Two hours to Tempe! Jump in the car and you'll be on your way to this eastern suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.
With a population just shy of 200,000, Tempe is large enough to stand on its own two feet - but is surrounded by Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Guadalupe, and Phoenix (the 5th largest city in the USA). In fact, you will barely be able to tell where one city ends and one city begins.
Tempe's biggest "claim to fame" is that it is home to Arizona State University, the largest public university in the state.
Because Tempe is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, hotel options are plentiful.
Headquartered in St Louis, Missouri, Drury Inn & Suites currently boasts over 150 locations in the USA - including five in Arizona (Flagstaff, Phoenix Airport, Chandler, Happy Valley, and Tempe).
The Drury Inn in Tempe opened in late 2014 and offers a super convenient location for a number of area attractions. It's across the street from IKEA, 13 minutes to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, 20 minutes to the Phoenix Zoo, 22 minutes to the Children's Museum, and 23 minutes to the Arizona Science Center.
Best of all, you will be delighted by the plentiful amenities, which are the signature trait of all Drury properties:
That's A LOT of value - especially for traveling families!
There are three room configurations available: King, Double Queen, and Suite (sleeps 6).
The best way to find out about deals, sales, and promotions is to join the Drury Rewards program. Become a member and enjoy members-only rates!
You can also use the Drury Hotels app to view rates, book your trip, and manage your profile from your phone.
SNAPSHOT
If you are visiting Tempe, you'll likely visit attractions in the City of Tempe, as well as in the border towns of Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa. The cities really do "meld" together seamlessly.
The following activities are in Tempe proper.
Calling all theatre buffs! ASU Gammage is a performing arts venue on the Arizona State University Campus. The theatre hosts "the best of Broadway" shows, as well as other concerts and variety shows.
Tempe Town Lake is another landmark in this area - allowing visitors & locals the opportunity to walk, run, or bike around the five miles of shoreline.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a popular spot among families with young children. Located inside the Arizona Mills shopping center, LEGOLAND Discovery Center offers ten build-and-play zones, two rides, and 4D movies. The center is right next door to SEA LIFE, a 26,000 square foot interactive aquarium. Combo tickets are available so that you can visit both attractions on the same day.
If you're hoping to shop or kick back at a movie theatre, visit Tempe Marketplace, which is home to As You Wish Pottery Painting Place, Barnes & Noble, H&M, Harkins Theatres, JCPenney, Nordstrom Rack, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Target, and a number of fast-casual dining options. Tempe Marketplace also has a small (free!) splash pad, which is pictured above.
Visiting with kids between April and October? Slather on sunscreen, put on your suits, and head to The Cloud at Kiwanis Park (pictured above) - a free splash pad, which is open daily from 8:00am-10:00pm.
The Phoenix metro area is HUGE so the list of available attractions and activities is equally robust.
Some of our favorite places include:
