scavenger is over, you use your tickets to win prizes, such as shoe discounts, nutritional products, after the race.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get some exercise and win free stuff, without a doubt, try the Adventure Run.  Nothing is more exciting than adding a little adventure to your life.

For more information about Tempe events, be sure to visit our website.

Arizona Dragon Boat Festival

Who would have thought that dragon boat racing, with its roots in southern China as an ancient folk ritual for the past 2,000 years, would find its way to a modern, man-made lake in the middle of the Arizona desert? Since emerging in modern times as an international sport event in Hong Kong in 1976, dragon boat racing has spread throughout the world. It found its way to Tempe Town Lake ten years ago and has been going strong ever since.

The 10th Annual  Arizona Dragon Boat Festival, March 23-24 will celebrate Asian culture in Tempe, Arizona with two days of dragon boat races, vendors, food booths and performances by martial artists, musicians and dancers. The beautifully decorated dragon boats are manned by teams of up to 20 paddlers. One team member pounds a drum to keep the paddlers’ oars in sync; the drum represents the heart of the dragon.

Here’s a sample of the huge variety of events going on in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• March 19: Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• March 19: Vicki McDermitt Trio: Vicki McDermitt, Dwight Kilian, Todd Johnson, Mad Hatter Brew Pub
• March 19: Performance with a View: ASU Guitar Ensembles; March 19: Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Dave Brubeck Tribute, Tempe Center for the Arts
• March 20: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Night, Tempe Center for the Arts
• March 20: David Bernstein; March 21: Colin Barley, Studio Vino
• March 21: Third Thursday on Mill: Black Carl and Opening Act Video Challenge, Hayden Flour Mill
• March 21: Tim Hawley, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• March 21-May 30: Outliars Comedy Club, Robby Fox’s  Public House
• March 22: ASU School of Music Guitar Series: Celso Machado, ASU Katzin Concert Hall
• March 22: Tempe Comedy Concert Series: Improv Night at TCA; March 23: Dominick Farinacci Quartet, Tempe Center for the Arts
• March 22: Keltic Cowboys; March 23: Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• March 22: Steph King ; March 23: Rex Williams, Top of the Rocks
• March 22: Traveler Featuring Scott Jeffers; March 23: Eclipses For Eyes, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• March 22: Ariana Loraine; March 23: Michael V., Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• March 23: Stu Siefert Combo, Robbie Fox’s Public House
• March 23: Agave on the Rocks, Desert Botanical Garden
• March 23: Tempe Kiwanis Nuevo’s 9th Annual Catch A Wave Car Show: Celebrating Arizona’s Classic Cars, Kiwanis Community Park
• March 23: Rhythmic Variations, ASU Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
• March 23-24: 2013 Arizona Dragon Boat Festival, TempeTown Lake
• March 24: Catalin Rotaru and Andres Martin with ASU Students, ASU Katzin Concert Hall

With the Cactus League in full-swing, some of the great story lines that developed this winter are finally on display this spring.  There are too many to list, but here are a couple of things that I’ve already started paying attention to.

There was a time not long ago when the Yankees had a payroll that would rival the entire economy of most countries.  Now, their financial way of thinking has made its way to California.  The Los Angeles Dodgers’ new ownership group, led by Magic Johnson, who I’ve always felt was a greater basketball player than Michael Jordan, have been increasing payroll in leaps and bounds.  They made a blockbuster trade with Boston last year, bringing over Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, along with Josh Beckett.  Add in the signing of Zack Greinke and the Dodgers have a team that many expect to be playing deep into October.

The last two winters, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have made a splash, signing some big bats in free agency.  Much like LeBron and Co. down in Miami, the Angels boast their own “Big 3” with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout.  They’ll be fun to watch this year but their bullpen continues to be their Achilles’s heel.

In San Francisco, it wasn’t long ago that Tim Lincecum was one of the top pitchers in baseball.  He’s had a rough couple of seasons and last year, was sent from the starting rotation to the bullpen.  The Giants have said that Tim will again be in the starting rotation.  Can he find the form that won him two Cy Young Awards not long ago?  The reigning World Series Champions hope he can.

Finally, watch out for the Cleveland Indians.  Red Sox managerial icon Terry Francona is back coaching, taking over as Manager.  The Tribe made a lot of moves this winter and will be an intriguing team to keep an eye on.  They made that big, three-way trade that brought over Drew Stubbs and Trevor Bauer.  They also signed Nick Swisher and Michael Bourne.  If nothing else, they should be a fun team to watch.  I expect them to do pretty good this year and wouldn’t be surprised if they are this year’s version of the Nationals or Orioles, teams that saw sudden, dramatic turnarounds last year.

To follow more Cactus League Baseball, visit Tempebaseball.com for information on teams, tickets and stadiums.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

When you’re a child, you always wanted spring break to last a lot longer than a week. With so much to do in Tempe this spring, parents might wish for the same thing!

