All cities have a sign welcoming their visitors and residents to the town. Tempe’s sign on Mill Avenue takes it one step further as it states, “Welcome! Our city is an inclusive community.” Tempe has always been an open, inviting and welcoming community. Our city has a rich history of diversity of people and cultures. We celebrate that diversity in our events and festivals, such as the Arizona Dragon Boat Races and Tempe Tardeada. Tempe’s own Arizona State University, one of America’s largest universities, has more than 60 different nations represented in the student body, faculty and staff and has some of the most progressive inclusion policies in the country. Tempe’s appreciation of diversity is reflected in City policies and the Tempe Tourism Office has endeavored to reach out to our visitors from across the country and across the globe, including the LGBTQ community and travelers with disabilities. As part of its progressive vision, the City of Tempe has offered benefits for Domestic Partners of City employees since 1999. In 2014, Tempe further strengthened its stand on non-discrimination with four major milestones: The Tempe City Council unanimously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that makes in unlawful to discriminate against residents and visitors on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, U.S. Military veteran status, race, color, national origin, age, religion, and disability. The city ordinance bans discrimination in housing, employment and accommodations at restaurants and hotels. Tempe voters unanimously approved (with more than 68 percent approval) an amendment to the […]

With a shared passion for craft beers and combined 25 years of experience in both the business and brewing sides of the craft beer industry, Jeff and Leah Huss are a match made in hop heaven. The husband and wife team own and operate Huss Brewing Company. Leah, who was owner and manager of Papago Brewing Company for 14 years, takes care of the operations. Jeff, a graduate of the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, oversees the brewing. In 2016, Huss Brewing Company bought Papago Brewing Company making it one of the largest microbreweries in Arizona. Their growing selection of craft beers include the popular Papago varieties Scottsdale Blonde and Orange Blossom, the cleverly named Husstler series and their newest brew, an IPA named Copper State. You can enjoy these and other year-round and seasonal beers at Huss Brewing Company’s two locations: The Huss Tempe Taproom is a cozy little neighborhood place offering 24 beers on tap. It’s located in a business complex at 1520 Mineral Road, Suite 102. Hours are Monday-Thursday 3 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 3-10 p.m.; Saturday noon-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m. Their Uptown Phoenix Taproom is larger and serves small bites along with locally crafted beers. It’s located in Phoenix in the Uptown Shopping Center at 100 E. Camelback Road, Suite 160. Hours are Monday – Thursday 3 p.m. to at least 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday noon to at least 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to at least 8 p.m.        

Our goal at the Tempe Tourism Office is to save you time and money when you are planning your next event. How can we accomplish that? We’ve developed a new Tempe Destination Experience program, designed specifically for meeting and event planners. You have many options of where to host your next program and we’ve created a better way for planners to explore Tempe. Forget what you know about FAMs and site inspections. Our Tempe Destination Experience program is focused on your individual needs, allowing you to confidently make decisions about where to host future events. Key program highlights: Flexible date options Flight reimbursement complimentary accommodations Customized itineraries Partnering with area CVBs Free time to experience the destination You can select convenient dates for a visit to our sunny city. You may choose to visit during Cactus League Spring Training, the Tempe Festival of the Arts, Ironman Arizona, or several other exciting events held annually in Tempe. Our team will customize a personal itinerary with tours of local properties and venues that will make your next meeting a success. We partner with Arizona CVBs including Visit Phoenix, Experience Scottsdale, Visit Mesa and more to ensure you see all the properties being considered during your trip. With an efficient itinerary, you will now have time to experience our city like your guests will. Visit our website and fill out the online form to start your Tempe Destination Experience game plan. Or, contact our group sales team directly. We’ll look forward to seeing […]

If you enjoy the visual arts, you’ll want to browse Tempe’s art museums and galleries. From paintings, to sculpture, ceramics to photography and film, Tempe offers a range of exhibitions in beautiful spaces, both inside and outdoors. The ASU Art Museum, named “the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona” by Art in America magazine, is recognized for its cutting edge exhibits and innovative programming that is interdisciplinary, educational and relevant to life today. A visit to the ASU Art Museum, at 10th Street and Mill Avenue, and the Ceramics Research Center & Brickyard Gallery, located at 7th Street and Mill Avenue, is always an energizing experience. The Gallery at the TCA is located in the beautiful Tempe Center for the Arts. Rotating exhibitions by local and nationally known artists and a variety of visual arts workshops and events have made The Gallery at the TCA a favorite of locals and visitors to Tempe. The Grotto Gallery is managed by the Arizona Artisans Collective, a professional fellowship of Arizona Makers & Artisans. Tempe History Museum highlights Tempe history through collections, research services, exhibits and programs that captivate and connect with audiences throughout the community and beyond. Desert Botanical Garden is known for its lovely setting and paths lined with thousands of plants from arid climates throughout the world. However, you’ll also find exciting works of art sprinkled throughout the Garden Phoenix Zoo | Arizona Center for Nature Conservation is one of the nation’s largest non-profit zoos, dedicated  to conservation and inspiring […]

