Do the hokey POKE and turn yourself around because Tempe is what it’s all about! If you didn’t catch the reference, then I will let you in on a little secret: Poke is popular food trend hitting the Valley and Tempe is at the forefront. Poke, meaning to slice or cut, is a Hawaiian staple made with fresh seafood and ingredients. Typically poke restaurants will be set in an assembly line style (think Chipotle) with all of your options laid out in front of you. You first decide on your base, then you move on to your protein and toppings. Each location has their own selection of ingredients to choose from so it’s up to you to make the perfect poke. (In my experience, poke bowls typically run around $10-$13 depending on the amount of protein and extra toppings). Tempe has seen in influx of Poke restaurants opening in various parts of the city. Below is a list of Tempe’s Poke restaurants. Ahipoki bowl 1015 S. Rural Road Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 248-9834 Ahipoki Bowl, located in the new complex near ASU Tempe campus, was my first stop. First, I had the option between white or brown rice, mixed greens or half and half. I dove in feet first and went with three protein selections. I selected shrimp, scallops and octopus on half brown and half white rice. I topped it off with the house sauce and then added my toppings of green onion, edamame, crab meat and avocado. My favorite […]

Tempe events include live music at the Tempe Marketplace District Stage with Frosty & The Silver Tones on July 21st and the 74th Street Band on July 22nd.  Frosty & The Silvertones perform rockabilly, rock-n-roll, blues, swing and other styles. The 74th Street Band is a classic and southern rock band that plays a mix of music from the 60s to present day hits. Whether you’re looking forward to a fun date night or family night out, you can’t go wrong including music at Tempe Marketplace in your plans. It’s a treat to be outside under the cooling misters enjoying music performed by both local and nationally known bands and musicians. And it’s free! The District Stage is located in front of Dave & Busters. You can also enjoy music on the patio of one of the restaurants located close by. For more information on live music at Tempe Marketplace, visit  http://www.tempemarketplace.com/events/. 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. July 19: Digitour: Goodtimes The Marquee July 19: Class Clowns Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre July 19: John Hughes Movie Series: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Graduate Tempe July 19-September 27: 3-D Astronomy Shows ASU Marston Exploration Theater July 20: Blackberry Smoke The Marquee July 20: Summer Splash Thursdays:  Royal Fiesta (Elena of Avalor) Tempe Marketplace District Stage July 20-22: Bobby Lee Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre July 20-September 2: Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight […]

Arizona is known for sizzling summer days.  Stay cool this summer with some great offers from our local partners.  Don’t miss out – book a meeting in Tempe by September 15, 2017 and take advantage of some amazing deals!  Already finalized your 2017 planning? Contact our team today and learn the best time of year to plan a cost-effective event in Arizona. Arizona Outdoor Fun & Adventures 15% off Adventure Tours Book your group’s summer desert adventure with Arizona Outdoor Fun and receive 15% off the price of their private two or three-hour guided tours. Call 480-622-1289 for more information and reference the Sizzling Summer Promo to receive the discount. Tempe at the Buttes has 3 group sales specials right now for meetings.  Contact them at 602-225-9000 to see which one is right for you. Say YES to “No” – “NO” Standard Points – Earn DOUBLE Marriott Points Your Destination For Inspiration Select One (1) Complimentary Creative Culinary Team Building Event Make The Season Sparkle Complimentary Dessert Display 75 max count, Chef’s Choice Tempe Mission Palms Summer Sale – more details available by calling (480) 894-1400 today. Don’t miss this awesome deal! Pick 3 Package Pick any 3 specials for your group, including discounts on AV, F&B, comp rooms and more! The Graduate Tempe Summer Special available by calling today at (480) 967-9431 and save when planning your next event. 20/20 Special Enjoy this hot spot for both lodging and culinary delights! 20% off group rates and 20% off F&B, […]

