Tempe and Around

Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler are part of the East Valley, a term for the collection of suburbs located east of Phoenix. Because of their close proximity and similarities, it helps to think of them as one area. The East Valley is a great destination for families traveling with children. It has excellent museums and cultural centers—and also happens to be home to the finest restaurant in the state.

Most notably, Tempe is the home of Arizona State University's main campus and a thriving student population. A 20-minute drive from Phoenix, tree- and brick-lined Mill Avenue is the main drag, filled with student hangouts, bookstores, boutiques, eateries, and a repertory movie house. There are always things to do or see, and plenty of music venues and fun, casual dining spots.

The banks of the Rio Salado in Tempe are the site of a commercial and entertainment district, and Tempe Town Lake—a 2-mile-long waterway created by inflatable dams in a flood-control channel—which is open for boating. There are biking and jogging paths on the perimeter.

Mesa, Arizona's third-largest city, has long been considered Phoenix's underachieving sibling. Today, it's making a name for itself. An arts center—reachable by the Valley's light-rail system—showcases theatre, dance, singers and comedians nightly. And its museums offer a closer look into Arizona and its ancient history.

Chandler, another suburb of the East Valley, is home to the annual Ostrich Festival, casinos, and fine restaurants.