Here are seven fun things to do in the Tempe area this season:

1. Visit the Phoenix Zoo: Voted one of the top 5 zoos for kids, this is an awesome place to spend the day. You can see all kinds of creatues, including elephants, Komodo Dragons, lions and bighorn sheep. And, there are some really cool interactive experiences such as the daily Giraffe Encounters from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-3 p.m., camel rides, Stingray Bay and the petting zoo at Harmony Farm. Also, don’t miss the new baby zebra!
2. It might be a little cold to swim outside (at least for this Arizona native), but the Kiwanis Park Wave Pool will be open every Saturday in March from 1-5 p.m.
3. SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium is launching a live coral tank, just in time for spring break. You can watch as the coral grows throughout the year and learn about protecting coral reefs at the same time. From March 8-24, there will be “Crazy for Coral” talks during the day, demonstrations and mermaid meet and greets. And, later this spring, SEA LIFE will introduce “Jellyfish Discovery,” the largest collection of jellyfish in Arizona. Check the SEA LIFE website for more details about both of these exciting new additions.
4. Tempe Marketplace is a great place to visit all year-round, but it’s a perfect family destination in the spring. Kids can play in the water at the Splash Pad, while parents can relax with a cold beverage from Tea Infusion or a frozen treat from MoJo Yogurt. The Splash Pad is surrounded by tables where you can relax and watch your kids have the time of their life. There are lots of kid-friendly dining options here, as well as movies at Harkins Theatre and crafts at As You Wish Pottery.
5. The Tempe History Museum makes it fun to learn about the history of our city. Their exhibitions cover subjects such as building our community, living in the desert and being a college town. And, they have a children’s area where they can explore and learn. Admission is free. On March 16, the museum will host LOUD II, an outdoor celebration of spring weather, brass bands, food trucks, and arts and crafts with sustainable themes. This free event takes place from 2-6 p.m.
6. Take a hike! Warm weather, lots of sunshine and mountain trails…what more do you need? Try hiking at “A” Mountain, Papago Park or South Mountain Park and Preserve. Kids can learn about the desert and get exercise at the same time.
7. Feel like you’re back in the Old West at Rawhide Western Town. Admission to Rawhide is free and there is a nominal charge for activities such as the petting zoo, burro rides and gold panning. Check the Rawhide website for spring break hours and more information.

For more ideas about family fun in Tempe, visit the Tempe Tourism Office website or call 800-283-6734.

Tempe Marketplace Splash Pad

Every year, fans travel to Tempe from all over the country to see Cactus League Spring Training baseball games. In between games, there are a variety of outdoor festivals and activities to keep every fan entertained. This year’s Cactus League schedule, with games from February 22-March 30, coincides with some of the best outdoor festivals and fun-filled activities in Arizona. Visit www.tempebaseball.com to see team schedules, stadium maps and ticket information or call 800-283-6734.

Angels Baseball Spring Training Trolley
Tempe makes it easy for fans to get to Tempe Diablo Stadium during Cactus League Spring Training. Fans can take advantage of the free Angels Baseball Spring Training Trolley, which will transport baseball spring training fans from the Mill Avenue District to Tempe Diablo Stadium for each Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim home game.

Fans opting to take the trolley will be picked up and returned to the Mill Avenue District. The trolley stop is located on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Fifth Street and will be marked with signage. Fans will be dropped off just south of Tempe Diablo Stadium. The trolley will circulate between the Mill Avenue District and the stadium every 20 minutes, from 2 hours before game time, until 30 minutes after the game on all home game days. Fans can park for free in the Mill Avenue District at any of four parking locations. Parking validation will be provided on the trolley.

Great Arizona Beer Festival
Between spring training baseball games, fans can enjoy a variety of outdoor festivals taking place in Tempe this spring. Beer lovers will flock to the Great Arizona Beer Festival at Tempe Town Lake, March 2. It’s a true craft beer extravaganza showcasing local, national and international varieties of beer. Along with all the libations, visitors will find great live music, an assortment of tasty food, entertainment, games, contests and giveaways.

Arizona Dragon Boat Festival
Asian culture is celebrated at the Arizona Dragon Boat Festival, March 23-24 at Tempe Town Lake. Activities include two days of dragon boat races, food vendors and performances by martial artists, musicians and dancers. The beautifully decorated dragon boats are manned by teams of up to 20 paddlers. One team member pounds a drum to keep the paddlers’ oars in sync.

Arizona Aloha Festival
For a taste of the Hawaiian Islands, visitors can hula over to the Arizona Aloha Festival March 9-10 at Tempe Town Lake.  Discover the islands through a variety of activities providing glimpses into the rich cultures of the South Pacific. Sample some of the cuisines and local favorites, shop in the Island Marketplace, and watch performers such as storytellers, Tahitian drummers, slack key guitar and more.

