Though the neighboring city of Phoenix usually gets all the attention, Tempe, Arizona is a vacation destination with its own unique attractions. It is one of the few cities in the metropolitan area with the distinction of having been founded before Phoenix. It is also home to one of the state's largest schools, the Arizona State University, and some of the best shopping in Arizona. Located only a few miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Tempe is popular for visitors looking to escape cold winters in their home cities. Tempe isn't all heat and dryness, however. Its desert climate is tempered by the presence of Tempe Town Lake and the Salt River.

No visit to Tempe would be complete without shopping, of course, because the city has more than 10 million square feet of shops! Arizona Mills makes up a large percentage of this total. It's one of a series of 'mills' malls famous for their enormous size. Arizona Mills features outlet stores from upscale retailers like Neiman Marcus, as well as traditional mall staples like American Eagle and an IMAX theater. Tempe is also home to the first Ikea branch in Arizona. For those looking for a quainter shopping experience, try the Tempe Marketplace, which is an open air area and features live music and water displays.

The presence of the 300ft tall butte, which inspired the early pioneers to name their settlement after the Vale of Tempe in Greece, also provides a great scenic hiking experience. The Tempe Town Lake also has hiking trails, and if the weather gets too hot for you, you can go boating instead. You can also cool off in the Kiwanis wave pool, one of two city pools that feature slides, or one of the four splash parks, which are like playgrounds crossed with fountains. If you've got your four-legged friend with you, five of Tempe's city parks are off-leash friendly.

The desert heat doesn't keep Tempe residents from playing and watching sports! In fact, it's one of the most popular things to do in the city. ASU Sun Devils games are always well-attended, especially when they're battling their arch-rivals, the University of Arizona Wildcats from Tucson. The block party that the city hosts to coincide with the annual Insight Bowl at Sun Devil stadium is one of the biggest New Year's Eve parties in the United States. It's great even for those who aren't into sports, because of the live music from even bigger bands than Tempe would normally host at its Center for the Arts.

There is so much to see and do in a Tempe Arizona zip code -- after one visit, you'll just keep coming back for more!