Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city of 188,065 people in Maricopa County, Arizona, founded in 1879.
Why visit Tempe
Townapedia lists 37 museums and landmarks, 22 parks and trails, 378 places to eat, 5 places to stay and 23 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Niels Petersen House, Valley Art, Arizona State University Art Museum and Administration/Science Building.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 106°F; December lows average 38°F.
Weather in Tempe
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Tempe
Tempe ( tem-PEE; O'odham: Oidbaḍ) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2020 population of 180,587. The city is home to the main campus of Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States.
From the Wikipedia article Tempe, Arizona (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do23
Niels Petersen House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Local historic landmark
Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
School · 2.3 mi
Statewide research unit in Arizona, United States
Arizona State University
School · 2.4 mi
Public university in Tempe, Arizona, US
Barrett, The Honors College
School · 1.9 mi
Arizona State University program
Celebrity Theatre
Cinema and theater · 6.6 mi
Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Decision Theater
Cinema and theater · 2.5 mi
University theater in Tempe, Arizona
Harrison Middleton University
School · 1.4 mi
University in Arizona, United States
Marquee Theatre
Cinema and theater · 3.4 mi
Music venue in Tempe, Arizona
Sea Life Arizona
Zoo and aquarium · 1.8 mi
Interactive aquarium located at Arizona Mills in Tempe, Arizona
University of Advancing Technology
School · 2.7 mi
Private, for-profit institution of higher education
11 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks37
Arizona State University Art Museum
Museum · 2.1 mi
Art museum in Tempe, Arizona
51 East Tenth Street, Tempe
Tu,We,Fr,Sa 11:00-17:00, Th 11:00-20:00
Administration/Science Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
United States historic place
Ash Avenue Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Former road bridge in Tempe, Arizona, US
B. B. Moeur Activity Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic building on the ASU campus in Tempe, Arizona
Borden Milk Co. Creamery and Ice Factory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Building in Arizona, United States
C.T. Hayden House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
House in Tempe, Arizona
Double Butte Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Historic cemetery in Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Gammage Memorial Auditorium
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Performing arts center in Tempe, Arizona
Harrington-Birchett House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic house in Tempe, Arizona
Hunt's Tomb
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.4 mi
Tomb of former governor of Arizona, United States
Industrial Arts Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Building in Arizona, United States
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Matthews Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Listed on the NRHP in Maricopa County, Arizona
25 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds22
Arizona State University Research Park
Park · 3.7 mi
Business and recreational park
Papago Park
Park · 4.4 mi
Municipal park of the cities of Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona, USA
Phoenix Zoo
Park · 4.5 mi
Non-profit zoo in the United States, opened 1962
Bubble Planet Immersive Experience
Sports field and stadium · 2.0 mi
South Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe
10 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes378
Four Peaks Brewing Company
Restaurant · Brewery · 2.4 mi
1340 East 8th Street, Tempe
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
The Catering Kitchen
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Breakfast, Lunch, Sandwich · 3.1 mi
Has yet to update storefront sign (previous location - Yvonne's Cafe)
1725 West University Drive, Tempe
Mo-Fr 10:00-14:00
Bonchon Chicken
Restaurant · Chicken, Korean, Sushi · 2.9 mi
780 West Elliot Road, Tempe
Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 12:00-21:00
Cafetal Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.4 mi
777 South College Avenue, Tempe
Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00; Sa-Su 09:00-15:00
Café Maiko
Cafe · Japanese · 2.4 mi
920 East University Drive, Tempe
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-21:30
Chennai Cafe
Restaurant · Indian · 4.0 mi
1158 West Washington Street, Tempe
Mo off; Tu-Th 11:00-15:00,17:00-20:30; Fr-Sa...
Coffee48
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.6 mi
1310 East Broadway Road, Tempe
Mo-Th 08:30-18:00; Fr-Su 10:00-18:00
Cornish Pasty Co.
Restaurant · Cornish · 2.7 mi
960 West University Drive, Tempe
Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-25:00; Su 11:00-22:00
366 more on the map.
History
The Hohokam lived in this area and built canals to support their agriculture. They abandoned their settlements during the 15th century, with a few individuals and families remaining nearby.
Fort McDowell was established approximately 25 mi (40 km) northeast of present downtown Tempe on the upper Salt River in 1865 allowing for new towns to be built farther down the Salt River. US military service members and Hispanic workers were hired to grow food and animal feed to supply the fort, and less than a year later, had set up small camps near the river that were the first permanent communities in the Valley after the fall of the Hohokam. (Phoenix was settled shortly afterward, by 1867–68.) The two settlements were 'Hayden's Ferry', named after a ferry service operated by Charles T. Hayden, and 'San Pablo', and were located west and east of Hayden Butte respectively. The ferry became the key river crossing in the area. The Tempe Irrigating Canal Company was soon established by William Kirkland and James McKinney to provide water for alfalfa, wheat, barley, oats, and cotton.
