Tempe field guide
Staycation Ideas in Tempe: 7 Ready-to-Use Itineraries
Seven local escapes pairing Scout Outing Plans, ResortPass pool days and Expedia hotel stays, with two excursions beyond Tempe.
Published 10/17/2026 · Updated 10/17/2026
Seven ways to turn time off into a local escape: three Scout Outing Plans, two hotel-and-pool days, and two bookable excursions beyond Tempe. Pick one itinerary rather than trying to do them all. The hotel options let you turn a day plan into an overnight stay without planning a long-distance trip.
How to use these itineraries
Choose the kind of break you want: a morning outside, an evening of games, a pool day with an optional hotel night, or an excursion into Phoenix or Scottsdale. Each numbered plan stands on its own. Follow the linked Outing Plan for its stops, or check the booking page for current availability and inclusions. Hotel reservations and ResortPass purchases are separate; do not assume a room requires a day pass or that a pass includes a room.
Itinerary 1: Views and Volumes
Start your day with an invigorating ascent up Hayden Butte, where you'll find panoramic views of Tempe. This free, popular hiking spot offers a good workout and a fresh perspective on the city in about an hour. Afterward, shift to a quieter pace with a stroll to Ash Avenue Comics & Books. Browse their curated selection of graphic novels and local publications, enjoying an hour of relaxed exploration. This plan is ideal for solo explorers or couples who appreciate a blend of outdoor activity and cultural browsing.
Scout Outing Plan
Views and Volumes
Use this Scout Outing Plan for its full stop sequence and practical details. It carries the activity pairing described above, so open the plan before deciding your pace and check the individual stops before setting out.
Hayden Butte
Outdoors · 4.7★
This is the outdoor anchor of the first linked Outing Plan. Keep the hike at the start of the sequence, then follow the plan to its bookshop stop. Check conditions before heading out rather than relying on the guide for live trail information.
Itinerary 2: Desert River and Savory Delights
Dedicate a morning to exploring the desert river habitat at Rio Salado Park, perfect for hiking and birdwatching for 1-2 hours. This free, nature-focused stop offers a chance to connect with Tempe's unique landscape. Follow your exploration with a hearty, affordable meal of traditional Cornish pasties at Cornish Pasty Co. Conclude your outing with a relaxing stroll around Selleh Park, an ideal free option for an hour, especially with kids or a dog, offering a pond and playground. This plan suits those seeking an accessible outdoor escape followed by a satisfying, casual meal.
Scout Outing Plan
Desert River and Savory Delights
Use this Scout Outing Plan for its full stop sequence and practical details. It carries the activity pairing described above, so open the plan before deciding your pace and check the individual stops before setting out.
Rio Salado Park
Outdoors · 4.6★
Use this park as the nature-focused start of the second linked Outing Plan, followed by its Cornish Pasty Co. meal stop and Selleh Park. Follow the outing details for the sequence, and check conditions before planning time outdoors.
Itinerary 3: Game On, Tempe!
For a date night or a fun group outing, kick off your evening at Snakes & Lattes Tempe, a lively board game cafe where you can spend a few hours combining food, drinks, and entertainment. Next, tackle an exciting escape room challenge at Escapology Escape Rooms Tempe, an ideal planned group activity lasting about 1.5 hours. Conclude your adventurous evening with a relaxed Italian dinner at RigaTony's Authentic Italian Restaurant, perfect for debriefing your game triumphs. This plan is for those seeking interactive fun and a delicious, satisfying meal.
Scout Outing Plan
Game On, Tempe!
Use this Scout Outing Plan for its full stop sequence and practical details. It carries the activity pairing described above, so open the plan before deciding your pace and check the individual stops before setting out.
Itinerary 4: Downtown Poolside Escape
Choose this downtown pool day when you want the hotel-escape feeling close to home. Check the Day Pass at The Westin Tempe for current availability and what the selected pass includes. If you want to stay overnight, the separate Expedia hotel link below lets you consider a room at the same property. Leave time afterward for your own dinner choice along the Mill Avenue corridor. Compare pass and room inclusions before buying; booking one does not establish what comes with the other.