Tempe events include the 6th Street Market in Downtown Tempe on October 22.  Now that there’s a hint of fall in the air, we’re looking forward to browsing our local outdoor markets. One of our favorites is the 6th Street Market in Downtown Tempe, which returns every Sunday, October 22, 2017-April 22, 2018, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The market blends 30+ local artisans, live music, interactive art projects, community yoga, food vendors and more. Parking is plentiful and free at on-street meters and in the City Hall Garage. Tempe’s calendar is full of exciting events this week. See what’s happening below and view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call (480) 894-8158 for more information.  October 18: KMFDM The Marquee  October 18: Burr, Hamilton and the Drama of America’s Founding ASU Gammage October 19: A Day to Remember The Marquee October 19-22: ASU School of Film, Dance & Theatre presents The Nether Lyceum Theatre October 20: Ratio Tempe Marketplace October 20-22: Darrell Hammond Tempe Improv October 20-22: Lost Lake Festival Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix October 21: Inaugural Halloween Masquerade Ball at F.A.B.R.I.C. F.A.B.R.I.C  October 21: Wide Awake Tempe Marketplace October 21-November 12: Childsplay presents Tomás and the Library Lady Tempe Center for the Arts October 21-December 17: Creative Saturdays ASU Art Museum  October 22: IRONMAN 70.3 Arizona Tempe Beach Park October 22-April 22: 6th Street Market 24 E. 6th St.            

Tempe has a huge variety of both fun and affordable dining options, and since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, here is my official list of fun and affordable breakfast spots in Tempe. Trust me – you won’t be disappointed! 1. Chompies: This New York style delicatessen offers breakfast all day long, and the options and portions here are plentiful! Their omelettes are heaven, and so are the sweeter options! I particularly love the whole grain pancakes. Find Chompie’s on University Dr. between Rural Rd. and Dorsey Ln. 2. NCounter: This spot, located in downtown Tempe off of Mill Ave. and 3rd St., offers a fun atmosphere and of course has great food. My favorite, so far, is the Farmer’s Choice egg sandwich. I also love the Morning Glory omelette. And I definitely would recommend their chai tea lattes…delish! 3. U.S. Egg: U.S. Egg, located in south Tempe on Baseline Rd. between Mill Ave. and Hardy Ave., offers both breakfast and lunch, but I always go for the breakfast here. I am sucker for their omelettes with fresh veggies and cheese, but I also love their famous protein pancakes – filled with blueberries, granola, cinnamon and slivered almonds…they are oh so good! 4. Harlow’s Cafe: Located near ASU on University and Hardy Dr., this cafe has been a classic neighborhood gathering spot for almost 30 years now. Its old school charm and amazing food make for a great combination! My favorites are the eggs benedict or the huevos rancheros. I always leave […]

October is now in full swing, which means that it’s about that time of year to make plans for Halloween! If Halloween is quickly creeping up on you, and you just don’t know what to do, check out these awesome events in Tempe, AZ. Whether you are looking for a fun activity for the kids, an event for the grown-ups, or something for the whole family, everyone will be sure to have a spooky good time in Tempe. Arizona SEA LIFE Spooktacular – Saturdays and Sundays, October 1-31, 2017 SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium – Arizona Mills, 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir #145, Tempe, AZ 85282 SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium at Arizona Mills is a place for the whole family this spooky season. SEA LIFE will be decorated for Halloween and will host costume contests (Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.), underwater pumpkin carvings (Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m.)and a Haunted Seas talk in the theater. All activities are included in the price of admission. Inaugural Halloween Masquerade Ball at F.A.B.R.I.C. –  October 21, 2017 F.A.B.R.I.C., 132 E. 6th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 Celebrate Halloween in style at the Inaugural Halloween Masquerade Ball benefiting the Arizona Apparel Association.  The fabulous festivities include a block party, costume contest and prizes, DJ and dancing, hors d’oeuvres, roaming zombies, a Halloween fashion show, fashion vendors,  food trucks and more to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of Arizona Apparel Foundation and F.A.B.R.I.C. Brick or Treat – Saturdays and Sundays, October 21-28, 2017 LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona 5000 S. Arizona […]