Tempe events include 3D Astronomy Shows at ASU Marston Exploration Theater.  Take a break from the heat and take a trip into space at 3-D Astronomy shows at ASU. Although space tours are still a thing of the future, you can experience a thrilling simulated trip into space right now here in Tempe, Arizona. The Marston Exploration Theater is somewhat reminiscent of an IMAX theater with amphitheater seating and 3-D images projected onto a huge screen at the front. The 3-D effect is excellent and so realistic, you’ll feel like you can reach out and touch the stars, planets and asteroids. There are four shows to choose from; each lasts 60 minutes. To the Edge of the Universe and Everything in Between The Search: Exploring Unknown Worlds Gathering Light: 25 years of discovery from the Hubble Space Telescope The Secret Life of Stars The Marston Exploration Theater is located on the ASU Tempe campus, in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV. For show information, dates, times and admission, visit https://sese.asu.edu/public-engagement/3-d-astronomy. 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. July 12: Ryan Davis Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre July 12: John Hughes Movie Series: Weird Science Graduate Tempe July 12-September 27: 3-D Astronomy Shows ASU Marston Exploration Theater July 13: Summer Splash Thursdays: Super Hero Sensation (Spider Man & Iron Man) Tempe Marketplace District Stage July 13-15: EDGE happy hour Tempe […]

It’s time to call yourself an Uber and make your way down to Tempe for some of the most outrageous, fun bars you have yet to experience. From local breweries to entertainment venues, we have you covered with this list of top notch night life destinations and some of the most fun Tempe bars. Main Event Tempe 8545 S. Emerald Ave. Tempe, AZ 85284 (480) 753-1200 Experience something other than a typical night out and head over to Tempe’s biggest indoor entertainment venue. Bowl a perfect game on state-of-the-art bowling lanes, enjoy billiards tables and an in-door laser tag course. Defy gravity on the  gravity high ropes course, which is suspended above more than 100 virtual and interactive games. When you get hungry, enjoy attractive dining options and full-service premium bars. There is no doubt you will have a great time. Dave & Buster’s 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy. Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 281-8456 Eat, drink and play at Tempe’s very own big kid’s playground, Dave & Busters, which is located in Tempe Marketplace. Try one of the new drinks from their in house mixologist at their premium bar while kicking some butt at old school arcade games such as Pop-A-Shot, Pac-Man and skee ball. Whoever said arcade games were just for kids, obviously has not experienced a night at Dave & Busters with a cocktail, or two. They have some pretty good food too. Relax and enjoy Chargrilled Atlantic Salmon or a Classic Philly Cheesesteak. Culinary Dropout at The Yard Tempe 149 […]

Tempe events include the 2017 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival at Tempe Beach Park, a jam–packed celebration that features the best fireworks show in Metro Phoenix.  Gates open at 5 p.m. Enjoy fun events throughout the evening. Watch local bands perform on the Main Stage. Check out the Family Fun Fest with a free inflatable village, rides and a rock climbing wall. Visit the Food Court and feast on July 4th food favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, roasted corn, fry bread, Mexican food by Macayo’s Depot Cantina, frosty treats, lemonade and lots of cold bottled water for sale at the food court. Relax with a cool one at the Budweiser Beer Gardens See the awe-inspiring fireworks show set to patriotic and classical music. This colorful fireworks display over Tempe Town Lake reflects dramatically against the sky and the water. For event details, ticket prices and ticket outlets, visit www.tempe4th.com. Tempe’s calendar is full of exciting events. Check out this list and view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information. June 27: Everclear The Marquee June 28-September 27: 3-D Astronomy Shows ASU Marston Exploration Theater June 29: Summer Splash Thursdays: (Tinker Bell & Peter Pan) Tempe Marketplace District Stage June 29: Marci Cagen: How to Meditate Using Guided Imagery Changing Hands Bookstore June 29-July 2: Drew Lynch Tempe Improv Comedy Theatre June 29-September 2: Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tours Desert Botanical Garden June 30: Local Showcase The Marquee. June 30: Ahmad Daniels, M.Ed.: From Queens […]

If you’re an ocean life and/or water creature lover, you’re in luck. Tempe and the Phoenix Metro Valley offers a close-up look into aquamarine life right here in the desert. There are three amazing aquariums to choose from to explore the wonders of the water. Perfect for families and entertaining kids for hours, these are great spots to check out for year-round fun, and especially in hot summer months for the great A/C! OdySea Aquarium 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Ste. A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 (480) 291-8000 Hours: M-W 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Th-Sat 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. With over 50 exhibits and 500 different species, there are more than 30,000 animals that call OdySea Aquarium home.  This state-of-the-art facility offers a Living Sea Carousel, a ride which takes guests through the Open Ocean, Sea Turtle, Sea Lion/Seal and Shark exhibits. OdySea Aquarium tickets include access to all OdySea exhibits, galleries and the movie featuring Underwater Giants.  You may exit and re-enter the aquarium throughout the day to enjoy the restaurants, shops and entertainment at OdySea in the Desert. OdySea Aquarium offers combo tickets with nearby attractions – Butterfly Wonderland and Mirror & Laser Maze. Tickets: Adult (18-61) $34.95 Senior (62+) $32.95 w/ID card Student (13-17) $29.95 (or w/college ID) Child (3-12) $24.95 Children under 2 are FREE Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 (623) 935-9453 Zoo exhibits hours – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. […]

