Families and Kids

Accessibility in Tempe, Arizona

June 14, 2024

Tempe is an accessible city where everyone is welcome.

Tempe is a community that prides itself in a variety of options for navigating the city as well as accessible opportunities for experiencing all it has to offer. Whether you visit one of the many Tempe attractions, find a Sonoran Desert trail or opt to experience one of the most adaptive fitness centers in the country (just a few miles beyond Tempe) while you are here, we’re committed to your inclusion.

For more on ADA/accessibility in Tempe, visit the city’s resource page here.

Community

National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Tempe was the proud host of the 41st National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Co-presented by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), this citywide event included several facilities in Tempe and neighboring cities — including the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, Ability360, Coyote Curling Club, AMF Bowling Tempe and Legacy Sports USA.

Ability360 – Sports & Fitness Center
5031 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ | 602-386-4566
Ability360 is the Valley’s home base for exceptional adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall wellbeing of people with disabilities and their family members. Reservations are required for group fitness classes; no reservations needed for the fitness center. Ability360 is accessible via the Valley Metro Rail.

Check out Cole and Charisma’s visit to Ability360 (@coleandcharisma):

Accessible Paths & Trails in Tempe

Tempe Town Lake: Tempe’s most-recognizable attraction offers 7.4 miles (out and back) of paved paths around Tempe Town Lake, making it a popular spot for accessible recreation.

Kiwanis Park Lakefront Trail: Located at Kiwanis Park (5500 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85283), this 0.8-mile loop, paved trail circumnavigates a beautiful pond.

Desert Botanical Garden: Explore the magic of the Sonoran Desert via five thematic trails, rotating exhibits and installations, festive events and cultural celebrations, and more. This attraction features paved paths and accessible restrooms for a wheelchair and stroller accessible experience. There are also a number of accessible parking spaces available.

Papago Park‘s Crosscut Canal Path: At 1.4 miles, this hard-packed dirt and concrete trail follows along the canal. The width of the canal bank allows many different types of users to enjoy the trail as it winds past the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo and more. 

For more information, we well as additional accessible paths and trails in the Tempe area, check out the wheelchair-friendly paths/trails recommended by AllTrails.

Accessible Attractions & Shopping Destinations

ASU Art Museum
51 E. 10th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-965-2787

ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-965-3434

Arizona Mills
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-491-9700

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 480-941-1225

Downtown Tempe
Mill Avenue, ASU Tempe Campus and surrounding areas | 480-355-6060

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 602-275-3473

Kiwanis Park
5500 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85283 | 480-350-5200

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
Arizona Mills | 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 135, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-565-7089

Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-350-2822

Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-9338

Tempe Town Lake and Beach Park
80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-350-5200

Please note: Tempe Tourism recommends visiting the individual business websites for up-to-date information on accessibility.

Getting Around Tempe and Beyond

Getting to Tempe is easy, thanks to the close proximity of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, an extensive freeway network and multimodal public transportation options — which makes exploring this city accessible to everyone.

Valley Metro Bus: Services run 365 days a year with easy connectivity throughout Tempe, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and the surrounding metro areas. In Tempe, bus routes run along all major arterial streets. Valley Metro’s trip planner is a good resource for route and fare information.

Valley Metro Rail: Valley Metro Rail runs over 25 miles on a single line from North/Central Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Downtown Tempe, ASU Tempe Campus and Mesa. There are nine station stops in Tempe.

Tempe Streetcar: Streetcar is an efficient transportation option to easily travel around Downtown Tempe. The streetcar makes 14 stops along a three-mile route on Mill and Ash Avenues from Rio Salado Parkway and Marina Heights to Dorsey Lane and Apache Boulevard.

Tempe ORBIT: ORBIT is a free neighborhood bus system offering six routes. The buses run primarily on smaller streets, connecting Downtown Tempe and the ASU Tempe Campus with neighborhoods throughout Tempe.

Rideshare: Tempe is served by major rideshare platforms. Additionally, WAYMO — an autonomous driving technology company — also serves Tempe, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and other areas within Greater Phoenix.