ResortPass experience
Downtown Poolside Escape
Pool day
Check the current pass inclusions and available dates before buying. This is a separately bookable day-pass option, not a hotel-room reservation. Compare the selected offer details with your plans before committing.
Check current pass inclusions with ResortPass
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay
The Westin Tempe
Best for: Downtown walkability
Consider this separately bookable hotel stay as the overnight extension of the pool-day itinerary above. Check the Expedia property page for the room and booking terms; the guide does not promise any particular room amenities or included day pass.
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Itinerary 5: ASU Campus & Chill
Make this your slow-paced hotel break near the ASU campus. Start by comparing the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU room option with its separately sold ResortPass Day Pass. Choose the booking that fits the day you want, checking the current pool-pass inclusions before paying. After the pool portion, head out for your own meal choice near campus or Mill Avenue, then return to the hotel if you booked an overnight stay. Neither link promises that the other reservation is included.
ResortPass experience
ASU Campus & Chill
Pool day
Check the current pass inclusions and available dates before buying. This is a separately bookable day-pass option, not a hotel-room reservation. Compare the selected offer details with your plans before committing.
Check current pass inclusions with ResortPass
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
Best for: Campus visits
Consider this separately bookable hotel stay as the overnight extension of the pool-day itinerary above. Check the Expedia property page for the room and booking terms; the guide does not promise any particular room amenities or included day pass.
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Itinerary 6: Wild Side in Phoenix
For a family-focused change of scene, use Tempe as your base and plan an excursion to the Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix. Check the linked admission product for its current inclusions, dates and operating details before setting your schedule. Arrange transport from Tempe rather than treating the zoo as a walkable downtown stop. Allow the visit to be the main activity, choose your own meal stop, and return to Tempe afterward. This is the animal-focused option rather than a pool or nightlife plan.
Book ahead
Wild Side in Phoenix
3.8★ · 159 reviews · 1 day
Check current dates, meeting instructions and inclusions on the booking page before paying. Arrange transport from Tempe and confirm the operator’s details rather than assuming a downtown departure or a fixed schedule.
- Best for
- family, animal lovers
- When to go
- daytime
- Allow
- 1 day
- Heads up
- Admission ticket required; located in Phoenix, so plan transport accordingly.
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Explore expedition →Itinerary 7: Scottsdale Off-Road Adventure
Choose the Private Scottsdale Off-Road Jeep Tour when you want an organized desert outing rather than another day downtown. The product is marketed as a Scottsdale tour; its listed meeting information is Arizona, 85006, so confirm the exact departure address with the operator before arranging transport from Tempe. Check current duration, eligibility and inclusions on the booking page. Leave the rest of the day flexible, select your own meal stop after the excursion, and return to Tempe for an optional hotel night.
Book ahead
Scottsdale Off-Road Adventure
5.0★ · 1,283 reviews · 3 hr
Check current dates, meeting instructions and inclusions on the booking page before paying. Arrange transport from Tempe and confirm the operator’s details rather than assuming a downtown departure or a fixed schedule.
- Best for
- outdoors, adventure-seekers
- When to go
- daytime
- Allow
- 3 hr
- Heads up
- Private tour; located in Scottsdale, so plan transport accordingly. Booking is essential.
Affiliate links: Scout may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Explore expedition →Know before you go
Check dates, prices and cancellation terms on each provider’s booking page. ResortPass offers and hotel rooms are separate reservations, and pass categories can include different benefits. Do not assume a particular amenity is included without reading the selected offer. For the Phoenix Zoo and jeep-tour plans, confirm the actual location and transport before departing Tempe. Plan outdoor portions around the weather and your group’s comfort; this guide does not establish live opening hours or availability.
Common questions
Do I need a hotel room for a ResortPass day?
The links here offer hotel stays and ResortPass products separately. Read the selected pass and room terms before booking; neither link establishes that the other reservation is required or included.
Are all seven itineraries in Tempe?
The first five are Tempe-based plans. The Phoenix Zoo is in Phoenix, and the jeep tour is marketed as a Scottsdale excursion; confirm its exact meeting address with the operator. Both require transport from Tempe.
Can I use these as day plans instead of overnight stays?
Yes. Pick one outing, day-pass option or excursion and use its linked details to plan your day. The Expedia hotel options provide a separate overnight choice if you want a longer break.