Keeping the kids occupied during their summer breaks, can be a challenge. However, the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) , ASU Art Museum and Halle Heart Children’s Museum are offering some very cool programs that will keep them busy and entertained.  These workshops are a sure way to beat the summer doldrums and have fun making something beautiful to take home. Many are free.  For more things to do in Tempe this summer, visit https://www.tempetourism.com/summer/. Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts is offering a bunch of cool workshops related to the current exhibition Biomimicry: nature inspired design. Biomimicry is an exciting field that seeks to emulate nature in creating sustainable solutions to human problems. Two examples of biomimicry include Velcro (inspired by plant burr hooks) and solar cells (inspired by photosynthesizing plants). The exhibit will be on display through August 26, 2017. Family Arts & Sciences Workshops, Saturdays, 12-2 p.m.  June 24 – Biomimicry Trading Cards – New Inventions with TCA staff Join the TCA team to learn about famous examples of biomimicry while creating trading card art about your own nature-inspired inventions! July 8 – Sonoran Wildlife- Clay Creatures with Halldor Hjalmarson Hjalmarson is a well known ceramics artist with a long-time interest in local wildlife. Meet the artist and use his hand-made molds with a traditional “sprigging technique” to create your   own clay creature. July 15 – Sustainability with ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability Can you create a sustainable future city? Join ASU’s […]

Summertime in Arizona means frequent trips to the lake with a group of friends and a cooler filled with your favorite Four Peaks beer. Four Peaks Brewing Company has been creating some of Arizona’s most popular local beers since 1996. The first step to making great beer starts with the people who are in charge of the brew process. Andrew Harden has worked at Four Peaks Brewery for 13 years. For the last eight years, he’s been a Head Brewer. His days start when the rest of us are still asleep in bed, usually before the sun comes up. Andrew is in charge of running the production facility at the Wilson Street location. He manages a team where he’ll outline what they have to do and prep them for what needs to be done that day. He’ll make sure they have everything ready to go when it comes to brewing Four Peaks beer. Like every great creation, Andrew says ingredients are very important. When it comes to beer, the secret is to have great hops. About 80%-90% of the hops Four Peaks uses comes form Yakima Valley hops. The Washington company has over 140 varieties of hops that they produce. Chances are the Four Peaks beer you’re drinking right now has hops from Yakima Valley. Four Peaks also sources hops from Hopsteiner or from a farm in Germany. During their busy season (August – May), Andrew states that Four Peaks’s Wilson Street location will produce about 1,900 barrels of beer […]

Are you visiting us from out of town and meeting up for Happy Hour? We’ve got you covered. Here is your summer guide to some of the best Happy Hour specials in Tempe. Keep this in your back pocket and impress all your friends with these great finds: Postino Annex 615 S. College Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 927-1111 From 11am to 5pm every day of the week they offer $5 wine by the glass and pitchers of beer. If you are still there after 8pm on a Monday or Tuesday, they have any house bottle of wine and bruschetta for only $20. Save $9 off any bottle of wine to go…take happy hour home with you! This Postino location has a beautiful, huge patio and indoor/outdoor bar. The vibe is perfection. Salut Kitchen Bar 1435 E. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 625-3600 Voted Best Happy Hour in Tempe, how can you go wrong? From 3-6:30pm daily take 50% off bottles of wine, $2 off craft cocktails, house wine and craft beer, and $2 off all tapas and s’mores. They have a cute, dog friendly patio and a long bar inside to cozy up to. Did you read the 50% off bottles of wine part? One of the best deals in town. Bar Louie 2000 Rio Salado Pkwy., Ste. 1220 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 658-1600 This fun spot at Tempe Marketplace is known for their happy hour specials including $3.50 drafts, $4.50 wines and $5.50 signature martinis. You’ll all […]