Contact: Toni Smith, Director of Communications
Tempe Tourism Office
[email protected]
800-283-6734 or 480-894-8158
@TempeTourism
Family Travel Updates
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center to open at Arizona Mills in April 2016
It’s one of Arizona’s most hotly anticipated attractions ever, and it’s set for an April debut. LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona, the first attraction of its kind to open in the state, will boast two LEGO® rides, a 4D Cinema and endless opportunities for creative play when it opens to the public in Tempe’s Arizona Mills mall Friday, April 22 at 10 a.m. In addition to massive, large-scale models, LEGO® building areas and festive party rooms for birthday celebrations, the 40,000 square-foot facility will feature a Master Model Builder responsible for maintaining and updating LEGO® MINILAND models.
Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.); Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.) The LEGO Shop is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Please check our website for the most up to date operating hours as they sometimes change. Please allow at least 2 – 3 hours for your visit. To keep up with pre-opening events and activities, or for more information, follow LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona will join Merlin’s popular SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium at Arizona Mills.
www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona
Hotel Developments
Marriott International opens first U.S. Moxy Hotel in Tempe
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International’s provocative new lifestyle brand, just opened its first U.S. location in Tempe, Ariz. The chic and modern Moxy Tempe offers the style and spirit of a boutique hotel, at a shockingly affordable price.
Moxy Tempe welcomes guests with its locally inspired contemporary design, affordable style and buzzing social scene. Moxy Tempe’s 186 bedrooms are comfortable, industrial-chic and tech savvy.
From the swanky bar offering a signature Moxy cocktail and local beers, pick-up bites in the lobby and game tables in The NOW public space, to an interactive digital wall streaming the #atthemoxy Instagram feed, Moxy Tempe is all about being inclusive, connected and progressive.
To learn more about Moxy Tempe’s upcoming events or to book a stay, please visit MoxyHotels.com and follow @moxytempe on Instagram.
1333 S. Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 968-3451
www.moxy.com/phxox
AC Marriott in Tempe
An AC Marriott hotel is currently under construction in Tempe, along Rio Salado Parkway, just east of Mill Avenue. The Tempe location, opening date TBD, will have 159 rooms and approximately 800 square feet of meeting space.
www.achotels.marriott.com
Coming soon: Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport South/Tempe
The new Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport South/Tempe will be located at 1550 S. 52nd Street in Tempe. The expected opening will be in summer 2016. The new hotel will feature 104 rooms and suites, an outdoor swimming pool and spa, a 24-hour business center, two conference rooms, a fitness center and 24-hour airport shuttle. For additional information, please call 480-543-1700 ext. 155.
Arts & Culture
ASU Gammage Announces the 2016/2017 Broadway Series
ASU Gammage recently announced its 2016-2017 Desert Schools Broadway Across America – Arizona season which includes a mix of favorites including CABARET and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The next season also features amazing new Tony Award®-winning musicals and plays with MATILDA, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and is headlined by BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL that tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom.
In addition to the 2016-2017 Broadway season, ASU Gammage presents three special engagements including the farewell tour of MAMMA MIA!, Broadway’s magic hit THE ILLUSIONISTS and back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON.
CABARET: September 13-18, 2016|
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: October 18-23, 2016
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING: MUSICAL November 22-27, 2016
MAMMA MIA!: December 6-11, 2016
THE ILLUSIONISTS™ – LIVE FROM BROADWAY January 17-21, 2017
MATILDA THE MUSICAL: February 7-12, 2017
FINDING NEVERLAND: March 14-19, 2017
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: April 18-23, 2017
THE BOOK OF MORMON: May 18-28, 2017
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME: June 20-25, 2017
For more information, visit www.asugammage.com.
New Dining Experiences
New Taste of Tempe Tours
Arizona Food Tours recently introduced “Taste of Tempe” walking tours in Downtown Tempe. Participants will enjoy a 3-hour walking tour that includes an overview of the city, one alcoholic beverage (wine, cocktail or craft beer) and food samples at Pedal Haus Brewery, House of Tricks, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant, La Bocca Urban Pizzeria and Wine Bar and Delice Bistro. Tours are provided on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. For more information and to book a tour, visit http://tasteoftempe.tunestub.com/.
