Experience · Tempe

Desert Nature and Delicious Pasties

Spend a day exploring the unique desert river habitat at Rio Salado Park, then enjoy an affordable and hearty meal of traditional Cornish pasties. Finish your outing with a gentle stroll around the park.

A 3.5-hour Riverside afternoon plan for solo — Rio Salado Park, Cornish Pasty Co, Selleh Park.

Duration
3h 30m
Cost
$15–$35
Stops
3 stops
Area
Riverside
Walking
Moderate walking · Total 3.9-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Solo · Friends · Couples · Adults
Customize
Desert Nature and Delicious Pasties

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Rio Salado Park(1 hr 30 min)→
  2. 2Cornish Pasty Co(1 hr)→
  3. 3Selleh Park(1 hr)

Why this plan works

Every stop sits in Riverside, so the whole plan happens inside one neighborhood. Rio Salado Park is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Selleh Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to solo, friends, couples, and adults who want a planned Tempe outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Spend a day exploring the unique desert river habitat at Rio Salado Park, then enjoy an affordable and hearty meal of traditional Cornish pasties. Finish your outing with a gentle stroll around the park.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Rio Salado Park1
    1h 30m
    Rio Salado Park

    Outdoors

    This former industrial area is now a desert river habitat with hiking trails & 200+ bird species.

    What to do — Explore the hiking trails and birdwatch in this unique desert river habitat. It's a peaceful escape into nature.

    0.8 mi · 16 min walk or 5 min drive

    Then A short drive will take you to a delicious and affordable meal.

  2. Cornish Pasty Co2
    1 hr
    Cornish Pasty Co

    Nightlife · Riverside

    Down-to-earth stopo crafting traditional & vegan Cornish pasties, plus other English favorites.

    What to do — Savor traditional or vegan Cornish pasties at this down-to-earth spot. It's a hearty and budget-friendly meal.

    3.1 mi · 10 min drive

    Then Enjoy a leisurely walk in a nearby neighborhood park.

  3. Selleh Park3
    Optional 1 hr
    Selleh Park

    Outdoors

    Leafy, dog-friendly neighborhood park around a pond with a basketball court & children's playground.

    What to do — Take a relaxed stroll around Selleh Park, a leafy, dog-friendly neighborhood park with a pond. Perfect for unwinding.

The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Tempe itinerary for solo?
Yes. It's built for solo, friends, couples, and adults and runs about 3 hr 30 min across 3 stops, starting at Rio Salado Park.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 3 hr 30 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Tempe itinerary cost?
Roughly $15–$35 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 3.9 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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