Tempe United States
Tempe is the university heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, home to Arizona State University’s main campus and a compact downtown along Mill Avenue beside the Tempe Town Lake. For conference travelers it is one of the easiest US destinations: the airport is ten minutes away, the light rail runs through town, and autumn weather is dependably perfect. The Sonoran Desert setting means saguaro-studded hikes start at the city’s edge.
- ‘A’ Mountain and Papago Park - short desert hikes with city views, minutes from downtown; Hole-in-the-Rock at sunset is the classic.
- Desert Botanical Garden - the world-class Sonoran Desert garden, adjacent in Papago Park.
- Mill Avenue - the student strip of bars and restaurants along Tempe Town Lake.
- Camelback Mountain - the metro area’s signature summit scramble, 20 minutes away; start at dawn.
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), one of the best-connected airports in the western US, is about 10 minutes from downtown Tempe by car, or a short hop on the PHX Sky Train to the Valley Metro light rail.
Valley Metro light rail links the airport area, downtown Tempe, and ASU campus; rideshare fills the gaps cheaply. Downtown and campus are walkable and bike-friendly. A car is only needed for desert excursions.
October to April is the golden season: sunny, dry, 22-30C. Summer (May-September) regularly exceeds 40C and is best avoided; early October conferences catch the first perfect weather of the year.
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1 upcoming conference in Tempe
Downtown Tempe/Mill Avenue is the natural base near ASU with everything walkable; airport-corridor hotels work for short stays.
Our picks in Tempe
A curated selection of hotels chosen for location, value, and fit for conference travellers.
AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown
100 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Sleek European-styled rooms overlooking Tempe Town Lake, a short walk from both downtown and the lakeside paths - suits design-minded business travelers....
Graduate Tempe
225 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Playful college-town hotel on the light rail at the campus edge, with retro ASU-themed design - good value and popular with visiting...
Moxy Phoenix Tempe/ASU Area
1333 S Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Budget-design hotel near the ASU campus with small smart rooms and a lively lobby bar - the cost-conscious pick with a student-district...
Tempe Mission Palms
60 E 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The classic downtown Tempe conference hotel on Mill Avenue with a rooftop pool and courtyard palms, walkable to ASU - the default...
The Westin Tempe
11 E 7th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Modern high-rise in the heart of downtown with a pool deck overlooking the valley - the polished business option two blocks from...
Community Notes