Paddleboarding on Tempe Town Lake
Fans can take advantage of the Arizona sunshine and rent a paddleboard from Tempe Boat Rentals. After a quick lesson, this fun sport can give visitors a golden tan and a workout all at once. Kayaks, pedal boats, hydrobikes and other boats are also available. Prices range from $15 per hour for a 2-person pedal boat or single kayak to $20 per hour for a paddleboard to $75 per hour for an electric surrey or pontoon boat.

Hiking
Get your hiking boots on and enjoy the great outdoors. South Mountain Park/Preserve provides never ending beautiful scenery and sometimes challenging, hiking and mountain bike trails. For a shorter hike that can prove to be just as challenging, try Tempe’s own Hayden Butte, more popularly known as “A” Mountain. This short hike is located in the heart of the Mill Avenue District and offers amazing views of Tempe and Phoenix.

Tempe Town Lake

My favorite time of year is just around the corner. Spring.

Spring means perfect weather in Arizona and lots of chances to get outside and have fun. Spring also marks the return of Cactus League Spring Training. I’m excited about Cactus League, but it’s not because I’m a baseball fan. (I hate to admit that I’m really not.)

I like spring and spring training because of all of the fun things that happen during this time of year. Here are my top 6 ideas for springtime bliss in Tempe.

1. Angels games at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Sure, you already know that I’m not a big baseball fan. And, for those of you who are, of course there are lots of exciting things to look forward to on the field this year. But, what I really like is the chance to soak in some sunshine, eat a freshly grilled burger and catch up with a few good friends on a casual afternoon. I love Tempe Diablo Stadium because it’s centrally located and because the views of the mountains from here really remind you why Arizona is such a beautiful place. And, if you want to beat the traffic after the game, take a quick drive up those mountains to Top of the Rock at the Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes. They have a terrific happy hour.
2. Hiking. Now is the perfect time to dust off those hiking boots. Spring brings lots of color to the desert making a perfect backdrop for exercise. I love the ease of the quick hike up “A” Mountain after work. And, I also love the variety of scenic trails at South Mountain Park and Preserve. There are hikes that last 20 minutes and hikes that will take you all day. And, you’ll love every minute, with the exception of a few tough uphill climbs. The views of the city from the top will be your well-deserved reward.
3. Festivals. Tempe is one city that knows how to throw a party. Try the Great Arizona Beer Festival on March 2, the Arizona Aloha Festival on March 9-10, the Arizona Dragon Boat Festival on March 23-24 and the Tempe Festival of the Arts on April 5-7.
4. Patio dining. There’s a good reason why so many restaurants in town invest in patios. Eating tasty food and enjoying Arizona’s warm temps are two of my favorite things. Put them together and you’ve got a slice of heaven. My favorites are House of Tricks, Canteen Modern Tequila Bar, Four Peaks Brewing Company and Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill. But, really it’s hard to go wrong in Tempe.
5. Desert Botanical Garden. The Desert Botanical Garden is always gorgeous, but spring is when it really comes to life. Wildflowers will be in bloom, there’s a new on-site restaurant to try called Gertrude’s and they are hosting some of their best annual events such concerts and the Philip Haas: The Four Seasons sculpture exhibition.
6. Paddle boarding on Tempe Town Lake. I am absolutely obsessed with paddle boarding and if you try it, you’ll be hooked too. It seems difficult, but really it isn’t. And, gently paddling around the lake without a care in the world is one of my moments of zen. Check out Tempe Boat Rentals for pricing and details about their other watercraft options.

No matter how you choose to spend a sunny spring afternoon, you’re sure to have an awesome time in Tempe. For more ideas, visit the Tempe Tourism Office website, connect with us on Facebook or call us: 800-283-6734.

Paddle boarding on Tempe Town Lake

Tempe, Arizona: Spring Training Home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

In just a few weeks, not only will I be celebrating a birthday – send all gifts to our office – pitchers and catchers will be reporting for spring training.  I lived in South Florida for a few years and went to a handful of Grapefruit League games.  Because I’ve experienced both, I can honestly say that the Cactus League Spring Training is a lot better.  We have 15 teams, all of which play relatively close to each other. You can find all that you need to know to plan your trip at www.tempebaseball.com, the Tempe Tourism Office’s guide to the best time of year.

Spring training is great for so many reasons.  Tickets are dirt cheap, it’s a laid back atmosphere and you have better access to your favorite players than you do in the regular season. If you haven’t been to Arizona for Cactus League games, you can get a preview with our spring training video on YouTube.