Tempe events include the annual Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake, October 13-15. The lakeside Tempe Beach Park will be transformed into a traditional Bavarian beer festival during the day and a concert venue at night!  It’s Tempe’s annual festival of libations and food that raises money for Tempe Sister Cities. In addition to the traditional Oktoberfest oompahs, beers and cheers, this event offers great fun for the entire family. There will be beer and wine gardens, brats and lots of other yummy food, a Spaten 4v4 Soccer Tournament, Kinderfest for the kids, dachshund races and carnival rides. Sing and dance with a full line-up of bands performing polka, country, rock, reggae and more. Admission is free.  To purchase carnival and VIP tickets, visit http://www.tempeoktoberfest.com. Tempe’s calendar is full of exciting events this week. See what’s happening below and view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call (480) 894-8158 for more information. October 11-29: Arizona State Fair Arizona State Fairgrounds October 12: Whitney Cummings The Marquee  October 12: Psychic Medium Cindy Kaza Tempe Improv  October 13: Music in the Garden: The Sugar Thieves Desert Botanical Garden October 13: Back In The Saddle Tempe Marketplace October 13-14: Ron Funches Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre October 13-15: Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake Tempe Town Lake  October 13-22: ASU School of Film, Dance & Theatre presents The Nether Lyceum Theatre October 14: ASU Football: ASU vs. Washington Sun Devil Stadium  October 14: Eric and the Dominoes Tempe Marketplace October 14: Phoenix Rising […]

In the rafters of the 100-year-old creamery that still houses the original Four Peaks Brewery, above the steel tanks in which new beers are constantly bubbling, hang flags. More than a dozen of them are up there in total, from countries (and certain sports teams) across the globe. And the prime position, just to the right of the American flag? That’s where you’ll find the array of blue and white parallelograms representing the German state of Bavaria. The placement of the Bavarian flag, so close to the Stars & Stripes, isn’t an accident. The Bavarians are one of the world’s great brewing cultures; it was in their region that lagers—the cold-fermented family of beers to which most of the most popular beers in the world belong—was perfected. Today, almost every lager style brewed across the globe has Bavarian roots. Their flag is so close to ours because they’ve had an enormous impact on the beers we make. This cultural connection is a big part of why Four Peaks Brewery became the title sponsor of the annual Oktoberfest at Tempe Beach Park five years ago. Not only does the event raise funds for a program that sends high school seniors on 10-week international summer trips to all of Tempe’s sister cities, but it also honors and introduces people to the specific sister city of Regensburg, Germany, located in Bavaria. From oompah music and lederhosen to actual visiting German ambassadors, the Four Peaks Oktoberfest is one of the best introductions to Deutschland […]

Tempe events include the Tempe Tardeada on Sunday, October 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tempe Cultural Complex. The first settlers to move to the Tempe area were Hispanic families from southern Arizona. In 1872, some of the Mexican settlers founded a town called San Pablo east of Tempe Butte community.  Each year, Tempe celebrates the historical significance of Hispanics within our community with the Tempe Tardeada. A tardeada is a social dance that is traditionally held on Sunday afternoons. The Tempe Tardeada  is the culmination of Hispanic Heritage Month. Highlights include live music, dancing, Ballet Folkloric lessons, a tortilla-making demonstration, arts and crafts, face painting and inflatables, The Game Truck and the Tempe History Museum’s Family Albums exhibit. In addition, vendors sell delicious foods at family-friendly prices. So gather the family and enjoy this fun Tempe tradition. It’s a great way to spend an October Sunday afternoon. Admission is free. For more information on the Tempe Tardeada, visit the City of Tempe website. Tempe’s calendar is full of exciting events this week. See what’s happening below and view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call (480) 894-8158 for more information. October 4: Phoenix Rising vs. Tulsa Roughnecks Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex October 5: Roars & Pours Phoenix Zoo October 6: Music in the Garden: Mother Road Trio Desert Botanical Garden October 6: Rushified Tempe Marketplace October 6-8: Craig Gass Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre October 6-29: Arizona State Fair Arizona State Fairgrounds October 7: Tempe Tour de Fat […]