Pioneer Darrell Duppa is credited with suggesting Tempe's name, adopted in 1879, after comparing the Salt River valley near a 300-foot (91 m)-tall butte, to the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus in Greece.
From the History section of Tempe, Arizona on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay5
Churches and places of worship15
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 7.0 mi
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 1.8 mi
1035 East Guadalupe Road, Tempe
Shopping55
Gas and EV charging17
Schools, colleges and libraries55
Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. - Mesa
School · 3.9 mi
1440 S Longmore, Mesa
Asu Preparatory Academy Digital
School · 2.5 mi
1130 E University Dr Ste 230, Tempe
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School
School · 4.7 mi
2207 N Dobson Rd, Chandler
Healthcare63
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.4 mi
7665 South Research Drive, Tempe
Affiliated Dermatology
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.2 mi
2127 East Baseline Road, Tempe
Desert Breast Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.8 mi
1950 East Southern Avenue, Tempe
Map of Tempe
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71°F | 38°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 74°F | 41°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 80°F | 46°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 87°F | 51°F | 0.2 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 95°F | 59°F | 0.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 104°F | 67°F | 0.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 106°F | 76°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 105°F | 75°F | 1.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 101°F | 69°F | 0.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 91°F | 56°F | 0.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 79°F | 45°F | 0.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 69°F | 38°F | 0.9 in | 0.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Tempe Asu (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Maricopa County has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2024-06-28: Boulder View Fire (Fire)
- 2024-06-12: Rose Fire (Fire)
- 2023-06-28: Diamond Fire (Fire)
- 2020-06-27: Avondale Fire (Fire)
- 2020-06-23: Aquila Fire (Fire)
- 2020-06-20: Bush Fire (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 32 miles away.
- Guadalupe 2 mi southwest, about 4 min by car
- Chandler 9 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
- Paradise Valley 11 mi north, about 18 min by car
- Mesa 12 mi east, about 20 min by car
- Gilbert 12 mi southeast, about 19 min by car
- Sun Lakes 13 mi south, about 20 min by car
- Phoenix 16 mi northwest, about 25 min by car
- Glendale 18 mi northwest, about 29 min by car
- Fountain Hills 19 mi northeast, about 30 min by car
- Scottsdale 21 mi north, about 34 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Downtown Tempe, Sullynyflhi, Public domain
- City of Tempe All Star Middle School and Community Peer Leaders (18012698440), SAMHSA from Rockville, Public domain
- Morrow-Hudson House (Tempe, Arizona), Mcmillin24, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kiwanis Park, Tempe Sister City Ring of Honor - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park, Tempe Sister City Ring of Honor - panoramio (1), davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- ASU Art Museum-5, sean hobson, CC BY 2.0
- Tempe-Harrington-Birchett House-1895, Tony the Marine ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Matthews Hall (Tempe, Arizona), Mcmillin24, CC BY-SA 3.0
- President's House (Tempe, Arizona), Mcmillin24, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sandra Day O'Connor House, EntropicMindWrought, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Clair Van Steenwyk, Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (27197356346), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward (27231419955), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (26956534390), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward (26625998193), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (27134507762), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dave Giles, Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward (27134450312), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward (27197447116), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dave Giles, Clair Van Steenwyk, Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (26624884474), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward with supporters (26624981714), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dave Giles (cropped), Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward with supporters (26624762084), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (27162438201), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kelli Ward (26625973373), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alex Meluskey & Kelli Ward (26956519190), Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tetra String Quartet, k7hpn, CC BY 4.0
- Teri Tobin, k7hpn, CC BY 4.0
- Coryphantha elephantidens 20, Cameron Kopas, CC BY-SA 4.0
- White elephant gift exchange, Phil Sexton , John Hall & Associates, CC BY 2.0
- Olympus 35 SP Back, AADS, CC BY 2.0
- Olympus 35 SP Top, AADS, CC BY 2.0
- Olympus 35 SP Bottom, AADS, CC BY 2.0
- Olympus 35 SP Inside, AADS, CC BY 2.0
- Olympus 35 SP Front, AADS, CC BY 2.0
- Kiwanis Park Lake Picnic Area - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park Fishing Rules - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park Lake Walk Path - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park Distant Bridge Structure - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park Flower Bed Tunnel - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
- Kiwanis Park, Bridge Structure - panoramio, davidpinter, CC BY 3.0
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