I grew up playing baseball through high school.   I’m originally from New Jersey and those of you who know anything about the East Coast will know that sports are a huge deal, particularly baseball.  No, I’m not a Yankee fan, nor have I ever claimed to be.  I bleed blue and orange when I comes to New York baseball teams.  But I have a love of the game, something I can thank my dad for.  He took me to my first game and would play catch with me in the front yard after school.  Yes, I love the Mets and will never stop rooting for them, even though they’re horrible right now. They’re my team.  But thanks to my dad, I have a love baseball.  Just because I can’t make it out to Queens to catch a game, doesn’t mean that I don’t root for other players or like to see other teams do well.  Baseball was and still is a big part of my life.  In fact, the last time I cried was at a baseball game about five years ago in Cincinnati.  No joke, I’m man enough to admit it.

A few years ago, I went to Chase Field in Phoenix when the Cardinals were in town.  I wanted to see Albert Pujols play in person.  What Mickey Mantle was to my father, Albert Pujols is to me – the closest thing to baseball perfection there is.  He hit a home run that game and now, I can cross that off my bucket list.

This spring, I plan on heading over to Tempe Diablo Stadium, the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, to see Albert and the new ‘Angel in the Outfield’, Josh Hamilton.  Tempe Diablo Stadium is great for a variety of reasons.  For me, it’s really close to my apartment and office, it’s easy to find and tickets are a steal.  There are two games I’m pretty excited about. You’ll see me in the stands. First, I want to see the Giants play the Angels on Feb. 27.  As the defending World Champions, it would be fun to see Pujols try to take a Barry Zito curveball over the fence.

This year, the World Baseball Classic will be played.  It’s similar to the World Cup some ways.  Countries field teams that are made up of amateur and professional players and compete against each other.   The team from Italy will be here playing the Angels on March 6^th.  I think it’ll be a fun time and something a little different that should be interesting to watch.

If you need help planning your spring training trip, the Tempe Tourism Office is an excellent resource for baseball fans of all ages.

Time to put your New Year’s Resolution to get fit into action! There are lots of 5K walks and runs taking place in Tempe this spring that will help you get fit while also supporting some great organizations. Here’s a list of my favorites taking place in Tempe!

P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Mini Marathon – January 20 – Tempe Beach Park
Get a taste of what Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona is all about.  Feel the excitement of a marathon race in a mini marathon distance – just 5.4 miles! Participants receive a finisher medal, Brooks technical tee and a swag bag! Experience the thrill of high-energy bands and cheer teams on the course and a rockin’ Finish Line Festival.  The Finish Line Concert will feature Andy Grammer as the headliner!

The Color Run 5K – January 26 – Tempe Beach Park
The Color Run is a one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family. This event is about people of all different speeds, ages, shapes, and sizes toeing the start line. The 2012 Arizona Charity is Banner Health’s amazing Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

Walk in the Wild – February 16 – Phoenix Zoo
Head to the Phoenix Zoo on February 16 for the Fifth Annual Walk in the Wild. Walk or run at your own pace through a one mile route within the beautiful Phoenix Zoo. Along the way learn fun facts about cheetahs and various species of tortoise, and collect tickets at mystery stops for a chance to win fantastic prizes in the post-walk raffle. Participants receive a commemorative T-shirt, post-walk refreshments, and admission into the Zoo for the day. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Phoenix Zoo.

Walk Run Wag Petco 5K9 – February 24 – Tempe Beach Park
Presented by Purina, this race promotes healthy, fit lifestyles for owners and their pets while raising funds for animal welfare. The 5K and 1-mile walk/run is open to all walkers and runners, with or without their furry friends.  The 5K9 is designated for all those who choose to walk or run with their best canine friends.  The start of the 5K and 1-mile course is on the South Shore Tempe Town Lake Path adjacent to the event expo at Tempe Beach Park.

MDA Muscle Walk – March 23 – Tempe Beach Park
The MDA Muscle Walk helps to raise funds to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association foster research and provide vital services to families affected by neuromuscular disease. The walks are family-oriented gatherings and light exercise for everyone — children, adults, grandparents, students, corporate teams and more. Registration for the walk begins at 7:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m.

Pat’s Run – April 20 – ASU Sun Devil Stadium
Run or walk Pat’s Run on April 20th to honor Pat’s legacy while raising important funds to support the programs created to pay tribute to his commitment to leadership and service. Pat’s Run features a 4.2 mile run/walk, a .42 mile Kids Run for children 12 and under and a Finish Line Expo. The 4.2 mile course winds through the streets of Tempe and both events are staged so that all participants finish on the 42-yard line on Frank Kush Field inside Sun Devil Stadium, symbolic of the #42 jersey that Pat wore while he was a Sun Devil. Proceeds from Pat’s Run directly support the Tillman Military Scholars program.

For more information about walks and runs taking place this spring in Tempe, visit the Tempe Tourism Office’s Calendar of Events.

Pat's Run