Think Tempe First for Family Fun!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Toni Smith, Communications Manager
(480) 894-8158
toni@tempetourism.com
Alternate Contact: Amy Griglak
(480) 894-8158
amy@tempetourism.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tempe, Ariz. – Looking for a fun-filled vacation getaway for the whole family? Look no further than Tempe, Ariz. Boating on Tempe Town Lake, SEA Life aquarium, wave pools, desert hikes and creating your own ice cream treat…these are just a few of the choices for fun in Tempe. Visit www.TempeTourism.com for family friendly itinerary ideas.
Active families are attracted to Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake, a recreational haven located adjacent to the Mill Avenue District, the Tempe Center for the Arts and Arizona State University. Explore the 5 miles of pathways around the lake on foot or on a rented bicycle from the Bicycle Cellar. Or, rent kayaks, pedal boats or other watercraft from Tempe Boat Rentals. From May through September each year, families are drawn to Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park, a free water park that teaches how a drop of rain falls from the sky and ends up either in the ocean or becomes part of the city water supply.
The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is located on the shore of Tempe Town Lake. Childsplay, Arizona’s professional theatre company for young audiences is the primary resident company at TCA. Childsplay offers a series of productions annually – perfect for parents who want to be entertained while introducing their children to theatre.
For those seeking adventure, try a scenic hike at Papago Park, just north of Tempe Town Lake, or South Mountain Park/Preserve, the nation’s largest municipal park. The well-marked trails feature excellent examples of desert plants and wildlife. Another favorite way to explore the desert is by horseback, jeep tour or hot air balloon. Learn how to rock climb indoors at Phoenix Rock Gym, or take a road trip to the Apache Trail, Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
The Phoenix Zoo in Papago Park has been voted one of the nation’s top 5 zoos for kids. The whole family will enjoy getting up close and personal to the animals at unfenced exhibits such as Monkey Village, Wallaby Walkabout and Harmony Farm.
During the summer, Big Surf and Golfland/Sunsplash are the coolest places to be. Big Surf, America’s original water park, offers activities for the entire family. Kids and adults alike will love thrilling speed slides like Hurricane Falls and the little ones can splash around at Captain Cooks Landing. At Golfland/Sunsplash, families can play video games or laser tag in King Ben’s Castle, play miniature golf, ride bumper boats, splash in multiple waterslides and pools, coast down the Endless River and more.
Tempe is a great spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. Arizona Mills is home to over 175 retailers, restaurants and theaters. To refuel after a day of shopping and sightseeing, families can choose from a picnic lunch, delicious pizza, Mexican food, or an entertaining meal at Rainforest Café. GameWorks at Arizona Mills features the newest virtual-reality games and classic arcade favorites. Feel like you’re a part of the action at the exhilarating Harkins IMAX Theatre Arizona Mills. Also located at Arizona Mills, SEA LIFE Arizona is a highly themed aquarium, built specifically for kids, that transports visitors into the amazing ocean world.
The red brick sidewalks of the Mill Avenue District are filled with more than 100 unique shops, restaurants and cafes. From pizza to burgers to more sophisticated fare, you’ll find it all along Mill Avenue. After dinner, you’ll want to save room for a custom ice cream sandwich at Cookiez on Mill.
Tempe Marketplace, the newest shopping district in Tempe, is thriving with 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment. In addition to shopping, the main attraction, Tempe Marketplace offers live music every week on Friday and Saturday evenings in “The District”, a pedestrian-friendly gathering place. The District is also home to the Splash Pad, the perfect place for little ones to cool off and have fun. Tempe Marketplace also offers a great variety of dining options to thrill even the pickiest toddlers. Children will also love the Splash Pad on one of Tempe’s many sunny days.
Tempe is a quick METRO light rail ride away from the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Arizona Science Center. The Arizona Museum for Youth, which focuses on artistic expression, is also located minutes from Tempe’s center.
Tempe is home to plenty of hotels to suit everyone, from family-friendly and budget conscious properties to upscale resorts. Arizona hotels are known for their sparkling pools, which make the perfect backdrop to enjoy one of our 330 days of sunshine each year. Located in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan area, Tempe is just minutes away from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is also easily accessible by car or METRO light rail. For a free visitor’s guide, please call 800-283-6734 or visit www.TempeTourism.com.
The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau, DBA Tempe Tourism Office, is a non-profit organization devoted to marketing Tempe, Arizona as a desirable visitor and group destination site. To learn more about Tempe, please call 480-894-8158 or visit us at www.tempetourism.com.
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