Arts and Culture
Ideas for Planning the Perfect Date in Tempe
August 1, 2024
Three couples offer firsthand date itinerary inspiration for a romantic outing in Tempe.
To give you ideas for your next date in Tempe, we asked three local couples to share their itineraries for the perfect romantic day in this city. They also included their feedback on their favorite places, so you’ll know exactly why you should add these spots to your list.
Let’s meet the couples:
Couple #1: @coupleyfitt
Husband and wife fitness duo De Anna and Kurt are passionate about connecting with their community and bringing wellness to the forefront. Not just the body’s health, but also mind and relationship health. Followers can catch them on Instagram and TikTok, sharing great tips about health and date ideas.
These two are also big advocates for all there is to see and do in Arizona. They live in Chandler and love to dine at local spots throughout the Greater Phoenix area. They recently took time out from their busy schedules for a staycation in Tempe. Here’s how you can follow in their footsteps.
Morning hike up “A” Mountain + Breakfast at Daily Jam
“We enjoyed hiking up “A” mountain, watching the golden rays of the sunrise light up Tempe.”
Lunch from Perfect Pear Bistro
“Our favorite dishes were the Chicken Club Sandwich and Strawberry Fields Salad! We both enjoyed the freshness you could taste in every bite.”
Axe Throwing at Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing
“The axe throwing games you play make for a competitive, yet fun atmosphere. This place has officially been added to our date night list!”
Swan Pedal Boats at Tempe Town Lake
“We loved peddling our swan boat on Tempe Town Lake as we watched the beautiful sunset.”
Cocktails at Alibi, the rooftop bar at Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown
“We enjoyed vibrant cocktails while taking in the breathtaking views of Tempe. We will be back!”
Dinner at Alter Ego
“We can only say great things about this restaurant! The delicious food, refreshing cocktails, and attentive staff exceeded all of our expectations.”
Staycation at the new Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown
“We really enjoyed our stay. We felt … cared for and welcomed during our entire visit.”
Couple #2: @malleyinlove
Hailing from the west side of Phoenix, Ashley & Malori are a dynamic duo inspiring body positivity, activities to do together across their social channels. They’re also moms to the cutest fur babies, Abra and Lumos. These fun-loving and oh-so-romantic newlyweds recently planned a perfect day in Tempe, and we were excited to share their date tips here.
Brunch at Daily Dose Kitchen & Bar
“If you’re looking for a brunch spot, Daily Dose is the perfect place to cheers with a peach Bellini. The food, drinks, and ambiance are a must!”
Swan Pedal Boats at Tempe Town Lake
“Tempe Town Lake is perfect for a day date activity! Pack a picnic and rent a pedal boat for an hour to spend time alone on the water.”
Mural photo opp + Lunch at Social Hall
Whether you go with friends or with your S.O., you can spend any meal at Social Hall. And don’t forget to take a cute shot in front of their mural!
Visit ASU Art Museum
“The ASU Art Museum is the perfect place to walk hand-in-hand together in Tempe.”
Couple #3: @azsipsters
Meet @azsipsters, Ashley and Connor, fun-loving foodies with an eye for all things aesthetically pleasing. They love to create and share the best of Arizona and beyond. You’ll find them eating and drinking their way around town, sharing their favorite places with their followers on Instagram and TikTok. This busy couple lives in Scottsdale and spent a recent Sunday in Tempe. Here’s what they did.
E-bike ride around Tempe Town Lake
“The NorthShore WaterSport Rentals team was amazing and we had no idea they offer sooo much AND are open 24 hours a day. Connor is wondering, ‘how do we buy one of these e-bikes?!’”
Brunch + Games at Snakes & Lattes
“We really enjoyed Snakes & Lattes! The nostalgic games were our favorite part! We will definitely be going back for more coffee.”
Visit the ASU Art Museum
“We explored the ASU Art Museum on Sunday and admission was free! The staff was so friendly, too.”
Dinner at Top of the Rock Restaurant
“Top of the Rock was amazing! From the views, to the service and every single dish we tried! The ravioli appetizer was our favorite, but Connor said his salmon was a close second. Ashley says you should order thecrème brûlée. You’re welcome.”
Build-Your-Own Date Night Itinerary
In addition to what these itineraries entail, here are a few more ideas for planning the perfect date night in Tempe:
Sip on Something Unique
Teatime at Drink Me! Tea Room: 1730 E. Warner Road, #5, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 602-206-5469
We’re a little obsessed with British culture at the moment (Thanks, “Bridgerton”) and having afternoon tea fits right into that obsession. Drink Me! Tea Room pairs its Alice in Wonderland theme with delicious teas and treats (all gluten-free and plant based) and cocktails. Just choose from the variety of tea services offered (prices vary) and be sure to make your reservations in advance.
Tour + Tasting at Wild Hare Distillery: 5869 S. Kyrene Road, #18, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 602-402-2329
Home to an award-winning line of 100% Blue Weber Agave spirits and small-batch whiskeys, vodkas and gin, Wild Hare distills and infuses agave from Jalisco, Mexico, onsite — which yields the ultra-popular Roble Blanco Salvaje. For the full distillery experience, visit on a Friday or Saturday, when the tasting room is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and tours start at 1 and 4 p.m. (reservations are strongly recommended).
Brewery Tours at Four Peaks 8th Street Location: 1340 E. 8th St., #104, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-303-9967
Sip your way behind the scenes of one of Tempe’s most noteworthy brewing operations. Housed inside a 100-year-old building, this operation is rich with local history and brewing innovation. Tours take place from 3 to 4 p.m. every Saturday. Just be sure to purchase your tickets ($8 each) in advance. Then, bring your boo back in the fall for the annual Haunted Brewery Tours.
Show Off Your Skills
Whether you’re looking for a first-date ice breaker or and activity for the entire group, there’s nothing like a little competition can spice things up. Here are a few places in Tempe where you can try your hand everything from pinball and Pac-Man to escape rooms and rock climbing.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Arizona Bouldering Project: 2626 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-716-9014
Phoenix Rock Gym: 1353 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-921-8322
Gaming & More
Main Event: 8545 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284 | 480-753-1200
Snakes & Lattes: 20 W. 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-361-6644
Tilt Studio: 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 669, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-648-1222
Dave & Buster’s: 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-281-8456
Escape Rooms
Alcatraz Escape Games: 1290 N. Scottsdale Road, #103, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-719-1234
United Escapes of America: 414 S. Mill Ave., Suite 112, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-744-6469
Inferno Escape Room: 2155 E. University Drive, #210, Tempe AZ 85281 | 480-567-0190
Get Crafty
For anyone who enjoys a hands-on experience — including the DIYers and the crafters — what better way to express yourself on a date than creating a custom item that’s 100% reflective of you. From candle pouring and decor making to paint and sip sessions and even tufting, Tempe is home to plenty of studios where there’s no shortage of inspiration.
As You Wish: 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-557-9100
Brite Candle Co.: 2016 E. Wildermuth Ave., Unit 1118, Tempe, AZ 85281
Hammer and Stain: 7420 S. Rural Road, Suite B4, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 602-726-9794
Painting with a Twist: 219 E. Baseline Road, Suite H3, Tempe, AZ 85283 | 480-758-7928
Tutugether: 740 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-699-4849
