7 Reasons Why Tempe, Arizona is the Perfect Weekend Getaway
Editor’s Note: This article was written in partnership with Tempe Tourism. All opinions are my own.
Are you looking for your next weekend getaway? If you're looking for a destination that has outdoor adventures, good food, and a great vibe, Tempe has it all. With only a 1hr and 25 min flight away from LAX, it's a closer option for west coast travelers. Here are 7 reasons why Tempe, Arizona is perfect for your next getaway.
Reason #1:
The Views at The Westin Tempe
Westin Tempe is one of the city's hottest new hotels located near Downtown Tempe with access to restaurants nearby and Tempe Town Lake. The lobby smelled fresh and inviting and my check-in process was seamless. Every employee I came across was friendly and made me feel welcomed to the city.
This hotel has unique amenities, including on-site restaurants Skysill Rooftop Lounge and Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits.
Skysill Rooftop Lounge has a 360 view of the city so you can spot the iconic “A” Mountain. I enjoyed watching the sunset with a cocktail to end every fun-filled day in the city.
Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits has to be one of the tastiest hotel restaurants I’ve had in a long time. From the details of the glassware to the extensive menu, you can tell they put energy into aesthetics/texture and quality of food. For dessert, you have to order the Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake. You will thank me later!
Reason #2
It’s a Foodie’s Paradise!
I’m a lover of all things FOOD and I can confidently say Tempe exceeded my expectations on food. For brunch, I still can’t stop thinking of Daily Jam’s Red Velvet Waffles and mimosas. They had a mimosa flight that included 5 mimosas in flavors like strawberry, peach, and pomegranate.
For lunch, I recommend Monroe’s Hot Chicken. This black-owned restaurant packs the punch in flavor and atmosphere. As soon as you walk in you can’t stop staring at the plastered mugshots of some of your favorite celebrities and entertainers.
For dinner head to Ghost Ranch for modern southwestern cuisine in south Tempe. A mural by artist Gennaro Garcia, who assisted original owner Aaron Chamberlin in the design of the restaurant, can be found on the inside.
If you’re looking for a Wild West vibe, you’ll come for the decor and stay for the cowboy steak and tacos.
Reason #3
If you’re looking for the perfect sunrise activity, check out @koliequestriancenter. In the heart of Gila River Indian Community, you can experience horseback riding adventures with a view of the sunset.
We rode past wild horses as our guide shared history about the sacred land we were on. At the end of our tour, we hopped off of our healthy horses and enjoyed a Cowboy Margarita with chips and salsa. It’s definitely an experience I won’t forget.
When you book your getaway to Tempe, Arizona don’t forget to add this fun activity to your list!
Reason #4
Hot Air Balloon Experience with Rainbow Ryders
Riding in a hot air balloon is thrilling! At first, I was really nervous about being up so high but as we started to descend, I was able to take in the views of cacti and small wild animals shadows from the sun setting. Before traveling to Arizona, I only knew about the hot air balloon rides in Turkey. It’s exciting to know we have so many great adventurous activities within 2 hours of flight time from Los Angeles.
In the end, we were rewarded with light refreshments and a certificate of completion that you can take home and share with your friends/family.
Reason #5
Arizona Sunsets
There are so many spots to see a great Arizona sunset. My favorite has to be the Hole in the Rock Trail at Papago Park. After a short hike around the trail, you’ll find an opening in the rock formation that you can walk through to be rewarded with a view of Papago Park. People start making their way inside the hole to sit down and watch the sunset over the horizon.
Nearby you can find a fishing lagoon where people congregate to take professional photos with Tempe’s sunset as a backdrop.
Reason #6
Tempe Town Lake is known as one of Arizona’s most visited public attractions, and I can see why! This large lake is adjacent to a park and flows past some of Tempe’s sleekest apartments and business headquarters.
You can explore this park in an array of transportation options. You can find people paddling on boards and kayaking but we decided to rent the Donut Boat. They are pretty simple to operate and give you shade from the sun. Take this boat out on the lake with some of your favorite snacks and a speaker to make this experience even more fun!
Reason #7
Hiking with @Coupleyfit
This Arizona based couple own a startup titled CoupleyFit and they are passionate about making couples feel good about their lifestyles. They hosted our hike up Pima Canyon Trailhead and made it enjoyable with great conversation on the way up. I’m usually not a fan of hiking but they didn’t make anyone feel bad about taking it slow when the trail got a bit more challenging. Once we made it to the top of the mountain, we could see the blue sky drape behind the other mountains that surrounded us.
Overall, I enjoyed Tempe so much that I extended my stay an extra night just to experience the city more. Here are a few more great restaurant options you have to try.
Great for pizza
Tasty drinks
Decorated with lights/Festive
Seasonal Mimosas
Great service
Retro interior design
Seasonal Mimosas
Great service
Editor’s Note: This article was written in partnership with Tempe Tourism. All opinions are my own.