Fun in the Sun Tempe Style
by Lynlee Smith, ASU Intern
Looking for fun affordable activities to do in Tempe? With the change of seasons and summer coming up, a great place to check out is the Tempe Beach Park. Located just off the Lightrail on Mill Avenue this is a great place to have some fun in the sun with family and friends.
Whether you are looking for a quiet place to have a picnic with the family, play some beach volleyball or fun water activities Tempe Beach Park offers all these options for all ages. This is a great area to have a picnic or barbeque with the family, with playgrounds available for young children and large grass areas to play sports. From May through till September this is a great place to bring the kids. The Splash Park allows kids to play and cool off in a safe environment. This playground sprinkles kids with mists as they play. Tempe Beach Park is located right on the lake, with paved footpaths and fantastic views at sunset, it is a great place to go for a scenic walk at any time of the day. This area has a rich history, although the lake has only been officially full since 1999, the history goes back centuries.
If you are interested in water sports visit the Tempe boat rentals. This facility hires out Kayaks, 2 person and 4 person pedal boats, Hydro bikes, Pontoon bikes, Stand up paddle boards and Electric Skiffs all at affordable prices. Kayaks and Pedal Boats start at $15 an hour or if you feel like going solo single hydro-bikes and Stand up Paddle boards start at $20 an hour.
If you’re feeling more adventurous take a walk up Arizona State Universities famous landmark, A mountain to take in the view of Tempe. A mountain has a rich history and is a large part of Arizona States culture. In 1955 the A was installed on the side of A mountain. Standing 60 feet tall this landmark is built of reinforced steel and concrete. There has been multiple attacks on the A being painted by rival school University of Arizona. During the week leading up to the ASU vs U of A football game the A is guarded to protect the beloved gold Arizona State stands for. This steep mountain hike is short, however offers stunning views at the top overlooking ASU and Tempe Town Lake.
These activities are great, affordable ideas to do with family and friends during the summer months. Enjoy Tempe at its best in these locations.