The newest attraction is the Tempe Town Lake , a 220 acre man-made lake built on the dry river bed of the Salt River. Visitors can rent a variety of paddle and rowboats by the hour, or take a chartered cruise around the lake. All of these activities are within easy walking distance from the conference hotel. City of Tempe Visitor Center Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau Phoenix Phoenix is located to the west of Tempe. Downtown Phoenix is surprisingly easy to get around, but you will need a car.
Phoenix offers many museums, retail shops, and recreational activities.
The internationally known Heard Museum is a wonderful place to experience Native American art and culture. Just a few blocks away you ll find the architectural innovations of the Phoenix Public Library . The Desert Botanical Garden offers a look at the different arid-land plants native to the southwest United States. To get a real feel of the desert landscape, plan a visit to the South Mountain Park , the largest municipal park in the world. This 16,500 acre park stretches across Phoenix southern border and offers scenic views of the city and beautiful desert hiking trails.