PHX to Tempe / Arizona State University

Tempe is a vibrant college town home to Arizona State University, Tempe Town Lake, Mill Avenue entertainment district, and numerous restaurants and bars.

Tempe is a vibrant college city defined by Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the United States with over 70,000 students on its Tempe campus. The energy of the student population drives a lively culture of restaurants, bars, live music venues, and creative businesses concentrated along Mill Avenue, the city's main pedestrian-friendly commercial street.

Tempe Town Lake, a 2-mile reservoir created by damming the Salt River channel in 1999, is the recreational centerpiece of the city. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and cycling along the lake's paths are popular activities, and the lake hosts major events including the Ironman Arizona triathlon and New Year's Eve celebrations. The lake's north shore has been developed with hotels, restaurants, and the Tempe Center for the Arts.

ASU's campus itself features notable architecture including the Gammage Auditorium (one of Frank Lloyd Wright's last public commissions) and the ASU Art Museum. The surrounding neighborhoods offer affordable dining, vintage shops, and a more relaxed atmosphere than neighboring Scottsdale. "A" Mountain (Hayden Butte), a small but steep volcanic formation at the south end of Mill Avenue, provides short hike access to panoramic views of the valley.