The Yard at Farmer Arts District brings dining, spin classes and event space to a downtown warehouse
Arizona-based Fox Restaurant Concepts renovated a warehouse space in Downtown Tempe that is home to a glamorous gastropub called Culinary Dropout, event spaces and spinning classes at The Madison. Collectively known as The Yard at Farmers Arts District, this historic building was once home to a citrus packing company and later, a furniture manufacturing and showcase room.
www.foxrc.com
Postino Annex
Postino Annex is located just steps away from the ASU Tempe Campus. Tucked into the historic ASU Art Annex building, Postino Annex is open daily for lunch and dinner with brunch every weekend. Guests can savor bruschettas, from-scratch soups, fresh salads and hearty panini sandwiches – all made with the finest local ingredients. Postino’s ever-changing selection of boutique wines and craft beers is also popular and includes 16 beers on tap and two dedicated nitro taps.
www.postinowinecafe.com
The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen
The name is inspired by Chef Aaron May’s handcrafted menu with classic comfort foods reminiscent of hunting, fishing and skiing lodges. Located at First Street and Farmer Avenue in Downtown Tempe, The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen features a large patio with a rolle bolle court (a Belgian game similar to bocce ball), two bars and a game room.
www.thelodgetempe.com
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row is an American gastropub with a stage for live music, beer taps in each booth, a large selection of whiskeys and an old school country flair.
www.dierkswhiskeyrow.com/tempe
Bicycling
Tempe takes the gold with new bicycle friendly designation
In November 2015, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) designated Tempe as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community through 2019, upping the city’s previous designation from Silver. Tempe has been designated a Bicycle Friendly Community since 1997, with LAB adding the Silver level designation in 2002. Tempe is one of 25 cities in the country that have Gold status and the city boasts 175 miles of bikeways.
Tempe was recognized for providing safe bike facilities, including new streetscape projects on University and Hardy drives, the El Paso Gasline Multi-use Path and McClintock Drive bicycle lanes. Tempe uses the best methods for integrating bicycling and bicycle infrastructure into all levels of city planning.
www.tempe.gov/bike
Bike Share coming to Tempe
Tempe is working to bring the regional bicycle sharing program GR:D to the community at the end of this year. GR:D bikes are currently available in Phoenix and will begin operating in Mesa this month. Tempe plans to launch the for-rent public bike program in late fall/early winter with 300 bikes and more than 25 stations.
The proposed stations are located in high-activity areas of the city – from Guadalupe Road to McKellips Street, and Price to Priest drives. Station locations are targeted to reach the highest bike ridership parts of the community, major destinations (Town Lake, Mill Avenue, Tempe Public Library, etc.), bikeways and ASU campus, as well as link to the regional light rail system and the streetcar route.
Bike share programs support greater access to more sustainable transportation and reduce dependency on automobiles. Rental use is by the hour, month or year.
www.tempe.gov/bikeshare
Craft Breweries
Pedal Haus Brewery
Pedal Haus Brewery is Mill Avenue’s newest restaurant, brewery and entertainment destination. This 14,000 sq. ft. bike-friendly brewery features hand-crafted European-style beers, wine selections, a mouthwatering gastropub food menu and daily happy hour. Relax on Downtown Tempe’s largest patio or three indoor and outdoor bar options with 24 taps each.
www.pedalhausbrewery.com
Four Peaks Brewing Company now offering brewery tours
Arizona’s most awarded brewery, Four Peaks Brewing Company in Tempe, Ariz. is now offering tours. A Four Peaks representative will show guests how beer is made from the individual ingredients all the way through canning, bottling and kegging.
Four Peaks offers brewery tours on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the original 8th Street location and Fridays at the Wilson Street location. Group tours for parties of 10 or more are offered at 8th Street on Wednesday evenings. The cost is $10 per person, which includes a 40-minute tour and two tickets for 16 ounce beers.
Four Peaks is known for craft beers such as Kilt Lifter Scottish-style ale, Hop Knot IPA and popular seasonal beers like Pumpkin Porter.
www.fourpeaks.com
Upcoming Events
Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light at Desert Botanical Garden
Through May 8, 2016
Desert Botanical Garden
www.dbg.org/events/bruce-munro-sonoran-light
(480) 481-8188
Tempe Festival of the Arts
April 8-10, 2016
December 2-4, 2016
Downtown Tempe
www.tempefestivalofthearts.com
(480) 355-6060
Pat’s Run
April 23, 2016
Sun Devil Stadium, ASU Tempe Campus
www.pattillmanfoundation.org/pats-run/
Arizona Dragon Boat Festival
October 1-2, 2016
Tempe Town Lake
www.azdba.com
Ironman Arizona
November 20, 2016
Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake
www.ironmanarizona.com
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and ½ Marathon
January 14-15, 2017
Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale
www.runrocknroll.com/arizona
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